Title: America was conceived in Florence
First published: 1998
Description: Three Florentines-Amerigo Vespucci, Giovanni da Verazzano, and Filippo Mazzei-made indispensable contributions to America's "discovery" and to the democratic ideals upon which the republic was founded. Vespucci and Verrazano, two representatives of the Renaissance, supplied the geographic conceptualization and detailed surveys of the new continent.

Filippo Mazzei, a key figure of the Enlightenment, had an extensive correspondence with Thomas Jefferson, which was crucial to him in his formalization of the concept of constitutional democracy. As Giancarlo Masini and Iacopo Gori show these three sons of Florence demonstrate a unique link between Italian culture and the destiny of the United States.
Subjects: Civilization, Italian influences, History - General History, United States, Europe - Italy, Americas (North Central South West Indies), Vespucci, Amerigo,, History: American, Expeditions & Discoveries, Discovery and Exploration, Mazzei, Filippo, Verrazzano, Giovanni da, Vespucci, Amerigo, 1485-1528, Verrazzano, Giovanni da,, 1451-1512
Places: United States
People: Giovanni da Verrazzano (1485-1528), Amerigo Vespucci (1451-1512), Filippo Mazzei (1730-1816)
LC classification: E169.1 .M3713 1998