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House of Medici: A Captivating Guide to the History of the Medici Family and Dynasty
Did you know that one obscure sheep-herding and wool-making family in the Italian region of Tuscany went from humble beginnings to becoming one of the richest and most influential families of all time? Meet the Medici family, who, in some ways, can be considered to be the godfathers of the Renaissance. They patronized Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Sandro Botticelli, among many other famous artists. They helped to recover many famous ancient Roman and Greek writings and built academies to encourage the spread of learning.Inside Captivating History’s House of Medici, you’ll The humble beginnings of a family that is estimated to have made over one hundred twenty billion dollars in today’s currencyCosimo the Great, the true founder of the Medici dynasty, who built the city of Florence into one of the greatest cities on EarthCosimo’s son Lorenzo, called “the Magnificent” for his athletic abilities, knowledge, wisdom, and desire to improve not only the lives of his family but also those throughout EuropeLorenzo’s Platonic Academy, where the greatest minds of the Renaissance gathered to discuss and debate the great questions of both the age and human existenceThe bloody attempt on Lorenzo’s life and his swift revengeThe growth of Florence into both a city of great culture and great pleasureSavonarola, the religious fanatic who terrified Lorenzo and who ruled a city by fear and was finally burned at the stake himselfThe Medici popes, Leo X and Clement VIIThe great Dome of Florence, which was built by the revolutionary thinker BrunelleschiCatherine de’ Medici, the de facto ruler of France and mother of three kingsScroll up and click the “add to cart” button to learn more about the House of Medici!
126 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2021
163 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 10, 2024
Easy read - Minor Mistakes
I have studied the Medici extensively, particularly during the years of the Medici Bank. There are forgivable errors in facts during that time. I also feel that the conclusions drawn through the book as uninformed of practices at the time and falls prey to judgment according to an unfair standard, current day mores.
I have studied the Medici extensively, particularly during the years of the Medici Bank. There are forgivable errors in facts during that time. I also feel that the conclusions drawn through the book as uninformed of practices at the time and falls prey to judgment according to an unfair standard, current day mores.
October 8, 2025
Book Review: House of Medici: A Captivating Guide to the History of the Medici Family and Dynasty
House of Medici: A Captivating Guide to the History of the Medici Family and Dynasty is a thoroughly engaging and well-structured introduction to one of the most influential families in European history. The narrative flows with clarity and precision, presenting the Medici legacy in a logical and easily digestible sequence. Each generation’s story builds naturally upon the last, allowing readers to follow the family’s rise from merchants to the architects of Renaissance greatness without feeling overwhelmed by names or dates.
What makes this book particularly remarkable is how accessible it is to those new to the subject. It serves as a perfect starting point for anyone wishing to understand the Medici’s pivotal role in shaping art, politics, and culture. The author strikes a fine balance between historical accuracy and engaging storytelling, ensuring that even complex political and cultural developments are explained in a way that keeps readers fully invested.
The prose itself is immersive, painting vivid scenes of Florence at the height of its glory and drawing readers directly into the Medici’s world, their ambitions, rivalries, and enduring influence. By the end, one feels not just informed but genuinely inspired by the family’s contributions to the Renaissance, from their patronage of great artists and thinkers to their lasting impact on Europe’s cultural evolution.
In short, this book is a captivating and rewarding read, both a compelling narrative and an ideal gateway into the extraordinary history of the Medici dynasty.
House of Medici: A Captivating Guide to the History of the Medici Family and Dynasty is a thoroughly engaging and well-structured introduction to one of the most influential families in European history. The narrative flows with clarity and precision, presenting the Medici legacy in a logical and easily digestible sequence. Each generation’s story builds naturally upon the last, allowing readers to follow the family’s rise from merchants to the architects of Renaissance greatness without feeling overwhelmed by names or dates.
What makes this book particularly remarkable is how accessible it is to those new to the subject. It serves as a perfect starting point for anyone wishing to understand the Medici’s pivotal role in shaping art, politics, and culture. The author strikes a fine balance between historical accuracy and engaging storytelling, ensuring that even complex political and cultural developments are explained in a way that keeps readers fully invested.
The prose itself is immersive, painting vivid scenes of Florence at the height of its glory and drawing readers directly into the Medici’s world, their ambitions, rivalries, and enduring influence. By the end, one feels not just informed but genuinely inspired by the family’s contributions to the Renaissance, from their patronage of great artists and thinkers to their lasting impact on Europe’s cultural evolution.
In short, this book is a captivating and rewarding read, both a compelling narrative and an ideal gateway into the extraordinary history of the Medici dynasty.
April 23, 2024
House of Medici and House of Borgia review.
A thoroughly enjoyable read charting the obscure beginnings of two families that gained and maintained, at least for a while, great power.
The Medici book read like a historical novel. The power gains and shifts and changes made for surprisingly gripping and thrilling reading. An incredibly interesting family from a hugely interesting time presented in an easy to understand well presented format. The book felt really well researched.
...
The Borgia family history I found less interesting. It did not have the same easy read style as the Medici and had too many dates and names thrown in here and there. It was still good but did not have the same engaging feel as the Medici book.
...
Pictures were present in the books but I would have liked to have seen more to break up the text a bit as well as see who/what is being described within the books.
Also, a brief timeline of key figures births/deaths and key events somewhere at the beginning or end would have been excellent for giving a further clear overview of what is discussed within the books.
...
