An excellent narrative study, very well written and judicious. . . . Highly recommended.”—P. Grendler, Choice
A definitive account of Savonarola and his times.”—William Grimes, New York Times
New York Times - William Grimes
Weinstein presents a reasoned and fair view of his subject as friar, preacher, prophet and politician.”—Grahame Lock, The Tablet
The Tablet - Grahame Lock
"Eminently readable, neither hagiographical nor overcritical, the biography, which will surely become the definitive account of this Renaissance prophet, leads us through the drama of Savonarola's life, allowing the man himself to emerge from generously-quoted sermons, letters and chronicles, as well as from the author's own deeply-researched and judicious narrative."—Alison Brown, author of The Return of Lucretius to Renaissance Florence
…this new biography represents the definitive English-language account of its subject. It offers the kind of exhaustive yet balanced assessment of the controversial friar’s life that can only be produced by an expert writing at the culmination of his academic career.”—Jerry Brotton, Literary Review
Literary Review - Jerry Brotton
Elegantly written . . . remarkable . . . Weinstein understands both the man and prophet like no other . . . an impeccable account." —Alessio Assonitis, Sixteenth Century Journal
Sixteenth Century Journal - Alessio Assonitis
[A] luminous and learned biography . . . subtle, cogent . . . immensely compelling.”—Anthony Grafton, Lapham’s Quarterly
Lapham's Quarterly - Anthony Grafton
A moving and magisterial biography . . . a powerful narrative . . . [a] splendid book . . . at once empathetic and discerning.”—John M. Najemy, Catholic Historical Review
Catholic Historical Review - John M. Najemy
Insightful . . . a balanced and often intriguing portrait of a gifted but troubled soul.” —Robert E. Scully, S.J., America
This impeccable book is the culmination of Donald Weinstein’s lifelong study of the Italian Renaissance and is a must-read for anyone interested in Savonarola. With customary learning, insight and lucid prose, Weinstein provides an exceptionally vivid portrait of one of the most controversial and fascinating figures of early modern Italy.”—Stefano Dall’Aglio, University of Leeds
A masterpiece of the genre. Donald Weinstein has succeeded in presenting a wholly coherent, finely balanced and deeply moving analysis of Savonarola, the man, the preacher, the reformer and the political leader. Weinstein's understanding and presentation of the complex political, social and religious contexts in which Savonarola operated are outstanding and unmatched by any other biographer.”—Lorenzo Polizzotto, The University of Western Australia
Weinstein’s scrupulously researched finely balanced life is both a complex portrait of a fascinating figure and of a uniquely and creative time.” –Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman
The Scotsman - Michael Kerrigan
The genius of Renaissance history lies in its capacity to remain forever contemporary. Donald Weinstein's smooth biography brilliantly reveals Savonarola as a man for our unstable and risk-riven times, dangerously mixing charismatic leadership, governance and fundamentalist religion.”—Kate Lowe, Queen Mary University of London
Since his early research some forty years ago in the history of Renaissance Florence, Donald Weinstein has concentrated on that city’s religious life. His new biography of Girolamo Savonarola is a testimonial to his vast erudition, and to his penetrating insights into that complex world. Weinstein focuses on the Dominican friar’s role as a prophet, and his vision of Florence as the new Jerusalem. This dramatic account of the rise and fall of a major historical figure is an important contribution to the history of Florence during one of its most traumatic phases.”—Gene Brucker, Professor Emeritus, University of California Berkeley
Commendable . . . eloquently written and universally approachable . . . appealing to both general and specialist readers alike.”—Hasan Niyazi, Three Pipe Problem
Three Pipe Problem - Hasan Niyazi
Excellent . . . a nuanced and engaging study of a man too often caricatured . . . [a] fine piece of scholarship.”—Ryan Sayre Patrico, First Things
An excellent narrative study, very well written and judicious. . . . Highly recommended.—P. Grendler, Choice
— P. Grendler
Won Honorable Mention for the 2011-2012 Los Angeles Book Festival in the Biography/Autobiography category
— Biography/Autobiography Honorable Mention
Los Angeles Book Festival
Weinstein’s scrupulously researched finely balanced life is both a complex portrait of a fascinating figure and of a uniquely and creative time.” –Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman
— Michael Kerrigan
Weinstein presents a reasoned and fair view of his subject as friar, preacher, prophet and politician.—Grahame Lock, The Tablet
…this new biography represents the definitive English-language account of its subject. It offers the kind of exhaustive yet balanced assessment of the controversial friar’s life that can only be produced by an expert writing at the culmination of his academic career.—Jerry Brotton, Literary Review
— Jerry Brotton
On May 23, 1498, in the Florence of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and the Medici, a paroxysmal apocalyptic drama that had unfolded over the previous eight years came to a fiery conclusion. From the fall of the Medici family to his own eventual martyrdom, Girolamo Savonarola combined a millenarian message of "last days" and a stringent campaign against moral laxity with a populist-styled republicanism. As Weinstein (professor emeritus, Univ. of Arizona; The Captain's Concubine: Love, Honor, and Violence in Renaissance Tuscany) ably shows in his superb account of the meteoric rise of the "Renaissance prophet" and his striking fall, Savonarola was a moral crusader dedicated to transforming Florence into the "New Jerusalem." His criticisms of the medieval church foreshadowed the reformation of Luther and Calvin. VERDICT The sum total of a career's work, Weinstein's account provides readers interested in Renaissance Italy with an elegant synthesis of the great Dominican's life that neither deviates from its subject nor descends into hagiography. Recommended; readers who enjoy this work may also appreciate Miles Unger's recent Machiavelli: A Biography.—Brian Odom, Pelham P.L., AL
