Compare and contrast your perceptions of Italy you held before reading this book and your views now.

Would you like to visit Italy someday? Why or why not?

If you have visited Italy or Sicily, how do your memories compare with the images Barzini presents in this book?

If you were to take a month-long trip to Italy, what would you include in your journey and why?

If you could talk to Italian residents of all social strata, what would you want to know about their lives?

How do you think Italy has changed in the time since this book was written in 1964?

The Mafia began as a secret organization in Sicily, but its presence is not quite so secret anymore. Discuss the evolution of the Sicilian Mafia and how its presence has extended around the globe.

What are some common stereotypes of Italian...