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Jacob Burckhardt

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The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy Hardcover – August 25, 2015

by Jacob Burckhardt (Author)

4.3 188 ratings

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This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sagwan Press (August 25, 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 656 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1340312425
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1340312428
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.4 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.14 x 1.38 x 9.21 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #7,614,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,809 in Italian History (Books)

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4.3 188 ratings

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4.3 out of 5

188 global ratings

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Giacomo

Cultural history as it should be written

Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2012

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I love this book for its sheer ease and "breeziness." It does not get bogged down in a lot of pedantic, dry, sterile academic postulating, as the books of most academic historians do. Throughout there is a light, leisurely humanistic touch that must furrow the musty brows of many pusillanimous college and university professors. I lived in Italy for three years, where so many of the monuments of the Renaissance still stand to be admired and enjoyed by people all over the world, and I feel the author beautifully conveys in vivid writing the essence of that spirit which, in art, literature, science and politics, first wrenched the Western world from the clutches of the Middle Ages, propelling into the first stages of modernity. Besides, Nietszche, one of the greatest stylists in Western philosophy and literature, was a great admirer of this work. Nuff said! Read and enjoy, that is, if you have a mind, heart and soul, and are not one of the "big dumb animals" who can't tolerate being taken away from Kim Kardashian to have their minds taxed too heartily by beautifully expressed and perceptive thoughts on that brief flourishing of a magnificent civilization that was to have an impact on Western society for ages to come!

8 people found this helpful

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Peter Lux

Superb book, great seller!

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2022

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This is the finest copy I have seen of a book which influenced me greatly in my youth and I can now replace my old paperback copy. The packaging was trashed by the USPS but it was packed durably enough to survive in perfect condition.

One person found this helpful

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Daniel Myers

A Love Letter to Italy

Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2010

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As a preface, let me first address all these reviews bemoaning the Bibliobazaar edition - under which this review will no doubt be posted by Amazon. Apparently, it's a digitally scanned edition of some sort, chock-full of typos and even, one reviewer reports, having one chapter printed twice, and for $20.00! Just save yourself the consternation expressed here by so many and buy a used copy of the Penguin Classics edition. It's impeccably edited with an elucidating forward. It's impossible to go wrong with Penguin, and for half the price!

Now, to the book, it's rather difficult to review, as it covers so many diverse aspects of Italian society at the time (times rather, the book spans over two centuries), is full of allusions to people of whom the average, educated reader will never have heard, and, by Burckhardt's own self-deprecating admission, consists of "a string of marginal notes" concerning the place and era.

Still, it's all very interesting. Essentially, I should say that it's a sort of scholarly love letter to a time and place that enchanted Burckhardt - not without its qualifications concerning the dark side of it all. Indeed, Burckhardt spends as much time describing the depredations of the condottieri and such as he does on the glories of Florence.

What was of most interest to me was the light it shed on Nietzsche - who, for the record, was far from a pupil of Burckhardt. Nietzsche's brilliance was such that he attained a full professorship at the age of 24. But there are quotes cited from figures such as Pico della Mirandola that do ring a bell to any devotee of Nietzsche: "...that thou mightiest be free to shape and to overcome thyself." Compare this remark to Nietzsche's famous exhortation that "Man is something which must be overcome!" It lends a bit of credibility to Lord Russell's unfortunate, curt summation of Nietzsche's philosophy as "I wish I had lived in Florence in the age of the Medicis."

So - my summation of this book - a very lively and informative work by a man enchanted of an age and era.

26 people found this helpful

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Chulsoo,Sohn

I bought a new book with reasonable price.

Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2022

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I am glad I bought a new book with reasonable price. Next time I wish you could offer international shipping.

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Marco Polo

The Ciivilization of the Renaissance in Italy

Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2002

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A better book could not have fallen into my hands! An American professor in Venice recommended it, and after I read it I was only sorry I had not read it before going to Italy. The mystery of its medieval, rather Renaissance cities (Florence, Venice, among others) would have been clearer; even today's Italians' ways and personality. So much a product of Renaissance Italy...and its wonderful heritage from Ancient Rome. I truly recommend this book for Italy lovers, anyone going there soon, or for the sheer joy of reading a good history book. Jacob Burckkhardt is one of the most intelligent, enlightened historians I know.

25 people found this helpful

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Karenb

Interesting

Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2023

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Interesting but a bit wordy. A little bit of a slow read. Interesting time and period of history. Worth sticking with

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Il Gatto Curioso

... written long ago it still remains one of the best and most interesting books about the birth of the ...

Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2018

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Though written long ago it still remains one of the best and most interesting books about the birth of the Renaissance in Italy and its dependence on the national character. Even the title of the first part (State as Work of Art) is fascinating. I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested in the history of Europe or simply loves Italy.

2 people found this helpful

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Barrie Bracken

well writen history of interesting era.

Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2016

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the age of this book does not detract from its worth. while it covers only the Renaissance in Italy it is well worth reading. As I can no longer read the spoken book is very much appreciated. The reader is also good.

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Kindle Customer

Classic text

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2023

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Useful for my Renaissance art history course.

SAMIK GHOSH

Aithentic

Reviewed in India on October 27, 2019

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Very good . Authentic.

KonstantinosZ.

As expected

Reviewed in Germany on July 8, 2019

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everything was ok

Tannia May

Great to have my own copy

Reviewed in Canada on December 10, 2012

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A very famous and well regarded study of the Renaissance in Italy, as it includes areas not normally looked at in more recent Histories. It is very comprehensive.Some subjects have now been looked at from a modern perspective, but still a fascinating read. Received on time and in good order as promised.

Konthoujam

Five Stars

Reviewed in India on May 23, 2018

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Must read.

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