Rating: 
Summary: History comes alive
Review: Christopher Hibbert created a masterpiece with this work. It chronicles the fortunes of the Medici family from when its first leader, Cosimo comes to renown in Florence in 143 to when heirless Gian Gastone dies in 1737. The history is very interesting, it gives an insider's look into the complex world of Florence and Europe in the Renaissance. I learned many interesting things, particularly about the corruptrion in the Catholic Church at the time. My only qualm is that the author seems to lose interest with after Part 3 ends. The first 3 parts cover 100 years and last 260 pages and the last 140 years only take up 50 pages. Also of note are the notes that give information about notable villas and works of art that are mentioned. This would be extremely useful if one were to travel to Florence. Overall, an excellent read that will enrich your understanding of the Past.
Rating:
Summary: Page Turning Renaissance Suspense
Review: Christopher Hibbert does a fine job of putting into perspective the importance of the Medici family in the Golden Age of Florence. It is a story that all art historians know the ending to, but the book is so absorbing that it reads almost like a novel. If you don't read the book before going to Florence, then certainly pick it up afterwards and re-enjoy the city in a new perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Very Readable and Enjoyable History!
Review: Christopher Hibbert is a rare history writer. Hibbert writes about some tough topics in history and makes them very interesting. Hibber is one of those few historians that write so well you think you are there. His books on the French Revolution and the English Civil War are two prime examples of that ability. His book on the Renaissance through the story of the Medici family is another great example of his writing.The Medici family was a patron family in Italy during the Renaissance. Basically they paid for some of the art created in Italy during the Renaissance. In telling the story of the Medici family, Hibbert is really telling the story of Italy and Renaissance Italy. Hibberts gift is biography and his writings make the individual historical figures become very human and alive. I found the most interesting section of the book the story of the Priest Savonarola. Hibbert does a great job discussing his role in Italy and the controversies he created. In short, anyone interested in Renaissance history, Italian history, or good readable history will enjoy this work and others by Christopher Hibbert.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, Focused History
Review: Christopher Hibbert's "The House of Medici" is an excellent history of the Medici family, but only as far as it goes. For many readers who aren't as familiar with the details of the Renaissance or of Florence, the tight focus of the book will lead to numerous questions and open issues. Focusing primarily on the personalities who built the House of Medici into the juggernaut it became (particularly Cosimo and Lorenzo the Magnificent), Hibbert unquestionably brings certain aspects of the period to life. In particular, one gets an appreciation for the delicate balancing act Cosimo managed to pull off -- at times ruthless, yet willing to share power and refrain from putting himself too far forward in the perpetual contest among the leading families. This trait was lacking in the firebrand Lorenzo, whose refusal to at least allow the other noble families the appearance of being major players generated the massive resentment that culminated in the assassination attempt that wounded Lorenzo and killed his beloved brother. At the apex of their power and influence, the Medici were the prime movers and shakers of the age. While describing Cosimo and Lorenzo, the pillars of the family, Hibbert's tale is almost inspirational. When describing the lesser lights that through sheer accident of birth came to rule this mighty house (and guided its decline), "House of Medici" becomes less inspiring but no less entertaining -- several of Hibbert's descriptions of the nincompoops are hilarious. Again, the book would have benefited from providing a bit more analysis beyond the personalities of the Medici family. When contrasted to the extreme contextual details provided by Lauro Martines in "April Blood," his work about the plot to kill Lorenzo, the weaknesses of Hibbert's narrow focus come through. Better suited for those already familiar with the Renaissance and medeival Florence than the neophyte, this book is nevertheless an entertaining read. For an exhaustive history of Florence, look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Good, Focused History
Review: Christopher Hibbert's "The House of Medici" is an excellent history of the Medici family, but only as far as it goes. For many readers who aren't as familiar with the details of the Renaissance or of Florence, the tight focus of the book will lead to numerous questions and open issues. Focusing primarily on the personalities who built the House of Medici into the juggernaut it became (particularly Cosimo and Lorenzo the Magnificent), Hibbert unquestionably brings certain aspects of the period to life. In particular, one gets an appreciation for the delicate balancing act Cosimo managed to pull off -- at times ruthless, yet willing to share power and refrain from putting himself too far forward in the perpetual contest among the leading families. This trait was lacking in the firebrand Lorenzo, whose refusal to at least allow the other noble families the appearance of being major players generated the massive resentment that culminated in the assassination attempt that wounded Lorenzo and killed his beloved brother. At the apex of their power and influence, the Medici were the prime movers and shakers of the age. While describing Cosimo and Lorenzo, the pillars of the family, Hibbert's tale is almost inspirational. When describing the lesser lights that through sheer accident of birth came to rule this mighty house (and guided its decline), "House of Medici" becomes less inspiring but no less entertaining -- several of Hibbert's descriptions of the nincompoops are hilarious. Again, the book would have benefited from providing a bit more analysis beyond the personalities of the Medici family. When contrasted to the extreme contextual details provided by Lauro Martines in "April Blood," his work about the plot to kill Lorenzo, the weaknesses of Hibbert's narrow focus come through. Better suited for those already familiar with the Renaissance and medeival Florence than the neophyte, this book is nevertheless an entertaining read. For an exhaustive history of Florence, look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Good, Focused History
