The Renaissance: A Very Short Introduction 1st Edition

by Jerry Brotton (Author)

139 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0192801630

ISBN-10: 9780192801630

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More than ever before, the Renaissance stands out as one of the defining moments in world history. Between 1400 and 1600, European perceptions of society, culture, politics and even humanity itself emerged in ways that continue to affect not only Europe but the entire world.
In this wide-ranging exploration of the Renaissance, Jerry Brotton shows the period as a time of unprecedented intellectual excitement, cultural experimentation, and interaction on a global scale, alongside a darker side of religion, intolerance, slavery, and massive inequality of wealth and status.
Brotton skillfully guides us through the key issues that defined the Renaissance period, from its art, architecture, and literature, to advancements in the fields of science, trade, and travel. In its incisive account of the complexities of the political and religious upheavals of the period, the
book argues that there are significant parallels between the Renaissance and our own era. This is the first clear and concise account of the Renaissance as a global phenomenon, an important new vision of the Renaissance for the 21st century written by a young Renaissance scholar of a new generation.

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From the Publisher

very short introducations, introductions, comprehensive

very short introductions, VSI, key features, concise, exper authors, analysis, grow your knowledge

Review

`Review from previous edition a young Turk who likes to entertain . . . Brotton's book is full of arts and crafts . . .engaging and alluring . . .This is a Renaissance you can touch and feel ' Sunday Times

`energetic and committed agenda ' Financial Times

`offers some impressive fresh evidence' Independent

`this is a Renaissance you can touch and feel' Felipe Fernandez-Armesto

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Brotton is a Lecturer in English at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0192801635
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; 1st edition (June 15, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780192801630
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0192801630
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.68 x 0.37 x 5.06 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #96,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in Art History (Books)
- #213 in History (Books)
- #222 in Arts & Photography Criticism

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Customer reviews

5 star		71%
4 star		11%
3 star		12%
2 star		2%
1 star		5%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Frank Bellizzi

An Excellent Short Survey

Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2016

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Well, I have to say, this is the first book in the Very Short Introductions series that I have enjoyed this much. (I've read maybe five others). The authors of the series are true experts. The trouble, in my opinion, is the format. The size of these books means they're more than an article, less than a complete survey. It's a tough job for an author. But Jerry Brotton manages to pull it off, I think. His coverage of "the Renaissance" begins with a good survey of the historiography, and includes sections on art, literature, humanism, religious reformation(s), women, exploration, etc.

Like I said, at least several volumes in this series strike me as being too much and too little at the same time. But I think that this particular book is actually a very good short survey. I give it four stars and not five, only because many of the illustrations are mediocre (which seems to be a trend in the publishing business). I think Oxford University Press can do better. Judging from just the text, I give it five stars. Those who don't agree with this opinion might consider what it would be like to write your own book covering the Renaissance in the same number of pages.

7 people found this helpful

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Sergei P.

A Book on International Politics

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2021

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This book can provide valuable knowledge to a person who is already more or less familiar with Renaissance, but it is totally ridiculous to call this book "an introduction to Renaissance". Instead of presenting a conventional general picture of Renaissance and its main achievements, the author dedicates a disproportionate amount of space to his own research focus - namely, the influence of the Muslim world on the development of Renaissance culture. He talks very, very little about the Renaissance art: not a single artwork of Raphael, or Titian, or Botticelli, or Brunelleschi, or Donatello, or Bruegel is discussed. Andrea Palladio and his profound influence on the look of contemporary cities is not even mentioned (architecture is generally discussed very little). Similarly, the surname "Vasari" never appears on the pages of this book. So if your knowledge about the Renaissance is limited to Mona Lisa and the Creation of Adam, this book is not for you - please look elsewhere to get a broad familiarity with the period.
In addition to this misleading title problem, there are also many shortcomings in the book. There are ridiculous minor errors like saying that Leonardo and Michelangelo were designing a bridge over Bosphorus (it was actually over the Golden Horn). The book seems to imply that there were two main centers of the Renaissance - England and Ottoman Empire, which are precisely the academic specialty of the author.

