Renaissance and Reformation

Full Text Review(s)
*"This gorgeous six-volume set provides a solid background on the historical period that bridged the medieval and modern worlds, roughly 1300-1700, with emphasis on 1350-1650. The first five volumes present 158 articles in A-Z order and averaging more than seven pages in length. Volume 1 offers the set overview, with a table of contents and a thematic contents table that organizes the articles into 11 themes such as "Daily Life," "People" and "Places." Around 65 of the entries are biographical and treat artists (Caravaggio, Raphael); writers (Boccaccio, Shakespeare); philosophers (Descartes, Erasmus); explorers and scientists (Columbus, Copernicus); rulers (Elizabeth I, the Medicis); and more. Each of these biographical articles includes a chronology of principal dates and events. Attention is given to the economics of the period and the significant wars, battles, and treaties. Society is depicted through articles such as Agriculture, Chivalry, Disease, Education, Guilds and companies, and Women. More than a dozen articles concentrate on the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation, highlighting Calvinism, Church of England, Lutheranism, and ecclesiastical personalities (although there are no entries for Martin Luther or other important reformers).

Four types of information panels are integrated into articles: an analysis panel, which examines a painting or a historical issue; a quotation panel, which draws from a primary source; a biographical panel, which provides a short overview of a person who had some impact but was not deemed significant enough to receive a personal article; and a feature panel, which highlights other interesting aspects of a topic, for example, "Usury and Banking" and "The Order of the Golden Fleece." The text shares page space with numerous illustrations, maps, and diagrams, all of which greatly enhance and enrich the material. Articles conclude with further readings and see also references. Also, each volume has its own unique index. The final volume contains a time line, a glossary, a list and index of maps, six thematic indexes, and a comprehensive index. The "Resources for Further Study" suggests books, journals, and Internet sites for both mature and young adult readers.

This is an extremely impressive publication, lavishly presented, informative, and remarkably enjoyable to read. Students researching or studying this extraordinary period in history will find the set useful for both completing research assignments and acquiring detailed knowledge. Intended for an older audience than Grolier’s Renaissance (2002) and UXL’s Renaissance and Reformation Reference Library (2002), it has longer (albeit many fewer) entries and more visual appeal than Encyclopedia of the Renaissance and Reformation (Facts On File, 2004). A must-have for all high-school collections and for public libraries patronized by young adults. Adults will find it appealing as well. - Cheryl Ward" STARRED REVIEW

"This multivolume set from Marshall Cavendish is the latest entry among the recent spate of books (see ARBA 2006, entries 470 and 500; ARBA 2005, entries 472 and 474; and ARBA 2004, entry 479) concerning this period of European history. There is much about this work to admire. The basic structure of the encyclopedia is excellent. Some 39 contributors wrote 158 articles on various topics. Topically, biography tends to dominate, although social life, geographic regions, arts, and philosophy are amply covered. Articles run between 8 and 20 pages. Each article is signed, includes a bibliography, see also references, and pictures or maps. And what pictures! The production is lush; everything is large, in color, and attractively presented. Further, each article has numerous sidebars that include quotes or present analysis, or provide more information about a specific element of the article. The final volume includes a basic timeline, other general references and additional sources not found in the individual articles, and numerous topical indexes and a comprehensive index.
There are, however, two considerations with this encyclopedia. The first concerns the structure. This set, even though the indexing is very good, may not always work as a ready-reference source. The second concern is the steep price tag. This set is highly recommended for all types of libraries.—Allen Reichert, Courtright Memorial Library, Otterbein College, Ohio"

"The scope of this eclectic, well-researched set is impressive. The first five of the six volumes conclude with an index and illustration credits. Included are set contents and thematic contents listings. The thematic listing includes headings (repeated throughout the text consistently in other sections) such as "Architecture, Painting, and Sculpture," "Daily Life," "Literature and Music," "People," "Philosophy, Religion, and Scholarship," "Places," "Politics and Economics," "The Reformation and Counter-Reformation," "Rulers and Ruling Families," "Science, Technology, and Exploration," and "Wars and Battles." This richly and profusely illustrated set includes a plethora of color reproductions. Each of the main volumes contains several maps and portraits. Indeed, the color reproductions are one of the most attractive and outstanding aspects of this work. Volumes, continuously paginated, are furnished with a time line, glossary, resources for further study, and a directory of articles and contributors. Individual entries begin with a brief synopsis of the major figure or concept covered.
Following the synopsis is the primary text entry; in almost every instance at least one image (usually in color) accompanies the text. Inserts (boxed discursive text) elaborate upon the primary text. In several instances, a time line is included in the left or right margins, set vertically; these provide ample reference points in which to place the concept being examined. The collection includes several useful indexes in the last volume: six thematic, one of maps, and the master index. Each thematic index encompasses various arenas of thought and is subdivided topically as elsewhere in the text. The final volume also includes a time line (1300-1700) and resources for further study. A modest glossary provides information for many of the topics discussed, and the volume provides an annotated section of Internet resources. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates."

"In this browser’s delight, editor Patrick (chancellor, Coll. Of St. Thomas More) provides 158 signed and readable A-to-Z entries that focus on European history from 1300 to 1700 and examine events, people ideas, places, and culture. Each entry, ranging in length from two to seven pages, contains a topic summary, a brief guide to further reading, one or more display boxes, and See also references. Images appear on virtually every page and include artwork, title pages/images of important printed material, snippets of letters, engravings, maps, and architectural drawings. The final volume is composed solely of a master index, special indexes (e.g. of maps, people), a chronology, a glossary, and resources for further reading. Through there were a few repeated typos in the review copy, a random sampling of entries compared to those taken from The New Encyclopaedia Britannica (15th ed., 1974-2003), the Encyclopedia of the Renaissance (Scribner, 1999), and Europe 1450 to 1789 (Scribner, 2003) revealed no glaring discrepancies. The modern and consistent set—and, in particular, its lavish, full-color illustrations—helps it to stand out and quickly capture readers’ interest.

Bottom Line A very good introduction for student researchers (or anyone seeking to support research with primary sources), although unnecessary for smaller collections owning the Dartmouth Medal-winning Encyclopedia of the Renaissance ; recommended for high school, undergraduate, and public libraries.—Lura Sanborn, St. Paul’s Sch. Lib., Concord, NH"

"This beautifully illustrated, well-organized, and instructive set will be a much-consulted resource by history, art, literature, and social-science classes searching for information on the momentous events, discoveries, and changes during this period. The 158 signed, alphabetically arranged entries cover the years 1300 to 1700. They are approximately five pages in length and contain highlighted informational panels. Biographies include a time line of major events in the subject’s life. Besides extensively covering topics associated with the European historical movements, the set notes events that occurred elsewhere, including those in the Islamic world and the discovery of the Americas. The first volume contains a thematic table of contents for the set. Headings include "Philosophy, Religion, and Scholarship"; "Literature and Music"; "Politics and Economics"; "Daily Life"; "Science, Technology, and Exploration"; and "Architecture, Painting, and Sculpture." Volume six has an extensive bibliography; a cultural and literary index; an index of wars and battles; one of science, technology, and exploration; and a comprehensive index. Renaissance (Grolier, 2002) is another well-illustrated multivolume source on this topic, but is better suited for middle school students and reluctant readers. The three-volume Renaissance & Reformation Reference Library (Gale/UXL, 2002) offers primary resources, but its reading level is lower. Paul F. Grendler’s The Renaissance: An Encyclopedia for Students (Charles Scribner’s Sons, 2003) provides solid information, but does not cover the Reformation.–Madeleine G. Wright, New Hampton School, NH"