The 1860 Expedition of the Thousand, in which a group of volunteers led by Giuseppe Garibaldi sailed from Quarto, near Genoa, landing on the west coast of Sicily and advancing to its capital Palermo in a bid to liberate the island from Bourbon rule, is perhaps the defining moment of the unification of Italy, and a testament to the bravery, resilience and vision of the country’s last condottiere.

Drawing on a wealth of contemporary diaries and other first-hand accounts by the protagonists of the events, and interspersing them with his own penetrating remarks, best-selling author Tim Parks retraces the journey of the “Mille” through the ragged landscape of Sicily under the blazing summer heat, bringing back to life an entire world in all its intricate complexity. Along the way he revisits old controversies and provides answers to many unresolved questions – as well as offering a vivid commentary on the Italy of today.

Click here for the author’s photogallery with a few photos for every day of the expedition and quotes from the various diarists.

The Hero’s Way – Reviews

A delightful account of an enthusiast’s romp through history and his adopted country… Parks shows one simple way…in which this troubled yet beautiful land and its constantly debated history can still offer nourishment — Max Norman ― Literary Review

Parks intertwines his travelogue with thought-provoking contemplation on leadership, history, memory, politics, idealism and the true meaning of love of country’… Parks’s deep affection for Italy with all its flaws…is implicit and compelling — Jeremy Cliffe ― New Statesman

Parks’s prose reflects the hot sun overhead, the hard stone underfoot; it spares none of the senses, and it makes for sympathetic reading… the reader gasps at Garibaldi’s charisma and intelligence — Harry Cochrane ― Tablet

The Hero’s Way is one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time. Following in Garibaldi’s footsteps, Tim Parks recreates the thrilling history of his legendary escape from Rome in 1849. Elegantly written, full of wit and charm, this is travel writing at its very best ― Orlando Figes