Jews and Magic in Medici Florence The Secret World of Benedetto Blanis

‘Goldberg has sifted the correspondence between Blanis and Don Giovanni, rich with two hundred letters, plus other archival sources, in order to deduce a new image of Counter Reformation Tuscany.’ - Giulio Busi, Il Sole 24 Ore, 16 October 2011 'Goldberg has sifted the correspondence between Blanis and Don Giovanni, rich with two hundred letters, plus other archival sources, in order to deduce a new image of Counter Reformation Tuscany. ' - Giulio Busi; Storia Moderna: October 2011 ' Never a dull read, this book provides fine background to the Jews of that region... Recommended for college libraries with Jewish or European history collections.' - Hallie Cantor (Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter vol 02:01:2012)

'These are two fascinating books.... Edward Goldberg presents us with an excellent edition of the letters of Blains and a monograph on this enigmatic Jew... the two books are a treasure trove of knowledge and details as well as a look into the fascinating era of the late Renaissance and the dei Medici period.'

- Giuseppe Veltri (Renaissance Quarterly vol 67:03:2014)

'Edward Goldberg's fascinating and compulsively readable study of Benedetto Blains, is all the more remarkable for the vividness with which he is able to reconstitute the life and thought of this ambitious and troubled man.'

- Michael Keefer (Renaissance and Reformation vol 37:01:2014)