Incorporating the latest developments in the study of the period, a team of leading international scholars provides a fresh and dynamic picture of a period of great transformation in the political, cultural, and economic life of the Italian peninsula, which witnessed the rise of autonomous city states in the north, the creation of a powerful kingdom in the south, and the development of the Italian language as a vehicle for literary expression.

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.

Drawing from history, literature, and the arts the author creates a vivid image of life in Florence, capturing the essence of an alluring city

A witty celebration of fifty Italian cultural accomplishments that had a significant influence on Western civilization, ranging from Maria Montessori's concepts of early childhood education to the development of full service banks and the modern orchestra. Original. 35,000 first printing.

A long-time former head art critic for Time presents an authoritative history of the Roman empire that provides coverage of an extensive range of topics from its government and architecture to its influence on culture and politics, sharing complementary personal insights from the author's 1958 visit. Reprint. 40,000 first printing.

Examines the character and history of the Italian people.

Piazza San Marco is a dynamic open space organically connected to the buildings which frame it. It shows how much is lost if the ensemble is divided into the individual structures of Doges' Palace, Basilica of San Marco, Campanile and so on. This title shows the events that took place there as a barometer of 1,000 years of Venetian history.

An incisive account of the history of the Venetian Republic chronicles its fifth-century origins, development as a commercial and maritime power, Renaissance era, long decline, and termination in 1797

In May 1915, Italy declared war on the Habsburg Empire. The result was one of the most hopeless and senseless wars of modern times. Nearly 750,000 Italians and half as many Austro-Hungarian troops were killed. To maintain discipline in the face of desperation and low morale, General Luigi Cadorna restored the Roman practice of decimation, executing random members of units that retreated or rebelled. With great skill and pathos, Mark Thompson relates the saga of the Italian front. A work of epic scale, The White War does justice to one of the most remarkable untold stories of the First World War.

Portrays the Renaissance-era statesman as a powerful and intellectual patron to some of history's most creative minds, including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, revealing the genius, violence, and influential adversaries that marked his life. 35,000 first printing.