April Blood: Florence and the Plot Against the Medici

I would consider this book a must read for anyone who would like to have a better appreciation of just what the business of life was like for the pre-modern European elite, and the emphasis is on business, as very few decisions were made by the likes of Lorenzo the Magnificent without some consideration of losses and gains unto the following generations. For example, the assassination attempt examined in this book was as much sparked by the marriage that was arranged for Lorenzo as any other single play in the game of power that the Florentine elite played. While serious students of Renaissance Italy could actually consider this a general study, the average reader of, say, fantasy will receive an education.

Almost all accounts of the Pazzi conspiracy --which almost killed Lorenzo de' Medici and did kill his brother Giuliano -- are pro-Medici, partly because Lorenzo ended up the winner and winners notoriously write history (or hire it done) and partly because Lorenzo went on to be a great cultural patron and, arguably, the pivot of peace in the Italian peninsula for a generation. However this book on the whole leans the other way. I had previously understood that Medici control of Florence was generally accepted from the time of Lorenzo's grandfather Cosimo "the Elder," but this book makes clear that there was a genuine republican opposition which regularly challenged Medici rule and only narrowly lose on reasonably free votes in the major show more councils ; the Pazzi clan were by no mean the only ones who suffered from Medici financial and political harassment. However, their alliance with Pope Sixtus IV gave them the backing that almost made their coup possible, and even after it failed, Sixtus and his allies fought the Medici to a bloody stalemate for years. Also, though I had known the archbishop of Pisa Salviati was in the plot and got hanged for it, I had not realized that his appointment as an anti-Medici candidate to a diocese critical to Florentine control of Pisa was a major source of the conflict with Sixtus and the Pazzi. Moreover, Sixtus had transferred the papal alum monopoly which was a key source of Medici wealth to the Pazzi. All this background makes a lot more sense to me now. show less

An interesting topic with an interesting hypothesis that the assassination of Lorenzo d'Medici's brother led to Lorenzo's preminence in Florence and ultimately brought about the end of the Florentine republic.

However as history this book is brought down by its leaden, unengaging prose. It is often only when the principals speak directly to us via their letters that things come alive.

This book is written in more of a formal, history text-book style but the subject matter is what compelled me to get it and read it. I’m quite fond of historical texts and Italy happens to be my favorite place to read about. There was so much going on in Italy throughout history that there are thousands of interesting tales that you’ve never heard of. Each one of those stories almost always has a wonderful blend of action, art, and intrigue. That’s a pretty decent trifecta as far as I’m concerned.

This book focuses on the plot by the Pazzi family of Florence to remove the Medici - namely Lorenzo and his brother Guiliano - from power in 1478. It is not light reading.

The author delves deeply into the psychi of medieval Florentine politics - which differs greatly from the politics of today - and into the social and political structure of this city and its ruling families. Customs - social, political and judicial - and the banking industry of medieval Italy are all seriously explored. The plot to remove the Medici had far-reaching affects - and not just for those in Florence.

As I mentioned, this book is not a piece of light reading - there are details here that without careful reading one could become lost in the maze that is the show more politic world of medieval Italy. show less

Three and a half stars. It was moderately dense, but still enjoyable and very informative. I had trouble keeping track of everyone the book covers, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Overall, I don't regret spending money for a copy of my own and would recommend April Blood to both history and government buffs.

Excellent account of the Pazzi conspiracy. Weaves the complicated events into highly readable narrative.