John Julius Norwich's dazzling history of Venice from its origins to its eighteenth century fall. 'Lord Norwich has loved and understood Venice as well as any other Englishman has ever done. He has put readers of his generation more in his debt than any other English writer' Peter Levi, The Sunday Times.

Bembo (1470-1547), a Venetian nobleman, later a Roman Catholic cardinal, was the most celebrated Latin stylist of his day and was widely admired for his writings in Italian. The History of Venice was published posthumously, in Latin and in his own Italian version. This edition makes it available for the first time in English translation.

Bembo (1470-1547), a Venetian nobleman, later a Roman Catholic cardinal, was the most celebrated Latin stylist of his day and was widely admired for his writings in Italian. The History of Venice was published posthumously, in Latin and in his own Italian version. This edition makes it available for the first time in English translation.