Francesco's Venice

Library Journal

Architect, historian, and filmmaker da Mosto provides a well-researched history of Venice, from its beginnings as an independent republic to its becoming the center of world trade in the 1400s to its current status as an Italian seaport. Da Mosta, who hosts the BBC television presentation for which this serves as a companion, adds a personal touch by interweaving his family's 1600-year contribution. He explains how the Venetians developed their own language, made their own coins, possessed more printing presses than any other city, and built their own ships to protect their treasured island from foreign invaders. Included are numerous one-page profiles on topics like the Rialto Bridge, the Jewish ghetto, Marco Polo, gondolas, and the celebration of Carnival. Da Mosto also traces the use and abuse of political power entrusted to the long line of doges and the Council of Ten (the special tribunal created to avert plots against the state) and the effects of that power on local citizens. Parker's superb illustrations nicely complement the text; the only shortcoming is the lack of any maps to illustrate the ports and boundaries described by the author. Recommended for all libraries.-Richard A. Dickey, Dallas Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.