The Merchant of Prato: Francesco di Marco Datini, 1335-1410 by Iris Origo
An Italian merchant kept detailed records of his life and business activities. The author of this book researched those records to assemble a record of his life and living in early renaissance Italy. Business was fairly developed at the time. He had various life activities that looked similar to today. There were also aspects of life that looked quite different. There were various machinations done to remain in compliance with the church requirements. Healthcare and scientific understanding were quite different. We know details about his life because his books and writings were uncovered a half-millennium after he hid them away. The "worthless" records have become a valuable historical record.
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