Death in Florence

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

By: Paul Strathern

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 14 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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 :-)

Very fascinating

Savonarola is one of the most famous church martyrs. And this book delves into his dealings with the Medici, Alexander VI, and the rest of the Renaissance Italy. He was a thorn in the side of many in Renaissance Italy. He preached a gospel that offended, and came to blows with the Pope. But that was just one governmental head he upset. His subsequent life and death are covered here as objectively as can be expected for a secular historical account. Bravo to Paul Strathern for his relatively unbiased covering of this most fascinating historical work. Derek Perkins does a spectacular job as always. He's one in a handful of consistently excellent narrators of history. You can always depend on an outstanding narration.

another great book by strathern

great book that digs deeper into the post medici phase of florence. well worth a listen

Great read on history of 15th century Florence

Have been reading books on Florence before our trip this summer and this one was fantastic. Delved deeper into the Medici life during this time period that the other book by Strathmore on the Medici. Really enjoyed the book and feel well prepared for our upcoming trip!

Fascinating Glimpse of an Era

Strathern has written widely on the Renaissance era and brings all his knowledge to bear in this engrossing book. Focusing on Florence in the reign of Lorenzo the Magnificent and continuing through the rise and fall of religious visionary Savanarola, Strathern shows the leading city of the early Renaissance in all its complexity. Both a city of Renaissance art and scholarship and one where many citizens and some of these same creators (Botticelli, Pico Dela Mirandola, Ficino and others) sought meaning in religion, Florence in this era points toward modern conflicts between religious and secular meaning and authority. Populated by an array of well described and fascinating figures--from Lorenzo to the "little monk" Savanarola himself--Strathern's Florence appears as a dangerous, fascinating, conflict prone place worth visiting under his guidance. I highly recommend this book for historians of the Renaissance as well as general students looking to better understand this complex period where so much that is modern was invented or re-born.

New insight on an old story for me

I had always read the stories of Savonarola in all the histories of Renaissance Florence that I read. But never in any of the other books did an author go into such detail about the priest as Strathern does in this book. It makes Savanarola a much more reputable individual and more above reproach.But as with all people in positions of power, ego got the best of him and because of that and his steadfast belief that his was the only way, it led to his demise.

Well done !

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

Religion and riches

Strathern does an excellent job of presenting Savonarola as more than a cardboard character. Strathern gives us what little is known of Savonarola’s early life w high allowed me to see his character change and develop. We also see Lorenzo de Medici enjoying the lifestyle of the rich (how many jewels are enough?), but also see that Lorenzo is aware that his own demise is coming. Strathern gave me a glimpse of the convoluted doings of Italian city-states and the downward spiral of spirituality of the popes. David Perkins does a good job of reading this work in a neutral tone given that the events seem to demand judgment. Savonarola tries to return Florence to an idea of spirituality, but Strathern shows that the states of Italy, or at least their rulers, are happy to live in the material world.

Absolutely Amazing

Fascinating history. The author captivate to the reader and put them right back into that time period. I could not stop listening. The performance of the audio version, the narrator, was absolutely phenomenal. Highly recommend this book to all.

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.