
Venice
A New History
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Narrated by:
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Edoardo Ballerini
About this listen
An extraordinary chronicle of Venice, its people, and its grandeur Thomas Madden’s majestic, sprawling history of Venice is the first full portrait of the city in English in almost thirty years. Using long-buried archival material and a wealth of newly translated documents, Madden weaves a spellbinding story of a place and its people, tracing an arc from the city’s humble origins as a lagoon refuge to its apex as a vast maritime empire and Renaissance epicenter to its rebirth as a modern tourist hub. Madden explores all aspects of Venice’s breathtaking achievements: the construction of its unparalleled navy, its role as an economic powerhouse and birthplace of capitalism, its popularization of opera, the stunning architecture of its watery environs, and more. He sets these in the context of the rise and fall of the Byzantine Empire, the endless waves of Crusades to the Holy Land, and the awesome power of Turkish sultans. And perhaps most critically, Madden corrects the stereotype of Shakespeare’s money-lending Shylock that has distorted the Venetian character, uncovering instead a much more complex and fascinating story, peopled by men and women whose ingenuity and deep faith profoundly altered the course of civilization.
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Spice
- The 16th-Century Contest That Shaped the Modern World
- By: Roger Crowley
- Narrated by: Samuel Roukin
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Spices drove the early modern world economy, and for Europeans they represented riches on an unprecedented scale. Cloves and nutmeg could reach Europe only via a complex web of trade routes, and for decades Spanish and Portuguese explorers competed to find their elusive source. But when the Portuguese finally reached the spice islands of the Moluccas in 1511, they set in motion a fierce competition for control.
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Spice or Megellan?
- By BarbieAlaska on 06-21-24
By: Roger Crowley
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An Insider’s Guide to Venice
- Discover the Hidden Venice: Handpicked Activities, Hotels, Churches, and Museums, Coupled with the Finest Cafés, Bars, and Restaurants Favored by Locals (Insider Travel Series)
- By: Marco Ryan
- Narrated by: Paul Metcalfe
- Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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An Insider's Guide to Venice, the captivating second book in the Insider Travel Series, is perfect for culture enthusiasts who love to stray from the tourist path. Get hooked by Marco's anecdotes and insider tips as he reveals hidden gems tucked away in narrow streets and canals—from charming cafés to lesser-known churches. Written as though the two of you were having a conversation over an Aperol Spritz, his suggestions will help you experience Venice like a local and sidestep the tourist traps with this entertaining guide.
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So helpful!!
- By Alisha Kapani on 12-15-24
By: Marco Ryan
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The House of Medici
- Its Rise and Fall
- By: Christopher Hibbert
- Narrated by: Michael Page
- Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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This enthralling book charts the family's huge influence on the political, economic, and cultural history of Florence. Beginning in the early 1430s with the rise of the dynasty under the near-legendary Cosimo de Medici, it moves through their golden era as patrons of some of the most remarkable artists and architects of the Renaissance, to the era of the Medici Popes and Grand Dukes, Florence's slide into decay and bankruptcy, and the end, in 1737, of the Medici line.
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Laundry list of names
- By Elizabeth W on 01-02-17
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Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
- By: Ross King
- Narrated by: Alan Sklar
- Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins
- Abridged
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In 1508, despite strong advice to the contrary, the powerful Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo Buonarroti to paint the ceiling of the newly restored Sistine Chapel in Rome. During the four extraordinary years that Michelangelo spent laboring over the ceiling, power politics and personal rivalries swirled around him. He battled ill health, financial and family difficulties, inadequate knowledge of the art of fresco, and the Pope's impatience - a history that is more compelling than most novels.
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History brought to life!
- By Anne on 05-17-03
By: Ross King
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The Borgias
- The Hidden History
- By: G. J. Meyer
- Narrated by: Enn Reitel
- Length: 19 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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The startling truth behind one of the most notorious dynasties in history is revealed in a remarkable new account by the acclaimed author of The Tudors and A World Undone. Sweeping aside the gossip, slander, and distortion that have shrouded the Borgias for centuries, G. J. Meyer offers an unprecedented portrait of the infamous Renaissance family and their storied milieu.
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Marvelous !
- By Cinders on 08-02-13
By: G. J. Meyer
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Venice
- By: Jan Morris
- Narrated by: Sebastian Comberti
- Length: 13 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Venice stands, as she loves to tell you, on the frontiers of the east and west, half-way between the setting and the rising sun. Goethe calls her "the market-place of the Morning and the Evening lands". Certainly no city on earth gives a more immediate impression of symmetry and unity, or seems more patently born to greatness.
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Incredible breadth and depth!
- By Sharon Hibbert on 09-08-24
By: Jan Morris
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A Land So Strange
- The Epic Journey of Cabeza de Vaca
- By: Andres Resendez
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1528, a mission set out from Spain to colonize Florida. But the expedition went horribly wrong: Delayed by a hurricane, knocked off course by a colossal error of navigation, and ultimately doomed by a disastrous decision to separate the men from their ships, the mission quickly became a desperate journey of survival. Of the 300 men who had embarked on the journey, only four survived - three Spaniards and an African slave.
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A worthwhile listen
- By Blake on 07-10-13
By: Andres Resendez
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The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy
- By: Jacob Burckhardt
- Narrated by: Geoffrey Howard
- Length: 14 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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In this landmark study of Italy from the 14th through the early 16th centuries, Swiss historian Jacob Burckhardt chronicles the rise of Florence and Venice as powerful city-states, the breakup of the medieval worldview that came with the rediscovery of Greek and Roman culture, and the new emphasis on the role of the individual. All these, Burckhardt explains, went hand in hand with the explorations of science and the more naturalistic depiction of the world in art and literature.
