pickI have fallen in love with ancient Venice thanks to this book. It was the oldest republic in the world, for 1300 years its people opposed a strong central government. The author destroys old myths about its “all-powerful” doges who were nothing of the sort. Doges were chosen by a process so complex no one of power could possibly influence it “other than God,” and were replaced easily. Not until Napoleon—who “forced” liberty on it (another myth ⬇️
Texreader because according to the author they were the most free people through antiquity)—did one man force the Venetians to erect a statue to one man in St Mark‘s Square. Napoleon. It didn‘t last long. Venice was formed when Romans escaped to its islands fleeing Attila the Hun. Because land was scarce, there was no landed gentry, and thus no nobility, unlike everywhere else in the ancient world. And yet the people were and are noble. An excellent book!! 1y
Texreader By the way, the narrator was fantastic as well. I just don‘t have enough praise for this book. While I‘m not as enamored with Venice‘s modern history (no fault of the author‘s of course), I now cannot wait to see it in a few weeks!! 1y
currentlyreadinginCO Interesting review! We probably have a lot of similar interests based on your enthusiasm for setting the record straight regarding Venetian doges lol 1y
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Texreader @thereadingreference You have me very intrigued! Do you like nonfiction history or Venice or both? Very very cool!! 1y
Texreader @thereadingreference And I see we are both #attorneysofLitsy! 1y
currentlyreadinginCO I love nonfiction! I really enjoy reading about different places. I studied art history in undergrad and I'm just such a nerd for buildings, cities, cultures. I also went to Venice alone once and spent a couple of days just ghosting through the museums and buildings, trying to conceptualize the history. I loved it. Obviously I'm obsessed with Rome as well ... you got me dreaming of Italy! 1y
currentlyreadinginCO I am also a very boring attorney 😂, perhaps a capacity for tedium is my gift 1y
Texreader @thereadingreference Yes we do indeed have a LOT in common! Except my practice is far from boring. I‘m an employment law attorney representing employers. And they keep me hopping all…the…time!! Be sure to watch for my posts when I get to Italy. I usually bore littens to tears with my trip photos but I can‘t help myself. I have countless museums planned. 1y
currentlyreadinginCO So fun!! I work in the admin law world 😂. Have a wonderful time 💕. 1y
Texreader @thereadingreference Yikes! I took that class in law school and decided admin law was for the smart ones. 😂 I clerked for an appellate court in Austin where all the admin cases in the state are appealed. So I “dabbled” in it for the year I clerked. 20+ years later, I‘ve got the basics down but that‘s about it. But no offense, while very intellectually challenging, I do think it might be on the boring side of the law. 😂 1y
currentlyreadinginCO The fantasy lit helps with that 😂😂 1y
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