This book is well written by the instructor. It explains all the aspects of the German Anglo and Italian Mediterranean Cycles. This book contains many illustrations- Kings,Queens,Albrecht Durer, Luther, Pope Sixtus, and also Women Renaissance Reformation figures of the time. This work is clear and direct, a must for any historian or enthusiast reader
Dr. Zophy has gone through a lot of trouble to make this book a readable guide for first-time students of Renaissance history. It follows a clear outline and is followed by a short list of dates at the end of each chapter. Visual aids also abound in the book with several paintings and examples of art from different periods. However, there are some problems in the actual references. Also, there is a problem with the priority of some topics, which favor women who made little difference while leaving out more important religious figures in history.
Zophy has put together in one volume the essence of two earlier volumes, and unfortunately omits imporant information in doing so. He is fairly clear, and does well in treating the main issues and people of the era, but omits many important people (like Savonarola). Also, the index has a lot of false references! Nevertheless, it is a handy a helpful guide to this historical era; the chronological charts at the end of each chapter are very helpful.
