The Medici

Power, Money, and Ambition in the Italian Renaissance

By: Paul Strathern

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 16 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

A dazzling history of the modest family that 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 that 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. Interwoven into the narrative are 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.

In his enthralling study, Strathern also follows the fortunes of those members of the Medici family who achieved success away from Florence, including the two Medici popes and Catherine de' Medici, who became queen of France and played a major role in that country through three turbulent reigns.

©2016 Paul Strathern (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A fantastically comprehensive history covering the breadth of the great learning, art, politics, and religion of the period." ( Kirkus)

Excellent history!!

I became obsessed with listening to this excellent read about the Medici! If you’ve watched the Medici tv series, you can easily put faces with names and it makes the listen more real! I will listen again! It gives an excellent family lineage outline as well as that of artists and scientists that helped shape the world!

I couldn’t stop listening….

Fantastic insightful review of the Medici history. Been to Firenze several times but, now I really want to go back and experience everything again and with a revised perspective. Superbly written and delivered exquisitely.
Thank you.

Fantastic!

Elegantly written with clear connections of the rise and transfer of power within the Medici family both in commerce, politics and religion.

Nothing short of splendid

Well written, and gives a good historical, financial and social account the lives of the Medici family

I loved this book

The quality of the writing, the understanding of what makes history interesting, the in-depth look at the personalities of the Medici families, make this a fabulous book, beautifully done. And the reader gets six stars. I couldn’t put it down. Not since Barbara Tuchman have I read such good history.

The intimate view of 250 years of the family

Brings history alive is what I like most about this book………………have read all of this series.

Derek Perkins is the voice of Heaven

Strathern offers a comprehensive account of the Medici, the political and cultural conditions that made their rise possible, and the effects they had on the Florentine Renaissance. Though it ends a bit abruptly (an epilogue reflecting on the family's greater significance would have been welcome) there's enough here to fill in the gaps for those who study the artists, scientists, or political figures of the era in isolation. In all, a very good book.

Derek Perkins was a wonderful choice as narrator. This is another great performance by a true virtuoso of the medium. I highly recommend.

Very good book.

This is the Best book I’ve read on the Medici family!! It includes all the historical figures.

Before Your Trip

The history of Florence is entwined with the powerful Medici’s. I found this book interesting and insightful, read just before a return trip to Florence. Interesting to read and visit areas described including Venice’s Medici. The author has a positive but somewhat balanced view of the Medici.
Enjoy if you like renaissance history.

Reads like a novel

Well written and interesting. Enjoyable narration. I enjoyed this one a lot. I may listen to it again.