Encyclopedia of the Renaissance

Identifies important writers, artists, composers, architects, and philosophers of the period, and discusses Renaissance ideas, events, discoveries, and customs

With generally soundly researched entries on the Renaissance in Italy, Spain, France, the Holy Roman Empire, and England, this is broader in scope than A Concise Encyclopaedia of the Italian Renaissance , edited by J.R. Hale ( LJ 2/1/82); it is strong on literature and art history; and extends in time well into the 17th century. There is, however, little reflecting the exciting research done in social and political history. And while the prints are clearly reproduced, the articles lack bibliographies, and the general bibliography is very brief, uneven, and contains few post-1980 entries. The advanced student or scholar must go elsewhere. And the general reader, for whom the book appears to be intended, may be confused by too much detail. Bennett D. Hill, St. Anselm's Abbey, Washington, D.C.
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