Scan barcode
sandyjhutti's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to this book on Audible, that might have made the difference and led to the 3 stars. However, there was so much information in this book. It was more about the Venetian navy and less about the actual city. Since I was walking around Venice when I bought it, I was super disappointed by that.
maitrey_d's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great narrative history chronicling the Venetian trading enterprise roughly from 1000-1500 CE. Overall, it gave me a great picture of what was happening in the trading cities of the eastern Mediterranean in the late middle ages, a world I only knew hazily about.
Roger Crowley appears to be a full time history writer, but not an academician. This book has a great bibliography (both newer English language editions, and primary sources in many languages) but it is by no means an academic work by a professional historian. Make of that what you will.
I felt Crowley did a great job with the narration, I was glued from the beginning. Yet at the same time, I got a good glimpse of the big picture. How Venetian trading contracts might have worked, what motivated many of the traders, Venice's complicated relationship with Constantinople, and of course, the troubling legacy that Venice was Europe's first blown "coloniser". A few characters in this saga make appearances, and Crowley only makes simple biographical sketches where appropriate. Overall, the narrative is always the driving force in this book, no asides are made to explain say who were the ruling families or factions, or what their individual motives might have been. Again this depends on individual readers, while it makes for great reading, I think realism and diversity is lost.
This is a great introduction to the trading and naval empire of Venice. Recommended for its narrative verve and action-packed prose.
Roger Crowley appears to be a full time history writer, but not an academician. This book has a great bibliography (both newer English language editions, and primary sources in many languages) but it is by no means an academic work by a professional historian. Make of that what you will.
I felt Crowley did a great job with the narration, I was glued from the beginning. Yet at the same time, I got a good glimpse of the big picture. How Venetian trading contracts might have worked, what motivated many of the traders, Venice's complicated relationship with Constantinople, and of course, the troubling legacy that Venice was Europe's first blown "coloniser". A few characters in this saga make appearances, and Crowley only makes simple biographical sketches where appropriate. Overall, the narrative is always the driving force in this book, no asides are made to explain say who were the ruling families or factions, or what their individual motives might have been. Again this depends on individual readers, while it makes for great reading, I think realism and diversity is lost.
This is a great introduction to the trading and naval empire of Venice. Recommended for its narrative verve and action-packed prose.
caroparr's review against another edition
4.0
If you thought the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas was horrible, meet the Fourth Crusade: when people say airily that the Venetians brought back treasure from Constantinople, they are glossing over the hideous pillaging of that city, with innumerable treasures melted down, chopped in half, gone forever, to say nothing of the slaughter of fellow Christians on their way to kill the "infidel," which came a far second in Venice's calculations. One of Crowley's strengths, in addition to a conversational tone that makes complicated historical minutiae compelling, is his portrayal of the Venetian character: La Serenissima was laser-focused on trade, trade, trade, and stayed in control for centuries by micro-managing every overseas port they owned. Great storytelling and an excellent overview of a thousand years of history.
jerrylwei's review against another edition
4.0
Well-written and entertaining read. Wished the history was more comprehensive (three hundred years --1500 to 1797--left off!). Also, wished there were more maps.