Product Description

This title follows the the fortunes of the Medici family in Florence as well as those who achieved success away from Florence, including the two Medici popes and Catherine de' Medici who became Queen of France. "The Medici" has been written to accompany a Channel 4 series (of four one-hour parts), due to be screened at the end of 2003. It 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 de Vinci, Michelangelo and Donatello, together with scientists such as Galileo and philosophers such as Pico della Mirandola - both of whom clashed with the religious authorities. The book ends by describing the decadent decline of the Medici family in Florence as they strove to be recognized as European princes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #497340 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-30
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 448 pages

From the Publisher
A vivid and dramatic account of one of the most influential families in Italian history

About the Author
Paul Strathern studied philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin. He has lectured in philosophy and mathematics. He is a Somerset Maugham prize-winning novelist; the author of two series of books-Philosophers in 90 Minutes and The Big Idea: Scientists who Changed the World; and, most recently, has written Mendeleyev's Dream (shortlisted for the Aventis Science Book Prize) and Dr. Strangelove's Game: A History of Economic Genius.

Customer Reviews

An excellent read and a good introduction to the Medici
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.

Excellent overview of the Medici family
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.

Simply brilliant
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.