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Paul Strathern's, 'The Artist, The Philosopher and the Warrior,' is an engaging account of some of the greatest minds of the renaissance (and arguably, history).
As I had just travelled to Italy and learned for the first time (yes, I'm a bit late to the renaissance party) about characters such as Machiavelli and Borgia, I was really interested in exploring their lives and their personalities. This book also appealed to me because I knew that it's focus on Florence would therefore lead to an exploration of the Medici family and their impact on the three main characters. Although the characters are the main focus, I think it is fair to say that Italy itself takes on a leading role, as the political disputes between Florence, Rome, Venice and Naples (not to mention the French and Spanish) are often important turning points in the characters lives.
I really enjoyed Strathern's exploration of Leonardo Da Vinci as he often showed his fondness for the man through his delicate exploration of his character. Throughout the book, he made sure to include various paintings, sketches and quotes, which was a fantastic aid in following not only the flow of the book but further understanding the psychological state of Leonardo through his work. While some assumptions made by Strathern seem a bit of a leap, especially considering the limited resources he would have had to have worked with, I believe that any reader of this book can separate fact from assumption and enjoy Strathern's interpretation of certain events or quotes. It isn't as if he doesn't present a weighted opinion and frequently he doesn't just lay out his own interpretation, but others, which is helpful for making up an individualistic idea of events.
I also enjoyed his exploration of Machiavelli and Borgia who, as men who are usually represented as quite wicked, were really explained in ways that could give a logical understanding for their actions. For example, most of the book with Machiavelli's character is merely a crescendo for The Prince and a hinted exploration of why Machiavelli came to write what he did in that book. While Strathern did admit the likelihood of the Borgia's not engaging in incest, he at least presented information for both sides of the argument and left the decision up to the readers. At the end of the book and the character's inevitable death, it was quite sad to read their ends, which is a testament to how personal Strathern made them to the reader.
However, I did notice some things that could be improved. It's difficult to weave three main characters into one book and while Strathern did it admirably, it was still slightly confusing at times. For example, if he was focusing on one character, it was often confusing to understand where the other characters were at the same point as the next chapter might leap through time or back into it. Strathern has also created a bit of a mixed book, with focuses on not just the personal sides of the characters but the political spectrums of Italy. While this is necessary to understand their lives, I believe that their should have been more of an emphasis on one approach. If he wanted to explore the characters, I think he probably should have done that with as little politics as possible. As he did go very in depth with politics, it sometimes seemed forced and unnecessary, sometimes a bit difficult to get through. I've read some of the more difficult books ever published and even at page 200 I was wondering whether it was worth continuing. It certainly was but the emphasis on politics, for a book that most people read to get to the people, was a bit disheartening.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this and I am suggesting it to others a good read. I will definitely look up his other books.
As I had just travelled to Italy and learned for the first time (yes, I'm a bit late to the renaissance party) about characters such as Machiavelli and Borgia, I was really interested in exploring their lives and their personalities. This book also appealed to me because I knew that it's focus on Florence would therefore lead to an exploration of the Medici family and their impact on the three main characters. Although the characters are the main focus, I think it is fair to say that Italy itself takes on a leading role, as the political disputes between Florence, Rome, Venice and Naples (not to mention the French and Spanish) are often important turning points in the characters lives.
I really enjoyed Strathern's exploration of Leonardo Da Vinci as he often showed his fondness for the man through his delicate exploration of his character. Throughout the book, he made sure to include various paintings, sketches and quotes, which was a fantastic aid in following not only the flow of the book but further understanding the psychological state of Leonardo through his work. While some assumptions made by Strathern seem a bit of a leap, especially considering the limited resources he would have had to have worked with, I believe that any reader of this book can separate fact from assumption and enjoy Strathern's interpretation of certain events or quotes. It isn't as if he doesn't present a weighted opinion and frequently he doesn't just lay out his own interpretation, but others, which is helpful for making up an individualistic idea of events.
I also enjoyed his exploration of Machiavelli and Borgia who, as men who are usually represented as quite wicked, were really explained in ways that could give a logical understanding for their actions. For example, most of the book with Machiavelli's character is merely a crescendo for The Prince and a hinted exploration of why Machiavelli came to write what he did in that book. While Strathern did admit the likelihood of the Borgia's not engaging in incest, he at least presented information for both sides of the argument and left the decision up to the readers. At the end of the book and the character's inevitable death, it was quite sad to read their ends, which is a testament to how personal Strathern made them to the reader.
However, I did notice some things that could be improved. It's difficult to weave three main characters into one book and while Strathern did it admirably, it was still slightly confusing at times. For example, if he was focusing on one character, it was often confusing to understand where the other characters were at the same point as the next chapter might leap through time or back into it. Strathern has also created a bit of a mixed book, with focuses on not just the personal sides of the characters but the political spectrums of Italy. While this is necessary to understand their lives, I believe that their should have been more of an emphasis on one approach. If he wanted to explore the characters, I think he probably should have done that with as little politics as possible. As he did go very in depth with politics, it sometimes seemed forced and unnecessary, sometimes a bit difficult to get through. I've read some of the more difficult books ever published and even at page 200 I was wondering whether it was worth continuing. It certainly was but the emphasis on politics, for a book that most people read to get to the people, was a bit disheartening.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this and I am suggesting it to others a good read. I will definitely look up his other books.