Birthplace of Michelangelo and home to untold masterpieces, Florence is a city for art lovers. But on November 4, 1966, the rising waters of the Arno threatened to erase over seven centuries of history and human achievement. Now Robert Clark explores the Italian city's greatest flood and its aftermath through the voices of its witnesses. Two American artists wade through the devastated beauty; a photographer stows away on an army helicopter to witness the tragedy first-hand; a British "mud angel" spends a month scraping ...
Read More
Birthplace of Michelangelo and home to untold masterpieces, Florence is a city for art lovers. But on November 4, 1966, the rising waters of the Arno threatened to erase over seven centuries of history and human achievement. Now Robert Clark explores the Italian city's greatest flood and its aftermath through the voices of its witnesses. Two American artists wade through the devastated beauty; a photographer stows away on an army helicopter to witness the tragedy first-hand; a British "mud angel" spends a month scraping mold from the world's masterpieces; and, through it all, an author asks why art matters so very much to us, even in the face of overwhelming disaster.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 368 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Shows minimal wear such as frayed or folded edges, minor rips and tears, and/or slightly worn binding. May have stickers and/or contain inscription on title page. No observed missing pages.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. Florence and her many masterpieces have captivated men and women of renown for decades: from Dante to John Ruskin and Elizabeth Barrett Browning {even Adolf Hitler wanted ten days to be anonymous in Florence 'worshiping as an artist at the feet of the old masters. ') Each age had its floodwaters and devastation, but none equaled that of the 1966 flood. Novelist and nonfiction writer Robert Clark masterfully pieces together the night of 'that dark painted water' (Dante) through the recollections of eyewitnesses. From an aging countess who 'didn't believe in floods, ' to the petrified psychiatric patients of San Salvi who 'screamed and beat the walls, ' to Dom Luigi Stefani penning the simple prayer: 'Signore, dormi? Lord, are you sleeping? ' The story continues in the flood's aftermath with the people who came to help; monks, university students, holocaust survivors, all came to salvage the waterlogged city. Art, architecture, and citizenry survived the ravages of the '96 flood, adapting, like the skin of a camel, to the feral extremes of nature, and bleeding though triumphant in the aftermath of devastation. Clark has compiled an account of the communion of history, man, and many of man's most brilliant creations, all brought together in rich and compelling narrative of the great 'city of masterpieces. ' Annotated, with an extensive timeline, glossary, and bibliography. 354 pp. Near-New binding and unmarked interior with faint moisture marks to textblock. Overall very good condition.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Florence and her many masterpieces have captivated men and women of renown for decades: from Dante to John Ruskin and Elizabeth Barrett Browning {even Adolf Hitler wanted ten days to be anonymous in Florence 'worshiping as an artist at the feet of the old masters. ') Each age had its floodwaters and devastation, but none equaled that of the 1966 flood. Novelist and nonfiction writer Robert Clark masterfully pieces together the night of 'that dark painted water' (Dante) through the recollections of eyewitnesses. From an aging countess who 'didn't believe in floods, ' to the petrified psychiatric patients of San Salvi who 'screamed and beat the walls, ' to Dom Luigi Stefani penning the simple prayer: 'Signore, dormi? Lord, are you sleeping? ' The story continues in the flood's aftermath with the people who came to help; monks, university students, holocaust survivors, all came to salvage the waterlogged city. Art, architecture, and citizenry survived the ravages of the '96 flood, adapting, like the skin of a camel, to the feral extremes of nature, and bleeding though triumphant in the aftermath of devastation. Clark has compiled an account of the communion of history, man, and many of man's most brilliant creations, all brought together in rich and compelling narrative of the great 'city of masterpieces. ' Annotated, with an extensive timeline, glossary, and bibliography. 354 pp.
