LemonSky reviewed Fire in the city by Lauro Martines
Review of 'Fire in the city' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Girolamo Savonarola was a complicated character - compassionate, wise, intelligent, and deeply religious. However, he made many glaring errors during his brief time in power (1494-1498)- he supported the French King, Charles VIII; he defied the pope, Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia - yes, that family); he alienated many powerful Florentines; and finally, there was the trial by fire proposed by a rival preacher, which proved to be the final straw.
I already knew what happened in Florence at this time. I knew about the bonfire of the vanities, the religious fanaticism, and the exile of the Medici. However, the accounts I had read were pretty one-sided - Savonarola was a heartless religious fanatic and politician who craved power. That was a very inaccurate portrait. Savonarola truly believed he was doing the right thing for Florence. Though some of it may have gone to his head (demonstrated by his repeated defiance …
Girolamo Savonarola was a complicated character - compassionate, wise, intelligent, and deeply religious. However, he made many glaring errors during his brief time in power (1494-1498)- he supported the French King, Charles VIII; he defied the pope, Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia - yes, that family); he alienated many powerful Florentines; and finally, there was the trial by fire proposed by a rival preacher, which proved to be the final straw.
I already knew what happened in Florence at this time. I knew about the bonfire of the vanities, the religious fanaticism, and the exile of the Medici. However, the accounts I had read were pretty one-sided - Savonarola was a heartless religious fanatic and politician who craved power. That was a very inaccurate portrait. Savonarola truly believed he was doing the right thing for Florence. Though some of it may have gone to his head (demonstrated by his repeated defiance of the pope), he appeared to be very concerned for the welfare of the citizens of Florence. However, he made many promises that in the end he could not keep and the consequences for him and his supporters were disastrous.
Like his book, "April Blood," which is about Lorenzo the Magnificent's swift and bloody revenge against the Pazzi conspirators, Lauro Martines brings history alive. All too often, history books are full of dull, dry facts. However, Mr. Martines always keeps things lively and interesting.
Highly recommended. I also recommend "April Blood," which is just as good.