Tuscany: A History

"S ome of the most fascinating, intriguing and, yes, brutal episodes of the region's past written in the fast-paced, involving style of an adventure novel" ( Italy Magazine, "Book of the Week"). With the perfect fusion of history, art, architecture, superb natural beauty, and weather—not to mention magnificent traditions of food and drink—Tuscany has cast its spell over visitors for centuries. What is it that makes this exquisite part of Italy so seductive? To answer this question, Alistair Moffat embarks on a journey into Tuscany's past. From the flowering of the Etruscan civilization in the seventh century BC through the rise of the powerful medieval communes of Arezzo, Lucca, Pisa, and Florence and the birth of the Renaissance, he underlines both the area's regional uniqueness and the vital role it has played in the history of the whole of Italy. Insightful, readable, and imbued with the author's own enthusiasm for Tuscany, this book includes a wealth of information not found in tourist guides. As the Herald raves, "If you travel to the region, you'll want to take with you Moffat's Tuscany: A History; and if you read the book, you'll want to travel to the region." "Compelling... Moffat takes the reader on a delicious trip through the geography, history and culture of the region—an impressive book." — The Sunday Telegraph "Facts and figures are woven into a sun-drenched meditation on the character of the place and its people." — The Scotsman