John Julius Norwich is the author of histories of Norman Sicily, of the Republic of Venice and of the Byzantine Empire. He has also written on architecture, music and the history plays of Shakespeare, and has presented some thirty historical documentaries on BBC Television. He is now working on a volume of memoirs.Formerly Chairman of Colnaghi - the oldest fine art dealers in London - he remains Chairman of the Venice in Peril Fund and the World Monuments Fund in Britain. For twenty-five years he was a member of the Executive Committee of the National Trust, and has also served on the Boards of the English National Opera and the London Library. He is a regular lecturer on history, art history, architecture and music, and is an enthusiastic night-club pianist.
Norwich is a superb narrative historian...With Norwich on the Mediterranean we sense that we are accompanied by an old friend. You can take your Blue Guide, or your Rough Guide, anywhere you like; but if you are planning to go anywhere south of the Alps and north of the Sahara...this is your book -- Jason Goodwin * Literary Review * An expertly paced, occasionally exhilarating read. It may even prove a landmark in popular history-telling...a splendid achievement for its memorable scope and vitality... This wonderfully riveting history reveals our favourite holiday destination in all its glorious, epic depth -- Jeremy Seal * Sunday Telegraph * He spices his narrative liberally with entertaining anecdotes, deft portraits and brisk judgements... Lord Norwich's control of his vast and complex subject matter is masterly. And the subject matter itself is a colourful as history can get * The Economist * Infectiously enthusiastic * Scotsman *