Sicilian Odyssey – Volume I is the first part of a two book series, which presents a continuous history of Sicily through the millennia of colonization, conflicts, and cultural achievements. Along this epic two-part journey, hundreds of color photos, illustrations, maps, charts, and timelines help to illuminate this rich story and bring it to life. The story in Sicilian Odyssey – Volume I begins with the island’s prehistoric inhabitants, then moves through the ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, and Norman conquests. This first volume concludes during the High Middle Ages, near the end of the 13th century. The two book series presents a comprehensive study of Sicilian history, including a study of Sicily’s various ruling dynasties, the island’s significant impact on the greater history of Europe, the principal cultural treasures surviving to present day, as well an intimate look at the daunting challenges faced by the Sicilian people to survive. The historical events are organized into digestible chapters, delivered in a simple, clear prose, and presented with sufficient historical background to make the complex story of Sicily comprehensible, particularly for readers with limited knowledge of European history. In addition to detailing the grand stories of kings, emperors, and popes, Sicilian Odyssey takes special care to present the everyday struggles for survival faced by ordinary Sicilians, through their many tragic centuries of exploitation, abuse and neglect.