{"product_id":"9781480441248","title":"The Stones of Florence","description":"\u003cb\u003eA journey through the glorious Italian city’s scenery, history, and culture, from the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e–bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eVenice Observed\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Group\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Mary McCarthy’s classic celebrates the Italian city often looked upon as the provincial sister to the better-dressed, more “feminine” Venice.\u003cbr\u003e To McCarthy, Florence, or \u003ci\u003eFirenze\u003c\/i\u003e, is a place of ageless enchantment, from the Duomo to the fortressed palaces. The Renaissance began here; art and architecture flourished. From its roots as a center of medieval trade to its transformation into one of the world’s wealthiest cities, McCarthy charts Florence’s rich and turbulent history. She introduces a cast of towering real-life characters. Through her probing writer’s lens, the poetry of Dante and the magnificent artistry of Raphael and Botticelli come vibrantly alive. Along this illuminating journey, McCarthy offers fascinating bits of trivia: There are no ruins in Florence because the Florentines aren’t sentimental about their past; America took its name from a Florentine traveler named Amerigo Vespucci.\u003cbr\u003e From Michelangelo to the Medicis to the story behind a statue’s missing head, \u003ci\u003eThe Stones of Florence \u003c\/i\u003eis Mary McCarthy’s hymn to this unique city.\u003cbr\u003e This ebook features an illustrated biography of Mary McCarthy including rare images from the author’s estate. ","brand":"Open Road Media","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47144533459184,"sku":"9781480441248","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781480441248_p0.jpg?v=1772805533","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781480441248","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}