Venice, A Maritime Republic

The only downsides are that some of the language is outdated (i.e. referring to Russia as the Soviet Union) which is obvious given the last edition's published date. Also, I felt like it was a bit too brief on the renaissance despite mentioning multiple times that Venice was the heart of the arts for its time. The descriptions of Venetian accounting are a bit esoteric, and as a layman I was lost almost entirely at some parts. I also felt like not much attention was given to the interactions the Venetians had with the Turks (which were quite frequent, and nearly always deadly).Otherwise, this was a very readable. It did a great job covering the history of this fascinating nation. I don't blame the author for cutting things down to make this all fit into 600 pages. If you're a history buff, this will be an excellent addition for your collection.

I came to this book with a general interest in history and in the wonders of Venezia, and found the book to be a very satisfying look at the subject. While many people would not consider this light reading, the book does not assume any special knowledge other than a general grade-school familiarity with history. What I especially liked about Venice, A Maritime Republic, was the balance between the usual recital of classic political history - wars, rulers, and shifting borders - and vivid snapshots of the economics, culture, and personalities of Venetian history. For instance, the book offers fascinating glimpses into the organization of a galleys for trade expeditions, encounters between Venezia and the Muslim world, the role of Venezia in medieval manufacturing, innovations in trade and book keeping, and Renaissance printing. My main disappointment was architecture, which is perhaps Venezia's most lasting achievement but whose development is not as well-described in the book as I had hoped.Where the book does touch on wars and politics, it gives just enough details to bring the story alive, as in the gripping account of the War of Chioggia, an episode I had never heard of before but which would make a fantastic movie. The author makes very good choices for which topics to dwell on and which to summarize quickly. The prose is unremarkable but effective, and the B&W illustrations are interesting in themselves and well-integrated into the text (though as another review mentions some - but not all - of the illustrations are not very well reproduced in the paperback edition). Though the illustrations are in shades of gray, reading this book allows one to enter a colorful world where the myth and reality of Venezia grow through time.

Great book with lots of information and presented in clear and concise manner.

Great read of forgotten strategic industry.

thorough study, well documented.

It goes through the history of Venice from the early inhabitants escaping the barbarian invaders to the destruction of the republic from Napoleon.

The Venetian Republic endured as the most democratic experiment in Europe from its founding around 1000 AD until it was compelled to surrender to Napoleon and the French in 1797. It was a maritime Republic founded by boatmen, sailors, merchants and traders. It had a powerful navy which dominated the Eastern Mediterranean for many years. It eschewed the rule of hereditary monarchs in favor of the election of Doges by an aristocratic Council. Venice preferred to be governed by elderly Doges such as Enrico Dandolo who was in his eighties when he led the Venetian contingent of the Fourth Crusade that sacked Byzantium in 1204. This was a form of built-in term limits.Why should a Conservative in particular celebrate Venice? The Venetian Republic was the world's first and longest lasting model of a free society with limited government and an exuberant capitalist spirit--the Venetian Republic was Conservative! Frederic Lane opens his Venice: a Maritime Republic by telling us that "Venice stands out as a symbol of beauty, of wise government, and of communally controlled capitalism. The distinctiveness of the environment in which the Venetians built gave an obviously unique quality to their city's charm. Its watery setting contributed to an aristocratic tradition of liberty...After 1000 AD. they became a seagoing nation, sailing trading, and fighting in many parts of the Mediterranean and the rivers of souther Russia to the English Channel. Finally, Venice became a city of craftsmen, functionaries, and a few aristocrats, a city renowned for its skills in handiwork, finance and government.""Venice had no single written document like the Constitution of the United States embodying a basic law with which all other laws had to conform. The nearest to it in early times was the doge's oath, the Promissione...We may speak of a Venetian Constitution, however, in the same way that we refer to the British constitution, although it is embodied in no single document but is found in scattered statutes and partly in customs long adhered to...The central organs of government formed a pyramid with the general assembly at its base and the doge at tis apex. In between them were the Great Council, the forty and the Senate, and the Ducal Council. Distrust of individual power made the Venetians depend on committees and councils. Even in their judicial system, sentences were not imposed by an individual judge but by several judges acting together."Venice relied upon her naval power to quell piracy and to protect the flow of commerce. Venice ruled the seas of the Eastern Mediterranean. Venice also colonized outposts such as Crete and Rhodes. The Arsenal in Venice was their naval storehouse and arms center. The ship Amerigo Vespucci is a reminder of Venice's naval power and continues to be a training vessel for the cadets of today's Italian navy.Venetian-led naval forces defeated a large Turkish fleet on October 7, 1571 at the battle of Lepanto. This decisive victory saved the Venetian holdings such as Crete and the Ionian islands and prevented the raiding of the Italian coast that would otherwise have followed. This check on the expansion of Ottoman power has been widely acclaimed as one of the decisive battles of world history.Frederic Lane writes, "the histories of the United States and of Venice are remarkably similar in one respect. In the early history of both republics, the sea was a source of wealth contributing to the expansion of the rest of the economy...Venice, having used its ships and seamen to gain the lordship of the gulf, a colonial empire, and a leading place among centres of international trade, found later opportunities for growth in industry and finance."Typical Venetian homes included a showroom on the main floor for display of a merchant's wares. There was no distinction between commercial and residential.The Bellini Cocktail. No trip to Venice is complete with the enjoyment of a Bellini or two. These were invented by Giuseppe Cipriani at Harry's Bar in the 1930's and named after the famous Venetian painter. Here is how you make a Bellini cocktail. Peel fresh white peaches and puree in blender. Use a champagne flute. Fill flute with about 2oz of peach puree. Add 4 oz of chilled Prosecco. Stir and you've got it! Salute!If you like Venice, A Maritime Republic you my also enjoy  America Invades: How We've Invaded or been Militarily Involved with almost Every Country on Earth  by Kelly / Laycock and  Italy Invades

In a time of absolute monarchies almost everywhere in Europe and Asia, Lane describes the history of an early republic, that managed to prosper for centuries. Nor was this the only anomaly of Venice. It had barely any land area, compared to many of its rivals like Constantinople. Of course, as the book explains, its most striking feature was the its placement in what was essentially a swamp, for defensive purposes.The book chronicles its rapid ascent and ingenuity in being flexible about trading with anyone. The many sea battles also attest to its continued vigilance. Readers might note the resemblences to Britain and its empire.The writing style is quite readable to a non-historian. Enhanced perhaps by a decision not to have footnotes. The illustrations are also well chosen.

I gave this book as a present. After having read Lane's book I've given it as a present three times and everyone who received it has repeated the same comments: the best book on the history of Venice. Lane manages to weave the history of Venice with the major political, economic and technologic aspects occurring over one thousand years.

While it was said to be very good, the price was very low though, so that's why the two stars

Always beautiful to read about the Most Serene Republic of Venice!