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A fine, engaging "very short introduction"

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2017

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This is a very good, but imperfect, introduction to the Renaissance. Although one might quibble with phrasings that might be clearer or interpretations that might be more fully spelled out to avoid ambiguity, this is a fine "very short introduction" to the subject. The author makes use of a number of pieces of art well, even in the black and white format of the book. He also touches on the interaction between "east and west" in ways that seem unavoidable when studying the Renaissance; however, this was an area where I thought the subject matter invited and demanded more discussion.

The final chapter on literature and the Renaissance seemed rushed, particularly the section on Shakespeare (the discussion of the sonnets was better than that of the plays).

Although imperfect, this slim volume still accomplishes its aim, and its engaging brevity can propel readers both to explore more on their own and to be more informed, having read this book, when doing so.

3 people found this helpful

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Gary Krajewski

Great Start

Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2020

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Very helpful in gaining a beginning understanding of the Renaissance and all of its key points to help one grasp.

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Tianna spooner

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2017

Came nice and clean!

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2015

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Gods bless the Greeks, and then the intellectuals of Florence, for without them we would still be awash in the miasma of Bible-think. A concise introduction to the exit ramp from that swamp and into the fresh light of reason and sanity. Thanks to the Medici Family.

One person found this helpful

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Honest Broker

False title used; This is a book on Islamic History.

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2018

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This author spends his Introduction criticizing other authors for redefining the Renaissance in light of their times and perspectives, then spends the entire book celebrating Islam. In fact, he writes more of Arabic countries than he does of Italy, or all of Europe combined. This is a remarkable work of revisionist history. I just wish he had been honest, in calling this book A Very Short Introduction to Islamic History.

8 people found this helpful

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nestor bayang

Three Stars

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2014

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It seemed so small and cheesey expected little more but guess that's why it was inexpensive

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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer

One of the best vsis

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2019

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I went to the same college as the author, but only found history interesting in later life, and this excellent little book has filled in some big gaps for me. The description of the then world through some famous paintings is a delight.
The Donation of Constantine (4th century AD), a foundation document of rhe catholic church, gave the pope immense powers over people and lands, which had stifled human progress for a whole millennium. It was proved to be a forgery during the early renaissance in 1435 by a Lorenzo Valla.This sparked off huge protestant movements that started to think for themselves.
The inventions of printing and books further fuelled a dramatic growth of literacy and knowledge, which is explored in interesting depth.
The early ocean explorers led the Portugese and Spanish to try to carve up the new world between themselves for plunder and and destruction. The saving grace (unmentioned) is that subsequently the British took the lead in Empire building and industrial revolution.
I didn’t like the rather long-winded explanation why this view of the renaissance is more valid than all the others. While not disagreeing, it makes the history boys seem a bit introvert.

One person found this helpful

Mrs. K. A. Wheatley

Compelling and Easy to Read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2008

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This has to be one of my favourites of the Very Short Introduction series and believe me, I've read a fair few of them. This introduces us to the idea that the Renaissance wasn't purely a European Italian-centric happening. Instead Brotton looks at the Renaissance at a global level, introducing us to ideas and events which shaped the way the modern world has grown, including the worlds of finance, mathematics and geographical conquest.

Each chapter is themed to such issues and Brotton moves around the globe introducing us to new ideas, thoughts and beliefs that helped define the renaissance. If you are expecting to learn about painting and literature, they are in there, but not a great deal. What is most impressive is the scope and scale of the information given and how it is coherently set out in such a compact volume.

Of necessity and by design this is a starting post for those interested in dipping their toe in the world of the Renaissance and it is a very good one. There is also an extensive reading list at the back for those wishing to go further. An excellent book.

20 people found this helpful

Margaret Smith

Does what it says on the tin!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2016

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This book does what it says in its title and was an excellent reading choice before I started my Renaissance module at university. It gives an excelent overview of the period and the most important themes in this period. And it is a quick and easy read.

J Bain

A Very Very Short Introduction!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 9, 2020

Verified Purchase

I was very much enjoying this book until pg 54 where I discovered that nearly 30 pages were missing! There are no obvious signs of damage so this must have been a printing error when the book was manufactured.

One person found this helpful

yvonne cleland

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2015

Verified Purchase

great informative book and well-packaged

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The Renaissance: A Very Short Introduction 1st Edition

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