Filled with compelling insights and famous figures,Veniceis a monumental work of popular history that's as opulent and entertaining as the great city itself.
Thomas F. Maddenis Professor of History and Director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Saint Louis University. He has written and lectured extensively on the ancient and medieval Mediterranean as well as the history of Christianity and Islam. Awards for his scholarship include the Medieval Academy of America's Haskins Medal and the Medieval Institute's Otto Grundler Prize. He is a Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, and the Medieval Academy of America. His books include Venice- A New History and Istanbul- City of Majesty at the Crossroads of the World.
"Breezy, cheerful, evenhanded, Madden debunks myths about Venetian
decadence, and brushes aside ugly whispers about greedy,
unscrupulous merchants. When a colorful character pops up
(Marco Polo, Casanova), he makes the most of it in his brisk,
no-nonsense prose."—New York Times
“Madden paints a vivid portrait of “a city without land, an empire
without borders.” His engaging work enters a sparse historiography
that includes Roger Crowley’s City of Fortune (2012) and John
Julius Norwich’s enduring A History of Venice (1982) and separates
itself by offering a readable overview backed by solid research.
Readers will come away from Madden’s Venice with newfound
respect for one of the great jewels of Western
civilization.”—Booklist (starred review)“A lively and lucid survey
of Venice's colorful history.”—The Seattle Times
“A savory, tantalizing, but not-so-serene history of La
Serenessima.”—Publishers Weekly“Madden proves the perfect guide to
the magical city of Venice. His history is not only authoritative
and encyclopedic, encompassing everything from the plundering of
Attila the Hun to Katharine Hepburn’s tribulations while
filming Summertime, it is also unfailingly readable and
amusing—a must-read for Europhiles, armchair travelers, and history
buffs.”—Ross King, author of Brunelleschi’s Dome and
Leonardo and The Last Supper
“Thomas Madden’s portrait of Venice glows like one of the city’s
own rich and colorful artworks—a tapestry woven from a thousand
tales, with unforgettable characters, daring exploits, and
inspiring triumphs against overwhelming odds. It’s all here: free
enterprise and free thought, voyages and empire-building between
East and West, and some of the world’s most magnificent
achievements in architecture, painting, and music. All the threads
of Venetian history are traced with a scholar’s zeal for accuracy.
But Madden is also a born storyteller, with a keen eye for the
illuminating detail that can bring a scene to life, from Roman
refugees fleeing Attila the Hun to modern tourists invading the
Rialto. For those who think they know Venice, Madden’s book will be
a revelation. For newcomers, this comprehensive overview is
essential reading.”—John R. Hale, author of Lords of the Sea
“Madden is that rare talent—a serious scholar who tells a gripping
story. He breathes life into Venetian history in all its subtle
complexity, rescuing the Venetians from the common stereotype of
one-dimensional merchants. This book is a fantastic read.”—Lars
Brownworth, author of Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine
Empire that Rescued Western Civilization
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