Inventing the Renaissance by Ada Palmer challenges the traditional view of the 15th and 16th centuries as merely a golden age of art and culture. Instead, the book depicts a time marked by political unrest, warfare, and personal tragedy, contributing to a complex and often bleak reality that belied the beauty of its artistic achievements. With insightful commentary and engaging narratives about prominent figures like Machiavelli, it invites readers to reconsider the myth of the Renaissance, presenting a nuanced perspective of this pivotal period in history.
In 1506, Machiavelli received a letter from a friend, who had recently read the first part of his history of the decade they'd just lived through. The friend urged Machiavelli to write more. Why? Because, he said, without a good history of these days, future generations would never believe how bad it was, and would never forgive their generation for losing so much so quickly.
Yet, for those living through it, this famous era felt so desperate one could barely hope the future might forgive its failures-how can both be true at once?
This book provides a lively introduction to Italy at the end of the Middle Ages, written in a humorous and highly readable style.
Her writing is chatty and fun without sacrificing academic rigor, making it engaging to those seeking a deeper understanding of the Renaissance.
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