Maradona

Whilst writing Once Upon a Time in Naples I envisaged an imaginary canvas of a Naples/Diego Maradona-Sergio Leone movie landscape with an Ennio Morricone soundtrack to die for. Andrea Bocelli was also there! His Conte te Partiro as from a crystal blue Neapolitan sky, Maradona's helicopter first flies over a packed San Paolo stadium, awaiting his arrival back on 5th July 1984. Whilst in the distance Mount Vesuvio loomed large enjoying an eternal, fitful sleep.

Diego's sad passing at just aged sixty and Napoli finally winning the title again in 2023, for the first time since the Maradona era have helped to keep Once Upon a Time in Naples relevant. The book has been published in three languages. This latest and most ''definitely'' final ''20 year edition'' is truly epic in scope. A host of new characters have been introduced such as Pablo Escobar. It has been an absolute riot to update. So, one last dance! A city that lived for the day and chanced their hand on the forever changing moods of Vesuvio. From a high their patron saint San Gennaro kept a watching eye, but even he could not bring about a happy ending. For in this city where the devil would have needed bodyguards. Where even the angels had dirt under their wings. For seven years Maradona ruled supreme. Welcome to Naples! I hope you enjoy. Viva Diego!