This will be the definitive study of the Venetian silk industry... One might not expect that such a dense, highly technical account would make for a good read, but it does. Mola's passion for his subject is palpable, and he soon convinced this reader not only that the subject matters intensely but that even the smallest details-especially the details, perhaps-are of urgent importance. -- James S. Grubb Journal of Modern History Luca Mola's book represents the first comprehensive study of the evolution of the silk industry of Renaissance Venice from a structural and technical perspective... Its far-reaching conclusions should be of interest to economic historians of late medieval and early modern Europe as well as to specialists in textile history. -- Maureen Fennell Mazzaoui Technology and Culture Detailed, well-researched, and beautifully illustrated. -- George Dameron Renaissance Quarterly A magisterial book... while he satisfies the expert's desire for deep archival documentation, the author deserves further credit for having written a book that is accessible to the general reader... This study is sure to take its place among the classics of silk history and economic histories of the early modern period. -- Daryl M. Hafter Enterprise and Society Mola's excellent study is based on formidable archival research... He effectively demolishes the received idea that the silk guilds stifled innovation. -- Jo Wheeler H-Italy, H-Net Reviews Mola has changed the way in which the evolution of the silk industry of Renaissance Venice is perceived, and for this reason his text will no doubt come to be regarded as a classic work on the subject... In this excellent study, most aspects of the Venetian silk industry of the Renaissance are treated in greater depth than ever before, and the reader will emerge considerably enlightened. -- Lisa Monnas Studies in the Decorative Arts Economic historians have produced surprisingly few works on the silk industry and even fewer in English. Luca Mola's book would be a welcome contribution to historical literature simply for filling this gap, but this excellent volume goes much further. -- Thomas Kirk History Mola's book makes a significant contribution to the study of Italian Renaissance history. -- Louisa C. Matthew Sixteenth Century Journal This fine study combines an exhaustive examination of the relevant Venetian archives with effective use of secondary literature. The result is fascinating, learned synthesis that is well organized and especially sound in explaining the more technical elements of the silk industry in clear lucid prose. -- Michael J. Galgano History: Reviews of New Books A very readable book... This is economic history at its best. -- Filippo de Vivo The Historical Journal