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The Renaissance: A History from Beginning to End
☆ The Renaissance ☆ During the Middle Ages, the nations of Europe forged new identities that moved them away from the lost glory of the Roman Empire into their own ethnicity. The experience of maturation was often clumsy and out of step, an evolutionary process that saw the nation's developing at their own pace as they struggled to replace the protection of Rome with their own home-grown strength. What the nations, once they were ready to be described in that manner, did have was the Roman Catholic Church, which defined itself as the spiritual protector of Christian believers. But the dutiful Christians of the Middle Ages who sought orthodoxy and for the most part obeyed the papal rules underwent a change when the Middle Ages ended. The Renaissance, or rebirth, was a period of time when Europeans began to question what they had been told was sacrosanct. Through art, inventions, science, literature, and theology, the separate nations of the European continent sought answers that the Roman Catholic Church was unwilling, or perhaps unable, to offer. Inside you will read about... ✓ The Rebirth of Europe ✓ The Italian Renaissance ✓ The French Renaissance ✓ The Spanish Renaissance ✓ The German Renaissance ✓ The Low Countries Renaissance ✓ The English Renaissance ✓ Here Be Exploring the Unknown The Church that had become a powerful political entity was viewed with distrust and skepticism by many Christians; the spread of learning that accompanied the invention of Gutenberg’s printing press meant that bold new ideas were traveling across the boundaries of Europe faster than the Church could silence them. Lascivious, power-brokering popes could not bring a halt to the challenges they encountered when a German priest rebelled against corrupt practices that masqueraded as ecclesiastical authority. As the walls came tumbling down, humanism burst forth, inspiring the art of Michelangelo, the science of Vesalius, the literature of Shakespeare and Cervantes. But with the loss of religious uniformity came terrible France suffered the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre; Spain welcomed the Inquisition to purge heresy; the Low Countries were split between Catholic and Protestant. The Renaissance was a triumph of the human spirit and a confirmation of human ability, even as it affirmed the willingness of men and women to die for the right to think freely.
114 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2016
641 people are currently reading
1016 people want to read
About the author
Henry Freeman
52 books89 followersHenry Freeman is an author and archaeologist. He has a passion for history and loves to travel the world exploring various historical sites.
Henry graduated from the University of Cambridge with a double major in History and Archaeology and shortly after that started his career as an archaeologist.
After traveling the world getting first-hand experience with history, Henry was determined to take up his dream of becoming a best-selling author.
He decided to partner up with the newly formed publishing company Hourly History writing short, concise and straightforward history books that never takes more than one hour to read.
Henry graduated from the University of Cambridge with a double major in History and Archaeology and shortly after that started his career as an archaeologist.
After traveling the world getting first-hand experience with history, Henry was determined to take up his dream of becoming a best-selling author.
He decided to partner up with the newly formed publishing company Hourly History writing short, concise and straightforward history books that never takes more than one hour to read.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 21, 2024
A Good Pamphlet.
This book is a short history of the Renaissance.
It covers the countries Italy, Spain, England, Germany, France and The Low Countries of Brussels, Flanders and The Netherlands.
The period covered is the late 15th century to the early 17th century.
Some of the important information discussed is the invention of the printing press, the rise of Protestant Reformation, realism in art and travels and colonialism.
A lot of good information from such a tiny pamphlet.
Four stars. 💫💫
This book is a short history of the Renaissance.
It covers the countries Italy, Spain, England, Germany, France and The Low Countries of Brussels, Flanders and The Netherlands.
The period covered is the late 15th century to the early 17th century.
Some of the important information discussed is the invention of the printing press, the rise of Protestant Reformation, realism in art and travels and colonialism.
A lot of good information from such a tiny pamphlet.
Four stars. 💫💫
November 6, 2022
3.5
A good summary of a very extensive topic.
A good summary of a very extensive topic.
November 2, 2018
"The popes were intent on preserving power in a worldly domain that had very little in common with poverty, chastity, or obedience." This captures the essence of why Renaissance happened. The book outlines the background and the role of principal actors that were in the forefront of Renaissance and does it pretty well.
December 29, 2016
…AND WORTH EVERY PENNY OF IT.
“The Renaissance was a triumph of the human spirit and a confirmation of human ability, even as it affirmed the willingness of men and women to die for the right to think freely.” (Kindle Locations 25-26)
The Renaissance: A History From Beginning to End, by Henry Freeman; one of the ‘Hourly History Series’ is a very brief, pretty thorough, introduction to the European Renaissance. It is perhaps one of the first books I’ve read that writing the review might just take longer than the reading did (about an hour).
It was also a free book from Kindle… thus my lead-in/headline.
Recommendation: Despite its necessary lack of depth, I still plan to read other offerings from this series—so, yes, I do recommend it to you and to your teens.
“…unlocking doors was a character trait of the Renaissance that neither the hope of heaven nor the fear of hell could shackle.” (Kindle Locations 430-431).
“Here be dragons.” (Kindle Location 423).
Hourly History. Kindle Edition. 465 Kindle Locations.
