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A dazzling history of the modest family that rose to become one of
the most powerful in Europe, The Medici is a remarkably modern
story of power, money, and ambition. Against the background of an
age that saw the rebirth of ancient and classical learning Paul
Strathern explores the intensely dramatic rise and fall of the
Medici family in Florence, as well as the Italian Renaissance which
they did so much to sponsor and encourage. Strathern also follows
the lives of many of the great Renaissance artists with whom the
Medici had dealings, including Leonardo, Michelangelo and
Donatello; as well as scientists like Galileo and Pico della
Mirandola; and the fortunes of those members of the Medici family
who achieved success away from Florence, including the two Medici
popes and Catherine de' Médicis, who became Queen of France and
played a major role in that country through three turbulent reigns.
Marseilles, 1891: as Arthur Rimbaud lies dying in hospital, his
mind wanders fitfully - taking him back to Commune-era Paris, and
the scandalous life he led with Verlaine. But, above all, he is
transported to Harar, Abyssinia, where he ventured in 1880 to seek
his fortune, having chucking in the disreputable game of writing
poetry... Paul Strathern's second novel, published in 1972, won a
Somerset Maugham Award both for its superb evocation of the colour,
squalor and hurlyburly of Harar and for its inspired
'impersonation' of Rimbaud - restless, ragged self-overcomer,
would-be explorer-imperialist, and genius poet repulsed by his past
literary life. In a new preface to this edition Strathern discusses
the mercurial personality of Rimbaud, his novel's bold shifts
between first and third person, and his own travels in East Africa
that informed the book.
Between the end of the Renaissance and the start of the
Enlightenment, Europe lived through an era known as the Age of
Reason. This was a period which saw advances in areas such as art,
science, philosophy, political theory and economics. However, all
this was achieved against a background of extreme turbulence in the
form of internal conflicts and international wars. While the 'land
of liberty' was beginning to import slaves from Africa. Focusing on
key characters from the seventeenth to the eighteenth centuries,
including Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Newton, Descartes, Spinoza, Louis
XIV and Charles I, Dark Brilliance is a fascinating and
wide-ranging history that explores the human costs of imposing
progress and modernity.
Between the end of the Renaissance and the start of the
Enlightenment, Europe lived through an era known as the Age of
Reason. This was a period which saw advances in areas such as art,
science, philosophy, political theory and economics. However, all
this was achieved against a background of extreme turbulence in the
form of internal conflicts and international wars. While the 'land
of liberty' was beginning to import slaves from Africa. Focusing on
key characters from the seventeenth to the eighteenth centuries,
including Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Newton, Descartes, Spinoza, Louis
XIV and Charles I, Dark Brilliance is a fascinating and
wide-ranging history that explores the human costs of imposing
progress and modernity.
Building on his enormously successful series of Philosophers in 90
Minutes, Paul Strathern now applies his witty and incisive prose to
brief biographical studies of the world's great writers. He brings
their lives and ideas to life in entertaining and accessible
fashion. Far from being a novelty, each book is a highly refined
appraisal of the writer and his work, authoritative and clearly
presented.
In St. Augustine in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern offers a concise,
expert account of St. Augustine's life and ideas, and explains
their influence on man's struggle to understand his existence in
the world. The book also includes selections from St. Augustine's
work; a brief list of suggested reading for those who wish to push
further; and chronologies that place St. Augustine within his own
age and in the broader scheme of philosophy.
'A book of ideas [...] Strathern ably guides us through these
moments of glory.' -- The Times *** Great cities are complex,
chaotic and colossal. These are cities that dominate the world
stage and define eras; where ideas flourish, revolutions are born
and history is made. Through ten unique cities, from the founding
of ancient capitals to buzzing modern megacities, Paul Strathern
explores how urban centres lead civilisation forward, enjoying a
moment of glory before passing on the baton. We journey back to
discover Babylonian mathematics, Athenian theatre and intellectual
debate, and Roman construction that has lasted millennia. We see
Constantinople evolve into Istanbul, revolutionary sparks fly in
Enlightenment Paris, and the railways, canals and ships that built
Imperial London. In Moscow men build spaceships while others
starve, New York's skyscrapers rise up to a soundtrack of jazz,
Mumbai becomes home to immense wealth and poverty, and Beijing's
economic transformation leads the way. Each city has its own
distinct personality, and Ten Cities that Led the World brings
their rich and diverse histories to life, reminding us of the
foundations we have built on and how our futures will be shaped.
A dazzling history of the modest family that rose to become one of
the most powerful in Europe, The Medici is a remarkably modern
story of power, money, and ambition. Against the background of an
age that saw the rebirth of ancient and classical learning Paul
Strathern explores the intensely dramatic rise and fall of the
Medici family in Florence, as well as the Italian Renaissance which
they did so much to sponsor and encourage. Strathern also follows
the lives of many of the great Renaissance artists with whom the
Medici had dealings, including Leonardo, Michelangelo and
Donatello; as well as scientists like Galileo and Pico della
Mirandola; and the fortunes of those members of the Medici family
who achieved success away from Florence, including the two Medici
popes and Catherine de' Médicis, who became Queen of France and
played a major role in that country through three turbulent reigns.
