English Renaissance

In 1494, there were five sovereign regional powers in Italy: Milan, Venice, Florence, the Papal States, and Naples. In 1536, only one remained: Venice. These decades of conflict precipitated great anxiety among Western thinkers, and Italians responded to the fragmentation, forevermore, of Latin Christendom, the end of self-governance for Italians, and the beginning of the early modern era in a myriad of ways. They were always heavily influenced by the lived experience of warfare between large Christian armies on the peninsula.

Studies in Islamic Civilization was published in complete form in 2010 and reprinted in 2011. It draws upon the works of Western scholars to make the case that without the tremendous contribution of the Muslim world there would have been no Renaissance in Europe. For almost a thousand years Islam was arguably one of the leading civilizations of the world spanning a geographic area greater than any other.

Few men walk into shadow. Fewer walk out. Giaco, famed battle hero turned bodyguard, is a Reborn man. He believes in reason, harmony, and intellect, and leaves magic for the foolish and superstitious. But when his charge, young Prince Luca, is stolen away, Giaco must set off on a search that will cause him to question everything he knows. The Rebirth is changing the face of La Città dei Fiori, but the old ways still hold sway, especially in the dark places of the city. In order to get Luca back, Giaco will have to undergo a different kind of Rebirth - one of fear and shadow.

The Wright Brothers initially underestimated the difficulties involved in flying, and they were apparently surprised by the fact that so many others were working on solving the “problem of human flight” already. Decades before their own historic plane would end up in the National Air & Space Museum, Wilbur and Orville asked the Smithsonian for reading materials and brushed up on everything from the works of their contemporaries to Leonardo Da Vinci.

The ultimate learning companion for the modern man/woman pursuing the ways of the timeless renaissance! You are here right now because you want to be able learn all sorts of things in a short amount of time, whether to further your understanding of the world, master your craftsmanship, or continue your never-ending quest for learning. By being knowledgeable, you will be able to impress others with your wide array of knowledge, as a walking human encyclopedia, and you will excel at whatever work you do.

“Johnson’s lively delivery keeps listeners interested…Each chapter is delightfully introduced with music from the period that highlights the timeframe…Both teens and adults will enjoy listening to Johnson's masterful performance in this vivid production.” — AudioFile This program is...

Medieval reenactors are individuals who closely study the traditions and practices of the Middle Ages. Many reenactors are particularly interested in learning medieval combat techniques, but countless prefer to reenact by recreating medieval clothes, art, writing, and recipes. Regardless of your current abilities and interests, if you have a soft spot for the fearsome knights, beautiful royalty, and awe-inspiring castles of the Middle Ages, then this hobby has a nice for you.

You’ve heard the names. You’ve seen the paintings. Maybe you even thought they were just Ninja Turtles. But behind the marble and oil paint were four real men—Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello—who didn’t just create art. They rewired civilization. This isn’t a sleepy art history book. It’s a front-row seat to the most creative, competitive, and gloriously petty era in human history. Rivals, patrons, popes, politics, and power—it’s all here.

Since her mother's death, Madeline "Gwen" Hathaway has been determined that nothing in her life will change ever again. That's why she keeps extensive lists in journals, has had only one friend since childhood, and looks forward to the monotony of working the ren faire circuit with her father. Until she arrives at her mother's favorite end-of-tour stop to find the faire is under new management and completely changed.

It’s been four years since Giacomo, bodyguard to Prince Luca of Fiori, followed his charge down into the shadowy world of forbidden magic. When Luca disappears once again, Giaco must cast aside his disbelief and delve into the world of fortune-telling and shadow-walking in order to find Luca and bring him back to safety. And beyond that, he must face up to his own worst fears. Everyone considers Giaco to be a hero, but he is about to learn the true meaning of heroism. More than his own life depends on it.

The powerful new fantasy romance for fans of Lauren Roberts, Rebecca Ross and Stephanie Garber. 'You are my dearest destruction, my beguiling foe … and my Fated choice.' 'Fresh, fun, and compulsively moreish… A flawlessly executed enemies-to-lovers romance, with depth, heart, and just the...

Maharashtra. Among the country's largest, wealthiest, most significant constituents. A great state in name and in deed that has been the cradle of individuals and events that have shaped India. Girish Kuber, a seasoned journalist and one of Maharashtra's foremost opinion makers, tells the region's story in Renaissance State.

"And they lived happily ever after." In fairy tales, that's always how things end. The prince and princess ride away on his white horse and from then on, all's right with the world. But what if it wasn't? What if the prince's life didn't suit the princess? What if she felt stifled by life inside the castle walls? Could she tell him? And if she loved him - really loved him - how could she ask him to give up his kingdom?

Socially awkward Will, grieving her mother’s death, is fascinated by Dolly, a beautiful, charming rebel with an insatiable taste for adrenaline. Both musicians come alive at Harlem jazz clubs and Prohibition-era speakeasies. Dazzled by the world they are discovering together, their romance ignites. But while Will is obsessed with Dolly, Dolly is obsessed with crime. The power dynamics keep shifting as Will agrees to commit petty crimes with Dolly in exchange for sexual favors. When the University and their rich families unite to split them up, passions escalate.

The intellectual and cultural revival of African-American arts and politics in the 1920s and 1930s was centered in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City. Here are poems from three major contributors to that rebirth: The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes, The Heart of a Woman and Other Poems by Georgia Douglas Johnson, and Copper Sun by Countee Cullen, delivered by three multiaward–winning narrators.

Cesare Borgia, former cardinal, Duke of Valentinois and Romagna, has been a figure of awe and scorn for generations. Seemingly compelled to explore this fascinating historical figure's true nature, Rafael Sabatini brought Borgia life as no one had before. Drawn to the passion, suspicion, betrayal, and ambition of Borgia's brief but exciting life, Sabatini penned seven short stories set during the Italian Renaissance: "The Honour of Varano", "The Test", "Ferrante's Jest", "Gisimondi's Wage", "The Snare", "The Lust of Conquest", and "The Pasquinade". These stories are collected here.

The award-winning Beneath the American Renaissance is a classic work on American literature. It immeasurably broadens our knowledge of our most important literary period, as first identified by F.O. Matthiessen’s American Renaissance. With its combination of sharp critical insight, engaging observation, and narrative drive, it represents the kind of masterful cultural history for which David Reynolds is known. Here the major works of Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman, and others receive striking, original readings set against the rich backdrop of contemporary popular writing.

Sparks fly between an amateur blacksmith and an outspoken professor with a passion for archery in this heartfelt contemporary romance from the author of Getting His Game Back and Not the Plan. Mo Sarda carefully guards his peaceful life from other people’s messy feelings. He co-parents his...

A New Yorker Best Book of the Year A bold, feminist debut novel, reimagining Mary, Queen of Scots’s darkest hour, when she was held hostage in a remote Scottish castle with a handful of loyal women while plotting a daring escape to reclaim her country and her freedom. "Such a vivid...

Truth spoken plainly and powerfully is difficult to dismiss and impossible to ignore. Edited with purpose by A. Gregory Frankson, AfriCANthology: Perspectives of Black Canadian Poets brings together some of Canada's most influential dub, page, and spoken word poetic voices and gives them space to speak freely about their personal journeys in piercing verse and unapologetic prose. Just as individual experiences of Blackness are diverse across Canada, each contributor recounts aspects of navigating their unique personal, professional, and artistic paths in Black skin.