Martin Garrett has published widely on Renaissance, Romantic and Victorian literature. His undergraduate and doctoral studies were at St. Edmund Hall in the University of Oxford. He lived in the city for many years.

Garrett explores the extraordinary history, art, and architecture of Venice and the islands of the lagoon. Looking at the legacy of the city's Jewish, Greek, Slav, and Armenian minorities, he recalls the exploits of such legendary figures as Casanova and Byron. Maps and illustrations.