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.

An evocative portrait of Italy's "City of Water" draws on historical and cultural sources to provide richly detailed descriptions of everything from Venice's canals and bridges to its churches and marketplaces, citing the events and people that have shaped its evolution. By the author of Thames.

Three Florentines-Amerigo Vespucci, Giovanni da Verazzano, and Filippo Mazzei-made indispensable contributions to America's "discovery" and to the democratic ideals upon which the republic was founded. Vespucci and Verrazano, two representatives of the Renaissance, supplied the geographic conceptualization and detailed surveys of the new continent. Filippo Mazzei, a key figure of the Enlightenment, had an extensive correspondence with Thomas Jefferson, which was crucial to him in his formalization of the concept of constitutional democracy. As Giancarlo Masini and Iacopo Gori show these three sons of Florence demonstrate a unique link between Italian culture and the destiny of the United States.

Offers a fresh look at the fifteenth century Florentine philosopher, recounts his life, and discusses his major work, "The Prince"

An insightful portrait of the thirteenth-century explorer, adventurer, and global traveler follows Marco Polo from his youth in Venice as the scion of a wealthy merchant family, to his journey to Asia and role in the court of Kublai Khan, to his return to Europe, his introduction of such Chinese innovations as gunpowder and pasta, and his influence on the history of his era. Reprint. 60,000 first printing.

Traces the second son of Lucretia Borgia's achievement of the coveted position of Archbishop of Milan, in an account that draws on Ippolito d'Este's recently uncovered letters and ledgers and traces his rise to power and wealth in Renaissance Europe. Reprint.

Leads us through the history of the Venice city, from the first refugees arriving in the mists of the lagoon in the fourth century to the rise of a great mercantile state and a trading empire, the wars against Napoleon and the tourist invasions of today.

A detailed chronicle of the famous architectural and cultural structure notes its century-long construction postponement after the erection of the first four stories in 1173; its survival of earthquakes, war, and tourism; the 1360 addition of its bell tower; and the contributions of such figures as Galileo, Machiavelli, and da Vinci. Reprint.

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.