Renaissance Books

A very well conceived book, with superb photos (all black and white), with one line of each script reproduced in its actual size. Painstaking research resulting in a magnificent selection of manuscripts.
It is divided in 6 sections:
Classical letters (Greek and Roman inscriptions);
Majuscule Scripts (Rustic Capitals, Square Capitals, Greek Uncials, Latin Uncials);
Emergence of the Minuscule (Roman Half-Uncials, Insular Half-Uncials, Caroline Minuscules [Continental style Caroline], English Caroline Minuscules, Compressed Caroline Minuscules, Italian Caroline Minuscules);
Gothic Scripts (Protogothic, Gothic Quadrata, Gothic Prescissus [Praescissa, sine pedibus], Gothic Textura, Gothic Batarde);
Capital Development (Caroline Capitals, English Capitals, Early Gothic Capitals, Gothic Capitals);
Humanist Scripts (Gothic Rotunda, Humanist Square Capitals, Humanist Italic Corsiva [bookhand and documentary hooked-ascender Cancellaresca], Humanist Italic Formata, Humanist Cursive).
A glossary, a select bibliography, and indices (of names and of manuscripts) are included. Some of the works mentioned in the text are absent in the bibliography (e.g., Jean Mallon's Paleographie Romaine, Madrid: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 1952).
Attention is given to monumental epigraphy in the first plates.
Though updated and correcting traditional misconceptions, this is primarily a book for historically-minded calligraphers, not for palaeographers, in that it excludes documentary and everyday scripts, as well as illegible (for today's standards) bookhands. Basically, only scripts from the times of Roman and medieval graphical unity, in their best calligraphic forms and insofar as they have `living descendants', are reproduced.
Hands between the early Middle Ages and the emergence of the Caroline minuscule (precaroline or `national') are dismissed as "regional" or "local dialects"; thus the author puts aside Visigothic, Beneventan, and all the scripts derived from the New Roman Common Script (New Roman Cursive). Strangely enough (for those outside the Anglo-Saxon world) he makes place for the Insular scripts. Of the cursive gothic scripts, only Batarde (in a Bourguignonne-like version) is present, perhaps because it is similar to the many versions of the Secretary, despite being one of the most elegantly illegible hands of the late Middle Ages on account of its various forms for N, R, S, and of V-like Y and X, as well as its place rules for the use of V or U.
There are no instructions on ductus, as previous knowledge of it is already assumed.

This volume emphasizes the Indian Renaissance in the 19th century, which has transformed India from a Medieval to a Modern country. Includes consideration of the impact and consequences of the introduction of English education and the Western ideas transmitted by it upon almost all aspects of Indian life.

Published in Bombay, India.

I just took a Renaissance Epic class with Michael Murrin at the University of Chicago and recommend ANYTHING he has ever published.

I read this book many years ago and like it so much that I now include it in the "reference library" I am making in my Kindle. Too bad Machiavelli's reputation is so much established by The Prince. The History of Florence and The Discourses on Livy clearly show Machiavelli was not all that Machiavellian.

Schevill's readable overview of medieval and renaissance Florence is a book that should be read by all students of the humanities. He focusses on Florence because that city brings into focus the major themes of European development. Reading this book thus gives one a quick and powerful entry into an understanding of European history as a whole. And of course, Florence is just tremendously interesting in its own right, whether one considers the 13th Century city of Dante or the 15th Century city of Michelangelo, Leonardo and Machiavelli. I picked this book up initially for the sake of learning, but I still read it now for pleasure. Schevill's writing style is also excellent: his prose is a pleasure, and also a good model for those of us who try to do our own writing. I found this book a tremendously exciting introduction to the debate of Holy Roman Emperor and Pope, to the rise of capitalism, to the incredible history of the Medici family, and to the emergence of the modern world. I recommend it very highly.

While copyrighted in 1942, this small book addresses the problems facing performers of Western Art music. Interpretation and Performance Practices is the darling of academia today, and the "experts" in this field demand adherence to their orthodxy. To them, Dorian's effort is viewed as "quaint". But to mere mortals, this book is still an indispensable tool for finding one's way through the wilderness of stylistic practices in art music

This is a fine summary of medieval philosophy. From Augustine through Suarez, it covers all of the important philosophers and philosopher/theologians from the medieval period. Boethius, Anselm, Abelard, Averroes, Maimonides, Bacon, Bonaventure, Albert the Great, Aquinas, Scotus, Ockham, Eckhart and others are all covered in detail. I found it a relatively easy and interesting read.

Originally written centuries ago by artist, historian, and Benedictine monk Matthew Paris (c. 1200-1259) and dedicated to Queen Eleanor, The History of Saint Edward the King is a portrayal of the reign of King Edward the Confessor that reveals at least as much (if not more) about the era, values, and dynastic concerns of King Henry III's reign as it does of its titular time period. Portraying King Edward as a wise, benevolent, married virgin king, who presided over harmonious rulership and dispensed miracles, The History of Saint Edward the King is most assuredly not unbiased - its representations of Anglo-Danish relations, vilification of Harold Godwinson's brief reign before the battle of Hastings (and the claiming of the English throne by Norman duke William),and its almost stage-worthy depictions of love affairs, epic events, history and hagiography distinguish this chronicle among records of its time. Skillfully translated from the original French, (no easy task considering the rhymed rubrics peppering the original), The History of Saint Edward the King is enhances with exhaustively extensive notes. An appendix of passages from Paris' original writings, recommended further reading, and an index of proper names round out this seminal references and resource. Highly recommended for college library collections and course teaching lists.

Vilhelm Moberg (1898-1973) was one of Sweden's leading men of letters, chiefly remembered today for his peerless emigrant tetralogy. His Min Svenska Historia was his life's work, and only completed after his death. Published in Swedish in two volumes, this book is the English translation of the first book, taking the history of Sweden from prehistory, through to the Kalmar Union and the death of Queen Margareta.

Unlike most history books of the era, though, this one is written with a definite slant. Moberg became disillusioned with the heroic history that he had been taught in his school days, finding that the great men and women of Swedish history actually had feet of clay that made their enshrining ludicrous. Embracing socialism in everything, he sought to write a book that reached past the kings and bigwigs of history, and told the story of the peasants that made the country everything that it was.

The book is quite iconoclastic, poking fun at many people who figure large in other history books - kings, magnates, and Viking warriors. In many ways it is a book ahead of its time, refusing to genuflect before anyone, and making for some humorous and fascinating reading. My one complaint against this book is that this first book contains no index, which limits its usefulness for everyday use (though I presume that there may be an index in the second volume).

So, if you are interested in reading a history of Sweden that is not like any other, or if you are interested in reading the thoughts of the great Vilhelm Moberg, then I highly recommend this book to you.

I saw this book twenty years ago and always wanted one. I was so happy I could find it and get a glimpse of history without having to read so many books.