“The rise and fall of Venice’s empire is an irresistible story and [Roger] Crowley; with his rousing descriptive gifts and scholarly attention to detail; is its perfect chronicler.â€â€”The Financial Times The New York Times bestselling author of Empires of the Sea charts Venice’s astounding five-hundred-year voyage to the pinnacle of power in an epic story that stands unrivaled for drama; intrigue; and sheer opulent majesty. City of Fortune traces the full arc of the Venetian imperial saga; from the ill-fated Fourth Crusade; which culminates in the sacking of Constantinople in 1204; to the Ottoman-Venetian War of 1499–1503; which sees the Ottoman Turks supplant the Venetians as the preeminent naval power in the Mediterranean. In between are three centuries of Venetian maritime dominance; during which a tiny city of “lagoon dwellers†grow into the richest place on earth. Drawing on firsthand accounts of pitched sea battles; skillful negotiations; and diplomatic maneuvers; Crowley paints a vivid picture of this avaricious; enterprising people and the bountiful lands that came under their dominion. From the opening of the spice routes to the clash between Christianity and Islam; Venice played a leading role in the defining conflicts of its time—the reverberations of which are still being felt today. “[Crowley] writes with a racy briskness that lifts sea battles and sieges off the page.â€â€”The New York Times “Crowley chronicles the peak of Venice’s past glory with Wordsworthian sympathy; supplemented by impressive learning and infectious enthusiasm.â€â€”The Wall Street Journal
#432785 in Books Random House Trade Paperbacks 2003-10-14 2003-10-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .80 x 5.30l; .63 #File Name: 0812969898384 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. PEGGY NOONAN FOR PRESIDENT.By BullmoosePeggy Noonan is my favorite author. She also writes a column for the Friday edition of The Wall Street Journal. 30 years ago when I wrote a piece for Air Waves. I believed that Peggy Noonan would a great First Lady for United States. That was 30 years ago. I am 13 years older than Peggy but she is much more intelligent. I recently attended one of her lectures which was held at Wake Forest University. The auditorium had an overflow crowd.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. She's a goddess!By Bill StaleyShe's witty; intelligent; well-read; has down-home common sense; loves the Gipper. What's not to like? She tells great stories of a unique historic moment. She does not brag; has no axe to grind. Many beautiful sentences. One of America's great writers and thinkers. Don't miss her editorial essays in the Wall St. Journal on Saturdays. (Would someone please collect all of them; every word; into a book? Ala David Sedaris? PS - Reading DS leaves me amused; but feeling slightly creepier than I was before. PN leaves you sure that the world can and will be a better place.)I listened to the Audible recording (from audible;com via [...]); which I believe is her reading her own book. It adds a lot to have her read it. But ... audible.com does not bother to identify the reader. It sounds like Audible recorded their version from a $19 cassette recorder; using a $[...] microphone. You have to turn it up all the way and it's still muffled. It's criminal.I finished the book in a day; every minute a pleasure. Thanks; so much; Peggy Noonan.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Always a easily captivating and educating readBy gracemarie serafinaThe book was as if it were new. I am enjoying learning about speech writing and the politics even envoy end with that.peggy Noonan is a superb writer. Always a easily captivating and educating read!
