Thomas F. Madden is a professor of history and the director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Saint Louis University in Missouri.He is the author of "The New Concise History of the Crusades, Enrico Dandolo and the Rise of Venice, The Fourth Crusade, "andEmpires of Trust. In 2012 he was named a Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation."
"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"
"This is a savory, tantalizing, but not-so-serene history of "La
Serenissima "-- a tale of invasion, plunder, and ultimate elevation
to one of the leading merchant cities in Europe. ...Madden makes
use of thousands of Venetians' personal documents from the Middle
Ages to present an authoritative history."-- "Publishers Weekly"
"Madden paints a vivid portrait of 'a city without land, an empire
without borders.' His engaging work enters a sparse
historiography... and separates itself by offering a readable
overview backed by solid research. Readers will come away from
Madden's "Venice "with a newfound respect for one of the great
jewels of Western civilization.-- "Booklist "(Starred Review)
"Plenty of books focus on Venice the romantic ruin. This one offers
a welcome reminder of its historic role over a millennium in the
development of a modern economic system and the maintenance of the
global balance of power."-- "Kirkus Reviews" "Madden presents a
popular history as engaging as it is solid. In graceful, sometimes
elegant prose, he details the long life of one of Europe's most
intriguing cities... It is as enjoyable as it is astute."--
"Library Journal" "As Thomas F. Madden relates in his excellent new
book, the city was once far more than just a romantic tourist
destination. ... Madden's book is a lively and lucid survey of
Venice's colorful history."-- "The Seattle Times"
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. 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""
"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." --John R. Hale,
author of "Lords of the Sea"""
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