The Medici
The notorious Medici were a Florentine family that rose to prominence through a highly profitable banking business. They then dabbled in politics, art and war, inevitably leaving a string of romantic misconceptions. This book charts their rise during the 13th century, their successes over the next two centuries, their failings and the ignoble demise of this remarkable dynasty in the 18th century. Unlike most histories of the Medici, it does not just concentrate on their glory years.
This is a sumptuous book, beautifully made on high-quality paper, with a profusion of excellent pictures and a stunning dust cover. The top-notch production values are fully worth the price tag.
The Medici had a talent for spin-doctoring that makes accurate interpretation of their actions difficult. The author tries hard (the text is thorough and well referenced) but doesn’t quite manage to pierce the veil. At the end I still felt like I didn’t really know the Medici.
