An international bestseller about the rise of the famous Italian Florio dynasty, performed by Zuzana Slavíková.
The book traces the rise of Italy's famous Florio dynasty from humble beginnings to the top of the strict hierarchy of closed Sicilian society.
From the beginning of the 19th to the middle of the 20th century, the Florio family practically took over Sicily. The Florios were driven, ambitious and determined to become richer and more powerful than anyone else.
Paolo and Ignazio Florio leave earthquake-ravaged Bagnara for Palermo with the intention of realizing their dream of a better life, and open a spice and colonial goods shop in the Sicilian city. After Paolo's untimely death, Ignazio takes over. He manages to triple the value of the business in ten years while educating Paolo's son Vincenzo in business and entrepreneurship. And when Vincenzo becomes the sole heir to the family business at 30, he decides to expand further.
Vincezo subordinates personal life, family and relationships to higher goals and successfully transforms the colony into a business empire. He bought vineyards and tobacco plantations, penetrated the fishing and canning industries, sulphur mining and banking, founded trading companies, made contacts in Great Britain and the United States and even became an Italian senator. The name Florio soon inspired respect throughout Palermo.
A story of vision, business talent, predation, iron will and perseverance of Florio's men and women, it also tells the flip side of success: envy, intrigue, frustration, sacrifices in personal life. The men in this family are stubborn and single-minded, arrogant, womanizing - but also brilliant. And women are not lagging behind. They demand emancipation respect and recognition and refuse to be just mothers, shamed wives and mistresses.
This spectacular story combines themes of power struggle, lust and revenge with the quest to overcome obstacles and achieve more than what fate has bestowed on man - whatever it takes.
