In this brilliant and widely acclaimed work; Peter Burke presents a social and cultural history of the Italian Renaissance. He discusses the social and political institutions that existed in Italy during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries; and he analyses the ways of thinking and seeing that characterized this period of extraordinary artistic creativity.Developing a distinctive sociological approach; Peter Burke is concerned not only with the finished works of Michelangelo; Raphael; Leonardo da Vinci; and others; but also with the social background; patterns of recruitment; and means of subsistence of this 'cultural elite.' He thus makes a major contribution to our understanding of the Italian Renaissance; and to our comprehension of the complex relations between culture and society.Burke has thoroughly revised and updated the text for this new edition; including a new introduction; and the book is richly illustrated throughout. It will have a wide appeal among historians; sociologists; and anyone interested in one of the most creative periods of European history.
#92654 in Books Glinert Lewis 2017-02-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.40 x 1.10 x 5.60l; .0 #File Name: 0691153299296 pagesThe Story of Hebrew
Review
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful. A Long Overdue WorkBy Eric MaroneyLewis Glinert is correct to assert in his The Story of Hebrew that a book like this has not been written since the 1950s. William Chompsky’s Hebrew: The Eternal Language; 1957; is well out of date; A History of the Hebrew Language by Angel Sáenz-Badillos; 1996; is written in a style that leans more toward the expert in the field of linguistics (it is also a translation from Spanish; and the section dealing with modern; or Israeli Hebrew; is positively anemic). In the Beginning: A Short History of the Hebrew Language by Joel Hoffman; 2006; is an accomplished book; but spends just as much time on the theory of language and writing in general as it does on the specifics of Hebrew.Fact is; it is difficult to write a book about the entire span of a 3000 year language history. But Glinert has done an admirable job. He focuses on particular eras and important individuals to explore how Hebrew began; expanded; slumbered; and was reawakened as a spoken language. There are two chapters on the impact of Hebrew “On the Christian Imagination†and although interesting; I wonder if the author would have best spent precious pages elsewhere; as Christian investigations into Hebrew; by and large; seldom interested Jews; especially in the time period he explores.With that said; this is a fascinating book; and long in coming. The history of Hebrew is singularly fascinating. An ancient language; it was at once literary (biblical Hebrew); spoken (rabbinical Hebrew) and a language of poetry; letters; and religious study. When it once again became a spoken language in the late nineteenth century; Hebrew entered the world of European nationalism; forming a cohesive bond in a land of immigrants. In the process; it expanded and modernized; developed modern literary forms and informal; spoken modes of speech.For fans of language study; this book has about all areas of interest; we are lucky to have this work.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ... that have an interest and familiarity with Hebrew will like this bookBy Enricheliyphampeople that have an interest and familiarity with Hebrew will like this book. .I found quite interesting the chaptesr on the formation of Modern Hebrew.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Hebrew certainly has a story to tell!By Randall P.An interesting and stimulating read. It was a bit less scholarly in some of its analyses or assumptions; but well worth the engagement.
