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The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance
 
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The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance (Paperback)

by Paul Strathern (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Pimlico; New edition edition (2 Dec 2004)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1844130983
  • ISBN-13: 978-1844130986
  • Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.8 x 3.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 31,631 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #3 in  Books > Biography > Political > Countries & Regions > Italy
    #6 in  Books > History > Europe > Renaissance, Reformation, Thirty Years War 1501-1750
    #6 in  Books > Biography > Historical > Countries & Regions > Italy

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Product Description

Product Description

A dazzling history of the modest family which rose to become one of the most powerful in Europe, The Medici is a remarkably modern story of power, money and ambition. Against the background of an age which saw the rebirth of ancient and classical learning - of humanism which penetrated and explored the arts and sciences and the 'dark' knowledge of alchemy, astrology, and numerology - Paul Strathern explores the intensely dramatic rise and fall of the Medici family in Florence, as well as the Italian Renaissance which they did so much to sponsor and encourage. Interwoven into the narrative are the lives of many of the great Renaissance artists with whom the Medici had dealings, including Leonardo, Michelangelo and Donatello, as well as scientists like Galileo and Pico della Mirandola, both of whom clashed with the religious authorities. In this enthralling study, Paul Strathern also follows the fortunes of those members of the Medici family who achieved success away from Florence, including the two Medici popes and Catherine de' Medicis who became Queen of France and played a major role in that country through three turbulent reigns. Vivid and accessible, the book ends with the gloriously decadent decline of the Medici family in Florence as they strove to be recognised as European Princes.


From the Publisher

A vivid and dramatic account of one of the most influential families in Italian history
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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
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3 star:    (0)
2 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read and a good introduction to the Medici, 12 Jan 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance (Hardcover)
It was exceedingly well written and very enjoyable. The only criticism I would have was that I expected some more exploration of the wider family.

I also do have to say that as I was not particularly well acquainted with the Medici and that particular period in detail, it was at a very good level for me. If you are better acquainted with that era, the book may possibly be a bit simple for you.

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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of the Medici family, 1 Sep 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance (Hardcover)
This is a really good piece of popular history. As another review has said, some readers may find it insufficiently academic - in that respect it contrasts with April Blood by Lauro Martines, a book about one aspect of Medici history that is academically superb but, in my view, poorly written for non-academics. However, for the general reader this book is spot on.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply brilliant, 27 April 2005
By Paul Hunt (Cardiff, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I bought the hardback version of this book aftert seeing the TV series as I wanted to find out more.

The book is one of the best I've read: easy to read, packed full of revealing facts and stories about the peoples and the times. Amazing what they all got up to.

It's also easy to read so if, like me, you're not an intellectual type, you'll have no trouble getting through the 400+ pages. Left me wanting to find out more.

Great stuff.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating for art or political historians
Read this as I had heard about the Medici family but knew little.

They really were pivotal around the 15th century. Read more
Published 3 days ago by S. Leonard

5.0 out of 5 stars I am loving it.
I would like to share my experience both as a reader and as a student.
When I first opened the book and started reading, the prologue alone (deals with the Pazzi... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kaarle Wasama

5.0 out of 5 stars My favourite so far
An intriguing and interesting read for those who want to delve into the Medici family and renaissance Florence. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Cheryl

5.0 out of 5 stars Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance
It is a fantastic book! Very very good. It is fun to read and interesting.
Published 3 months ago by Just Flor

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant romp through the European Renaissance
While this takes the Florentine Medici family as its guiding organisational structure, this book actually covers far more. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Roman Clodia

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderfully woven
this book is such an intresting read i would highly recomend this book to anyone who has fallen in love with florance or has an intrest in the history of the renaissance... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ms. Chele Z. Hanley

4.0 out of 5 stars A gloriously decadent read
I knew very little about the Medici family before this book and I found it a superb introduction to this key dynasty of early modern Europe. Read more
Published 18 months ago by J. Duducu

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting times for Europe
The book covers not only the changes that took place in this most civilised corner of medievil Italy but also describes how all this took place at the same time the Spanish... Read more
Published 20 months ago by J. Mcguinness

4.0 out of 5 stars Of morality and Medici - a great overview of a pivitol family
It would be impossible for a family history of the Medici to adequately cover the extent of possible material. Read more
Published on 22 Aug 2007 by Ian David Curry

2.0 out of 5 stars A fair read but flawed
Very readable book certainly covering a lot of ground. However, I felt it was badly flawed:
1. Most material is focused on the 'golden age' of the Medici. Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2006 by G. Thulbourn

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