Venice : history of the floating city by Joanne M. Ferraro

This book is a sweeping historical portrait of the floating city of Venice from its foundations to the present day. Venice’s unique construction reflects the Asian, European and North African cultures that made it a vibrant and ethnically diverse Mediterranean cultural center. Incorporating recent scholarly insights, the author discusses key themes related to the city’s social, cultural, religious and environmental history, as well as its politics and economy. A refuge and a pilgrim stop; an international emporium and center of manufacture; a mecca of spectacle, theater, music, gambling and sexual experimentation; and an artistic and architectural marvel, Venice’s allure springs eternal in every phase of the city’s fascinating history.