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House of Medici

A Captivating Guide to the History of the Medici Family and Dynasty

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House of Medici

By: Captivating History
Narrated by: Jay Herbert
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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

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Did you know that one obscure sheep-herding and wool-making family in the Italian region of Tuscany went from humble beginnings to becoming one of the richest and most influential families of all time?

Meet the Medici family, who, in some ways, can be considered to be the godfathers of the Renaissance. They patronized Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Sandro Botticelli, among many other famous artists. They helped to recover many famous ancient Roman and Greek writings and built academies to encourage the spread of learning.

Inside Captivating History’s House of Medici, you’ll discover:

  • The humble beginnings of a family that is estimated to have made more than 120 billion dollars in today’s currency
  • Cosimo the Great, the true founder of the Medici dynasty, who built the city of Florence into one of the greatest cities on Earth
  • Cosimo’s son Lorenzo, called “the Magnificent” for his athletic abilities, knowledge, wisdom, and desire to improve not only the lives of his family but also of those throughout Europe
  • Lorenzo’s Platonic Academy, where the greatest minds of the Renaissance gathered to discuss and debate the great questions of both the age and human existence
  • The bloody attempt on Lorenzo’s life and his swift revenge
  • The growth of Florence into both a city of great culture and great pleasure
  • Savonarola, the religious fanatic who terrified Lorenzo and who ruled a city by fear and was finally burned at the stake himself
  • The Medici popes, Leo X and Clement VII
  • The great Dome of Florence, which was built by the revolutionary thinker Brunelleschi
  • Catherine de’ Medici, the de facto ruler of France and mother of three kings

Scroll up, and click the “Buy Now” button to learn more about the House of Medici!

©2021 Captivating History (P)2021 Captivating History
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The only thing I disliked about this book is when it ended. A brief history of the Medici but it was informative and entertaining throughout.

A very good book.

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Poorly read, with some laughable pronunciation and too many unnecessary references to modern American life.

Disappointing

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This was probably a really good story, however I ended up very happy that this book was only just over 3 hours as I couldn’t have listened any longer. The narrator’s accent was annoying, his exaggerated inflections were insufferable and his mispronunciations were atrocious!! Please do the book again with a different narrator!

Could have been really good

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This was an interesting documentary. However it was somewhat spoiled for me by the awful pronunciatin of many Italian names.

my review

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Book Review: House of Medici: A Captivating Guide to the History of the Medici Family and Dynasty

House of Medici: A Captivating Guide to the History of the Medici Family and Dynasty is a thoroughly engaging and well-structured introduction to one of the most influential families in European history. The narrative flows with clarity and precision, presenting the Medici legacy in a logical and easily digestible sequence. Each generation’s story builds naturally upon the last, allowing readers to follow the family’s rise from merchants to the architects of Renaissance greatness without feeling overwhelmed by names or dates.

What makes this book particularly remarkable is how accessible it is to those new to the subject. It serves as a perfect starting point for anyone wishing to understand the Medici’s pivotal role in shaping art, politics, and culture. The author strikes a fine balance between historical accuracy and engaging storytelling, ensuring that even complex political and cultural developments are explained in a way that keeps readers fully invested.

The prose itself is immersive, painting vivid scenes of Florence at the height of its glory and drawing readers directly into the Medici’s world, their ambitions, rivalries, and enduring influence. By the end, one feels not just informed but genuinely inspired by the family’s contributions to the Renaissance, from their patronage of great artists and thinkers to their lasting impact on Europe’s cultural evolution.

In short, this book is a captivating and rewarding read, both a compelling narrative and an ideal gateway into the extraordinary history of the Medici dynasty.

A great starting point on the history of the Medici

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