Science in History, Vol. 2: The Scientific and Industrial Revolution (Paperback)

Science in History, Vol. 2: The Scientific and Industrial Revolution (Paperback)
By J.D. Bernal

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J. D. Bernal's monumental work Science in History is the first full-scale attempt to analyze the relationship between science and society throughout history, from the perfection of the first flint hand ax to the construction of the hydrogen bomb. This remarkable study illustrates the impetus given to and the limitations placed upon discovery and invention by pastoral, agricultural, feudal, capitalist, and socialist systems, and conversely the ways in which science has altered economic, social, and political beliefs and practices.This second volume focuses on the period of development and the establishment of modern science. It begins with work of the Renaissance and continues with a discussion of the stimulus given to scientific develpment by emerging seventeenth-century capitalism. A final section takes up the industrial revolution and the manner in which science and technology transformed the whole nature of human society.

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The Stones of Florence and Venice Observed (Penguin Modern Classics) (Paperback)

The Stones of Florence and Venice Observed (Penguin Modern Classics) (Paperback)
By Mary McCarthy

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The Greatest Choral Music of Palestrina: Prince of Music (Audio CD)

The Greatest Choral Music of Palestrina: Prince of Music (Audio CD)
By Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

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Voices of Ascension's Palestrina disc is something of a "greatest hits" collection: a dozen of the prolific composer's best-known motets--including several, such as Super flumina Babilonis, Tu es Petrus, and Sicut cervus, that many listeners will have sung in church or college choirs--and the legendary "Pope Marcellus" Mass. Yet the performance is not the slowly flowing honey usually served up by, say, the Tallis Scholars (as good as that is). Particularly in the Gloria and Credo of the Mass, Dennis Keene deliberately de-emphasizes the rise and fall of the different voices' lines in favor of a more naturally speech-like declamation of the long Latin texts. This means a surprisingly fast tempo--and some rhythmic spring and syncopation one might not expect in Palestrina. Some (not all) of the motets get a similar treatment: it works well in joyous pieces like the Pentecost motet Dum complerentur, but listeners might miss that melodic rise and fall in some of the slower works. The singers of Voices of Ascension are quite skillful, and the slight edge in their tone helps make the different melodies unusually audible. Very worthwhile, but not your father's Palestrina. --Matthew Westphal Read more

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Palestrina: Missa Pro Defunctis & Motets (Audio CD)

Palestrina: Missa Pro Defunctis & Motets (Audio CD)
By Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

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No question, this choir has a sound like no other, and it's primarily due to the fact that the all-male group uses men to sing true soprano parts. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. This disc is a perfect example of what happens when everything goes right. While the opening short five-part motet Gaude gloriosa is beautiful, wait until you hear the almost unimaginable richness of the voices at the beginning of the Missa pro defunctis. It's hard to believe that this is pure, unenhanced choral singing, but it is. And it's a thrilling sound that resonates deep within. These singers perform with an expressive style that's perhaps more of the 20th century than the music will easily accept, but there's no real harm in allowing the soul that lives in the present to express itself, especially in music so sincere in its blend of the spiritual and sensual. --David Vernier Read more

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The Complete Etchings of Rembrandt: Reproduced in Original Size (Paperback)

The Complete Etchings of Rembrandt: Reproduced in Original Size (Paperback)
By Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn

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Over 300 works — portraits, landscapes, biblical scenes, allegorical and mythological pictures and more — reproduced in full size directly from a rare collection of etchings famed for its pristine condition; fresh, clean impressions; rich contrasts; and brilliant printing. With detailed captions, a chronology of Rembrandt's life and etchings, more.
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Music for Maundy Thursday (Audio CD)

Music for Maundy Thursday (Audio CD)
By Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

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Musica Contexta was formed by Simon Ravens (a former assistant to Andrew Parrott) specifically to present Renaissance music in context--that is, in the sort of musical setting (e.g., a liturgy) for which it was conceived. Their auspicious debut record for Chandos re-creates a portion of the Sistine Chapel's legendary Tenebræ services for Holy Week. They follow each lesson (taken from the Lamentations of Jeremiah) with a plainchant responsory and frame each Psalm with its plainchant antiphon. (This practice really does give Palestrina's polyphony some breathing space, keeping it from becoming monotonous.) They add ornaments in the Benedictus and Miserere, as was standard at that time and place. Most importantly, they give Palestrina's sweet, sad, soulful lamentations the performance they deserve. --Matthew Westphal Read more

