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The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy

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The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy

By: Jacob Burckhardt
Narrated by: Geoffrey Howard
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In this landmark study of Italy from the 14th through the early 16th centuries, Swiss historian Jacob Burckhardt chronicles the rise of Florence and Venice as powerful city-states, the breakup of the medieval worldview that came with the rediscovery of Greek and Roman culture, and the new emphasis on the role of the individual. All these, Burckhardt explains, went hand in hand with the explorations of science and the more naturalistic depiction of the world in art and literature.

Within the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Burckhardt finds the first stirrings of the modern world and, in the Renaissance Italian, the first modern man. His book-length essay includes discussions of all aspects of Italian civilization: art, fashion, literature, and the music of the time, as well as the flourishing of intellectual and spiritual life.

(P)2000 Blackstone Audio Inc. Art Civilization Europe Italy Renaissance World Middle Ages Ancient History
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Critic reviews

"An engrossing world of politics and popes, religion and renegades, lifestyles and literature that few historical works encompass....a joy for devotees of the Renaissance." (AudioFile)
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Was listening to it throughout work and morning runs and thoroughly enjoying it. A few things caught me off and I figured this book must have been written a good few decades ago. Was very surprised to find it was written in the 19th century. It holds up very well and the distinctive features that tell of it being a piece of history itself adds to its charm.

Didn’t realise how old the book was

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This is not a history or criticism of the great art and artists of the "Italian Renaissance". Instead, what we have is a detailed look at the social,political and cultural circumstances in which the Renaissance happened. I thought the book was a little dry (probably because it is a scholarly work of the 19th centuary) and has the common failing of this type of book, of leaving some quotations in their original language, with-out any translation ! However, Geoffrey Howard's narration is well paced and clear.

The Cultural Life Of The Italian Renaissance

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