“The Renaissance was a triumph of the human spirit and a confirmation of human ability, even as it affirmed the willingness of men and women to die for the right to think freely.” (Kindle Locations 25-26)
The Renaissance: A History From Beginning to End, by Henry Freeman; one of the ‘Hourly History Series’ is a very brief, pretty thorough, introduction to the European Renaissance. It is perhaps one of the first books I’ve read that writing the review might just take longer than the reading did (about an hour).
It was also a free book from Kindle… thus my lead-in/headline.
Recommendation: Despite its necessary lack of depth, I still plan to read other offerings from this series—so, yes, I do recommend it to you and to your teens.
“…unlocking doors was a character trait of the Renaissance that neither the hope of heaven nor the fear of hell could shackle.” (Kindle Locations 430-431).
“Here be dragons.” (Kindle Location 423).
Hourly History. Kindle Edition. 465 Kindle Locations.
July 18, 2017
To mark the close of the Middle Ages, a new age of rebirth started. This period lasted from the 14th Century to the 17th Century and saw many changes in the religious, cultural, scientific, and philosophical spheres. This transition period lasted so long because different European countries and cultures started at different times, progressed at different paces, and faced different obstacles while attempting this change. Since the fall of Rome and its empire, the church wielded great power, influencing everyone from monarch to pauper. Church views and doctrines were not questioned. The ability to read and own books were reserved for a chosen few. In 1440, the German Johannes Gutenberg invented a printing press, using moveable print. This invention opened the door to mass publications; a concept previously unimaginable. With this increase in printed books, the need and desire to read increased throughout Europe. With more and more people reading, more and more questions were being asked. When the church couldn’t answer these queries, the people went in search of answers; instantly putting them at odds with the church.
Florence is rightly considered by many, to be the incubator and birthplace of the Renaissance. It was here that the period witnessed the rise of multi-talented artists, builders, and thinkers, like Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael Sanzio da Urbino. Other countries took up the Renaissance torch, like France, and made inroads into religious freedom and other art forms, such as music.
The Renaissance can be seen as an oxymoron. It was a time of expansion, art, and beauty, but also a time of strife, mistrust, horror, and unbelievably cruel acts, perpetrated in the name of God; the Holy Inquisition. In these inquisitions, one’s innocence had to be proved, as guilt was assumed; not a very fair playing field.
This short book is packed remarkably full with interesting information. To explore the Renaissance period in full, a library of books would be required, as virtually every part of Europe developed in a different way and at varying times. This publication provides just a taste, but what a sweet morsel it is! I think it will satisfy everyone’s inquisitive palate.
Florence is rightly considered by many, to be the incubator and birthplace of the Renaissance. It was here that the period witnessed the rise of multi-talented artists, builders, and thinkers, like Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael Sanzio da Urbino. Other countries took up the Renaissance torch, like France, and made inroads into religious freedom and other art forms, such as music.
The Renaissance can be seen as an oxymoron. It was a time of expansion, art, and beauty, but also a time of strife, mistrust, horror, and unbelievably cruel acts, perpetrated in the name of God; the Holy Inquisition. In these inquisitions, one’s innocence had to be proved, as guilt was assumed; not a very fair playing field.
This short book is packed remarkably full with interesting information. To explore the Renaissance period in full, a library of books would be required, as virtually every part of Europe developed in a different way and at varying times. This publication provides just a taste, but what a sweet morsel it is! I think it will satisfy everyone’s inquisitive palate.
February 24, 2017
This is my first read from Hourly History. True to the publishing name, these books are all approximately fifty pages long and offer bare bones overviews of the topic. It absolutely lacks the depth to give you any real understanding, but supplies some great surface information that can be quickly absorbed. If you're looking for a very brief examination of the Renaissance, this book has it. It explores a few separate European countries and how they experienced this time of humanism while also spotlighting several key individuals with their summary accomplishments.
I downloaded about eight of these books that were free offerings so far and may even get some more. Great for a quick breather in between my typical novels while also providing knowledge on important subjects.
I downloaded about eight of these books that were free offerings so far and may even get some more. Great for a quick breather in between my typical novels while also providing knowledge on important subjects.
January 25, 2024
An interesting read.
I didn't know much about The Renaissance. I always thought that it was one thing that effected one country. Boy was I wrong? Each county in Europe for example, Italy, France, Spain, England, and Germany had their own
Renaissance. Go figure. I learned a lot from this book. Great work by the author.
I didn't know much about The Renaissance. I always thought that it was one thing that effected one country. Boy was I wrong? Each county in Europe for example, Italy, France, Spain, England, and Germany had their own
Renaissance. Go figure. I learned a lot from this book. Great work by the author.
January 23, 2020
This book is not as comprehensive as its title says. There is no cause and effect relationship explanation. The only correlation I could take out from this entire book is that the development of the printing press and failure of the religious institutions ushered Renaissance, and that's about it.
But it serves its purpose as a general introduction to major personalities and developments in religion, art, music, and technology across Europe.
I loved the beautiful portrayal on the essence of the Renaissance.
But it serves its purpose as a general introduction to major personalities and developments in religion, art, music, and technology across Europe.
I loved the beautiful portrayal on the essence of the Renaissance.
