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Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo de' Medici
by
Miles J. Unger (Goodreads Author)
Magnifico is a vividly colorful portrait of Lorenzo de' Medici, the uncrowned ruler of Florence during its golden age. A true "Renaissance man," Lorenzo dazzled contemporaries with his prodigious talents and magnetic personality. Known to history as Il Magnifico (the Magnificent), Lorenzo was not only the foremost patron of his day but also a renowned poet, ...more
Paperback, 528 pages
Published
May 6th 2008
by Simon & Schuster
(first published 2008)
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A thoroughly well-rounded biography of Lorenzo the Magnificent. How he developed from wild youth, viewed with suspicion by other Florentines, to the Statesman of Italy, whose death raised fears that Italy would now be plunged back into war. Sure enough, with Lorenzo's hand removed from the tiller, it was.
I am very impressed by the way Unger's view ranges from broad to personal and back again, showing how Italian personalities and social trends affected each other and the rest of Euro...more
I am very impressed by the way Unger's view ranges from broad to personal and back again, showing how Italian personalities and social trends affected each other and the rest of Euro...more
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What could be more enthralling than a biographical visit to the Renaissance, and to Florence at that? Unger's book is exceptionally detailed and researched, but stays focussed on the mind and personality of Lorenza de'Medici as he navigates the great minefield of Italian politics in the 15th century. The narrative drive is not as strong as some of the great historical writers; but no book with this subject could ever be dull, and Unger serves as a welcome guide to the big events and the inner ...more
Thoroughly enjoyed this work on Lorenzo De' Medici of Florence. The author gives great historical analysis of the period through the writings of Lorenzo's friends, enemies, philosophers, poets and Lorenzo himself. He explores why people thought the way they did at certain moments, and how events occurred and overtook the main players in the political arena. While admiring Lorenzo, the author describes his faults, errors in judgment, but ultimately the fact that he was a man doing his best to glo...more
This was a very interesting biography of Lorenzo de Medici. Clearly Unger knows and loves his subject. He spent time in Italy and speaks Italian so was able to use primary sources. He also has an art history background which makes the book even more lively for anyone who is interested in art as well as history. This would be a great book to read before a trip to Italy - it would really bring more meaning and understanding to the sites seen on the trip.
Lorenzo de'Medici was a fascinating character -- one of the greatest patrons of the arts of all time, and also a brilliant politician who manipulated alliances that kept Florence at peace for most of his reign. After his death, both the support for the arts and the peace fell apart. But he was also capable of brutal acts of revenge, and he took a "bread and circuses" approach to the lower classes. He engaged in politics because, as he himself said, it was terrible to be rich in Florenc...more
I think Unger would have been happier writing more on the art than on Lorenzo himself. I learned things, but I never really got a sense of place and time.
Honestly, did you really have to mention Hannibal Unger, really? Sometimes too many footnotes is really, really annoying.
It also seems as if Unger is too close to his subject. I liked April Blood much better.
Honestly, did you really have to mention Hannibal Unger, really? Sometimes too many footnotes is really, really annoying.
It also seems as if Unger is too close to his subject. I liked April Blood much better.
Loving this book. Interesting concept that a ruler is not only admired for his political or economic expertise. Art MATTERED in this age, and part of Lorenzo's strength lay in his devoted commitment to art. I think it always difficult to bring historical figures to life and this is very well done here.
Very readable, balanced biography. I felt - and I'm not sure why - that I wanted to learn even more about the life and times of Lorenzo de'Medici. Maybe that's unfair of me. I mean there was so much going on during Lorenzo's life that maybe no one book can do justice to the man and the times.
Randy
Randy
I am only a few pages into this one and having recently become interested in the Medici family I am excited to see what I learn about Lorenzo and his life.
Absolutely fascinating to travel the streets of Florence while reading this amazing piece of Italian Renaissance history!
A marvelous book about one of the most interesting people and periods in history and art. Reads like a novel.
The book highlighted things that I did not know about the family and the politics around it. Very long
awesome bio of Lorenzo de' Medici. Informative, colorful, intriguing. Fantastic!
Think you experience job related stress? Read about this guys day to day.
Gives insight to the patron of several of the greatest artists in history.
This book is a wasted opportunity to examine the life of a fascinating man. The prose reads more like a thesis than a biography, as if the author is trying to make some sort of persuasive argument rather than tell a story. The flow of the text is broken up by an overabundance of footnotes, and the footnotes themselves make unnecessary references to everything from Thomas Jefferson to Hannibal Lecter. Lorenzo de Medici is a figure worth learning about, but this is not the biography that he deserv...more
PI best of 2008
Well researched and easy to read. Rather too many political factions to get the mind around but then Italian politics were very complicated. A good background reading for the art and Humanism and how life was actually lead at the time. I really enjoyed the man as a poet and thinker.
The detail is great for historical reference but the footnote really slow it down. Having just spent a couple weeks in this part of the world I wish I had been reading it while I was there. All of the places come alive with the adventures of Lorenzo.
Very interesting read. The writing was clear and accessible, the story of Lorenzo de Medici's life told with great detail.
The book really gets interesting about the middle so stick with it. It is really worth the effort.
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