Lives of the Renaissance

by Robert C. Davis, Beth Lindsmith

A fascinating history of the Renaissance told through the lives of people from all levels of society. Like every era, the Renaissance brims with stories. Fascinating, scandalous, and at times seemingly unbelievable stories from the notable lives of wily politicians, eccentric scientists, fiery rebels, and stolid reactionaries, as well as an acrobat, an actress, a poetic prostitute, a star comedian, and at least one very fretful mother are revealed. Some names are famous―Da Vinci, Luther, Medici, and Machiavelli―others are less well known, though no less remarkable. New in paperback, Lives of the Renaissance is an engaging, witty, and wonderfully illustrated compendium of one hundred notable men and women throughout Italy, Germany, France, Iberia, Scandinavia, Russia, and eastern Europe, who shaped and experienced one of the most creative and inventive periods in human civilization. Lives of the Renaissance reminds us that history is more than dates and abstract it is also the compilation of countless individual lives and stories. 34 color illustrations

Genres: History, Nonfiction

376 pages, Paperback

Published June 18, 2019

About the author

Robert C. Davis is professor emeritus of Italian Renaissance and pre-modern Mediterranean history at Ohio State University. He has studied Naples, Rome, Palermo, Venice, the Vatican, and Perugia, and mostly works on the lives of ordinary people and the values they cherished. His subjects have ranged from shipbuilders, bull fighters, and amateur boxers in Venice to the corsairs who terrorized the Mediterranean everywhere else. He has co-authored studies of Venice as the world's most touristed city and of Renaissance men and women. He has also been in a number of television documentaries, on shipbuilding, Carnival, and the Mediterranean slave trade, and is currently writing a textbook on the history of modern Europe.

Reviews

[Lisa Konet · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite times in history to read about because nothing is sad. In fact, it can be scandalous. When this time was about creation and exploring nothing was off limits.

Well written and reads like a story.

[Coleen Dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting read. Covers 100 people from the entire period of the Renaissance, all occupations and geographies. Each person gets about a 3 page bio which provides a little background and then there is a bibliography if you want more info on any one person.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ THIS IF YOUR GOING INTO AP EURO

READ THIS IF YOUR GOING INTO AP EURO

READ THIS IF YOUR GOING INTO AP EURO

READ THIS IF YOUR GOING INTO AP EURO

READ THIS IF YOUR GOING INTO AP EURO

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic reference and read three page snippets of lives of those who live during the Renaissance gives a fascinating history and look into everyday life.