September 19, 2021
Despite some good info and great lines, the book is incomplete and DEFINITELY needs a proper editing work.
The section of "RENAISSANCE WOMAN: St. Theresa of Avila" in Chapter 4 is a terrible, terrible work. Just terrible. What she represented was the opposite of Renaissance, and I'd cross out this section if I were the author.
I'm afraid to say that the writer is found unqualified for the subject.
It is weird that I've read many books of the same author, and some of them were really good. Why is this one found so messy? Was this one of his earliest works?
Anyways, let's start the step-by-step e-valu'ation of the work.
(Kindle Ed. Introduction)
The Middle Ages saw Europe forge a new identity as a collection of individual nations, no longer part of the fallen Roman Empire, that developed their own ethnic character.
The book opens with a typo: ...their own ethnic characters.
(Kindle Ed. Introduction)
During the Middle Ages, the nations of Europe forged new identities that moved them away from the lost glory of the Roman Empire into their own ethnicity...
The first and second paragraphs of the "Entr-/ Intr-o-duct'ion" are redundant...sigh. What, is this a joke? The very opening of the whole book is all messed up!
(Kindle Ed. Introduction)
...But the dutiful Christians of the Middle Ages who sought orthodoxy and for the most part obeyed the papal rules underwent a change when the Middle Ages ended...
Not exactly "when it ended," so "as the Middle Ages ended" is appropriate for this line.
I see that the author tried to sound more eloquent in the opening, but he should've revised it carefully as the lines sound kind of clumsy. I'm afraid it isn't really a good Introduction after all.
Although the author's intention is felt, the lines are not really clear to read, and they do need an editing work.
In addition, I recommend the author to combine the Introduction and Chapter 1 together as new and "complete" Introduction of the book.
Again, the book is not complete. First of all, insert the page numbers!
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 1)
Once upon a time, Rome was an Empire and the lands it contained were regional entities which had pre-imperial pasts followed by inclusion within the Empire, a status generally achieved by the power of the Roman legions but which was eventually accepted by the subject nations...
What a messy paragraph...edit it starting with a "comma" between "Rome was an Empire" and "and the lands it contained were..."
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 1)
...Then Rome fell and the nations, untethered to a central authority, were obliged to discern for themselves who they were as part of the Europe.
A comma after fell! And what's "the" Europe?
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
For most of Europe, the cities were important, but subordinate to the countries in which they were located. Italy reversed that process with independent city-states...
What a mess!
Seriously, I can write it better:
In "most" of Europe, cities were important while, no matter how wealthy and strong they were, they belonged to their respective countries. However, it was different in modern-day Italy as wealthy "independent" city-states flourished in the land...
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
Wealth was changing the demographic of power. The bankers were not aristocrats, but their acquisition of wealth meant that wealth was being redistributed. From a time when power was based on the ownership of land by the wellborn, commercial advances saw wealth shift to people who did not have a pedigree of birth. The bankers had the money and the nobility needed it. The nobles were not accustomed to having to preserve their acquisitions or to acquire more, and they relied on banking loans to fund their wars and their lifestyles. By the end of the 15th century, the nobles who had defaulted on their loans had lost their wealth to the commercial powers. A new power structure was forming.
A diamond in the rough unless it was copied from another source. If these lines were authentic, they would save the book with minimum 3 stars as the value of the book's been found anyway, but the general quality of this book makes the readers wonder with a doubt about some of these fine lines found here and there.
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
Approximately one-fourth to one-third of the population was poor. There were also slaves during this time, the first attempt in post-classical Europe to consider slavery as an economic option. Merchants and tradespeople—small businessmen in today’s lexicon—were the next layer of social strata, beneath the bankers who were beginning to emerge as power brokers because of their control of wealth and their support of capitalism. On the top of the social structure were the traditional nobility class and the merchant class that dominated the cities.
To keep slavery under the new idea of "Humanism," they would in-vent another idea of dehumanizing the African people'/ popul'ace. The way they were shipped to other lands, these slaves were not like the "still-Human" properties of Greek and Roman times, but simple packages or animals. The color-based ethnic demography was born with this inhumane, new idea that di-vided the White and the Black, the Humans and the non-Humans.
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
The brilliant minds of the Renaissance rediscovered their ancient roots and with the rebirth of interest in Greek and Roman learning, the Renaissance, rooting itself in its lost heritage, built a new philosophy which bypassed the ecclesiastical formula of asceticism to discover worldly pleasures: beauty and the intellect became the new lodestars of a population that looked to its own talents and awareness to define the world.
We can find the reason of this change in the Church itself with the failed Crusade, incompetence facing the Mongol and Black Death "invasions." I mean even the clergy men were killed and collapsed right before their people begging for their help. The book lacks this en-/ in-form'ation.
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
Florence: The Incubator of the Renaissance
Why would the author place this subtitle here "within" the lines, eh? Irregular form'at: Revise the work!
