Fighting the Mafia: And Renewing Sicilian Culture

In modest language Orlando shows us how beautiful Palermo and with it Sicily, has been brought back to it rightful position. The story is one of bravery, persistence and the creation of community spirit in a city whose society had been systematically attacked. Orlando continues to be a force for good in the world, and to fight international crime, now the model for wild and successful schemes to kill, cheat and enslave people in places all around the world, through money and power unfettered by scruples. It's not as if we don't know what he is talking about. Examples abound. This is a good and encouraging story, true, exciting, and well told by one of the protagonists. By all means read it.

This book tells an amazing story and has been a true inspiration for many people. Other groups/institutions/governments have tried to duplicate the methodology that was used in Sicily to improve their own cultures - moving from crime and corruption to a "culture of lawfulness." To see how a society has been able to move forward is great - it takes courage to be an optimist and obviously Leoluca Orlando and the people who worked with him were very courageous!

Fighting The Mafia and Renewing Sicilian Culture by Leoluca Orlando is an authentic chronicle of the incredible travails of the Sicilian people as they struggled to overthrow the yoke of the Mafia and the corrupted politicians with whom they were allied.Orlando recounts the story as only one who was in the midst of the battle can do it. If you know anything at all about the history of the Mafia in Sicily and the US you realize that the story is authentic and understated. Enough detail is provided to support the narrative but there is no sensationalism, as incredible as that may sound.The book ends on a chilling note. Much remains to be done.

My first visit to Sicily - and I hope not my last - took place this May. Our group had planned just a short visit to Palermo. Everything I had read said the city was chaotic - evidence of Mafia contamination all over; dirty, inadequate services, horrible traffic and somewhat dangerous. But some of the jewels were still there and worth the visit, we concluded. What a lovely surprize - We found a different Palermo from the one described in "Midnight in Sicily, and "On Persephone's Island." Renovation all over; the Teatro Massima newly re-opened and a city with a bright, good feel to it....After reading this book, I feel I had an insight into some of the ways this was done. If Stille's "Excellent Cadavers" takes you through the legal battles, this book talks about political and cultural changes as seen by its mayor. At first I was a little concerned with self-aggrandizement and Stille doesn't seem to be too great a fan, but I came to respect Orlando's story....I am very curious and would like to find out more about Orlando and also want to go back to Palermo, with more open eyes this time....By the way, the traffic was still terrible.

This is a remarkable book. It is both a suspenseful story of the attempt to root the Mafia out of the Sicilian bone marrow and also the story of making the culture free and autonomous. Leoluca Orlando is central to both of these narratives. Indeed, he embodies them in the courageous and dangerous life he has led. It would seem impossible to bring off a combination of The Godfather, The Leopard, and the Book of Virtues, but he has done it here. This story is unforgettable. It is a great read and would be a great movie.