The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall [Paperback]

Christopher Hibbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 1999

At its height Renaissance Florence was a centre of enormous wealth, power and influence. A republican city-state funded by trade and banking, its often bloody political scene was dominated by rich mercantile families, the most famous of which were the Medici. This enthralling book charts the family’s huge influence on the political, economic and cultural history of Florence. Beginning in the early 1430s with the rise of the dynasty under the near-legendary Cosimo de Medici, it moves through their golden era as patrons of some of the most remarkable artists and architects of the Renaissance, to the era of the Medici Popes and Grand Dukes, Florence’s slide into decay and bankruptcy, and the end, in 1737, of the Medici line.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Christopher Hibbert, an Oxford graduate, has written more than fifty books, including Wellington: A Personal History, London: The Biography of a City, Redcoats and Rebels, and The Destruction of Lord Raglan. He lives with his family in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 364 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (May 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688053394
• ISBN-13: 978-0688053390
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > History > Europe > Italy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

196 of 206 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Depends on what you are looking for, December 26, 2001

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wiseprof "wiseprof" (Phoenix, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall (Paperback)

Hibbert does a very good job in providing a really antiseptic, dispassionate, unbiased view of the life and times of the Medici largely from the perspective of empire building and the power struggles it brought. Unfortunately I found the book rather lifeless in that it did not present a moving account of the great Medici family, their trials and tribulations and most importatnly, their interest in the arts. I primarily wanted to read more about the connections between the great renaissance artists and the Medici family since theirs is perhaps one of the most important families to have influenced art and culture in those times. In that respect this book was a serious let down. There are but passing references to the association between the Medicis and Michaelangelo, Ghirlandaio and a few others - not a long drawn examination as was expected.

What the book does offer is a fairly detailed description of the machinations of the Medici family - escpecially the accounts about Cossimo Sr. at the founding of the family and Cossimo II toward the end of the dynasty. The description of war and political strategies are noteworthy. The value of the book depends on what you are looking for. IF you want to know more about the art and culture angles, you are better advised to look elsewhere.

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring this with you to Florence!, December 12, 2005

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B - See all my reviews

This review is from: The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall (Paperback)

I recently visited Florence and was so charmed by the historical city that I picked up Hibbert's book upon my return. How I wished I had it while I was actually in Florence!

Hibbert's account of the Medici - from Cosimo, Pater Patriae, to Anna Maria - the last of the Medici - was at times matter-of-fact, at times, greatly moving. One needs to look within the descriptive lines in order to feel the emotional part of this great family's history, whose decadence, indulgence, and duty made them one of the most famous familes in history.

I enjoyed this book so much that I even read all of the footnotes; most of the information regarding the more famous works of art commissioned by the Medici is hidden in these footnotes. Take the time to read them; you will not be disappointed!

Novice art historians should take a copy of this book along on their next trip to Florence -an index in the back tells the reader where to find many of the surviving art pieces that still reside in Florence -whether they are at the Uffizi Gallery, in the Bargello, or in the Pitti Palace, etc. In addition, the author tells you the addresses where some of the major Florentine families once took residence - if only I had the book - I might have wandered around Florence and looked for everything!

This is definitely a great read for someone who wants to view history through the eyes of a most infamous family; anyone who has taken a liking to Florence and who wishes to learn more history about this beautiful city will likely find this to be a good book!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, Focused History, May 11, 2004

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Scott Schiefelbein (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall (Paperback)

Christopher Hibbert's "The House of Medici" is an excellent history of the Medici family, but only as far as it goes. For many readers who aren't as familiar with the details of the Renaissance or of Florence, the tight focus of the book will lead to numerous questions and open issues.

Focusing primarily on the personalities who built the House of Medici into the juggernaut it became (particularly Cosimo and Lorenzo the Magnificent), Hibbert unquestionably brings certain aspects of the period to life. In particular, one gets an appreciation for the delicate balancing act Cosimo managed to pull off -- at times ruthless, yet willing to share power and refrain from putting himself too far forward in the perpetual contest among the leading families. This trait was lacking in the firebrand Lorenzo, whose refusal to at least allow the other noble families the appearance of being major players generated the massive resentment that culminated in the assassination attempt that wounded Lorenzo and killed his beloved brother.

At the apex of their power and influence, the Medici were the prime movers and shakers of the age. While describing Cosimo and Lorenzo, the pillars of the family, Hibbert's tale is almost inspirational. When describing the lesser lights that through sheer accident of birth came to rule this mighty house (and guided its decline), "House of Medici" becomes less inspiring but no less entertaining -- several of Hibbert's descriptions of the nincompoops are hilarious.

Again, the book would have benefited from providing a bit more analysis beyond the personalities of the Medici family. When contrasted to the extreme contextual details provided by Lauro Martines in "April Blood," his work about the plot to kill Lorenzo, the weaknesses of Hibbert's narrow focus come through.

Better suited for those already familiar with the Renaissance and medeival Florence than the neophyte, this book is nevertheless an entertaining read. For an exhaustive history of Florence, look elsewhere.