The House of Medici
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Book Overview
It was a dynasty with more wealth and power than the houses of Windsor, Kennedy, and Rockefeller combined. It shaped all of Europe and controlled politics, scientists, artists and even popes for three hundred years. It was the house of Medici.
Bankers turned nobility and de facto rulers, the Medici family defined upward mobility. Patrons of the arts who helped make Florence one of the great cultural centers of the Renaissance, they were also power-hungry and reckless, ultimately losing everything. In The House of Medici, Christopher Hibbert, author of The Days of the French Revolution, explores the lives and misdeeds of this remarkable family. Christopher Hibbert, an Oxford graduate, has written more than fifty books, including Wellington: A Personal History, London: The Biography of a City, Redcoats and Rebels, and The Destruction of Lord Raglan. He lives with his family in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, England.Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0688053394
ISBN13:9780688053390
Release Date:May 1999
Publisher:Mariner Books
Length:384 Pages
Weight:1.09 lbs.
Dimensions:1.0" x 6.0" x 9.3"
Customer Reviews
3 ratings
History comes alive
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
Christopher Hibbert created a masterpiece with this work. It chronicles the fortunes of the Medici family from when its first leader, Cosimo comes to renown in Florence in 143 to when heirless Gian Gastone dies in 1737. The history is very interesting, it gives an insider's look into the complex world of Florence and Europe in the Renaissance. I learned many interesting things, particularly about the corruptrion in the Catholic Church at the time. My only qualm is that the author seems to lose interest with after Part 3 ends. The first 3 parts cover 100 years and last 260 pages and the last 140 years only take up 50 pages. Also of note are the notes that give information about notable villas and works of art that are mentioned. This would be extremely useful if one were to travel to Florence. Overall, an excellent read that will enrich your understanding of the Past.
Readable history
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
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.
GREAT READ ON THE MOST INFLUENTIAL FLORENTINE FAMILY
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 28 years ago
AN EXCELLENT READ ON THE HISTORY OF ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL CONTRIBUTING FAMILES OF ITALY. IF YOU ARE GOING TO FLORENCE YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK FIRST. IT TELLS MANY HISTORIC FACTS ABOUT CASTLES, FORTRESSES, CATHEDRALS AND BANKS THAT ARE STILL STANDING IN FLORENCE.YOU'LL LOVE LORENZO THE MAGNIFICENT FOR HIRING THE MASTERS TO CREATE ART THAT IS STILL ALIVE IN FLORENCE DUE TO THE LAST MEDICI THAT WILLED ALL THAT WAS MEDICI TO FLORENCE WITH THE STIPULATION THAT IT STAYED IN FLORENCE. THIS IS WHY WE CAN VIEW PAINTINGS AND STATUES BY MICHAELANGELO IN FLORENCE THAT ARE 500 YEARS OLD. THIS BOOK ALSO CONTAINS HISTORY ON SOME OF THE PRACTICES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THAT WERE VERY INTERESTING.
The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall Mentions in Our Blog
The Role Books Played for 6 of The Biggest Stars of 2018
Published by Beth Clark • December 31, 2018
Instead of doing a typical "year in review" post like everyone else, we thought it would be fun to close the door on 2018 from a different angle: by looking back at the books that played roles in the careers of the year's biggest stars. Everybody has to start somewhere, but with hard work and a few lucky literary breaks, these household names didn't stop there.
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