A Season of Giants

Library Journal

Companion to a four-part miniseries airing this month on TBS, this volume presents a survey of Italian Renaissance history illustrated with 170 color and 40 black-and-white reproductions ranging from Michelangelo's ``David'' and Sistine ceiling to da Vinci's ``Annunciation'' and Raphael's ``School of Athens'' and ``Madonna of the Goldfinch.'' Filmmaker and journalist Labella develops a slightly romanticized story line focusing mainly in Florence, though he also considers Rome, Perugia, France, and other significant locales. Highlighting the years 1492-1508, he provides much detail on the people who ruled the nation and church as well as the geniuses who created the art. The book is a popular account, not art criticism; there are no footnotes or bibliography. However, the overall production is high in quality, the text notable for memorable and varied excerpts from writings by Americus Vespucius, Shelley, Leonardo, and others. The miniseries may prompt library patrons to request this book; they will find it entertaining and informative. Recommended for public collections.-- Ellen Bates, New York