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The Modern Scholar: A History of Venice

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The Modern Scholar: A History of Venice

By: Prof. Thomas F. Madden
Narrated by: Thomas F. Madden
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About this listen

Renowned professor Thomas F. Madden focuses his expertise on what has been called the most beautiful city in the world: Venice. In these lectures, Professor Madden explains how the city on the lagoon was established by refugees escaping the onslaught of northern “barbarians” invading the crumbling Roman Empire. Through its history, Venice housed the world’s leading merchants, thrived as a maritime powerhouse, and developed into an independent republic not unlike the present United States. Venice draws millions of visitors each year, and these lectures shed light on why the city is such a continual source of fascination.

©2010 Thomas F. Madden (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC Europe Italy
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Good information in terms of historical accuracy and chronological order of events. I especially appreciated the in depth look at the Venetian monetary system.

Good information, poor narration

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I would highly recommend anyone interested in Venice to listen to this. I couldn't wait to listen to each installment, and learned a lot about this wonderful place.

Fascinating and accessible account of Venice

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Recommended; very interesting and clear. Has the advantage of both giving the history of Venice and placing it in the general picture of European history. A BIG minus for the professor's pronounciation of Italian names and placenames, sometimes just annoying, but a lot of the time downright impossible to decifer, especially when dealing with less famous historical characters. And why should it be so difficult for a scholar to learn how to say 'Veneto' properly?? VEneto, not VenIIto. Please! Still, apart from this, nicely read, and very informative.

Interesting and entertaining

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Prof. Madden gives an excellent introduction to the long & important history of Venice's role in the commerce, diplomacy & military affairs of the mediterranean. Venice is a beautiful city but it has an equally fascinating past. Only slight criticsm is that would rather hear a bit more on the culture, economics & customs of the people at the expense of dynastic succession details. Lecture titles below.

1. Refugees of the Lagoon: The Origins of Venice
2. Coming of Age: The Expansion of Venetian Power
3. In a Dangerous World
4. In the Age of the Crusades
5. A Merchant Republic in a Feudal Age: Political Reform in Medieval Venice
6. Birth of a Maritime Empire: Venice and the Fourth Crusade
7. Birth of Modern Finance in Venice
8. The Rise of Venice: Prosperity and Power in the West and East
9. A Time of Wars: The Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries
10. A New World: The Fall of Byzantium and the Rise of the Renaissance
11. A Medieval Republic in a Modern World: The Decline and Fall of Venice
12. The Grand Tour and Carnevale
13. The Empty House: Venice and the State of Italy
14. Modern Venice

Another Madden home run!

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I can not understand the criticism of performance when you can listen to a sample before purchasing. He may use certain phrases more often than a writer but I intend to seek out other lecturers by him

Great change from conventional books

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