Joseph Cione

Sicily on My Mind: Echoes of Fascism and World War II Joseph Cione

The book reflects my first twenty-one years of lifein Sicily, particularly from 1931 until the day of my departure in 1947. It relates briefly to my childhood, the happy yearsand the painful ones, spent in a kind of world that no longer exists, where peoplelived and shared their meager existence in joyful simplicity and in a spirit ofkinship that enriched their lives. It shows some first hand details about the Fascistindoctrination of the Italian Youth, from puberty to adulthood, as well as itsrelentless propaganda efforts filled with distortions, brain washing subtletiesand plain wishful thinking. It offers also a fresh glimpse of the war, with allits fears, deprivation, devastation and death. Finally, the book weaves throughout its contents asteady pattern of suffering, courage, inner strength and spiritual faith thatcharacterized my mother's life: The main figure in the book.