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SIamo DIo (2016) is an autobiographical exploration of existentialism and identity by Australian freelance journalist Leonard McDonnell.

Background
This semi-autobiographical work of nonfiction is comprised of small anecdotes from the Author's personal life.

He includes short observations and musings from his experiences from his early childhood including growing up in a large Catholic family with 9 siblings and moving to Australia, as well as working for many years as a journalist for multiple mainstream news publications.

Though the publication date on amazon is listed as being may 2016, throughout the book, the Author offhandedly details dates of writing leading as far back as 2004, which implies the book was written over roughly 12 years.

The title ‘Simao Dio’ is an Italian phrase which in English translates to “We are God”.

This is both a reflection of the authors affinity for the Italian language and culture, as well as a reference to his influence from Friedrich Neitzsche and other philosophers.

Influences
The book draws influence from many sources, including the philosophical writings and musings of influential philosophers such as Friedrich Neitzsche and Alan Watts.

In the acknowledgements section, past the contents page, the Author has cited relying on the work of “scientific minds” that he also considers “great communicators” such as neuroscientists Antonio Damasio, Vilayanur Ramachandran and Susan Greenfeild, as well as psychologist Martin Seligman

The title ‘Siamo Dio’ makes reference to the statement “God is Dead” by Friedrich Neitzsche, a phrase popularised in his book ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’ (Also Sprach Zarathustra).

The Author intertwines Siamo Dio with his own metaphor regarding the seemingly sinister and deceptive behaviour of the Cuckoo bird.

This is reflected in the title of the book and is referred-to frequently throughout.

Refrences
McDonnell, L. (2016). Siamo Dio.

Hernandez, C. (2019). Cuculus canorus (common cuckoo). [online] Animal Diversity Web.