D’Aun and I visited Venice in the mid 80’s and have yet to return. Our great loss, for Venice is one of the great cities to visit. It’s beautiful, the people are friendly, the food is great, and the history is unbelievable.

Those are just some of the reasons I wanted to read Venice: A New History by Thomas Madden. This ambitious work covers the entire history of the city by the sea, from the original settlement of Romans escaping the invaders from the North to the current status as a tourist town. In between was the amazing era — and it really is amazing — when Venice ruled the seas and controlled the economy of the Mediterranean.

Always loyal to the State as much or more as to the Church, Venice is a beautiful contradiction of motivations. Capitalist to the core, they were also one of the longest running Republics in the world until Napoleon undid that. They both protected and sacked Constantinople at various times, and long viewed the Byzantine Empire as their parent. Plus no other region did more to support the Crusades, for both good and bad.

The story is nearly 1500 years old, and it’s a fascinating one. If you love Italy you will love Venice, and if you love Venice you will love this book.