Best books about the Medici of Florence. Historical novels and biographies
Reading books about history is a great way to learn more about a place before visiting it. And if you want to understand the past of Florence, you must learn more about the Medici, the family that really shaped the city. Here are some of the best books about the Medici of Florence, written in the last years. There are non-fiction, biographies and novels that I selected for you, and I hope you’ll enjoy!
Books about the history of the Medici of Florence
Dozens of books have been written on the history of the Medici, and it can be hard to identify the best ones. And that is, those that are historically accurate, but also compelling and exciting. Some of the best ones that have come out lately in my opinion are:
The Medici, by Paul Strathern
The author tells the rise and fall of the Medici family in Florence, from its origins in the fourteenth century to the end of the dynasty, in the eighteenth century, in an engaging way. There are great personalities such as Lorenzo the Magnificent, and also minor but equally interesting figures. And it well describes well the social and political context of the time.
Death in Florence. By Paul Strathern
Another great historical book by Paul Starthern, which tells a specific episode in the history of Florence, with the rhythm of a novel. Death in Florence revolves around the dichotomy and rivalry between Lorenzo de ‘Medici, heart and mind of the Renaissance culture, and his nemesis Savonarola, the friar who literally wanted to burn Renaissance in a bonfire of vanity.
Death in Florence. By Paul Strathern
Biographies of the Medicis
A family is made up of individuals, and the Medici dynasty is full of characters with interesting and extraordinary lives. To deepen the life and personality of some of them, I have picked up some of the best biographies of the Medici of Florence.
Unfortunately there’s no book about the life of Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici. Learn more about her in my post about the last Medici.
Magnifico. The brilliant life and violent times of Lorenzo de’ Medici. By Miles J. Unger
The most famous member of the Medici family, the true engine of the Renaissance, a highly cultured man and the richest banker in Europe. From the relationships with the artists of his time, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, to the terrible conspiracy that led to the murder of his brother Giuliano, this book tells the life of one of the most extraordinary men of the Renaissance.
Magnifico. The brilliant life and violent times of Lorenzo de’ Medici. By Miles J. Unger
- If you want to know more about him, read my post about Lorenzo de’ Medici.
Catherine de Medici. Renaissance queen of France. By Leonie Frieda
The biography of Catherine, one of the most amazing and inspiring figures of the Renaissance. From her childhood in Florence, to the marriage with the son of the King of France, then becoming the queen, and fighting to protect the throne for her sons’ birthrights. Catherine was a cultured lady, a fashion icon and one of the first foodies ever!
Catherine de Medici. Renaissance queen of France. By Leonie Frieda
Isabella de’ Medici. The glorious life and tragic end of a Renaissance princess. By Caroline P. Murphy.
Daughter of Cosimo I de’ Medici and Eleanor of Toledo, Isabella was cultured, independent, free and unconventional woman who sought sexual parity.
She was married to an Orsini prince, who perhaps killed her when she was just 34, as a punishment her for her adulterous love affair with his cousin.
The black prince of Florence. The spectacular life and treacherous world of Alessandro de’ Medici. By Catherine Fletcher
Born to a dark-skinned maid and Lorenzo II de’ Medici, the illegitimate Alessandro was groomed for power. In 1532, at the age of nineteen, backed by the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope, he became Duke of Florence, facing down family rivals and oligarchs and inheriting the grandest dynasty of the Italian Renaissance. Alessandro was a lesser known member of the family with a sinister reputation.
Novels about the Medici family
Masters of Florence Trilogy by Matteo Strukul
The famous Italian author Matteo Strukul wrote a trilogy of novels dedicated to the Medici family. They are very compelling novels with a strong contemporary cut, but sufficiently accurate from a historical point of view. The Masters of Florence trilogy has been a great success all over Europe and has been translated into many languages.
Matteo Strukul’s Medici trilogy consists of:
If you like reading, you might also enjoy: