{"product_id":"medici-money-banking-metaphysics-and-art-in-fifteenth-century-florence-9780393328455","title":"Medici Money: Banking, Metaphysics, and Art in Fifteenth-Century Florence","description":"Before they achieved renown as patrons of the arts and de facto rulers of Florence, the Medici family earned their fortune in banking. But even at the height of the Renaissance, charging interest of any kind meant running afoul of the Catholic Church's ban on usury. Tim Parks reveals how the legendary Medicis--Cosimo and Lorenzo \"the Magnificent\" in particular--used the diplomatic, military, and even metaphysical tools at hand, along with a healthy dose of intrigue and wit, to further their fortunes as well as their family's standing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eParks, Tim:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cstrong\u003eTim Parks\u003c\/strong\u003e's acclaimed books about Italy include \u003cem\u003eItalian Ways\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eItalian Neighbors\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eAn Italian Education\u003c\/em\u003e. He is a regular contributor to the \u003cem\u003eNew York Review of Books\u003c\/em\u003e. He lives in Italy.","brand":"W. W. Norton \u0026 Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50844428337426,"sku":"9780393328455","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_ab82a175-05ce-45c4-b146-5fd42679f120.jpg?v=1737320151","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/medici-money-banking-metaphysics-and-art-in-fifteenth-century-florence-9780393328455","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}