A History of Venice, by John Julius Norwich

Introduction

Norwich is one of the most eloquent writers still employed today. This gigantic history of the Venetian state is one of his best. He takes us through a untamed narrative starting with the late Roman time span and finish with the surrender to Napoleon. Norwich's portrait of medieval Venice is magnificent. It is easy to overlook that the situation in France, Britain, and Germany at this time was not the same situation in Italy, and that Venice was in a better situation than the rest of the peninsula. With this work we actually get a sense of how magnificent medieval Venice was. Rivaled in Europe only by Constantinople and Cordoba. Norwich has often been accused of focusing too much on one-by-one rulers in his histories. That is factual of A History of Venice, but in this case it is a foremost benefit. The narrative becomes so personal and so stimulating because of this slender focus. This actually is a large publication, and any individual interested in medieval or Mediterranean history should decisively read it.(Muir,214)

Discussion

A superbly in writing gallop across more than 1,000 years of history, charting the rise and drop of one of Europe's greatest city-states. This is an epic narrative which sweeps along through foremost historical events, but not ever fails to recall the human beings on the way: sad or humorous, poignant or whimsical, always amusing glimpses of the genuine persons who made history happen.(Gottlieb, 212) From dashing infantry leaders to subtle politicians to everyday citizens who turned the course of empires with impressive stratagems, bold maneuvers or well-aimed pots, Norwich's publication makes their stories reside and breathe. (Muir,214) If you design to visit Venice, this is a must-read book. If you don't design to visit Venice, what's incorrect with you?

It's a genuine testament to the skill of the scribe that this emerges as a fascinating and stimulating read as well as a comprehensive and authoritative account of such a broad swathe of history. It chronicles the Republic's altering fortunes from starting to end through eleven centuries, expressing a genuine sense of its spirit and feature, with foremost players and battles leaping from the pages. (David,78) The inescapable drop, when it comes, is all the more poignant for all that has arrive before, and casts the up to date depopulation and disintegration of Venice in a new light. It's a large story anything your interest in the subject, and this version must be attractive close to definitive. (Gottlieb, 212)

A comprehensive, complicated and engaging account of the rise and last, swift drop of the Venetian republic. Norwich manages to join even convoluted and elaborate side-plots and aligned historical events into an engaged and vivid narrative. Occasionally strangely judgmental, and in the usual style of English historians, i.e. skeptical and a little aghast of personalities and events which are tough to classify. Sometimes events and ages suffer a little from being embedded in this sweeping narrative. Yet it stands as a amazing work of ...