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
It’s fitting that an Italian city should be credited as the birthplace of the Renaissance. Rome at its height had sponsored Europe’s safety and prosperity until the mounting success of barbarian invasions by the Vandals, Goths, Ostrogoths, etc. so weakened the Empire that by 476, when the Emperor Romulus Augustulus was deposed and Odoacer become the King of Italy, there was no hope of resurrecting imperial authority. That left Europe on its own. Rome was, however, the seat of power for the Christian Church, and the spiritual authority of the Church would, in time, rival the imperial might of its predecessor.
Not to mention the poor quality of these lines to be edited, calling them the barbarians based on the "textbook" perception of the people is also out of line. It is not the "Latin" Romans, but these Germanic riders from the east along with the languages they brought into Europe, were the "real" foundation of the modern "Anglo" world.
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
The Middle Ages were a complicated period of time which saw Europe arise from a motley assortment of feeble nations into a powerful and vibrant political landscape. By the year 1450, which is generally regarded as the opening year of the Renaissance, Europe had seen the rise of the monarchy, the advances of technology, the weakening of feudalism, and the omnipotence of the Christian Church...
Why suddenly these lines right after lines about Roman Empire? What is this, a draft? And the last line must be in the middle. Take a look at my correction below:
The Middle Ages was a complicated time where the motley assortment of feeble nations of Europe grew into vibrant and powerful political entities. By the mid-15th century, Europe had witnessed its transformation from a continent under the omnipotence of Christian Church into a continent of powerful monarchies rising upon the weakening feudalism and advancing technologies...
Looks like the author, at least when he wrote this book, didn't know that Jean of Arc was canonized in the 20th century (specifically on May 16th, 1920, at Saint Peter's in Vatican by Pope Benedict XV), and the reason for that decision wasn't for her to have "defended France."
Seriously this book often jibber-jabbers with baseless information. Besides, many lines are so mixed up either missing necessary explanations or repeating the same thing over and over again.
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
...Charlemagne would create an empire that would be lost by his heirs. Kings mindful of their own ignorance and lamenting their lack of knowledge would support the growth of learning. By the end of the Renaissance, the medieval mindset was no more, the dominance if the church was tested by the rise of science, and the growth of representative government would gradually alter the balance of power and the concept of the monarchy. Power consumed those who sought it. But the arts enlightened those who enjoyed it, and the Renaissance was flush with artists whose talent made their worlds a living canvas.
What, the writer didn't even know the difference between the "Renaissance" and so-called the "Charlemagne Renaissance" of the late-8th to early-9th century?! The writer was definitely NOT qualified to write about this subject, and in this case a simple editing won't make this book any better!
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
...However, the concept of linear perspective which Brunelleschi employed to such success belonged to another architect, Leon Battista Alberti, whose work On Painting was adopted by other artists...
...whose work On Painting...sigh.
And page 1 starts after the Introduction plus three Chapters...
Anyways, I'm glad to see that the whole Chapter 3 is well-written in good English based on good research works.
(Kindle Ed. p. 6)
...Colonialism and its brutality were not in harmony with the humanism that the Renaissance espoused...
Yup, told you what they even implemented for their slave trade under the name of Humanism.
(Kindle Ed. p. 27)
England underwent its religious division before it entered the Renaissance, so its experience did not depend on the accessibility of reading material from Germany. England, since Henry VIII had split from Rome and declared himself the head of the Church, had been seesawing between Catholic and Protestant religious turmoil...
Yes, it didn't depend on the accessibility of reading material from Germany, but it still started "as" or "after" Renaissance hit the country, so the lines sound awkward in the ears of those who know the topic quite well.
Rather the lines should go like:
...unlike Germany or other places in Europe, where religious reforms were pushed from the bottom to top with the help of new printing technology, in England it was the top, the English monarchy, which pushed the country's religious reforms down to bottom. While four monarchs were taking the throne in turn, England was in religious turmoil seesawing between Catholicism and Protestantism ever since King Henry VIII split from Rome and declared himself the head of the English Church...
Lastly, the Conclusion does not end the book, but it sounds more like the author is introducing a following second/ sequence entitled the "Age of (Great Maritime) Discovery." It works as a good "substitute" con-clos’/ -cus'ion anyway.
The section of "RENAISSANCE WOMAN: St. Theresa of Avila" in Chapter 4 is a terrible, terrible work. Just terrible. What she represented was the opposite of Renaissance, and I'd cross out this section if I were the author.
I'm afraid to say that the writer is found unqualified for the subject.
It is weird that I've read many books of the same author, and some of them were really good. Why is this one found so messy? Was this one of his earliest works?
Anyways, let's start the step-by-step e-valu'ation of the work.
(Kindle Ed. Introduction)
The Middle Ages saw Europe forge a new identity as a collection of individual nations, no longer part of the fallen Roman Empire, that developed their own ethnic character.
The book opens with a typo: ...their own ethnic characters.
(Kindle Ed. Introduction)
During the Middle Ages, the nations of Europe forged new identities that moved them away from the lost glory of the Roman Empire into their own ethnicity...
The first and second paragraphs of the "Entr-/ Intr-o-duct'ion" are redundant...sigh. What, is this a joke? The very opening of the whole book is all messed up!
(Kindle Ed. Introduction)
...But the dutiful Christians of the Middle Ages who sought orthodoxy and for the most part obeyed the papal rules underwent a change when the Middle Ages ended...
