New Book Recounts Paolo Borsellino’s Final Days

A new book by author Giuseppe Zurlo examines the final 57 days of Italian magistrate Paolo Borsellino’s life. The work, titled Il nido di vipere (The Viper’s Nest), reconstructs the period between the Capaci and Via D’Amelio bombings through the perspective of the judge himself.

The Beginning of the End

The narrative begins in the aftermath of the Capaci bombing, which killed judge Giovanni Falcone, his wife, and three bodyguards on May 23, 1992. The book focuses on the period immediately following this event, during which Borsellino continued his work despite knowing he was a target.

The Final Days

Zurlo details the subsequent 57 days leading up to July 19, 1992. The account traces Borsellino’s activities, investigations, and personal reflections as he anticipated his own assassination. The text culminates in the Via D’Amelio attack in Palermo, where a car bomb killed the magistrate and five members of his police escort.

Current Status

Il nido di vipere serves as a narrative reconstruction of Borsellino’s final actions. By utilizing the magistrate’s own voice, the book aims to provide insight into his mindset and the political climate of Sicily during the summer of 1992.

Why it matters: This work revisits one of Italy’s most significant anti-mafia investigations. For readers concerned with rule of law and judicial independence, the account highlights the personal risks faced by public officials combating organized crime.