These memoirs were written by the grandson of the founder of Chicoril Department Stores for his grandson, Ben, at the request of his daughter, Valerie. It depicts an important historical era not only in the busy life of the Chicurel family, but in the modern history of Egypt in general. During this era, Egypt was able to dissolve the differences between religious sects and the different communities that resided there.

The memoirist says about his father, Salvatore Cicurel, head of the Jewish community between 1946 and 1957, that he was Egyptian to the core. He was seeking in every way to put his experiences and relationships in the service of his country, Egypt, and he chose to stay and endure the difficulties with steadfastness until his family's life became at risk. He remembers seeing President Gamal Abdel Nasser at their home in Zamalek, wearing an elegant military uniform, always smiling and alert. He also says that President Sadat addressed his father in 1976 asking him to return to Cairo, assuring him that his property would be returned to him. He responded to the letter with gratitude, but he told the president that his father would not be able to return to Egypt. Because he died.