Writer and historian John Julius Norwich will be talking about his new book, Sicliy, in Ely on Friday.

John Julius, the 2nd Viscount Norwich, studied history at Oxford University and spent 15 years working for the Government in embassies overseas before leaving public service to become a writer.

His travels during and since his work for the Government have informed much of his work and he will be at St Peter’s Church, in Broad Street, on Friday, June 26, to discuss his latest work, which explores the history of the tiny Italian island.

Sicily has been invaded and fought over by Phoenicians and Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans, Goths and Byzantines, Arabs and Normans, Germans, Spaniards and the French, and has belonged to them all.

Norwich has been fascinated by the island for 50 years. His vivid history covers everything from erupting volcanoes to the assassination of Byzantine emperors, from Nelson’s affair with Emma Hamilton to Garibaldi and the rise of the Mafia.

Doors to the event open at 7.10pm, with tickets available for £6 in advance. Visit Topping and Company book shop, in High Street, Ely, or call 01353 645005.