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Tallis Scholars sing Palestrina (Audio CD)

Tallis Scholars sing Palestrina (Audio CD)
By Gregorian Chant

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A Secret Desire (Book 2 of The Lord Hawkesbury's Players series) (Kindle Edition)

A Secret Desire (Book 2 of The Lord Hawkesbury's Players series) (Kindle Edition)
By C.J. Archer

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PRAISE FOR C.J. ARCHER

"I had heard some great things about C.J. Archer's work lately, so I was looking forward to the chance to review this book. And, to my surprise and pleasure, everything I heard from her vivid characters to her excellent storytelling skills were completely, 100% true." ~ Bridget, reviewer for The Romance Reviews in her review of A Secret Life (Book 1 of Lord Hawkesbury's Players).

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Falling in love just became the greatest scandal in Shakespearean London.

Cold, ruthless Lord Warhurst needs to distance himself from scandal if he's to marry an heiress and save his decaying estate. But with his unwed sister pregnant and his father's past indiscretions still haunting Leo, scandal threatens to erupt in an explosive way. Especially when he begins to desire strong-willed and low-born Alice Croft, the seamstress to Lord Hawkesbury's Players and the woman helping him spy on his sister's lover. If anyone finds out, Leo's chance of marrying well will be ruined.

However the scandal will be nothing compared to what happens when Alice cracks through the hard shell around his heart. Because how can Leo afford to love a woman who only wants him for the fortune she thinks he possesses?
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Renaissance (Basic Art) (Paperback)

Renaissance (Basic Art) (Paperback)
By Manfred Wundram

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This book looks at the rebirth of culture. Art as we know it today could not exist had not the revolutionary work of the Renaissance artists paved the way. Widely considered the most important and influential movement in the history of fine arts, literature, architecture, and science, the Renaissance marked the emergence of Western civilization from the Middle Ages into the modern era. Beginning in the 14th century in Italy, the movement spread throughout Europe by the late 15th century, the main centers of fine art activity being in Florence, the Low Countries, and Germany. For the first time, art became intellectual; influenced by humanism, artists experimented with secular subjects and revived classical antiquity. Advances in anatomy and geometry produced more realistic depictions in terms of space and perspective for the Italians, while new oil painting techniques made their mark in Flemish painting and woodcuts and engravings were the specialties of the Germans. Artists featured are: Albrecht Altdorfer, Fra Angelico, Giovanni Bellini, Hieronymus Bosch, Sandro Botticelli, Pieter Breughel, Agnolo Bronzino, Vittore Carpaccio, Francois Clouet, Correggio, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Albrecht Durer, El Greco, School of Fontainebleau, Piero della Francesca, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Giorgione, Matthias Grunewald, Maerten van Heemskerck, Hans Holbein the Younger, Fra Filippo Lippi, Lorenzo Lotto, Andrea Mantegna, Masaccio, Antonello da Messina, Michelangelo, Parmigianino, Pontormo, Raphael, Luca Signorelli, Tintoretto, Titian, Paolo Uccello, Veronese, and Leonardo da Vinci. Taschen's "Basic Art Movement and Genre Series" - each book includes a detailed introduction with approximately 35 photographs, plus a timeline of the most important events (political, cultural, scientific, etc.) that took place during the time period. The body of the book contains a selection of the most important works of the epoch; each is presented on a 2-page spread with a full-page image and, on the facing page, a description/interpretation of the work, a reference work, portrait of the artist, quotes, and biographical information. Read more

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The Great Conversation: Descartes Through Heidegger (Paperback)

The Great Conversation: Descartes Through Heidegger (Paperback)
By Norman Melchert

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The Great Conversation: Descartes Through Heidegger, Volume II, by Norman Melchert Softcover book published by Mayfield Publishing, 1st printing Read more

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Pray for Reign (an Anne Boleyn novel) (Kindle Edition)

