The Medici – Power, Money, and Ambition in the Italian Renaissance

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.

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 !!

Bought as part of a Christmas present following a visit to Florence in 2017. The recipient indicated they wanted to learn more of the history of the richest family in Florence at the time...the Medici's. I'm reliably told this is an addictive read and together with knowledge of the sights of the city it has brought the history to life. Not overly academic in style, but a well written, valuable read.

Well written and comprehensive account of not just the Medici but other major figures of the Renaissance. My only quibble is that the font/print size seems to change line by line, hence only 4 stars.

This is truly a very scary family, much like a modern mafia clan. I find it quite remarkable these practising catholics were capable of such vile deeds. A seriously good read.

Wonderful book, too bad the copy sold by Amazon seems to be counterfeit so that the print typecast isn’t uniform (neither type nor size). Unfortunately this seems to be a recurring issue with Amazon. Lately, many books come this way: with a strangely plastified cover, questionable paper quality, and heterogeneous print.

Habe das Buch meinem Vater geschenkt, weil er sich für die Medici interessiert. Er ist von dem Buch begeistert. Er sagt, die historischen Fakten werden super mit Unterhaltung kombiniert, liest sich gut!

One word.....top book. One of my favourite topic and there are few pages with colourful pictures depicting the work of LDV and Michealangelo.

This book is amazing. It is not just a biography of the Medici family, but a vivid history of the Renaissance, covering about 250 years of Medici influence and the transformation of European civilization. Strathern introduces a whole world of artists, thinkers, and scientists — Brunelleschi, Donatello, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Copernicus, Galileo, and more. The Medici rise from cautious bankers to godfathers of a cultural revolution, while the Florentine florin becomes a trusted currency that helps lay the foundations of modern capitalism. What stood out most for me is how alive the people feel. Lorenzo the Magnificent appears not only as a ruler but also as a musician, poet, athlete, and philosopher, while Cosimo de’ Medici struggles with guilt over usury as he reads Plato late into the night. The rivalry between Leonardo and Michelangelo, and small human details like Cosimo stopping an important meeting to carve a flute for his grandson, make the history very human and memorable. The book also explains the bigger picture: how Europe spent centuries in intellectual darkness, how ancient knowledge survived in the Middle East, and how the rediscovery of classical texts helped spark humanism and modern science. From Brunelleschi’s dome to Galileo’s “book of Nature,” Strathern shows why the conflict between the Church and science was almost inevitable. By the end, the decline of the Medici feels tragic. Florence, once a center of power and creativity, becomes just a chapter in history; the Medici even help trigger the Protestant Reformation through the sale of indulgences. The book does not hide the darker side: massacres, corruption, and ruthless political tactics. The writing style can be demanding — it is closer to academic history than to a novel — but if you enjoy detailed history and ideas, it is absolutely worth the effort. This book changed how I see the Renaissance, the birth of modern science, and the tension between our spiritual values and political reality.