At its height Renaissance Florence was a centre of enormous wealth, power and influence. A republican city-state funded by trade and banking, its often bloody political scene was dominated by rich mercantile families, the most famous of which were the Medici. This enthralling book charts the family’s huge influence on the political, economic and cultural history of Florence. Beginning in the early 1430s with the rise of the dynasty under the near-legendary Cosimo de Medici, it moves through their golden era as patrons of some of the most remarkable artists and architects of the Renaissance, to the era of the Medici Popes and Grand Dukes, Florence’s slide into decay and bankruptcy, and the end, in 1737, of the Medici line.
The Rise and Fall of the House of Medici
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A. J. Smith
Format:Paperback
A superb account of one of the most famous and influential dynasties in European history.
Beginning with an overview of Medieval Florece, Christopher Hibbert takes us back to a sumptuous world of arts, merchants and an advanced democratic civilization. It begins with the story of Cosimo, the brilliant banker, who through his connections to the Papacy, becomes a major powerbroker in Italian affairs, much to the annoyance of Florences ruling Signoria, who unable to decide on his fate, place his life or death to a plebescite, which results in temporary banishment, only to return and establish a wealthy and cultured dynasty.
Lorenzo il Manifico is the definite star, the patro of the arts who oversaw Florence's golden age. However, the most interesting part of the account is the rise of the Dominican Monk Savaronola and Florence's descent into a deranged theocracy.
By the time the book speaks of the passing of Anna Maria, one has a sense of sadness that such a great dynasty has reached its end, and such a sadness was felt in Florence at the time.
On the whole a superb book, one of the best historical accounts I have read this year.
Beginning with an overview of Medieval Florece, Christopher Hibbert takes us back to a sumptuous world of arts, merchants and an advanced democratic civilization. It begins with the story of Cosimo, the brilliant banker, who through his connections to the Papacy, becomes a major powerbroker in Italian affairs, much to the annoyance of Florences ruling Signoria, who unable to decide on his fate, place his life or death to a plebescite, which results in temporary banishment, only to return and establish a wealthy and cultured dynasty.
Lorenzo il Manifico is the definite star, the patro of the arts who oversaw Florence's golden age. However, the most interesting part of the account is the rise of the Dominican Monk Savaronola and Florence's descent into a deranged theocracy.
By the time the book speaks of the passing of Anna Maria, one has a sense of sadness that such a great dynasty has reached its end, and such a sadness was felt in Florence at the time.
On the whole a superb book, one of the best historical accounts I have read this year.
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I read this book when I was writing my dissertation around the subject. It was a pleasant surprise after absorbing so many dry text books - it reads like a story. The carnivals, artists and daily trials of life in Renaissance Florence are vividly described in this book. A detailed history and a fascinating insight into one of the richest areas of Italian history.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Seeing Lorenzo il magnifico's mean face around Florence, I thought he would be one of the bad guys in the Medici family. He was not. Hibbert makes the history and politics behind the busts and paintings of cinquecento Florence come to life. His story about the House of Medici explains this ruling family's extinction along with the odd fact that their name is still plastered all over Florence, and Fiesole, too, centuries later. The great storyteller, Hibbert portrays the survivalist instinct of a few individuals that did not allow the Medici name to become extinct along with its people.
Hibbert describes another time and another Italy, before, during and after the Renaissance (cinquecento). People die suddenly. Florence is a seat of world power. Members of an early merchant family, the Medici personages from numerous generations take key actions. Hibbert gives us the context of their cirsumstances. They almost all get gout, too. Wealth was a sin. The Vatican had an army. At this time, new thinkers were put before the inquisition. However, the Medicis had a hand in protecting and promoting the discussion and dissemination of new ideas. The Medicis, and Florence, deserve to be remembered for their shelter of the people with the new ideas that became known as the Renaissance.
Good novel quality.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very detailed account of the Medicis
I bought this on my Kindle while visiting Florence and there is no doubt that the book was enhanced by having visited the churches and palaces built during the heyday of the... Read more
Published 15 days ago by M. V. Quinn
3.0 out of 5 stars
interesting facts but little flavor and no depth
THis is a travel book and not really an historical book. I enjoyed reading it and it went very swiftly, but I was left unsatisfied with both the level of detail and the author's... Read more
Published 21 months ago by rob crawford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hugely accessible to all readers
This excellent book is a complete history of the Medici family and their considerable input to the Renaissance. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mark
1.0 out of 5 stars
Are proof readers employed any more?
Read the Kindle edition. As a book it is a decent, if somewhat formulaic account of the Medici. It might rate 3 stars. However, the Kindle edition is full of errors. Read more
Published on 17 May 2011 by duffer
3.0 out of 5 stars
Florence in the Days Before the Tourist Invasion
It is almost impossible for the modern visitor to Florence, with its churches, buildings, museums and art galleries located alongside the river Arno in the Tuscan countryside, to... Read more
Published on 9 July 2010 by John Fitzpatrick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Superb for a newcomer to this period of history - as detailed as necessary, as concise as possible.
Published on 12 Oct 2008 by Mrs. RM KLEPPMANN
2.0 out of 5 stars
Polaroid View of History
This book focuses on a fascinating period, but the camera (i.e. Historian Christopher Hibbert) is a polaroid camera, so the image is not particularly sharp and enchanting. Read more
Published on 8 July 2007 by Captain Cook
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not a very intellectual book
As an A-level history student I waited for this book to arrive. After beginning to read it I was deeply disappointed. Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant! One of the best books I've ever read.
Why has it taken me over 20 years to discover this book? Erudite, factual, witty, entertaining, this is a must for anyone with the slightest interest in Florence, the Renaissance,... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
strong, readable treatment of the Medici
Hibbert's treatment of the Medici is superb. He brings individual figures to life with well-chosen detail without losing sight of the "big picture" of social change in... Read more
Published on 27 Aug 1999
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