Not exactly "when it ended," so "as the Middle Ages ended" is appropriate for this line.
I see that the author tried to sound more eloquent in the opening, but he should've revised it carefully as the lines sound kind of clumsy. I'm afraid it isn't really a good Introduction after all.
Although the author's intention is felt, the lines are not really clear to read, and they do need an editing work.
In addition, I recommend the author to combine the Introduction and Chapter 1 together as new and "complete" Introduction of the book.
Again, the book is not complete. First of all, insert the page numbers!
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 1)
Once upon a time, Rome was an Empire and the lands it contained were regional entities which had pre-imperial pasts followed by inclusion within the Empire, a status generally achieved by the power of the Roman legions but which was eventually accepted by the subject nations...
What a messy paragraph...edit it starting with a "comma" between "Rome was an Empire" and "and the lands it contained were..."
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 1)
...Then Rome fell and the nations, untethered to a central authority, were obliged to discern for themselves who they were as part of the Europe.
A comma after fell! And what's "the" Europe?
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
For most of Europe, the cities were important, but subordinate to the countries in which they were located. Italy reversed that process with independent city-states...
What a mess!
Seriously, I can write it better:
In "most" of Europe, cities were important while, no matter how wealthy and strong they were, they belonged to their respective countries. However, it was different in modern-day Italy as wealthy "independent" city-states flourished in the land...
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
Wealth was changing the demographic of power. The bankers were not aristocrats, but their acquisition of wealth meant that wealth was being redistributed. From a time when power was based on the ownership of land by the wellborn, commercial advances saw wealth shift to people who did not have a pedigree of birth. The bankers had the money and the nobility needed it. The nobles were not accustomed to having to preserve their acquisitions or to acquire more, and they relied on banking loans to fund their wars and their lifestyles. By the end of the 15th century, the nobles who had defaulted on their loans had lost their wealth to the commercial powers. A new power structure was forming.
A diamond in the rough unless it was copied from another source. If these lines were authentic, they would save the book with minimum 3 stars as the value of the book's been found anyway, but the general quality of this book makes the readers wonder with a doubt about some of these fine lines found here and there.
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
Approximately one-fourth to one-third of the population was poor. There were also slaves during this time, the first attempt in post-classical Europe to consider slavery as an economic option. Merchants and tradespeople—small businessmen in today’s lexicon—were the next layer of social strata, beneath the bankers who were beginning to emerge as power brokers because of their control of wealth and their support of capitalism. On the top of the social structure were the traditional nobility class and the merchant class that dominated the cities.
To keep slavery under the new idea of "Humanism," they would in-vent another idea of dehumanizing the African people'/ popul'ace. The way they were shipped to other lands, these slaves were not like the "still-Human" properties of Greek and Roman times, but simple packages or animals. The color-based ethnic demography was born with this inhumane, new idea that di-vided the White and the Black, the Humans and the non-Humans.
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
The brilliant minds of the Renaissance rediscovered their ancient roots and with the rebirth of interest in Greek and Roman learning, the Renaissance, rooting itself in its lost heritage, built a new philosophy which bypassed the ecclesiastical formula of asceticism to discover worldly pleasures: beauty and the intellect became the new lodestars of a population that looked to its own talents and awareness to define the world.
We can find the reason of this change in the Church itself with the failed Crusade, incompetence facing the Mongol and Black Death "invasions." I mean even the clergy men were killed and collapsed right before their people begging for their help. The book lacks this en-/ in-form'ation.
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
Florence: The Incubator of the Renaissance
Why would the author place this subtitle here "within" the lines, eh? Irregular form'at: Revise the work!
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
It’s fitting that an Italian city should be credited as the birthplace of the Renaissance. Rome at its height had sponsored Europe’s safety and prosperity until the mounting success of barbarian invasions by the Vandals, Goths, Ostrogoths, etc. so weakened the Empire that by 476, when the Emperor Romulus Augustulus was deposed and Odoacer become the King of Italy, there was no hope of resurrecting imperial authority. That left Europe on its own. Rome was, however, the seat of power for the Christian Church, and the spiritual authority of the Church would, in time, rival the imperial might of its predecessor.
Not to mention the poor quality of these lines to be edited, calling them the barbarians based on the "textbook" perception of the people is also out of line. It is not the "Latin" Romans, but these Germanic riders from the east along with the languages they brought into Europe, were the "real" foundation of the modern "Anglo" world.
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
The Middle Ages were a complicated period of time which saw Europe arise from a motley assortment of feeble nations into a powerful and vibrant political landscape. By the year 1450, which is generally regarded as the opening year of the Renaissance, Europe had seen the rise of the monarchy, the advances of technology, the weakening of feudalism, and the omnipotence of the Christian Church...
Why suddenly these lines right after lines about Roman Empire? What is this, a draft? And the last line must be in the middle. Take a look at my correction below:
The Middle Ages was a complicated time where the motley assortment of feeble nations of Europe grew into vibrant and powerful political entities. By the mid-15th century, Europe had witnessed its transformation from a continent under the omnipotence of Christian Church into a continent of powerful monarchies rising upon the weakening feudalism and advancing technologies...
