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Fontana History of Europe
Renaissance Europe 1480-1520
The new edition of this classic history examines the political, economic, social, religious and cultural life of Europe at the height of the Renaissance. J.R. Hale not only records the events of 1480-1520, but also suggests what it was like to have lived in this period. He provides readers with an understanding of the quality of lives of people living at this time and includes processes and personalities not often covered by other books. For the second edition Professor Michael Mallet provides an updated bibliography and an extended introduction explaining the book's place in the historiography of the subject.
The book is arranged thematically, each chapter designed to provide information about a specific field of inquiry and also give an insight into the people of this era. J. R. Hale investigates how these people felt about their environment and the passage of time; their relationships with government and other institutions, from the Church to the family; their economic frameworks; the part religion played in their lives; and what cultural and intellectual pursuits were available to them.
Renaissance Europe compares our own attitudes to those of the Renaissance and vice versa, thereby enriching the readers understanding of everyday life in the past.
The book is arranged thematically, each chapter designed to provide information about a specific field of inquiry and also give an insight into the people of this era. J. R. Hale investigates how these people felt about their environment and the passage of time; their relationships with government and other institutions, from the Church to the family; their economic frameworks; the part religion played in their lives; and what cultural and intellectual pursuits were available to them.
Renaissance Europe compares our own attitudes to those of the Renaissance and vice versa, thereby enriching the readers understanding of everyday life in the past.
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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About the author
J.R. Hale
29 books9 followersAKA John R. Hale
British historian specializing in the Renaissance, first Professor of History at the University of Warwick.
British historian specializing in the Renaissance, first Professor of History at the University of Warwick.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 8, 2025
He de reconocer que este era un libro del que no esperaba gran cosa, pero me ha sorprendido gratamente (no nos emocionemos, tampoco es el mejor de los libros, sólo un buen libro). La moraleja es: no hagas caso a las críticas (incluidas las mías que son tan subjetivas como las de los demás).
El caso es que, sin ser el mejor libro de historia ni el mejor libro sobre el periodo, sí que aporta una visión somera de diversas instituciones, en sentido amplio, del periodo en cuestión. El problema de este libro es que no es un volumen a la usanza, con un desarrollo cronológico y si más centrado en macrotendencias, algo muy propio de la época en la que fue escrito, cuando lo importante era ese devenir predeterminado e ineludible, ese determinismo (que cada uno le ponga el adjetivo) que era imposible de eludir.
Con todo, y partiendo de que no esperaba gran cosa, es un buen libro.
El caso es que, sin ser el mejor libro de historia ni el mejor libro sobre el periodo, sí que aporta una visión somera de diversas instituciones, en sentido amplio, del periodo en cuestión. El problema de este libro es que no es un volumen a la usanza, con un desarrollo cronológico y si más centrado en macrotendencias, algo muy propio de la época en la que fue escrito, cuando lo importante era ese devenir predeterminado e ineludible, ese determinismo (que cada uno le ponga el adjetivo) que era imposible de eludir.
Con todo, y partiendo de que no esperaba gran cosa, es un buen libro.
June 24, 2010
This is a wonderful book, of which I have read half, and will now leave off. These are chapters on:
Time and Space
Political Europe
Individual and Community
Economic Europe
The chapters I will skip are on:
Class
Religion
The Arts and Their Audiences
Secular Learning
The book thus is front-loaded.
It contains some of the most brilliant historical writing I have ever read.
The book is essentially a synthesis of other men's learning by a scholar of great intuitive depth and broad knowledge.
Time and Space
Political Europe
Individual and Community
Economic Europe
The chapters I will skip are on:
Class
Religion
The Arts and Their Audiences
Secular Learning
The book thus is front-loaded.
It contains some of the most brilliant historical writing I have ever read.
The book is essentially a synthesis of other men's learning by a scholar of great intuitive depth and broad knowledge.
October 20, 2024
Es un gran libro que describe muy bien el Renacimiento, desde su modo de vida, cultura, economía y pensamiento. La lectura comienza siendo muy amena. Conforme va avanzando se va haciendo intenso, pero con gran valor.
April 11, 2019
So far, this is an excellent series. I didn't like this as much as the previous book but it was a good introduction.
October 24, 2013
A great overview of the Renaissance that swept through Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries, Hale does a great job at presenting the information in a detailed, yet organized, way, which allows the reader to breeze though this text with much knowledge gained. A great book to add to the shelf for any European historian.
January 12, 2018
Your assignment: Describe the Renaissance in 350 pages or less!
September 22, 2021
It’s a good and balanced introduction to the peak of the Renaissance period. J.R. Hale presents a solid picture of political, economic, social, religious and cultural life.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews