The Sicilian, by Mario Puzo, is the exciting story of Turi Guiliano who is a legendary bandit in Sicily. He became a bandit by accident. Having killed a police officer who shot him, he fled to the mountains and became a bandit to survive. He had rules and principles that had to be followed. Half of the band's profits had to be given to the poor and this is why he and his band were legendary and supported by the people.

Turi had his cousin, Aspanu, as his second in command in the hills that they had played in as children. Turi began with a fear of the Mafia and would not have anything to do with them. He was spotted by the powerful Maria man Don Croce as a possible successor and in the early days Don Croce helped Turi out. However, Turi came to hate the Mafia and was determined to destroy them in his desire to help the poor people of Sicily. Turi saw himself as serving the poor while he viewed the Mafia as serving the rich.

Little by little, Turi encroaches on their territory. He also becomes more ruthless and violent during his seven years in the hills. The government mounts a major campaign against him but need his help in suppressing the Communists and Socialists. He is promised by Don Croce that the government will halt its campaign against him and give him a pardon in exchange for his help. He agrees to help them and then is set up by Don Croce with the massacre at Portella della Ginestra. By this time he and Don Croce are bitter enemies.

When Michael Corleone is ready to leave Sicily and return to America after his two year exile, his plans are changed when he receives orders from his father, Vito Corleone to meet with Don Croce and help Turi Guiliano escape to America. At the luncheon with the Mafia don is a high ranking police official who also says he is trying to help Turi escape. Michael is not sure what is going on especially when he finds that Don Croce and Turi are bitter enemies but he tried to follow the orders of his father. Michael receives Turi's Testament and sends it on to America, thinking it will be published in the event of Turi's death. The Testament and the documents with it will bring down the Christian Democrat government.

This book is full of suspense as are all of the Puzo novels and the reader will have a hard time putting the book down once he/she begins it. It is easy reading for anyone who likes a good novel. The reader will be caught up in who will betray whom, who will kill whom and who will strike where. The book is well worth the time spent reading it.