Review: Christopher Hibbert's "The House of Medici" is an excellent history of the Medici family, but only as far as it goes. For many readers who aren't as familiar with the details of the Renaissance or of Florence, the tight focus of the book will lead to numerous questions and open issues. Focusing primarily on the personalities who built the House of Medici into the juggernaut it became (particularly Cosimo and Lorenzo the Magnificent), Hibbert unquestionably brings certain aspects of the period to life. In particular, one gets an appreciation for the delicate balancing act Cosimo managed to pull off -- at times ruthless, yet willing to share power and refrain from putting himself too far forward in the perpetual contest among the leading families. This trait was lacking in the firebrand Lorenzo, whose refusal to at least allow the other noble families the appearance of being major players generated the massive resentment that culminated in the assassination attempt that wounded Lorenzo and killed his beloved brother. At the apex of their power and influence, the Medici were the prime movers and shakers of the age. While describing Cosimo and Lorenzo, the pillars of the family, Hibbert's tale is almost inspirational. When describing the lesser lights that through sheer accident of birth came to rule this mighty house (and guided its decline), "House of Medici" becomes less inspiring but no less entertaining -- several of Hibbert's descriptions of the nincompoops are hilarious. Again, the book would have benefited from providing a bit more analysis beyond the personalities of the Medici family. When contrasted to the extreme contextual details provided by Lauro Martines in "April Blood," his work about the plot to kill Lorenzo, the weaknesses of Hibbert's narrow focus come through. Better suited for those already familiar with the Renaissance and medeival Florence than the neophyte, this book is nevertheless an entertaining read. For an exhaustive history of Florence, look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Depends on what you are looking for
Review: Hibbert does a very good job in providing a really antiseptic, dispassionate, unbiased view of the life and times of the Medici largely from the perspective of empire building and the power struggles it brought. Unfortunately I found the book rather lifeless in that it did not present a moving account of the great Medici family, their trials and tribulations and most importatnly, their interest in the arts. I primarily wanted to read more about the connections between the great renaissance artists and the Medici family since theirs is perhaps one of the most important families to have influenced art and culture in those times. In that respect this book was a serious let down. There are but passing references to the association between the Medicis and Michaelangelo, Ghirlandaio and a few others - not a long drawn examination as was expected. What the book does offer is a fairly detailed description of the machinations of the Medici family - escpecially the accounts about Cossimo Sr. at the founding of the family and Cossimo II toward the end of the dynasty. The description of war and political strategies are noteworthy. The value of the book depends on what you are looking for. IF you want to know more about the art and culture angles, you are better advised to look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Read
Review: Hibbert has done an fantastic job of presenting to his readers one of the most influential families in Renaissance history. The Medici's, both through their patronage of the arts and their unparalleled rise into European politics, were responsible for what we familiarize today as the golden era of Renaissance Europe. Hibbert's storytelling ability brings this family to life and reveals in a very entertaining manner, the social and personal trials faced by the Medici descendents. This book is great for travel and can be difficult to put down. Recommend highly to anyone interested in Renaissance Italy and the powers that influenced it's birth and development.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Read
Review: Hibbert has done an fantastic job of presenting to his readers one of the most influential families in Renaissance history. The Medici's, both through their patronage of the arts and their unparalleled rise into European politics, were responsible for what we familiarize today as the golden era of Renaissance Europe. Hibbert's storytelling ability brings this family to life and reveals in a very entertaining manner, the social and personal trials faced by the Medici descendents. This book is great for travel and can be difficult to put down. Recommend highly to anyone interested in Renaissance Italy and the powers that influenced it's birth and development.
Rating:
Summary: Flying through several centuries of history
Review: Hibbert offers a fast-paced and entertaining history of the Medici dynasty that ruled Florence - officially and unofficially - for a few centuries, and are often given credit for the emergence of the renaissance in Italy. The Medici family is full of fascinating characters: from the savvy patriarch Cosimo de Giovanni to the charismatic Lorenzo il Magnifico to Pope Leo X ("God has given us the papacy, let us enjoy it!") or the bloodthirsty Gian Carlo or the spitfire bride of Grand Duke Ferdinando II, to the sad, heirless Gian Gastone, survived solemnly by the stoic Anna Maria, the last of the Medici. A history of the Medici is also a history of Florence, but Hibbert does not delve into historical detail, instead taking an anecdotal approach that whips the readers through complicated alliances, wars, and economic conditions without much context. The book focuses more on the forces of personality in the family and the internal intrigues of the Signoria, the Vatican, and the Duchy, than on the changing conditions of europe or italia in general.
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