Death in Florence

The Medici, Savonarola, and the Battle for the Soul of the Renaissance City

By: Paul Strathern

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Death in Florence illuminates one of the defining moments in Western history - the bloody and dramatic story of the battle for the soul of Renaissance Florence.

By the end of the fifteenth century, Florence was well established as the home of the Renaissance. As generous patrons to the likes of Botticelli and Michelangelo, the ruling Medici embodied the progressive humanist spirit of the age, and in Lorenzo de' Medici (Lorenzo the Magnificent) they possessed a diplomat capable of guarding the militarily weak city in a climate of constantly shifting allegiances between the major Italian powers.

However, in the form of Savonarola, an unprepossessing provincial monk, Lorenzo found his nemesis. Filled with Old Testament fury and prophecies of doom, Savonarola's sermons reverberated among a disenfranchised population, who preferred medieval biblical certainties to the philosophical interrogations and intoxicating surface glitter of the Renaissance. Savonarola's aim was to establish a "City of God" for his followers, a new kind of democratic state, the likes of which the world had never seen before. The battle between these two men would be a fight to the death, a series of sensational events - invasions, trials by fire, the "Bonfire of the Vanities," terrible executions, and mysterious deaths - featuring a cast of the most important and charismatic Renaissance figures.

Was this a simple clash of wills between a benign ruler and religious fanatic? Between secular pluralism and repressive extremism? In an exhilaratingly rich and deeply researched story, Paul Strathern reveals the paradoxes, self-doubts, and political compromises that made the battle for the soul of the Renaissance city one of the most complex and important moments in Western history.

©2015 Paul Strathern (P)2015 Blackstone Audio

Amazing continuation to The Medici

I bought The Medici and enjoyed it and the narration so much that I decided to get this book as well. At first I was worried that it would be repetitive, but it wasn't at all! This book covers a much shorter time period, compared to The Medici book. The author focuses on Savanorola and the original Medici's and their impact on Florence, where The Medici follows the family lineage until the end. This book goes into more detail on subjects that we were glossed over in The Medici, probably to keep it concise. It's a great follow-up to that book; although I'm sure you could read them in reverse order and enjoy it just the same. Derek Perkins is an amazing narrator and Paul Strathern has a gift for keep the listener engaged and interested throughout the whole story line. I highly recommend this audio book.

Unexpectedly Entertaining

Really interesting to hear a detailed account of Florence during the beginning of the renaissance. Fascinating to see how men living very polar lives come to shape this era and ultimately not see the end of their designs, good or ill. Really enjoyed it. Narrator very very good.

Fascinating insights into Renaissance Florence

Really appreciated the insightful background on the time and place. Gave me a whole no outlook on it and new understanding. Grateful it's part of the plus catalog. thanks for suggesting the book to me Audible recommendation algorithm :-)

Excellent

Very interesting topic, the contents were well organized and easy to understand, great narrator. Overall a fantastic audiobook.

Well done !

Interesting account of the process of reform attempt and near insurrection from within established institutions.