Looks like the author, at least when he wrote this book, didn't know that Jean of Arc was canonized in the 20th century (specifically on May 16th, 1920, at Saint Peter's in Vatican by Pope Benedict XV), and the reason for that decision wasn't for her to have "defended France."
Seriously this book often jibber-jabbers with baseless information. Besides, many lines are so mixed up either missing necessary explanations or repeating the same thing over and over again.
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
...Charlemagne would create an empire that would be lost by his heirs. Kings mindful of their own ignorance and lamenting their lack of knowledge would support the growth of learning. By the end of the Renaissance, the medieval mindset was no more, the dominance if the church was tested by the rise of science, and the growth of representative government would gradually alter the balance of power and the concept of the monarchy. Power consumed those who sought it. But the arts enlightened those who enjoyed it, and the Renaissance was flush with artists whose talent made their worlds a living canvas.
What, the writer didn't even know the difference between the "Renaissance" and so-called the "Charlemagne Renaissance" of the late-8th to early-9th century?! The writer was definitely NOT qualified to write about this subject, and in this case a simple editing won't make this book any better!
(Kindle Ed. Chapter 2)
...However, the concept of linear perspective which Brunelleschi employed to such success belonged to another architect, Leon Battista Alberti, whose work On Painting was adopted by other artists...
...whose work On Painting...sigh.
And page 1 starts after the Introduction plus three Chapters...
Anyways, I'm glad to see that the whole Chapter 3 is well-written in good English based on good research works.
(Kindle Ed. p. 6)
...Colonialism and its brutality were not in harmony with the humanism that the Renaissance espoused...
Yup, told you what they even implemented for their slave trade under the name of Humanism.
(Kindle Ed. p. 27)
England underwent its religious division before it entered the Renaissance, so its experience did not depend on the accessibility of reading material from Germany. England, since Henry VIII had split from Rome and declared himself the head of the Church, had been seesawing between Catholic and Protestant religious turmoil...
Yes, it didn't depend on the accessibility of reading material from Germany, but it still started "as" or "after" Renaissance hit the country, so the lines sound awkward in the ears of those who know the topic quite well.
Rather the lines should go like:
...unlike Germany or other places in Europe, where religious reforms were pushed from the bottom to top with the help of new printing technology, in England it was the top, the English monarchy, which pushed the country's religious reforms down to bottom. While four monarchs were taking the throne in turn, England was in religious turmoil seesawing between Catholicism and Protestantism ever since King Henry VIII split from Rome and declared himself the head of the English Church...
Lastly, the Conclusion does not end the book, but it sounds more like the author is introducing a following second/ sequence entitled the "Age of (Great Maritime) Discovery." It works as a good "substitute" con-clos’/ -cus'ion anyway.
December 20, 2020
This book takes the obnoxious “church & medieval period=bad, secularism=good” view toward the renaissance, ignoring or downplaying the positive influences of the church in this period, and emphasizing or calling up the sins of the church even when their influence on a particular event was positive.
February 26, 2022
I received this book free from Amazon and it is part of the Hourly history collection (https://hourlyhistory.com).
These books are mostly about historical events or persons.
This one is about the Renaissance, the period in 16th century Europe. The booklet has all the important information about this historical period from all parts of Europe and how the Renaissance impacted Italy, France, Germany etc. Everything is written in a very concise way (you can read it within an hour).
"The willingness to challenge the status quo and explore unknown worlds that characterized the Renaissance mindset was not merely intellectual, as these names prove. Nations, Protestant and Catholic alike, were inspired to tread on new soil. A new age, born out of the freedom of thought of the Renaissance, was on the horizon, and its appeal and influence would spread to those new lands."
This is my assessment of this book The Black Death by Henry Freeman (Hourly history) according to my 8 criteria:
1. Related to practice - 3 stars
2. It prevails important - 4 stars
3. I agree with the read - 4 stars (I think it is an objective view of the period)
4. not difficult to read (as for non-English native) - 3 stars
5. Too long (more than 500 pages) - short and concise (150-200 pages) - 5 stars
6. Boring - every sentence is interesting - 3 stars
7. Learning opportunity - 4 stars
8. Dry and uninspired style of writing - Smooth style with humouristic and fun parts - 3 stars
Total 3.625 stars
These books are mostly about historical events or persons.
This one is about the Renaissance, the period in 16th century Europe. The booklet has all the important information about this historical period from all parts of Europe and how the Renaissance impacted Italy, France, Germany etc. Everything is written in a very concise way (you can read it within an hour).
"The willingness to challenge the status quo and explore unknown worlds that characterized the Renaissance mindset was not merely intellectual, as these names prove. Nations, Protestant and Catholic alike, were inspired to tread on new soil. A new age, born out of the freedom of thought of the Renaissance, was on the horizon, and its appeal and influence would spread to those new lands."