Pray for Reign (an Anne Boleyn novel) (Kindle Edition)
By Thea Atkinson

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As Anne Boleyn forges her way into a married man's heart and onto England's throne, she convinces herself that the resulting bloodshed and religious upheaval is a necessary price for the country to pay. But how will she reconcile the letting of her brother's blood when he is accused with her of incest? Read more

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The Complete Renaissance Swordsman: Antonio Manciolino's Opera Nova of 1531 (Paperback)

The Complete Renaissance Swordsman: Antonio Manciolino's Opera Nova of 1531 (Paperback)
By Tom Leoni

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Dating from the 1520's, Bolognese swordsmaster's Antonio Manciolino's Opera Nova is the earliest surviving printed book on Italian martial arts. This seminal and eclectic Renaissance work contains clear and systematic instruction on the use of the sword and small buckler, sword and large buckler, sword and targa, sword and dagger, sword and cape, two swords, sword alone, and sword and rotella, plus a fascinating compendium on the use of polearms. Clearly and elegantly written, Manciolino's text is one of the best and clearest presentations of the martial skills required of the ideal Renaissance man. For the first time since its original publishing, this book has been translated into English by experienced historical fencing instructor Tom Leoni. Also included is a valuable and extensive technical introduction, complete with illustrations from both original sources and modern photographs, making it easy to follow Manciolino's instructions, sword-in-hand, even by beginners, while providing years of training for veteran martial artists. Read more

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Venetian Rapier: Nicoletto Giganti's 1606 Rapier Fencing Curriculum (Paperback)

Venetian Rapier: Nicoletto Giganti's 1606 Rapier Fencing Curriculum (Paperback)
By Nicoletto Giganti

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Perhaps no other weapon represents Renaissance Italian fencing like the rapier. But do we know how it was used and how it was taught? This book takes you to the fencing School, or Salle of celebrated renaissance rapier Master Nicoletto Giganti of Venice, one among the period teachers leaving instructions on the use of this weapon. More uniquely, his 1606 text The School, or Salle is a veritable training curriculum, with its stepwise lessons and easy-to-follow explanations on the use of the rapier alone and rapier and dagger. This faithful translation of Giganti's The School, or Salle by internationally-known rapier teacher Tom Leoni includes the complete text, original illustrations, and an introduction on rapier fencing that will make Giganti's text easy to follow. If you are a martial artist, a fencer, or have an interest in European martial culture, this book belongs on your shelf. Read more

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The City of Man: A Trilogy (Kindle Edition)

The City of Man: A Trilogy (Kindle Edition)
By Michael Harrington

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A trilogy based on a true story of the Italian Renaissance. This version bundles the three books - Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso - together as one.

Renaissance Florence celebrated its Golden Age during the late 15th century under Lorenzo de’ Medici, the Magnificent. This was the age of artists, philosophers and poets like Leonardo, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Pico della Mirandola, Poliziano, and Machiavelli.

But a societal crisis was imminent by the century’s last decade. The Italian peninsula was surrounded and threatened by imperialist powers, trade declined and poverty increased in the face of obscene wealth. Avaricious popes made a family business of the Church while floods, droughts, famines, and the plague all combined to create an atmosphere of overwhelming fear and anxiety.

As chaos loomed, an obscure Dominican friar arose to restore order. Fra Girolamo Savonarola was a charismatic preacher and prophet who advocated religious and political reform. His mission was to transform his corrupt and decaying society into St. Augustine’s mythical City of God. At the height of his short reign he orchestrated the infamous Bonfire of the Vanities, riding a wave of popular discontent to become the most influential religious, political, and cultural figure of the age. The Savonarolan theocratic republic left its indelible mark on the face of Florence, Italy, and Western history.

The City of Man is the dramatic story of this preacher’s fantastic rise and tragic fall, symbolizing a critical juncture in the conflict between Church and State in the Christian world. More dramatized history than historical fiction, the story integrates the art, religion, and politics of this glorious period.

Young Niccolo Machiavelli provides the counterpoint to Savonarola as he develops his new political philosophy. Their momentous clash illuminates the transition from the Age of Faith to the Age of Reason, heralding the birth of our modern age.

Formatted for the Kindle, the digital version of The City of Man incorporates special features to explore the world of Renaissance Florence, including maps, family trees, art images, dozens of internal and external hyperlinks to biographies and historical events on Wikipedia, an extensive glossary and selected scene index.

