Just finished this fascinating book - an absolute must read if you are interested in the history of Florence and it's citizens - not only the Medici but many artists, politicians, scientists, and church people of the time (Copernicus, Galileo, Savonarola). It is highly readable and includes many amusing anecdotes. I read some reviews on Amazon that are less than stellar and frankly I can't agree with any of them. It also lays the church and the Papacy bare - so if you are a holy roller I would avoid it! After the Blue Guide to Florence, The Rise and Fall of the House of Medici should be the next book you read before or during a trip to Firenze.
