Gr 6-10-Complementary approaches to an important era in European history. The topically organized Almanac offers an ample overview describing the social, political, scientific, and religious environment that led to the Renaissance and Reformation. Separate chapters cover the Italian Renaissance, the Northern Renaissance, the development of monarchies, Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Reformation, scientific discoveries, the organization of society, women's lives, and aspects of daily living. Biographies profiles more than 50 artists, writers, humanists, kings, queens, and religious leaders in three- to five-page essays and sidebars. Primary Sources contains 18 excerpts from a wide range of works and authors including Niccoli Machiavelli's The Prince, Margaret of Navarre's Heptameron, Martin Luther's "The Ninety-Five Theses-," Ibn Khaldon's The Muqaddimah, Isotta Nogarola's "On the Equal or Unequal Sin of Eve and Adam," and Galileo Galilei's The Starry Messenger. The background information provided for each document and the discussion of its impact will help students appreciate each work's significance. Unfamiliar terms are defined in the generous margins of this volume. Time lines, informative sidebars, and average-quality, black-and-white reproductions are found throughout the set. The multivolume Renaissance (Grolier, 2002) is an alphabetically arranged, accessible encyclopedia with excellent color reproductions. The Saaris' Renaissance will be a top choice for student researchers, particularly those in need of primary-source materials.-Madeleine G. Wright, New Hampton School, NH Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.
