Welcome to Litsy!

#ReadAway2025 #Wardens2025

I forgot how much I really enjoy learning/reading about history. This was a true pleasure🤓🎧

Finds from a while back from Marketown Book Swap.

This was a very interesting book of the ris and fall of the Borgia dynasty, which started some time before Rodrigo and his infamous family. His uncle was already a pope, a fact which I was unaware of.

#StaycationinTime

Thank you @forestandcrow Tyler for my fantastic box. I cannot wait to try to goodies. Love the tote and bookmark and my new favorite ice tea glass. Thrilled with your book choices and an NYRB edition to add to my collection is next level.

Thank you for hosting @Chrissyreadit and @DinoMom Love this swap 💙

It answered my questions about Italy's state politics and why Martin Luther was adamant about breaking away from the depravity of the church. Lucretia was not written as part of the evil; she was a tool to further her father's powers. It was Cesare who was the ruthless murderer. #Jubilee #FoodandLit @texreader @catsandbooks

I admit that I confused this family with the Borgia family. They were very similar, in fact, so I don't feel too foolish. They started as bankers in Florence. It seemed to me that every other generation was patrons to the arts, while the other generations were lazy and/or violent. The family was often fighting the papacy except when they had a son or nephew as a pope. I'm glad I read it. I learned more about Italy's history before unification.

#Read2025 #Wardens2025

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This is my first Iris Origo and it won‘t be my last. It is the author‘s diary of the entrance of Italy during World War II, and her unique perspective as a well-connected British woman living with her Italian husband in the countryside of Italy. Its commentary on the realities of living under fascism, effects of propaganda and the manner in which people continued to live their lives is as relevant today as it was 85 years ago.

Decent read. The author had an engaging enough writing style. HE largely covers from the 4th Crusade until about 1500, focusing mainly on military and economic aspects of the city. While certainly interesting, a minor complaint is it would have been interesting to see some earlier and later time periods covered. Also, politics are covered, but largely only related to the military and economic side of things. Overall, still a good intro to Venice.

Next up for reading.
#Venice #Italy #History