But this was great reading. Particularly the Medici family book.
A thoroughly enjoyable read charting the obscure beginnings of two families that gained and maintained, at least for a while, great power.
The Medici book read like a historical novel. The power gains and shifts and changes made for surprisingly gripping and thrilling reading. An incredibly interesting family from a hugely interesting time presented in an easy to understand well presented format. The book felt really well researched.
...
The Borgia family history I found less interesting. It did not have the same easy read style as the Medici and had too many dates and names thrown in here and there. It was still good but did not have the same engaging feel as the Medici book.
...
Pictures were present in the books but I would have liked to have seen more to break up the text a bit as well as see who/what is being described within the books.
Also, a brief timeline of key figures births/deaths and key events somewhere at the beginning or end would have been excellent for giving a further clear overview of what is discussed within the books.
...
But this was great reading. Particularly the Medici family book.
September 29, 2021
Every time I pick up some history related to Italy in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Medici name is prominent. So, I was delighted to see that Captivating History would take on the notorious Medici's for contemporary readers. I knew we would have fun when the author named the Medici family the "Godfathers of the Renaissance." However, it is true; they promoted, paid for, and protected some of the greatest talents to come out of the Renaissance (da Vinci and Galileo come to mind).
This overview covers the important facts of the rise, the Medici dynasty, and the eventual decline of this prominent family of Florence. When Cosimo de Medici rose to power, he spent lavishly on the arts and humanities of Florence, which turned the city into the cradle of the Renaissance.
The Medicis, directly and indirectly, influenced Europe and the world from the early 1400s to the late 1500s -- and beyond.
This overview covers the important facts of the rise, the Medici dynasty, and the eventual decline of this prominent family of Florence. When Cosimo de Medici rose to power, he spent lavishly on the arts and humanities of Florence, which turned the city into the cradle of the Renaissance.
The Medicis, directly and indirectly, influenced Europe and the world from the early 1400s to the late 1500s -- and beyond.
January 16, 2022
Marvelous Fun!
This gave me a wonderful review of all the reasons that I love Florence and am so grateful to the the marvelous Medici family, especially Cosimo the Great and Lorenzo the Magnificent for their patronage of the greatest artists in history and to Catherine for her peaceful diplomacy in times of warfare and her attempts to protect the Huguenots. They should never be forgotten!
This gave me a wonderful review of all the reasons that I love Florence and am so grateful to the the marvelous Medici family, especially Cosimo the Great and Lorenzo the Magnificent for their patronage of the greatest artists in history and to Catherine for her peaceful diplomacy in times of warfare and her attempts to protect the Huguenots. They should never be forgotten!
January 15, 2023
Not awful, but definitely not captivating.
Florentine early renaissance history is confusing. This book does little to untangle the details. My major problem though, is the writing style, which is half inelegant 6th form essay: "surprisingly, his role was surprisingly enlightened", and half informal and unclear chat.
I will look for something better on the Medici.
Florentine early renaissance history is confusing. This book does little to untangle the details. My major problem though, is the writing style, which is half inelegant 6th form essay: "surprisingly, his role was surprisingly enlightened", and half informal and unclear chat.
I will look for something better on the Medici.
June 30, 2023
Florence and the Medici Family
This chronicle outlines in painstaking detail the ongoing relationships between the Medici family and Florence through numerous conflicts with other neighbouring states and beyond in the north of Italy as well with Papal power mainly in the South. The emphasis is unfortunately ploddingly more on names and dates rather than interpretation.
This chronicle outlines in painstaking detail the ongoing relationships between the Medici family and Florence through numerous conflicts with other neighbouring states and beyond in the north of Italy as well with Papal power mainly in the South. The emphasis is unfortunately ploddingly more on names and dates rather than interpretation.
April 22, 2024
Perfectly short and concise. The book starts with pre-Cosimo and ends with Catherine queen of France. It was well written in the notions of material depth and timeline. I enjoyed witching the Netflix series of the Medici family, but I did want more on the family linage as a whole rather than the focus ont he two Greats - Cosimo and Lorenzo, so this definitely did it for me.
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May 1, 2026House of the Medici:A captivating Guide to the History of the Medici Family and Dynasty (exploring Europe's Past)
by Captivating History
A look at the history of the Medici Family
This is a very quick overview of the Medici family and the way they fit into Life in Florence. It would be a staring point for someone who wants to research the family
by Captivating History
A look at the history of the Medici Family
This is a very quick overview of the Medici family and the way they fit into Life in Florence. It would be a staring point for someone who wants to research the family
December 2, 2021
A good overview of the major players from the Medici family. Before reading this I had no idea just how much influence they exerted over the renaissance era and how we are still affected but that powerful family today.
January 28, 2023
I’m obsessed with this family
March 26, 2023
Good Historical Review
This book gives the reader a good overview of the history of the d'Medici power in Florence without getting bogged down in details.
This book gives the reader a good overview of the history of the d'Medici power in Florence without getting bogged down in details.
February 15, 2024
entertaining by light on detail
Provided a brief history at the 50,000 foot level. Wish there were notes that I could follow up on for things of interest to me.
Provided a brief history at the 50,000 foot level. Wish there were notes that I could follow up on for things of interest to me.
May 20, 2025
awesome
I went to Firenze and wanted to know more about the Medici family. Downloaded this book and loved every page.
I went to Firenze and wanted to know more about the Medici family. Downloaded this book and loved every page.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews