{"product_id":"the-pope-his-banker-and-venice","title":"The Pope  His Banker  and Venice","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis study of Renaissance adventures and struggles against fate brings to life a brilliant age and its exemplars. It is a story of how several men  including Julius II  worked  intrigued  and made business deals against the backdrop of an Italy invaded by continental countries and England. The future of the once great Republic of Venice was at stake as it was besieged and in desperate need of allies. The Papacy switched sides  breaking the seemingly invincible and mostly foreign League of Cambrai  and saw that Venice was offered a loan by Agostino Chigi  the richest man of his time. The Popes banker  as daring as Julius II  negotiated with the formidable communal rulers of Venice and Italy was kept from further dismemberment. As a dramatic account that brings together diplomacy  war  business  and politics  viewed through one long entrepreneurial venture  this book is unique. It juxtaposes differing institutional structures and the various political ways among Italys city states; it also brings into sharp focus the new men of the Renaissance. Their dealings and lifestyles were original and bold. They were successful against great odds and flaunted their new wealth and position in society in building great palaces and estates and becoming patrons of art. Felix Gilbert is a master teacher of history  and his new work is as luminous as the men and events he tells about.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44965394645045,"sku":"ByrdShop_0674689755","price":36.26,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780674689756.jpg?v=1770495248","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-pope-his-banker-and-venice","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}