It is generally accepted that the European Renaissance began in
Italy. However, a historical transformation of similar magnitude
also took place in northern Europe at the same time. This 'Other
Renaissance' was initially centred on the city of Bruges in
Flanders (modern Belgium), but its influence was soon being felt in
France, the German states, England, and even in Italy itself.
Following a sequence of major figures, including Copernicus,
Gutenberg, Luther, Catherine de Medici, Rabelais, van Eyck and
Shakespeare, Paul Strathern tells the fascinating story of how this
'Other Renaissance' played as significant a role as the Italian
renaissance in bringing our modern world into being.
'A book of ideas [...] Strathern ably guides us through these
moments of glory.' -- The Times *** Great cities are complex,
chaotic and colossal. These are cities that dominate the world
stage and define eras; where ideas flourish, revolutions are born
and history is made. Through ten unique cities, from the founding
of ancient capitals to buzzing modern megacities, Paul Strathern
explores how urban centres lead civilisation forward, enjoying a
moment of glory before passing on the baton. We journey back to
discover Babylonian mathematics, Athenian theatre and intellectual
debate, and Roman construction that has lasted millennia. We see
Constantinople evolve into Istanbul, revolutionary sparks fly in
Enlightenment Paris, and the railways, canals and ships that built
Imperial London. In Moscow men build spaceships while other men
starve, New York's skyscrapers rise up to a soundtrack of jazz,
Mumbai becomes home to immense wealth and poverty, and Beijing's
economic transformation leads the way. Each city has its own
distinct personality, and Ten Cities that Led the World brings
their rich and diverse histories to life, reminding us of the
foundations we have built on and how our futures will be shaped.
Building on his enormously successful series of Philosophers in 90
Minutes, Paul Strathern now applies his witty and incisive prose to
brief biographical studies of the world's great writers. He brings
their lives and ideas to life in entertaining and accessible
fashion. Far from being a novelty, each book is a highly refined
appraisal of the writer and his work, authoritative and clearly
presented.
"Each of these little books is witty and dramatic and creates a
sense of time, place, and character....I cannot think of a better
way to introduce oneself and one's friends to Western
civilization."-Katherine A. Powers, Boston Globe. "Well-written,
clear and informed, they have a breezy wit about them....I find
them hard to stop reading."-Richard Bernstein, New York Times.
"Witty, illuminating, and blessedly concise."-Jim Holt, Wall Street
Journal. These brief and enlightening explorations of our greatest
thinkers bring their ideas to life in entertaining and accessible
fashion. Philosophical thought is deciphered and made comprehensive
and interesting to almost everyone. Far from being a novelty, each
book is a highly refined appraisal of the philosopher and his work,
authoritative and clearly presented.
In Spinoza in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern offers a concise, expert
account of Spinoza's life and ideas, and explains their influence
on man's struggle to understand his existence in the world. The
book also includes selections from Spinoza's writings; a brief list
of suggested reading for those who wish to push further; and
chronologies that place Spinoza within his own age and in the
broader scheme of philosophy.
* * A Daily Mail Book of the Week * * The sensational story of the
rise and fall of one of the most notorious families in history.
____________________ 'A wickedly entertaining read' The Times
____________________ The Borgias have become a byword for evil.
Corruption, incest, ruthlessness, avarice and vicious cruelty - all
have been associated with their name. But the story of this
remarkable family is far more than a tale of sensational
depravities - it also marks the golden age of the Italian
Renaissance and a decisive turning point in European history. From
the family's Spanish roots and the papacy of Rodrigo Borgia, to the
lives of his infamous offspring, Lucrezia and Cesare - the hero who
dazzled Machiavelli, but also the man who befriended Leonardo da
Vinci - Paul Strathern tells the captivating story of this great
dynasty and the world in which they flourished. 'A vivid insight
into the hothouse world of papal politics in the tumultuous years
before the Reformation.' Daily Telegraph 'Authoritative and
well-written' Wall Street Journal
'A wickedly entertaining read' The Times A Daily Mail Book of the
Week The sensational story of the rise and fall of one of the most
notorious families in history, by the author of The Medici. The
Borgias have become a byword for evil. Corruption, incest, ruthless
megalomania, avarice and vicious cruelty - all have been associated
with their name. But the story of this remarkable family is far
more than a tale of sensational depravities, it also marks a
decisive turning point in European history. The rise and fall of
the Borgias held centre stage during the golden age of the Italian
Renaissance and they were the leading players at the very moment
when our modern world was creating itself. Within this context the
Renaissance itself takes on a very different aspect. Was the
corruption part of this creation, or vice versa? Would one have
been possible without the other? From the family's Spanish roots
and the papacy of Rodrigo Borgia, to the lives of his infamous
offspring, Lucrezia and Cesare - the hero who dazzled Machiavelli,
but also the man who befriended Leonardo da Vinci - Paul Strathern
relates this influential family to their time, together with the
world which enabled them to flourish, and tells the story of this
great dynasty as never before.
