In collaboration with the History Book Festival, join us for a talk with Ross King, author of The Bookseller of Florence, an offering of the 2021 virtual History Book Festival.

Vespasiano da Bisticci operated a bookshop during the 15th century “Golden Age” of Renaissance Florence. At a time when all books were made by hand, he produced and sold many hundreds of volumes from his shop, which became a gathering spot for debate and discussion. His books were works of art in their own right, and his clients included popes, kings, and princes who wished to burnish their reputations by founding magnificent libraries. Vespasiano had reached the summit of his powers as Europe’s most prolific merchant of knowledge when a new invention appeared to challenge his influence: the printed book. 

Ross King is the author of Brunelleschi's Dome, Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling, The Judgment of Paris, Mad Enchantment, Leonardo and the Last Supper, and Machiavelli: Philosopher of Power.

We invite you to support the author by purchasing copy of their book from Browseabout Books. Call-in orders are accepted at (302) 226-2665 or you can stop by the store to purchase a copy. For store hours, please visit their website. Each copy purchased comes with a signed bookplate.

NOTE: this meeting is being conducted through Zoom. You MUST REGISTER to receive instructions for joining the meeting.

If you have need assistance with registration or getting your Zoom invitation, please email the History Book Festival.

Basic written instructions for using Zoom may be found here and a brief video tutorial may be found here. Closed captioning is available for this session. Information on enabling closed captioning in Zoom may be found here.