Handbook to Life in Renaissance Europe

Facts On File Library Of World History

by Sandra Sider

The word renaissance means "rebirth," and the most obvious example of this phenomenon was the regeneration of Europe's classical Roman roots. The Renaissance began in northern Italy in the late 14th century and culminated in England in the early 17th century. Emphasis on the dignity of man (though not of woman) and on human potential distinguished the Renaissance from the previous Middle Ages. In poetry and literature, individual thought and action were prevalent, while depictions of the human form became a touchstone of Renaissance art. In science and medicine the macrocosm and microcosm of the human condition inspired remarkable strides in research and discovery, and the Earth itself was explored, situating Europeans within a wider realm of possibilities. Organized thematically, the Handbook to Life in Renaissance Europe covers all aspects of life in Renaissance History; religion; art and visual culture; architecture; literature and language; music; warfare; commerce;
exploration and travel; science and medicine; education; daily life.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Renaissance, Reference

400 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2005

Reviews

[Julie Rosenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of useless

[IWB · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good reference work covering many areas of renaissance culture, including: Government & Society, Religion, Art & Architecture, Warfare, Literature & Language, Music, Commerce, Exploration & Travel, Education, Daily life, and Science & Medicine.

The book is set up like an encyclopedic reference, but does contain an introductory essay on the origins of the renaissance (which is fairly uncontroversial), as well as a closing essay on the legacy of the renaissance.

The book is significantly weak in providing information on philosophers and theologians. As I'm beginning to discover with non-scholarly level books on the renaissance, humanism is conflated with philosophy, and for this reason philosophy proper is unrepresented. Similarly, information on renaissance theologians is equally underepresented, with any mention of religion and religious thinkers typically being resigned to a political, not intellectual, discussion.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good reference to the renaissance period in Europe if you're in need of one. It not only covers a wide variety of areas (History, Music, Religion and Warfare are but a few of the areas covered) but also provides a list of important figures from each area at the end of the respective chapter, as well as any major battles and skirmishes if applicable to the area.

I can't, however, classify this as anything but a reference book. It's not a book to be read from cover to cover in one sitting, but rather is meant to have a chapter read every so often. Otherwise the semi-dry writing may put you to sleep, it's much better in small doses.

Overall I found myself learning quite a bit, especially about areas that I had little to no knowledge about. I, however, don't know if I'll pick this one up to add to my collection as I found this book was meant to be a starting point that you could then move on into more detailed works about specific subjects.