Book description
Filled with compelling insights and famous figures,Veniceis a monumental work of popular history that's as opulent and entertaining as the great city itself.
La Serenissima. Its breathtaking architecture, art, and opera ensure that Venice remains a perennially popular destination for tourists and armchair travelers alike. Yet most of the available books about this magical city are either facile travel guides or fusty academic tomes. InVenice, renowned historian Thomas F. Madden draws on new research to explore the city's many astonishing achievements and to set 1,500 years of Venetian history and the endless Venetian-led Crusades in the context of the ever-shifting Eurasian world. Filled with compelling insights and famous figures,Veniceis a monumental work of popular history that's as opulent and entertaining as the great city itself.
'Breezy, cheerful, evenhanded, Madden debunks myths about Venetian decadence, and brushes aside ugly whispers about greedy, unscrupulous merchants. When a colorful character pops up (Marco Polo, Casanova), he makes the most of it in his brisk, no-nonsense prose.'New York Times
'Madden paints a vivid portrait of 'a city without land, an empire without borders.' His engaging work enters a sparse historiography that includes Roger Crowley'sCity of Fortune(2012) and John Julius Norwich's enduringA History of Venice(1982) and separates itself by offering a readable overview backed by solid research. Readers will come away from Madden'sVenicewith newfound respect for one of the great jewels of Western civilization.'Booklist (starred review)
'Plenty of books focus on Venice the romantic ruin. This one offers a welcome reminder of its historic role over a millennium in the development of a modern economic system and the maintenance of the global balance of power.' Kirkus
'A lively and lucid survey of Venice's colorful history.' The Seattle Times
'A savory, tantalizing, but not-so-serene history ofLa Serenessima' Publishers Weekly
'Madden proves the perfect guide to the magical city of Venice. His history is not only authoritative and encyclopedic, encompassing everything from the plundering of Attila the Hun to Katharine Hepburn's tribulations while filmingSummertime, it is also unfailingly readable and amusing-a must-read for Europhiles, armchair travelers, and history buffs.'
Ross King, author ofBrunelleschi's Dome and LeonardoandThe Last Supper
'Thomas Madden's portrait of Venice glows like one of the city's own rich and colorful artworks-a tapestry woven from a thousand tales, with unforgettable characters, daring exploits, and inspiring triumphs against overwhelming odds. It's all here- free enterprise and free thought, voyages and empire-building between East and West, and some of the world's most magnificent achievements in architecture, painting, and music. All the threads of Venetian history are traced with a scholar's zeal for accuracy. But Madden is also a born storyteller, with a keen eye for the illuminating detail that can bring a scene to life, from Roman refugees fleeing Attila the Hun to modern tourists invading the Rialto. For those who think they know Venice, Madden's book will be a revelation. For newcomers, this comprehensive overview is essential reading.'John R. Hale, author ofLords of the Sea
'Madden is that rare talent-a serious scholar who tells a gripping story. He breathes life into Venetian history in all its subtle complexity, rescuing the Venetians from the common stereotype of one-dimensional merchants. This book is a fantastic read.'Lars Brownworth, author ofLost to the West- The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience