Return to GO: Eugenio Giani Presents the Illuminated Life and Figure of Pietro Leopoldo. Il Granduca delle riforme (Giunti).

The book

"November 30, 1786: Thanks to Pietro Leopoldo, a man of grand visions and groundbreaking reforms, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany becomes the first state in the world to abolish the death penalty from its legal system. This marks the peak of a governance model inspired by the concept of 'public happiness'."

On September 12, 1765, the young archduke Pietro Leopoldo of Habsburg-Lorraine, a scion of one of Europe's most powerful families, crosses Porta San Gallo and enters Florence. This moment heralds the beginning of a transformative era. For the next 25 years, Pietro Leopoldo will govern the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, turning it into a beacon of innovation and modernity.

With engaging prose and a compelling narrative, the author traces Pietro Leopoldo’s journey from his upbringing at the Viennese court to his eventual return to Austria as Emperor. However, the focus is on his role as a visionary reformer and enlightened ruler. He abolished torture and the death penalty—unprecedented reforms for any state at the time. The Grand Duchy of Tuscany stood alone in its boldness.

This book paints a vivid, multifaceted portrait of Pietro Leopoldo, highlighting his commitment to the principle of "public happiness." It also offers a deep dive into the identity of the Tuscan state, a pioneer of enlightened governance.

The author

EUGENIO GIANI, born in Empoli in 1959, has been the President of the Tuscany Region since October 2020. A law graduate, Giani has a long history of political engagement. He served as an alderman in Florence, overseeing sports, culture, and traditional celebrations, among other roles, following his first election in 1990. From 2009 to 2014, he was President of the Florence City Council, and from 2015 to 2020, President of the Tuscan Regional Council.

Giani is an accomplished author, having published numerous books on the history and identity of Florence and Tuscany. Notable works include Festività fiorentine. Tradizioni e ricorrenze dell’anno (co-written with Luciano Artusi and Anita Valentini) and Firenze giorno per giorno and Toscana giorno per giorno, where he chronicles significant events and figures from history for every calendar date.

He is married to Angela and is a proud father to Gabriele and Lorenzo. With Giunti, he previously published Cosimo I dei Medici: Il padre della Toscana moderna (2023).