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History & Criticism - The Bookseller of Florence: The Story of the Manuscripts That Illuminated the Renaissance

Description

Book Synopsis: The Renaissance in Florence conjures images of beautiful frescoes and elegant buildings—the dazzling handiwork of the city’s skilled artists and architects. But equally important for the centuries to follow were geniuses of a different sort: Florence’s manuscript hunters, scribes, scholars, and booksellers, who blew the dust off a thousand years of history and, through the discovery and diffusion of ancient knowledge, imagined a new and enlightened world.At the heart of this activity, which bestselling author Ross King relates in his exhilarating new book, was a remarkable man: Vespasiano da Bisticci. Born in 1422, he became what a friend called “the king of the world’s booksellers.” At a time when all books were made by hand, over four decades Vespasiano produced and sold many hundreds of volumes from his bookshop, which also became a gathering spot for debate and discussion. Besides repositories of ancient wisdom by the likes of Plato, Aristotle, and Quintilian, his books were works of art in their own right, copied by talented scribes and illuminated by the finest miniaturists. His clients included a roll-call of popes, kings, and princes across Europe who wished to burnish their reputations by founding magnificent libraries. Vespasiano reached the summit of his powers as Europe’s most prolific merchant of knowledge when a new invention appeared: the printed book. By 1480, the king of the world’s booksellers was swept away by this epic technological disruption, whereby cheaply produced books reached readers who never could have afforded one of Vespasiano’s elegant manuscripts. A thrilling chronicle of intellectual ferment set against the dramatic political and religious turmoil of the era, Ross King’s brilliant The Bookseller of Florence is also an ode to books and bookmaking that charts the world-changing shift from script to print through the life of an extraordinary man long lost to history—one of the true titans of the Renaissance.

Details

Experience the enchanting world of the Renaissance with "The Bookseller of Florence: The Story of the Manuscripts That Illuminated the Renaissance." Discover the hidden treasures of ancient knowledge as bestselling author Ross King takes you on a journey through the bustling streets of Florence. Be captivated by the remarkable man, Vespasiano da Bisticci, who revolutionized the world of bookselling and brought enlightenment to a new era.

Uncover the secrets of the manuscript hunters, scribes, scholars, and booksellers who shaped the intellectual landscape of the Renaissance. Witness the painstaking craftsmanship of Florence's talented artists and architects as they create magnificent frescoes and buildings. Immerse yourself in a time of intellectual ferment and explore the dramatic political and religious turmoil of the era.

Vespasiano da Bisticci, known as "the king of the world's booksellers," will come to life as you delve into his fascinating story. Experience the thrill of his bookshop, a vibrant hub of debate and discussion, where ancient wisdom by the likes of Plato, Aristotle, and Quintilian was preserved and disseminated. Marvel at the exquisite artistry of the books themselves, meticulously copied by skilled scribes and illuminated by master miniaturists.

As you turn the pages of this remarkable book, you'll encounter popes, kings, and princes who sought Vespasiano's unique volumes to enhance their libraries and reputations. Each carefully curated book was not only a repository of knowledge but a work of art that elevated its owner's prestige. However, the rise of the printed book in the late 15th century brought forth an epic technological disruption. Witness the shifts and changes as cheaply produced printed books democratized access to knowledge, forever altering the course of history.

Ross King's captivating chronicle will transport you back in time, allowing you to witness the birth of a new era. Immerse yourself in the magic of the Renaissance as you explore the transition from script to print. Join us on this extraordinary journey into the life of Vespasiano da Bisticci, one of the true titans of the Renaissance. Now is the time to embark on this illuminating adventure!

Ready to discover the world of Vespasiano da Bisticci and the Renaissance? Click here to order your copy of "The Bookseller of Florence: The Story of the Manuscripts That Illuminated the Renaissance" today!

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