the house of medici by christopher hibbert

This enthralling book charts the families huge influence on the political, economic and cultural history of Florence.

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. At its height Renaissance Florence was a centre of enormous wealth, power and influence. You can get hold of this book on Amazon.Hardcover. It’s an accessible book that shows how one family changed the face of Europe, and highly recommended for anyone interested in the Renaissance as a whole. Strathern covers the members of the family who were influential outside Florence, from two Popes to Catherine de’ Medici.

It’s a story of endless ambition, power and drama and is interesting particularly for the way it shows how the Medici family’s involvement with the great painters and scientists of the age. It pulls you inside the story and gives you an overview of how the Medici were influential in the Italian Renaissance. THE MEDICI GODFATHERS OF THE RENAISSANCE by Paul Strathern With many interesting details and colourful descriptions, this isn’t a dry historical account but a vivid painting of a family that straddled centuries. The history of the Medici family is filled with drama, twists and passion. Finally you’ll see how the family line slowly declined. You’ll find out which artists they supported, their ailments, their politics within Europe, their first cautious steps into the Florentine Republic and the creation of the Gran Ducato with Cosimo I. You’ll learn what was it like to live in Florence, and why they had so many enemies like the Albizzi. But how did an obscure family from the Apennine valley of Mugello achieve their remarkable success? And we shouldn’t forget that they shaped one of the most handsome cities on earth, Florence, financing artists like Michelangelo and Brunelleschi. You have murders, plots, vicious enemies, piles of money, passion, mysteries and intrigue. The long history of the Medici family involves a series of astute politicians and diplomats, bankers, popes and fearless leaders. GODFATHERS OF THE RENAISSANCE by Paul Strathern → MEDICI MONEY Banking, Metaphysics, and Art in 15th century Florence by Tim Parks They also paint a picture of Renaissance life in Florence which is interesting if you’re planning a visit to the city.

They are filled with vivid details and well-told stories and are indispensable reads for fans of the Medici family. If you want to know who the Medici really were, these are the books you should start with.

The house of medici by christopher hibbert