Synopsis
In ten slim volumes, the Renaissance is presented for an audience of middle- to high school level students. Covering the period roughly between 1375 to 1575, entries are arranged alphabetically and cross-referenced and range in length from one to about three pages. Paintings, photographs, drawings, and maps, many from the Renaissance period, support the text. Each volume contains a timeline. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
VOYA
The five-volume "Backgrounds to English Literature" series provides a unique look at the political, social, and religious influences on English literature from the Renaissance through present day. In a literary sense, the English Renaissance began with Mallory's Le Morte D'Arthur and closed with the publication of Milton's Paradise Lost in 1667. Both works are symbolic of the times in which they were written. Le Morte D'Arthur recalls the legend that shrouds England's past, and Paradise Lost illustrates the strong influence of the Church, which broke with Rome under Henry VIII, allowing the emergence of the Protestant church in England. The church and the monarchy strictly governed the publication and printing of manuscripts. The Reformation, the advance of science, and the advent of exploration strongly influenced the literature of the era. The theater, firmly established since medieval times, changed significantly as to the manner in which performances took place and the types of plays performed. Prose became a major influence; the King James Version of the Bible, commissioned in 1604, became a standard for more than 250 years. The madrigal and the sonnet also attained popularity. This set effectively illustrates how history and literature are inexorably intertwined. Although some literary excerpts are included, the major significance is in placing the writers into the cultural, historical, and social context of their times. A biographical glossary provides brief sketches of major writers. The vocabulary level is high. No space is wasted, and the style is spare and efficient. Sidebars are distinguished from text only by italics, often sharing equal space on the page. References areincluded within the text to other pertinent pages in each volume. This effective reference for high school reports combines information often found in multiple sources. Other volumes cover the Romantics, the Victorians, the Modernist periods, and postwar literature. Glossary. Index. Photos. Further Reading. Chronology. VOYA Codes: 4Q 3P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, Facts on File, 96p. PLB Wallace