This book offers an integrated exploration of Western civilization's cultural heritage. Readers move chronologically through major periods and styles to gain insight into the achievements and ideas in painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, philosophy, religion, and music. The book provides a historical (political, economic, and social) framework to contextualize these achievements within a specific time and place, from prehistoric culture to 20th-Century America. Volume II covers the Early Renaissance in Italy to the present (Chs. 13-24 of the Combined Edition), and includes literary and philosophical excerpts. For anyone interested in the Arts and Culture.
I read parts of this Humanities textbook about 17 years ago and had been very interested. It has taken this long for me to find the time to read it cover to cover. It is very interesting. I learned a lot, and came to understand a lot of things I didn't realize I knew. The book presents the art, literature and music of different eras from the Early Renaissance to present day (as published in 1998). It makes me appreciate art even more, and has prompted me to add a few books to my to-read list. And, of course, now I want to travel to Italy (among other places).
This was the textbook for my Music, Art, and Theater Appreciation class. Normally I'm not that into art or theater, but this course and book was really great. It's full of beautiful pictures, and clear, relevant explanations. A really great read for anyone interested in the most famous works of music, art, and theater, or even for anyone's who not that interested, but would like a basic level of education on the subject.
It was ok for a text book. Not that interesting to me. Reading about the interpretations of paintings was about the only interesting thing in this book.