The Medici Dynasty: A Look at Italy's Influential History

USA Native: Chronological Medici family history. Love it!

United States on Sep 11, 2023

Andy G.: History comes alive, this book will make your next trip to the Tuscany region 10x more enjoyable.

United States on May 10, 2023

C. R. Ritchey: Bought this after watching Lorenzo the Magnificent on TV. It’s fabulous!!!! Highly recommend!

United States on Mar 17, 2023

John K.: I decided to read this book after watching the TV series on Netflix - Masters of Florence.

The book is a gem. Paul's writing style is so engaging that it feels like you are reading fiction. Almost every chapter ends with something that makes you think "Uh what happens next?". And the amount of fascinating information in there is mind blowing, from how Florence rose to be one of the powerful cities in Italy, to how it went down, to Galileo Galilei, to Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and many other. Italics was born in Florence. How the Catasto was used as a political instrument. It is really a must read!

At first I was a bit worried about the reviews saying that the author was homophobic but after reading it I can tell he is perfectly balanced and neutral when talking about people's sexual inclinations. There is absolutely nothing wrong with his writing.

United Kingdom on Mar 22, 2022

Kathleen May: Well. written it takes you deep inside the world of the reinascese and Medici family. This includes both the well known and lesser known menders. You will learn about their relationships with well known artists of the day and Popes. All in all a good read and a must for Italian history buffs.

United States on Jan 04, 2022

fifilaflee: Having watched "Medici" series on Netflix I was able to put a face on all the characters and places which made the reading come to life - only 4 stars because font and print size constant variation made my eyes water - pity !!

United Kingdom on Sep 22, 2021

M: I love everything Medici and so this book is like a treasure because it covers all the Medici family members starting from their origins up until after the Renaissance. Highly recommend it to any Renaissance/Medici/History lover.

Canada on Jul 19, 2020

A.H.: I really enjoyed this book. It's a highly interesting and accessible look at one of the most fantastic and important periods in western history and art. I really could not put this down!

Canada on Jul 17, 2020

B.M.: The historical research that went into the writing of this book is impressive, and overall the author has an engaging style. The problem, however, lies with the publisher. The book needed the services of a good copy editor. Increasingly, in an effort to combat rising production and marketing costs, publishers cut corners by engaging sub-par copy editors, or by relying solely upon tools such as spell-check. Such would appear to be the case here. The book, and its author, deserved better from the publisher. As did its readers.

Canada on Dec 12, 2019

Kindle Customer: "The Medici" is very systematic and thorough. It provides an excellent understanding of how the Medici family came to influence and then dominate Florence and much of Tuscany during the period from the late 14th Century into the 16th Century. The reading is a bit dry but very interesting.

United States on Mar 24, 2019