The Expedition of the Thousand in 1860, in which a group of volunteers led by Giuseppe Garibaldi set sail from Quarto, near Genoa, and disembarked on the western coast of Sicily heading towards Palermo with the aim of liberating the island from Bourbon rule, is perhaps the defining moment of Italy's unification and a testament to the bravery, resilience, and vision of the country's last condottiere.

Drawing from a rich collection of contemporary diaries and other firsthand accounts from the protagonists of the events, and enriching them with his own insightful commentary, best-selling author Tim Parks reconstructs the journey of the “Mille” through the rugged landscape of Sicily under the hot summer sun, bringing to life an entire world with all its intricate texture.

Along the way, he recalls old disagreements and offers answers to many unresolved questions – as well as providing a vivid commentary on modern Italy.