- 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 (21 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 441,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Book Description
A vivid and dramatic account of one of the most influential families in Italian history
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' Médicis 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. (20040315)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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
A solid survey of the key events and players.
A solid, popular history of the legendary (or infamous depending on your point of view) Medici clan. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Cardew Robinson
Excellent
One of my favourite books. Well written with a lot of facts, yet it flows smoothly, without tiring the reader. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Rea
Good popular history
Prologue - High Noon
Origins of a Dynasty
Out of a Darkness
Prince and the Prophet of Doom
The Pope and the Protestant
The Battle for the Truth... Read more
Origins of a Dynasty
Out of a Darkness
Prince and the Prophet of Doom
The Pope and the Protestant
The Battle for the Truth... Read more
Published 8 months ago by RR Waller
The Medici
There are a handful of books written on the subject of the Medici but I found that Paul Stratherns is by far the most engaging. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Sideshowbobby
Can't praise it highly enough
This is an excellent book. It is very readable, very clever and very well researched. It is probably the best introduction to this subject that you could hope to find. Read more
Published 21 months ago by SAP
a good read
This book does exactly what it professes to do - gives a history of a family - and since almost every member of entire Medici family is historically interesting, it's a sensible... Read more
Published 23 months ago by ECD
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
They really were pivotal around the 15th century. Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2009 by S. Leonard
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 assassination... Read more
When I first opened the book and started reading, the prologue alone (deals with the Pazzi assassination... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2009 by Kaarle Wasama
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 on 2 Sep 2009 by Cheryl
Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance
It is a fantastic book! Very very good. It is fun to read and interesting.
Published on 18 July 2009 by Just Flor
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