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A nest as beautiful as the bird(s) it bore
- By Darwin8u on 07-12-14
By: Jacob Burckhardt
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Empires of the Sea
- The Contest for the Center of the World
- By: Roger Crowley
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 11 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Empires of the Sea tells the story of the 50-year world war between Islam and Christianity for the Mediterranean: one of the fiercest and most influential contests in European history. It traces events from the appearance on the world stage of Suleiman the Magnificent through "the years of devastation" when it seemed possible that Islam might master the whole sea, to the final brief flourishing of a united Christendom in 1571.
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Brilliant detail, exciting story
- By Tad Davis on 08-17-08
By: Roger Crowley
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The Modern Scholar: Medieval Mysteries
- The History Behind the Myths of the Middle Ages
- By: Professor Thomas F. Madden
- Narrated by: Professor Thomas F. Madden
- Length: 4 hrs and 10 mins
- Original Recording
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The Middle Ages is not only a period of Romance, but of legends, tales, and mysteries. In this course, Professor Thomas F. Madden guides listeners through the most famous and enduring narratives of medieval Europe. Beginning with King Arthur, Professor Madden peels back layers of exaggeration and fiction to lay bare the historical basis for the mythical king.
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Entertaining And Enlightening
- By Hellocat on 06-03-14
What listeners say about Venice
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- Jill Howson
- 02-24-18
Terrific read
Riveting history. Very easy to absorb and great pace of narrative. Just enough detail to provide insight without overwhelming the listener. A great achievement to cover everything from the founding of the city to the great flood of 1966. I knew little of the events leading up to the end of the republic and the eventual incorporation into Italy in the 1860s. But the tales of naval battles, Byzantine intrigue and the pilfering of St Mark’s remains are spellbindingly well told. It touches on art, architecture and music, as well as crusades and commerce. All in all, excellent.
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- TERRENCE P DUGAN
- 04-21-17
The Doge is dead, Long Live Venice
Wow, 17 hours and I could not stop listening! Edoardo's narration is one of the best audible adaptations ever. Professor Madden's approach to this history; equal parts education and entertainment is truly enlightening. He brings these 1000 year old characters and their motivations to life. People who love history will love this excellent read.
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- Kindle Customer
- 03-13-19
Excellent history book. Excellent audible narration
I really loved this book. Total immersion in Venetian history over the past week or so while “ reading” it has deepened my long felt love of the values and example and experience of the Venetian republican city state and empire immensely. Those who know me well know that I don’t like “nation states” much at all and prefer city states and regions. In my humble opinion, the city state of Venice at its height was one of the best examples of responsible, successful Western style republican governance in modern times and has much to teach the broken, deeply flawed popular Western republican democracies of today especially in the USA and Italy, as well as the constitutional monarchies of Spain and the United Kingdom. Highly recommended reading.
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- Ted Baehr
- 07-31-16
Great history - very interesting
After listening to many of these audible books, this is one of the very best: well researched, entertaining, fascinating, and superbly written. Bravo.
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- Rosie Perera
- 04-01-19
Excellent history, well narrated
I learned so much from this history of Venice. I couldn't put it down. It covers the subject with breadth and clarity, and makes one want to visit this city with such an important past.
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- Edward Odell
- 03-17-24
the narrator was great
The narrator was great, perfect for this epic story. His Italian added immensely to the impact.
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- Ahmir Khan
- 10-28-17
A great story of the history of Venice
I really enjoyed the "story" that this book tells. It's most definately a history, but the way it meanders from event to event, you have this arc of this underdog super power, rising out of the swamp where Italy meets the Adriatic as the Roman Empire around it collapses, carving out a niche trading between East and West, the strength of it's republic heralding it through various challenges, inventing modern banking, being part of the bulwark holding off various eastern empires, and then slowly and sadly dwindling away to the Disneyland that it has become. The story goes out of its way to dispel some of the myths and stereotypes associated with Venice, and does it fairly, and reminds you just how far ahead of its time Venice was.
Finally, the narrator is fabulous, listening to him adds to the overall experience. I can't say enough about the narration. And his pronunciation of the Italian words is sweet music to your ears!!
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- Glenn A. Michaels
- 09-05-18
A great history and a perfect supplement before or after your visit
I visited Venice on a two-week tour of Europe. I wish that I had read this before my visit because it is a magnificent and well told story. However, my visit allowed me to picture the city as it was explained -- basically taking me back again and allowing me to appreciate Venice even more. This is my second reading of this history and it was even more enjoyable than the first time. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in learning more about what was our most favorite stop on our tour. Thank you for the great effort by everyone involved.
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- JK
- 10-12-21
A MUST FOR HISTORY LOVERS
If you love history and/or are planning a trip to Venice this is a must read.
Professor Madden covers: the birth of Venice, commerce, wars, arts, music and thru it all always surviving by adapting to changing circumstances. Here is a lesson to be learned.
The narrator mr. Edoardo Ballerini,as always, is a pleasure to listen to, especially narrating this book.
My thanks to all, JK
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- DT
- 02-27-24
Fabulous Book
The history told in an enjoyable way. I read his other books and they are wonderful!
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