Venice history book suggestions?

Hi I'm travelling to Venice 1-17 October and would like to do some
reading (apart from Guidebooks, I'm comparing the Green Guide, Blue
Guide, and Knopf once they arrive at the bookstore) to help me get a
feel for things. On a prior trip to Europe, I bought Agony and the
Ecstasy in Vienna before getting to Tuscany and Rome. Then in Rome I
bought a tome of a history book on Ancient Greece which I read through
Greece. It was surreal to read the history of the flight of the Helot
slaves of Sparta fleeing over the Gulf of Corinth -- while on the ferry
crossing the Gulf or Corinth!

So I'm looking for a tome-like history book on Venice, and probably
some kind of historical fiction. I will do my own research of course,
but I'm sure there are some recommendations out there, if you don't
mind.

Thanks,

--
Dan Stephenson
Photos and movies from US Parks and all over Europe:
http://homepage.mac.com/stepheda

"Dan Stephenson" wrote in message
...
Hi I'm travelling to Venice 1-17 October and would like to do some
reading (apart from Guidebooks, I'm comparing the Green Guide, Blue
Guide, and Knopf once they arrive at the bookstore) to help me get a
feel for things. On a prior trip to Europe, I bought Agony and the
Ecstasy in Vienna before getting to Tuscany and Rome. Then in Rome I
bought a tome of a history book on Ancient Greece which I read through
Greece. It was surreal to read the history of the flight of the Helot
slaves of Sparta fleeing over the Gulf of Corinth -- while on the ferry
crossing the Gulf or Corinth!

So I'm looking for a tome-like history book on Venice, and probably
some kind of historical fiction. I will do my own research of course,
but I'm sure there are some recommendations out there, if you don't
mind.

Thanks,

--
Dan Stephenson
Photos and movies from US Parks and all over Europe:
http://homepage.mac.com/stepheda

My two favorites on Venetian history a
Venice, A Maritime Republic by Lane

A History of Venice by Norwich

A history of the later-day Byzantine and early Ottoman empires would be
excellent background material

Paul

A good book that combines the history and art of Venice is "Venice: Lion
City" by Garry Wills.

You might also enjoy Mary McCarthy's "Venice Observed," a travel book but
not a guidebook.

For historical fiction, I recommend "The Floating Book" by Michelle Lovric.

There is also John Julius Norwich's "Paradise of Cities" for a look at many
of the British artists and writers who made their homes in Venice.

Finally, for something really light, you might turn to the series of little
mysteries by Donna Leon, all set in Venice and all worth the short time it
takes to read them.


Ron
Fredericksburg, VA

I second the recommendation for Norwich's history. Long and complete.

I just got Venice the Biography of a City by Christopher. Hibbert. So
far it looks wonderful and his book of Florence is a favorite of mine.
Liz

"pfriedmanNoSpam" wrote in message
...

"Dan Stephenson" wrote in message
...


My two favorites on Venetian history a
Venice, A Maritime Republic by Lane

A History of Venice by Norwich

A history of the later-day Byzantine and early Ottoman empires would be
excellent background material

Here is another one you might find interesting together with its link to
Amazon

Byzantium: The Early Centuries: The Early Centuries Vol 1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...917572-7578800

Byzantium: The Apogee: The Apogee Vol 2
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...917572-7578800

There are a couple of books by Jan Morris which I enjoyed very much.

The Venetian Empi A Sea Voyage
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...917572-7578800

Venice
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...917572-7578800


This is also worth a read.

Hugh Honour: The Companion Guide To Venice
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...917572-7578800

In article , ()
wrote:


Finally, for something really light

And if the OP is having trouble with insomnia on his trip, there's always
Thomas Mann.


----------------------------------------------
The poster formerly known as .

In article ,
(Martin) wrote:

*From:* Martin
*Date:* Sat, 20 Aug 2005 09:06:48 +0200

On Fri, 19 Aug 2005 16:14:33 -0500, wrote:

In article ,
() wrote:


Finally, for something really light

And if the OP is having trouble with insomnia on his trip, there's
always Thomas Mann.

Oldie writer De'ath in Venice?

Lose the apostrophe and you're there.


----------------------------------------------
The poster formerly known as .

In article ,
(Martin) wrote:

*From:* Martin
*Date:* Sat, 20 Aug 2005 16:45:02 +0200

On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 09:30:56 -0500, wrote:

In article ,
(Martin) wrote:

*From:* Martin
*Date:* Sat, 20 Aug 2005 09:06:48 +0200

On Fri, 19 Aug 2005 16:14:33 -0500,
wrote:

And if the OP is having trouble with insomnia on his trip, there's
always Thomas Mann.

Oldie writer De'ath in Venice?

Lose the apostrophe and you're there.

I need to keep the apostrophe for him to be a contributor to the
Oldie.
http://akoss.co.uk/buy/asinsearch_0233000569.html

Ah, I didn't get the all'usion.


----------------------------------------------
The poster formerly known as .

If you want to read rather than study, James/Jan Morris. As a Venice
resident I read his first one ( which appears under several names) every few
years just for fun.
rjf

"Dan Stephenson" wrote in message
...
Hi I'm travelling to Venice 1-17 October and would like to do some
reading (apart from Guidebooks, I'm comparing the Green Guide, Blue
Guide, and Knopf once they arrive at the bookstore) to help me get a
feel for things. On a prior trip to Europe, I bought Agony and the
Ecstasy in Vienna before getting to Tuscany and Rome. Then in Rome I
bought a tome of a history book on Ancient Greece which I read through
Greece. It was surreal to read the history of the flight of the Helot
slaves of Sparta fleeing over the Gulf of Corinth -- while on the ferry
crossing the Gulf or Corinth!

So I'm looking for a tome-like history book on Venice, and probably
some kind of historical fiction. I will do my own research of course,
but I'm sure there are some recommendations out there, if you don't
mind.

Thanks,

--
Dan Stephenson
Photos and movies from US Parks and all over Europe:
http://homepage.mac.com/stepheda