Between the birth of Dante in 1265 and the death of Galileo in 1642
something happened which completely revolutionized Western
civilization. Painting, sculpture and architecture would all
visibly change in a striking fashion. Likewise, the thought and
self-conception of humanity would take on a completely different
aspect. Sciences would be born - or emerge in an entirely new
guise. In this sweeping 400-year history, Paul Strathern reveals
how, and why, these new ideas which formed the Renaissance began,
and flourished, in the city of Florence. Just as central and
northern Germany gave birth to the Reformation, Britain was a
driver of the Industrial Revolution and Silicon Valley shaped the
digital age, so too, Strathern argues, did Florence play a
similarly unique and transformative role in the Renaissance. While
vividly bringing to life the city and a vast cast of characters -
including Dante, Botticelli, Machiavelli, Leonardo da Vinci,
Michelangelo and Galileo - Strathern shows how these great
Florentines forever altered Europe and the Western world.
Rise and Fall opens with the Akkadian Empire, which ruled over a
vast expanse of the region of ancient Mesopotamia, then turns to
the immense Roman Empire, where we trace back our western and
eastern roots. Next Strathern describes how a great deal of western
classical culture was developed in the Abbasid and Umayyid
Caliphates. Then, while Europe was beginning to emerge from a
period of cultural stagnation, it almost fell to a whirlwind
invasion from the East, at which point we meet the Emperors of the
Mongol Empire . . . Combining breathtaking scope with masterful
concision, Paul Strathern traces connections across four millennia
and sheds new light on these major civilizations - from the Mongol
Empire and the Yuan Dynasty to the Aztec and Ottoman, through to
the most recent and biggest Empires: the British, Russo-Soviet and
American. Charting 5,000 years of global history in ten succinct
chapters, Rise and Fall makes comprehensive and inspiring reading
to anyone fascinated by the history of the world.
Napoleon's attack on Egypt in 1798 was the first on a Middle
Eastern country by a Western power in modern times. With 335 ships
and 40,000 men, it was the largest long-distance seaborne force the
world had ever seen. Napoleon's assault was intended to be much
more than a colonial adventure, however, for he took with him over
one hundred and fifty scientists, mathematicians, artists and
writers - a 'Legion of Culture' - with a view to bringing Western
civilization to 'backward' Egypt. Ironically, what these
intellectuals discovered in Egypt would transform our knowledge of
Western civilization and form the basis of Egyptology. But there
were also setbacks. Nelson's destruction of the French fleet at the
Battle of the Nile apparently put an end to Napoleon's secret plans
to follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and invade India.
Napoleon was just twenty-eight when he invaded Egypt and it was an
episode which contained in embryo many seminal events of his later
career and set the standard for his brilliant, ambitious and
ultimately disastrous career.
Leonardo da Vinci, Niccolo Machiavelli, and Cesare Borgia--three
iconic figures whose intersecting lives provide the basis for this
astonishing work of narrative history. They could not have been
more different, and they would meet only for a short time in 1502,
but the events that transpired when they did would significantly
alter each man's perceptions--and the course of Western history.
In 1502, Italy was riven by conflict, with the city of Florence as
the ultimate prize. Machiavelli, the consummate political
manipulator, attempted to placate the savage Borgia by volunteering
Leonardo to be Borgia's chief military engineer. That autumn, the
three men embarked together on a brief, perilous, and fateful
journey through the mountains, remote villages, and hill towns of
the Italian Romagna--the details of which were revealed in
Machiavelli's""frequent dispatches and Leonardo's meticulous
notebooks.
Superbly written and thoroughly researched, "The Artist, the
Philosopher, and the Warrior" is a work of narrative genius--whose
subject is the nature of genius itself.
Building on his enormously successful series of Philosophers in 90
Minutes, Paul Strathern now applies his witty and incisive prose to
brief biographical studies of the world's great writers. He brings
their lives and ideas to life in entertaining and accessible
fashion. Far from being a novelty, each book is a highly refined
appraisal of the writer and his work, authoritative and clearly
presented.
Lorenzo de' Medici: The embodiment of Florence's most powerful
family, a brutal man who ruled the city with an iron fist, whilst
protecting it from the shifting mire of Italian politics. Fra
Girolamo Savonarola: An unprepossessing provincial monk whose
sermons, filled with Old Testament fury, resonated with the
disenfranchised population of the city. The battle between these
two men would be a fight to the death, a series of sensational
events - including a mighty foreign invasion, trial by fire, the
'Bonfire of the Vanities', terrible executions and mysterious
deaths - featuring a cast of the most important and charismatic
Renaissance figures.
It is generally accepted that the European Renaissance began in
Italy. However, a historical transformation of similar magnitude
also took place in northern Europe at the same time. This 'Other
Renaissance' was initially centred on the city of Bruges in
Flanders (modern Belgium), but its influence was soon being felt in
France, the German states, England, and even in Italy itself.
Following a sequence of major figures, including Copernicus,
Gutenberg, Luther, Catherine de Medici, Rabelais, van Eyck and
Shakespeare, Paul Strathern tells the fascinating story of how this
'Other Renaissance' played as significant a role as the Italian
renaissance in bringing our modern world into being.
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