Synopses & Reviews
We think of the Renaissance as a shining era of human achievement-a pinnacle of artistic genius and humanist brilliance, the time of Shakespeare, Michelangelo, and Montaigne. Yet it was also an age of constant, harrowing warfare. Armies, not philosophers, shaped the face of Europe as modern nation-states emerged from feudal society. In Furies, one of the leading scholars of Renaissance history captures the dark reality of the period in a gripping narrative mosaic.
As Lauro Martines shows us, “total war” was no twentieth-century innovation. These conflicts spared no civilians in their path. A Renaissance army was a mobile city-indeed, a force of twenty thousand or forty thousand men was larger than many cities of the day. And it was a monster, devouring food and supplies for miles around. It menaced towns and the countryside-and itself-with famine and disease, often more lethal than combat. Fighting itself was savage, its violence increased by the use of newly invented weapons, from muskets to mortars.
For centuries, notes Martines, the history of this period has favored diplomacy, “high politics,” and military tactics. Furies puts us on the front lines of battle, and on the streets of cities under siege, to reveal what Europe's wars meant to the men and women who endured them.
Review
“The books descriptive power is due to its excellent case studies drawn from primary sources…. Highly reommended.”—Rebekah Kati, Library Journal
Review
“The books descriptive power is due to its excellent case studies drawn from primary sources…. Highly reommended.”—Rebekah Kati, Library Journal
"Martines, best known for his work on the Italian Renaissance, makes a major contribution in this survey of war in 'early modern Europe.'"--Publishers Weekly
Review
“The misery of war is Mr. Martines's great theme. Rather than focusing on strategy and diplomatic maneuvers, he writes military history from the sharp end, from the victims' perspective. Whereas in our own day the constant focus on victims can be problematical, since it makes it hard for democracies to fight opponents who have no scruples, such an approach is entirely appropriate in dealing with the wars of past oppressors.”—The Wall Street Journal
“A story that is as gripping as it is horrifying.”—The Washington Times
“Lauro Martines's new book is a godsend…. made a pleasure to read by the author's nimble and darkly humorous prose, he has given us an unforgettable glimpse into a violent—and rarely seen—age.”—Paul D. Lockhart, MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History
“The books descriptive power is due to its excellent case studies drawn from primary sources…. Highly reommended.”—Rebekah Kati, Library Journal
"Martines, best known for his work on the Italian Renaissance, makes a major contribution in this survey of war in 'early modern Europe.'"—Publishers Weekly
Review
“A story that is as gripping as it is horrifying.” —The Washington Times
“Lauro Martiness new book is a godsend . . . made a pleasure to read by the authors nimble and darkly humorous prose, he has given us an unforgettable glimpse into a violent—and rarely seen—age.” —Paul D. Lockhart, MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History"Fascinating.... Martines is a master researcher and, like a collector showing off his treasures, his delight in his findings sparkles on every page" —Philadelphia Inquirer
"An intriguing book.... Every situation and character Martines presents to usis of marvelous complexity." —New York Review of Books
"A spine-chilling political drama of conspiracy, murder at High Mass, and bloody revenge." —The Times (UK)
"Impressive narrative power.... A thoroughly good read that is also reliable history, scrupulously documented yet with its pages uncluttered by footnotes... Savonarola's story...bears fresh retelling, and Lauro Martines does so with scholarly authority and an admirable combination of clarity and pace." —The Wall Street Journal
Synopsis
We think of the Renaissance as a shining era of human achievementa pinnacle of artistic genius and humanist brilliance, the time of Shakespeare, Michelangelo, and Montaigne. Yet it was also an age of constant, harrowing warfare. Armies, not philosophers, shaped the face of Europe as modern nation-states emerged from feudal society. In Furies, one of the leading scholars of Renaissance history captures the dark reality of the period in a gripping narrative mosaic. As Lauro Martines shows us, total war was no twentieth-century innovation. These conflicts spared no civilians in their path. A Renaissance army was a mobile city-indeed, a force of 20,000 or 40,000 men was larger than many cities of the day. And it was a monster, devouring food and supplies for miles around. It menaced towns and the countryside-and itself-with famine and disease, often more lethal than combat. Fighting itself was savage, its violence increased by the use of newly invented weapons, from muskets to mortars. For centuries, notes Martines, the history of this period has favored diplomacy, high politics, and military tactics. Furies puts us on the front lines of battle, and on the streets of cities under siege, to reveal what Europes wars meant to the men and women who endured them.
Synopsis
We think of the Renaissance as a shining era of human achievementa pinnacle of artistic genius and humanist brilliance, the time of Shakespeare, Michelangelo, and Montaigne. Yet it was also an age of constant, harrowing warfare. Armies, not philosophers, shaped the face of Europe as modern nation-states emerged from feudal society. In Furies, one of the leading scholars of Renaissance history captures the dark reality of the period in a gripping narrative mosaic. As Lauro Martines shows us, total war was no twentieth-century innovation. These conflicts spared no civilians in their path. A Renaissance army was a mobile city-indeed, a force of 20,000 or 40,000 men was larger than many cities of the day. And it was a monster, devouring food and supplies for miles around. It menaced towns and the countryside-and itself-with famine and disease, often more lethal than combat. Fighting itself was savage, its violence increased by the use of newly invented weapons, from muskets to mortars. For centuries, notes Martines, the history of this period has favored diplomacy, high politics, and military tactics. Furies puts us on the front lines of battle, and on the streets of cities under siege, to reveal what Europes wars meant to the men and women who endured them.
About the Author
Lauro Martines is one of the worlds foremost historian's of the Italian Renaissance and early modern Europe. He is the author of nine books, most recently the critically acclaimed titles Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for the Soul of Renaissance Florence and April Blood: Florence and the Plot Against the Medici. Born in Chicago, he was a professor of history at UCLA. He now lives in London with his wife, the novelist Julia OFaolain.