Renowned historian, & author of ”A Short History of Byzantium”, John Julius Norwich`s classic history of Venice ”A History of Venice” tells the story of this most remarkable of cities from its founding in the fifth century, through its unrivalled status for over a thousand years as one of the world`s busiest & most powerful city states, until its fall at the hands of Napoleon in 1797. Rich in fascinating historical detail, populated by extraordinary characters & packed with a wealth of incident & intrigue, this is a brilliant testament to a great city
- & a great & gripping read. ” Norwich has loved & understood Venice as well as any other Englishman has ever done.” (” Sunday Times”). ” Will become the standard English work of Venetian history.” (” Financial Times”). ” The standard Venetian history in English.” (” The Times”). ” Norwich has the gift of historical perspective, as well as clarity & wit. Few can tell a good story better than he.” (” Spectator” John Julius Norwich was born in 1929). He was educated at Upper Canada College, Toronto, at Eton, at the University of Strasbourg &, after a spell of National Service in the Navy, at New College, Oxford, where he took a degree in French & Russian. In 1952 he joined the Foreign Service, where he remained for twelve years, serving at the embassies in Belgrade & Beirut. In 1964 he resigned from the service to write. He is the author of histories of Norman Sicily, the Republic of Venice & the Byzantine Empire. He has written & presented some thirty historical documentaries on television, & is a regular lecturer on Venice & numerous other subjects.