Venice and Amsterdam

Peter Burke is Reader in Cultural History and Fellow of Emmanuel College, at the University of Cambridge. A sucessful author, his pblished works include The Art of Conversation (Polity, 1993), and The Italian Renaissance (Polity, 1987).

'His book is most enjoyable and should appeal not only to the historian but to the interested visitor of these two beautiful cities.' The Guardian

• List of Illustrations viiiAcknowledgements xIntroduction to the Second Edition xiiAbbreviations xxvi1 The Study of Elites 12 Structure 113 Political Functions 324 Economic Base5 Style of Life6 Training 847 Attitudes and Values 948 Patronage of the Arts 1119 From Entrepreneurs to Rentiers 125Appendix: The Investments of the Amsterdam Elite 140Bibliography 142Index 162