The Renaissance

Panoramic View of the Italian Renaissance

This installment reflects the usual qualities of this series: Durant's lucid, witty and colorful prose style; his insightful (and sometimes quirky) opinions; his history in the round approach which blends art, religion, politics, literature, etc. to shine light on each other.

The main potential drawback of this volume is that a period intensely visual is being listened to as an audiobook. Even the book had only a small selection of the works discussed displayed in black and white photos of limited resolution. However, this defect is easily remedied nowadays by searching online for the artworks in question.

I would never say that the Durants' work should be the last word on any period. But when I read other more current volumes, it is always with far more understanding because of my exposure to the their Story of Civilization.

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Wonderful Review of Renaissance Italy

This is the fifth book of Durant’s excellent History of Civilization series.
See my review of the first volume for comments on the series as a whole.
This volume does not cover all of, or only, the Renaissance, but instead covers Italy from 1304-1576 AD. Not to worry, Volume VI covers the same period in the rest of Europe. Durant presents an integrated history, which does not focus on dates, but upon the themes of history and the totality of each period including the daily life, the arts, the crafts, the politics and the ideas. This volume covers a few well known artists and popes and other characters of the Italian Renaissance, but also much more. After a brief framing of the period, the history of each major city or region is covered along with the art and artists, politics and leaders, and people and life, then each pope of the period is covered along with the politics and art of their pontificate. Finally the transition between the Renaissance and the reformation is described.

I liked this series quite a bit, and would not recommend skipping this volume. This is not the best of the series, but is interesting never the less. I had read and listened to this volume before, yet I still learned things I had forgotten or did not previously absorb, and more importantly, I enjoyed every minute of the 37 hours.

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Worth every minute

I bought this book before my 3rd trip to Italy. I honestly thought I'd only listen to some of it. I listened to the entire 35 hours and learned more than I've learned from any book since college. I listened to many chapters twice so I could retain the information or synthesize what I was learning with what I already knew. The reader is excellent and the writing is thoughtful, analytical but also surprisingly entertaining. Anyone who loves history and wants to get a grand overview of this remarkable time in history should read this book.

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History.

I am running out of ways to praise this series of books. I learned a lot from this book as I did with the ones before it.

If you like history, you should at least try this series.

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Outdated.

From a early 1940s perspective, this needs an update that includes nthe last 75 years of new research.

Fascinating Journey through the Renaissance

I’m so happy to have found Will Durant’s series on the history of civilization. This volume recounts the events of the Renaiissance from Leonardo to Michelangelo and the transformation of Europe through the 14th to 16th Centuries. This aeries turns my commutes into a virtual lecture hall. Thanks, Audible!

Incredible

This is a really long book, however the history spans a period of time with so much in it. So many people from artists and Popes to rulers, etc. Full of interesting information and characters. Things I did not know about the Renaissance before and I’m glad to have learned. worth the listen if you can find time.

Fantastic!

I am amazed at the amount of information Will Durant beautifully transmits in this volume. Nearly three centuries of Italian history is wonderfully described with the transformation of art through painting and sculpture, almost always requested by the heads of the Roman Catholic church! And the political masterminding of this era is amazing. Grover Gardner did a wonderful job with this narration, speaking in other languages (and reciting interpretations as the book gives), with amazing clarity. I can't wait to read his next narrative in this volume!

Superlative work

This is an astonishing work. Wil Durant delivers the Renaissance in satisfying and surprising depth, breadth. I learned so much listening to this book. Kudos to the author, his team and the reader.

A Gem Filled with Detail but Dated!

Will Durant, the man who put Simon & Schuster on the map, delivers the most researched account of the Renaissance I've read. He dives into the details of the famous tales of the time with facts and background I've never heard.

The down side was Durant's unobjective treatment of homosexuality that prevailed the 14th and 15th centuries in Italy. He is also the harshest art critic I've ever heard (which was refreshing).

He didn't stumble over himself with fawning praise of the giants like Michelangelo. In fact, the author pointed out imperfections in the "perfect" Pieta and David works.

But, please, did his editors not catch his use of "Michael" and "Angelo" when referring to Michelangelo? The man's name is Michelangelo Buonarroti! Not Michael Angelo. Urgh!!!

Overall a great book!