As one of the world's UNESCO heritage sites for its combination of preservation and architecture, Venice is a city that is visited and studied by many. Dennis Romano's exhaustive history of the city is captured in the aptly titled Venice: The Remarkable History of the Lagoon City.
Venice is protected by barrier islands in the northern Adriatic Sea, making it a near ideal location to develop as a naval seaport. With vast quantities of salt nearby, the city-state developed in power over several centuries and became one of the world's leading centers of trade. Romano discusses the rise of Venice, its status as a leading Italian city-state, and its gradual evolution into a tourist mecca. References to tourist visits compared to the city's population help show its growing tourist vibe. Romano also highlights the city's struggles with its evolution into tourism, with climate change, and with demography at large as it grapples to maintain its population and address immigration.
Romano's sourcing is top-notch, and he keeps the book interesting despite its length (over 600 pages). Venice is suited for those with an interest in Italian and European history, as well as in learning how cities evolve over centuries.
MY RATING: 4.5
