Dynamic Duo of River Engineering

Empires have risen and fallen on the fortunes of rivers. Not until the 20th century was changing the course of a river successfully accomplished. Yet at the dawn of the 16th century, two famous men in Florence attempted just that.

Little is known of the collaboration and possible friendship between Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli. These two icons of Renaissance Florence worked together on an ambitious and foresighted project to divert the course of the Arno River. Had they been successful, the political and commercial dividends would have flowed through the Arno to Florence. It was not to be. The Renaissance was a time of European rediscovery of lost Greco-Roman knowledge and exploration of the new. Had they persevered, it might have been successful.

Although the book struggles through the endless political entanglements of 16th century Italy, the book provides a compelling overview of late 15th and early 16th century Florentine history. Through the lens of a compelling friendship between political strategist Machiavelli and (yes) military and hydraulic engineer Leonardo, we get to see this history through two of histories most compelling characters.