In the town of Corleone, the pecking order is clear. Il Padrone, Don Tomasso Scalisce, is a leader of a different kind of power. While some respect the monarchy as it is, it is foreign to this paese, and Roma might as well be a world away as few venture beyond their small towns in the hills of inner Sicily. Throughout the next one hundred and twenty years, Sicilys feudal past connects with criminal elements while the harsh realities of life require its people to endure brutalities in order to survive and prosper. While the Italians work to preserve life, family, and fortunes, they must use all means possible to make it happen, including killing others who want to kill them. As life takes them from Sicily to other Italian cities, the Vatican, and eventually into modern American society, a diverse band of characters including leaders, celebrities, and lawless and nefarious Mafia thugs seeking money and power are linked through one of the most compelling human conditionsthe bloodline. In this epic historical novel, Italian families connected through a bloodline move through time while bravely attempting to overcome obstacles that test their character, courage, and determination to succeed.