The Italian Renaissance Revised Edition

by J.H. Plumb (Author)

80 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0618127382

ISBN-10: 0618127380

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Spanning an age that witnessed great achievements in the arts and sciences, this definitive overview of the Italian Renaissance will both captivate ordinary readers and challenge specialists. Dr. Plumb’s impressive and provocative narrative is accompanied by contributions from leading historians, including Morris Bishop, J. Bronowski, Maria Bellonci, and many more, who have further illuminated the lives of some of the era’s most unforgettable personalities, from Petrarch to Pope Pius II, Michelangelo to Isabella d'Este, Machiavelli to Leonardo. A highly readable and engaging volume, THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE is a perfect introduction to the movement that shaped the Western world.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

JOHN HAROLD PLUMB who was born in 1911, graduated from the University of Leicester and received his Ph.D. from Christ’s College in Cambridge. Plumb has written more than thirty books.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mariner Books; Revised edition (June 19, 2001)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0618127380
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0618127382
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.7 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.88 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #702,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,034 in Italian History (Books)
- #1,857 in European History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
80 ratings

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5 star		52%
4 star		31%
3 star		13%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Ambrose Rankin

Informative and Well Written (if a little dated)

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2018

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"The Italian Renaissance" is a nice introduction to the period. The first part written by Mr. Plumb examines the Renaissance from several different topical areas (politics, the arts, etc) and well as by geography (i.e., city be city); and is very readable and informative though a little dated as this was written in 1961. I think an historian writing this today would feel compelled to be more critical of the Renaissance in the currently fashionable manner, and spend more time on marginalized people and their short, probably miserable. lives, as peasants, servants, soldiers, etc. That could be good or bad but it is not this book, and I think I prefer to learn about the Renaissance from an unabashed fan of it like Plumb. (Also - at one point Mr. Plumb bemoans the buildup of dirt and grim on the Sistine Chapel ceiling in 1961 - hah, it's now been cleaned. People better read than me may catch other such things.)

The second part of the book consists of nine short biographical sketches of key figures in the Renaissance written by various scholars. These were delightful - each readable in one short sitting, and very informative and well written.

15 people found this helpful

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Ferro

Entertaining introduction to the Renaissance

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2015

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This is an general overview, adroitly penned by the main author and also several other historians. The renaissance was an explosion of knowledge and cultural development that still exerts a strong influence on the modern worldview. The authors roving summary shifts quickly from scene to scene and person to person, without dwelling overly long on any particular story. At times I wish he had expanded more on certain details and subplots; his writing whets the appetite. The overall effect is something of a jumble however, a mist, an impression of an age- that is enjoyably spiced with sordid anecdote and amusing turn of phrase.
The second part of the book consists of brief biographies of important figures of the renaissance, very well written by different specialists in their topic. This to me contains some of the most enjoyable historical writing you could wish for, that really brings these people and the era they lived in back to life.

15 people found this helpful

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A Very Good Overview of A Huge Subject

Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2019

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"The Italian Renaissance" is an excellen beginning study of a vast subject and time period. This book is of medium length and is easily read and comprehended. It provides a reader with a very good foundation for an appreciation of this time period on the Italian peninsula. It also forms an excellent basis for further study. As I did French do, I read both the Kindle version while simultaneously listening to the audiobook. They are both excellent. There was some extra expense, but I am glad I did both.

After the fall of Rome and the end of The Roman Empire in 476, the history of the Italian peninsula become chaotic for centuries. The author does a very good job of describing this particular period in a rather concise format. In reality, an entire library could be written, and has been written on this time period.

Speaking for myself, I felt my personal knowledge of both Italian history, as well as European history was somewhere between below adequate and abysmal. Have been trying to correct that. As such I have read numerous books on Italian history and feel this book is of very high quality for what it is, an overview.

I have used this book as a platform from which to make a leap to a literal and figurative marriage between Italian history and the history of France. I am now embarking upon a biography of Catherine de Medici by Leonie Frieda which is also quite excellent. This biography of one person is more lengthy than this fine work under review.

In summary I am very glad to have read "The Italian Renaissance" and recommend it both standing on its own or as a basis for further study. Thank You...

3 people found this helpful

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R. Grauberger

Often dry, yet a good discusion of Italy's art and cultural Renaissance

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2019

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I have the Kindle version of this work. This is a compilation of several authors dissertations. The first segments were almost textbook dry works about different cities & regions in Italy during the "Renaissance" period, I actually set the book aside for a couple of weeks to digest what was being taught. The remaining portions were much better, easier to read and comprehend, being about artists and others who held influence during the age. I would have enjoyed having illustrations of the artworks being discussed, having to stop and go find the pieces detracts from the flow of the book. All thi, ther being said, I do recommend this work, there's just a lot of stuff here!

One person found this helpful

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Corie

The Italian Renaissance Revealed

Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2018

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Unbelievably readable. This book makes the Renaissance come alive and describes this complicated period in terms and description that shed light and meaning to today’s reader of history.

3 people found this helpful

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Sekhar Banerjee

Good read

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2019

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Concise but very logical depiction of Renaissance period of Italy. I very much enjoyed reading it, particularly the later chapters on personalities.

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Susan Steinkoetter

Amazing info.

Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2018

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more detailed than i expected. Hard to follow, jump around too much.Amazing info.

One person found this helpful

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D. Sejda

I especially liked the second part of the book that consisted of ...

Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2018

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Interesting analysis of the philosophical, political and economic changes that underlay the Renaissance. I especially liked the second part of the book that consisted of biographies of some of the principals involved in the Renaissance in Italy.

2 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Client d'Amazon

Wide ranging

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2018

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Good read. Interesting personalities, often very gifted. Governors very ruthless. Ambitions came to nothing in the end, but a rich inheritance

Kindle Customer

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2015

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I love this book, light reading it is not but great reading if you are a closet history buff

2 people found this helpful

Dr. Ezzat F Guirguis

Comprehensive

Reviewed in Canada on December 23, 2019

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Would have made an excellent read but for the flowery language. Though each section was attributed to a different authority yet the text was obviously written by the same author throughout. It would have been more interesting had each section been written by its original contributor.
Overall a fairly comprehensive description of the era described through its most prominent persons.

Amazon Customer

very sweet

Reviewed in India on July 29, 2017

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very good

Tom Wheatley

A great overview of the Italian Rennaissance

Reviewed in Canada on December 5, 2015

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Very easy to read. Informative without being stuffy. Interesting profiles of key historical characters of this important historical period. Thanks

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