The World of Humanism, 1453-1517

The Rise of Modern Europe #2

by Myron P. Gilmore

"A competent and, so far as the limits of space permit, a comprehensive survey of this crucial age. It will be welcomed by students and teachers who have long regretted the lack of such a work."
- Wallace K. Ferguson, The American Historical Review

"Gilmore is quite aware of the richness and multiplicity of his subject, but he is aware, too, that sweeping generalizations, attempts at all inclusive synthesis, invite omission and distortion, and he prefers a more comprehensive account, based on the most reputable and freshest monographs, balanced, reliable, expert."
- Garrett Mattingly

Table of Contents
I. Frontiers of Latin Christendom
II. Direction of Economic and Social Change
III. Dynastic Consolidation
IV. Structure and Function of Government
V. Particular Interests of Christian Princes
VI. Condition of the Christian Church
VII. Scholarship and Philosophy
VIII. Program of Christian Humanism
IX. Art and Science
X. Conclusion

Genres: History, Renaissance

326 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1952

Reviews

[Lauren Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third volume I've read of this old--more than half a century old--series called "The Rise of Modern Europe." They've been uniformly excellent. I haven't read them in order but I do hope to read through more of them in the areas I'm interested in. How different books intended as history textbooks were then. No bite size chunks for easy digestion but serious and readable narratives.

One thing to note--this book is not about Humanism per se but literally the world OF humanism (the world in which it arose).

The book's best moments were when Gilmore played "comparative history." Why did things happen this way here and another way there? He provides some very enlightening answers. Why did China's much larger and better funded expeditions not lead to cultural changes the way the European expeditions did? If Venice and the duchy of Burgundy were greater and wealthier powers than, for instance, France, why did the latter become a nation and the former not? Overall an excellent and insightful book.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The World of Humanism" is the second book in The Rise of Modern Europe series. It covered all of Europe during 1453-1517. The chapters were organized by topic. The occasional quote from people from that time or visual details about an event helped make it more interesting than the first book in the series, but it still reads like a textbook. This author also did a better job of tying events together (cause and effect) so I have a better chance of remembering his points.

The author talked about the changes in political and religious power, economic and social changes, the rise of humanism, changes in art, science, philosophy, and scholarship.

[Melodie Wendel-Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the Renaissance Age; found a couple items to further check out.