This is my assessment of this book The Black Death by Henry Freeman (Hourly history) according to my 8 criteria:
1. Related to practice - 3 stars
2. It prevails important - 4 stars
3. I agree with the read - 4 stars (I think it is an objective view of the period)
4. not difficult to read (as for non-English native) - 3 stars
5. Too long (more than 500 pages) - short and concise (150-200 pages) - 5 stars
6. Boring - every sentence is interesting - 3 stars
7. Learning opportunity - 4 stars
8. Dry and uninspired style of writing - Smooth style with humouristic and fun parts - 3 stars
Total 3.625 stars
April 29, 2025
The Renaissance: A History from Beginning to End by Henry Freeman is a concise overview of the Renaissance period. Here are five main takeaways emphasized in Freeman’s book:
1. Cultural Rebirth and Humanism: The Renaissance marked a "rebirth" of art, literature, and learning, driven by humanism, which emphasized individual potential, classical Greek and Roman texts, and secular ideas alongside religious themes.
2. Artistic Innovation: The period saw groundbreaking artistic achievements, with figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael revolutionizing techniques such as perspective, realism, and emotional expression in painting and sculpture.
3. Scientific and Intellectual Progress: The Renaissance laid the groundwork for the Scientific Revolution, with thinkers like Copernicus and Galileo challenging traditional views, promoting empirical observation, and advancing knowledge in astronomy, anatomy, and mathematics.
4. Spread of Ideas through Printing: The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg facilitated the rapid dissemination of knowledge, making books more accessible and fostering literacy, debate, and the spread of Renaissance ideas across Europe.
5. Political and Social Shifts: The Renaissance coincided with the rise of powerful city-states like Florence and Venice, patronage by wealthy families like the Medici, and shifts toward more centralized monarchies, influencing cultural and political developments.
1. Cultural Rebirth and Humanism: The Renaissance marked a "rebirth" of art, literature, and learning, driven by humanism, which emphasized individual potential, classical Greek and Roman texts, and secular ideas alongside religious themes.
2. Artistic Innovation: The period saw groundbreaking artistic achievements, with figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael revolutionizing techniques such as perspective, realism, and emotional expression in painting and sculpture.
3. Scientific and Intellectual Progress: The Renaissance laid the groundwork for the Scientific Revolution, with thinkers like Copernicus and Galileo challenging traditional views, promoting empirical observation, and advancing knowledge in astronomy, anatomy, and mathematics.
4. Spread of Ideas through Printing: The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg facilitated the rapid dissemination of knowledge, making books more accessible and fostering literacy, debate, and the spread of Renaissance ideas across Europe.
5. Political and Social Shifts: The Renaissance coincided with the rise of powerful city-states like Florence and Venice, patronage by wealthy families like the Medici, and shifts toward more centralized monarchies, influencing cultural and political developments.
March 13, 2021
This book heralds the rebirth of the human spirit in the Middle Ages. In this compact little volume, Hourly History takes a look at the Renaissance in England, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and the Low Countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Holland). After the Holy Roman Empire collapsed, the European nations created independent identities. At the beginning of the Middle Ages, The Catholic Church provided religious uniformity. But the printing press and the Renaissance would shatter the Church's control forever.
As people wanted to understand their universe, they tried novel ways to study and understand life. I liked the fact that this book concentrated on the people that made the Renaissance what it was - artists, scholars, scientists, architects, etc. The Renaissance brought about a new study of and appreciation for the classics of Greek and Roman learning.
The story of Theresa of Avila was very interesting; I didn't think many people avoided being destroyed by the Inquisition. She managed to pass inspection by the Inquisition twice! The thumbnail sketches of the people highlighted in this story were pithy and interesting. In fewer than 50 pages, this is certainly an overview of a complex period of time. However, I felt the authors used their ink wisely, touching on absorbing facts and personalities.
As people wanted to understand their universe, they tried novel ways to study and understand life. I liked the fact that this book concentrated on the people that made the Renaissance what it was - artists, scholars, scientists, architects, etc. The Renaissance brought about a new study of and appreciation for the classics of Greek and Roman learning.
The story of Theresa of Avila was very interesting; I didn't think many people avoided being destroyed by the Inquisition. She managed to pass inspection by the Inquisition twice! The thumbnail sketches of the people highlighted in this story were pithy and interesting. In fewer than 50 pages, this is certainly an overview of a complex period of time. However, I felt the authors used their ink wisely, touching on absorbing facts and personalities.
February 23, 2018
A fairly good introduction
I would have given it five stars. It certainly merited that on many sections. However, when I came to religion and kingship, it fell short, resorting to generalizations about these subjects that we are all used to. So nothing new there. But where it did excel was on the other subjects: the arts, literature, social hierarchies, exploration and colonization.
Rather than focusing on the popular kings and queens, it focused on the innovative thinkers; scholars, architects, artists, mathematicians, etc; that brought a classical rebirth to Europe, and encouraged a rebellious spirit in these new men that set the basis for the modern world.
I would have given it five stars. It certainly merited that on many sections. However, when I came to religion and kingship, it fell short, resorting to generalizations about these subjects that we are all used to. So nothing new there. But where it did excel was on the other subjects: the arts, literature, social hierarchies, exploration and colonization.
Rather than focusing on the popular kings and queens, it focused on the innovative thinkers; scholars, architects, artists, mathematicians, etc; that brought a classical rebirth to Europe, and encouraged a rebellious spirit in these new men that set the basis for the modern world.
