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The Medici
The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance | Paul Strathern
5 posts | 8 read | 7 to read
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 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. Strathern also follows 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; and the fortunes of those members of the Medici family who achieved success away from Florence, including the two Medici popes and Catherine de' Mdicis, who became Queen of France and played a major role in that country through three turbulent reigns.
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JenReadsAlot
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Pickpick

After my trip to Italy I wanted to learn more about this family.

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Auntynanny
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Library haul!

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bromeliad
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Wait. Rulers ACTUALLY did this?!?! I thought it was just fictitious embellishment!! 😱

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kammartinez
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Pickpick

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ of 5 ⭐️s

This was a different read from the last Medici-centric book I picked up, but in a good way because it actually covered the family's rise and fall and their relationship with the artists and thinkers they patronized. Wish there'd been more coverage of the women in the family, and that the writing was a bit less dry, but otherwise this was a pretty good read :).

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kammartinez
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The Borgias might be my favorite historical family, but I wouldn't have learned about them if I hadn't first been interested in the Medici and the world they helped nurture into existence. This book looks like it'll be different from the Medici book I read last year, so here's to hoping it's just as good, or better :D.

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