"Wickham's expert analysis and meticulous academic approach build on previous. Limited examinations and substantial documentation to turn established research on its head, as he presents a fresh look into how communes in the mid-12th century successfully prepared Italian power structures for the cultural significance they would later have."
Publishers Weekly "Wickham provides a clear and systematic analysis of the formation of ... Read moreItalian city communes in the 12th century... Based on substantial contemporary evidence, Wickham's analysis is meticulous and incisive, and he situates his conclusions clearly in light of the prior historiography."
Choice "Wickham's passion for medieval Italian urban history comes across on every page."
Corinne Wieben, H-Net Reviews "This book provides a useful foray into the internal debates occurring in those movements and thus lends layers of complexity to the overall argument."
Brooke Sherrard, Nova Religio "Wickham has a deep knowledge of the previous literature in the topic and an awareness of how this is linked to debates with broad ideological implications, such as the origins of Renaissance and of Republican forms of government and values."
Michele Campopiano, Catholic Historical Review Show Less