August 10, 2023
Was thinking about writing a lengthy negative review (it’s fun sometimes) but I have better things to do with my time.
In short, poorly written and organized, atrociously edited, and grossly misleading on religious matters. A quick Google search refutes several claims made in this book. There’s way too much information and it jumps from topic to topic with no flow whatsoever.
A decent overview of the Renaissance, but I know better books exist. If anything, I guess that by throwing everything at you, one will pique your interest. If that’s the case (visual arts in Italy, literature in England, religion in Germany), go find a book about that instead.
In short, poorly written and organized, atrociously edited, and grossly misleading on religious matters. A quick Google search refutes several claims made in this book. There’s way too much information and it jumps from topic to topic with no flow whatsoever.
A decent overview of the Renaissance, but I know better books exist. If anything, I guess that by throwing everything at you, one will pique your interest. If that’s the case (visual arts in Italy, literature in England, religion in Germany), go find a book about that instead.
October 28, 2020
The usual short read from Hourly History on one of the most significant and important period in history, that literally shaped the world as we know it.
A bit of this, a bit of that, all sprinkled with some inaccuracy and typos, as the usual perfect recipe for a free book that's not really a book at all, but it may help you kill half an hour on a bus or maybe, hopefully, push young kids who don't know much about this incredible historical moment to go and research more. Maybe even read a proper book about it.
A bit of this, a bit of that, all sprinkled with some inaccuracy and typos, as the usual perfect recipe for a free book that's not really a book at all, but it may help you kill half an hour on a bus or maybe, hopefully, push young kids who don't know much about this incredible historical moment to go and research more. Maybe even read a proper book about it.
September 6, 2022
I got this book for free from their free book Friday email and I’m leaving this review voluntarily. I enjoyed this book because it talked about various countries and people. It gives you a good basis of information to go off to get the gist, and enough information that if you want to know more about something you have something to go off. A great starting place for learning quickly about topics.
June 9, 2025
Great Introduction to the Renaissance
What I liked about this book is that it gave an overview of the Renaissance era in Europe. It included information about the intersection between religion and art. The book also mentioned how the arts served as a tool for enlightenment with artist making their worlds a living canvas.
What I liked about this book is that it gave an overview of the Renaissance era in Europe. It included information about the intersection between religion and art. The book also mentioned how the arts served as a tool for enlightenment with artist making their worlds a living canvas.
April 14, 2019
It covers too much without much detail.
Basically just listing out events without learning the real importance of each. You cannot just enumerate events and people that’s spans over a hundred years without giving much detail - their importance are incomprehensible.
Basically just listing out events without learning the real importance of each. You cannot just enumerate events and people that’s spans over a hundred years without giving much detail - their importance are incomprehensible.
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September 21, 2020A very colonialist perspective. How are you going to say Europeans "discovered" Australia when people have been living there for at least 40 thousand years???? Australian aborigines are literally one of the world's oldest continuous cultures.
November 27, 2021
A Geographic Summary
The author covers the Renaissance in a masterful way - rotating through the major Western European powers and covering the impacts as well as a little bit on a few key persons as well. A good introduction to this pivotal period in Western European history.
The author covers the Renaissance in a masterful way - rotating through the major Western European powers and covering the impacts as well as a little bit on a few key persons as well. A good introduction to this pivotal period in Western European history.
December 11, 2021
A good overview of a large body of history told in clear and interesting manner.
I enjoyed the integration of knowledge of the people, place and event that changed human history and arc of our intellectual evolution .
I enjoyed the integration of knowledge of the people, place and event that changed human history and arc of our intellectual evolution .
March 27, 2023
Very quick and light insight
This book is a quick and easy read that gives you a general light insight to the The Renaissance.
If you want something light to read that interesting then this book maybe for you.
This book is a quick and easy read that gives you a general light insight to the The Renaissance.
If you want something light to read that interesting then this book maybe for you.
January 19, 2024
I don’t think you can call a 45 page material a book, but as a sample it is great. Like a very well written summary on the subject.
A taste of it. Good way to start, give you a good overview on the theme and understand if you wanna go deeper.
A taste of it. Good way to start, give you a good overview on the theme and understand if you wanna go deeper.
November 14, 2017
I've always been fascinated by the Renaissance and learning more or rereading more about it from this short history book was nice.
February 16, 2018
The Renaissance was an exciting period in the history of western civilization, and this Hourly History does a good job of describing those times.
March 21, 2018
Good but short
A nice overview of Renaissance history. Brief and easy to read in one sitting. Nothing goes too in depth which may bother some readers.
A nice overview of Renaissance history. Brief and easy to read in one sitting. Nothing goes too in depth which may bother some readers.
July 30, 2018
Thank you Hourly history for these amazingly concise past of our miraculous yesterday.
May 27, 2019
A good surfacial primer for people who want to dive into Renaissance.
January 30, 2020
quick look
Short but catches all the main points. From this book you have a guide of where one might want to explore further the topics that most interest you.
Short but catches all the main points. From this book you have a guide of where one might want to explore further the topics that most interest you.
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