Renaissance,

Great Ages of Man

by J.R. Hale

A study of not only the fine arts but also the economic, social, and political characteristics of the Renaissance

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Reference, World History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

AKA John R. Hale

British historian specializing in the Renaissance, first Professor of History at the University of Warwick.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The late British-born Historian John R. Hale’s 1965 edition of the book, Renaissance, is a history of the Renaissance in Italy. The book covers the History of the Italian Renaissance from the 1300s C.E. until the mid-1500s C.E. The book is for the series of Time-Life Books’ Great Ages of Man. Hale also wrote the 1966’s book entitled Age of Exploration in the series for the Time-Life Books’ Great Ages of Man. Hale was a scholar of the Renaissance era in both Italy and Europe. Hale translated the writings of the Renaissance political theorist, Niccolò Machiavelli, into English. Hale’s book is probably dated, but it is still worth reading if one is interested in the historiography of the history of the Renaissance in Italy. The last chapter of the book is on the Italian influence on the Northern European Renaissance (161-170). I thought the book was a wonderful introduction to the Italian Renaissance and why this era was important. The book, Renaissance, is readable. The book has a beautiful layout, and each chapter is followed by a photo essay. At the end of the book, there is a Timeline. At the end of the book, there is a chart of the names of Painters, Sculptors, and Architects. These artists are listed as being from either the cities of Siena, Florence, and Northern Italy (mainly from the city of Venice) (184-185). Even though it was dated I did not regret spending time reading the book, Renaissance.

[Karl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely illustrated volume in the Great Ages series, with a focus on culture and the arts. Hale frames the Renaissance as a time of renewal and energy, but also a time conscious of itself as a turning point in history. While the Renaissance tended to be backwards looking, seeing ancient Greece and Rome as its models, it also jumped forward in the visual and practical arts. Much of the book focuses on the heart of the Italian Renaissance, the vibrant city of Florence and its many remarkable personalities: Dante, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Machiavelli, Botticelli, and the Medici family. The influence of Italian Renaissance on the later course of European history is also discussed.

[Jonathan Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is happening? Everything.
Where is it happening? Florence apparently.
This brought back a lot of memories of playing Assassin's Creed 2.