Reader’s Reviews:

“…a powerful story, wonderfully written, and very relevant to our conflicted times. The quality of writing, the intensity of scholarly research, the recreation of historical events, is truly superb.”

“I enjoyed The City of Man tremendously. The characters were very engaging, and had depth to them, especially Niccolò Machiavelli. The vivid descriptions of Florence sent me right back in time. It’s a tremendous book, the style and language is beautiful.”

“Awesome. Quite impressive…”
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Botticelli (Rizzoli Art Classics) (Paperback)

Botticelli (Rizzoli Art Classics) (Paperback)
By Chiara Basta

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This pioneering art series combines stunning high-quality color reproductions with expert commentary on the most popular artists of all time at an extremely accessible price. Giotto, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Vermeer are names well known to any student of art history, museum-goer, or culturally engaged

individual. Rizzoli is pleased to launch its Classics of Art series with monographs on these six world-renowned painters, whose signature styles and sheer genius continue to inspire both scholars and lay people to this day.

Each book in this series features a literary introduction and thoroughly researched essay followed by a section devoted to a detailed description of a selection of the artist's masterpieces. An extensive chronology of the artist's life and important

historical events of his era as well as a compilation of remarks by famous historians, modern and old, add cultural perspective and insight into each painter's stylistic development. A visual chart with captions as to the whereabouts of each painting and a concise bibliography with suggested further reading provide invaluable research tools.

With authoritative text by leading art historians from around the globe, these lavishly illustrated editions provide fresh insights into the art and lives of the most brilliant artists in the history of painting. No matter what your knowledge of art history, this series will compel you to explore a world of art beyond the canvas. Read more

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Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition (Paperback)

Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition (Paperback)
By Frances A. Yates

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Placing Bruno—both advanced philosopher and magician burned at the stake—in the Hermetic tradition, Yates's acclaimed study gives an overview not only of Renaissance humanism but of its interplay—and conflict—with magic and occult practices.

"Among those who have explored the intellectual world of the sixteenth century no one in England can rival Miss Yates. Wherever she looks, she illuminates. Now she has looked on Bruno. This brilliant book takes time to digest, but it is an intellectual adventure to read it. Historians of ideas, of religion, and of science will study it. Some of them, after reading it, will have to think again. . . . For Miss Yates has put Bruno, for the first time, in his tradition, and has shown what that tradition was."—Hugh Trevor-Roper, New Statesman

"A decisive contribution to the understanding of Giordano Bruno, this book will probably remove a great number of misrepresentations that still plague the tormented figure of the Nolan prophet."—Giorgio de Santillana, American Historical Review

"Yates's book is an important addition to our knowledge of Giordano Bruno. But it is even more important, I think, as a step toward understanding the unity of the sixteenth century."—J. Bronowski, New York Review of Books Read more

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Masters of Illusion [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Masters of Illusion [VHS] (VHS Tape)
By National Gallery Art

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The extraordinary special effects we enjoy in films today are based on principles established more than 500 years ago by Renaissance masters such as Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Raphael. This film examines artistic and scientific discoveries of the Renaissance, provides new insight into a remarkable visual revolution, and uses modern technology to analyse the old masters in amazing new ways. This documentary hosted by James Burke is a fascinating examination of the concept of how we see things, specifically how images that appear to our eyes to be three-dimensional are rendered convincingly on flat surfaces. Starting out in a movie studio special effects lab, Burke explains how visual illusions practiced today actually began during the Renaissance, when painters first mastered the skills of incorporating the idea of depth into paintings. The principle of "linear perspective," in which parallel lines all diverge to a common vanishing point, sounds complicated, but the examples shown in this documentary make the idea perfectly clear to the layperson. By way of contrast, paintings completed before the Renaissance are shown, and it's immediately clear to the viewer that artists who hadn't mastered perspective drew scenes that appear flat on the canvas. But when artists such as Brunelleschi and Michelangelo practiced using perspective, art suddenly jumped forward. Quotes from Leonardo da Vinci's writings, in which he talked about perspective and the effects of light, are offered along with examples of his paintings that illustrate beautifully how a master used a scientific principle to create great art. This is an unusual documentary that makes fascinating a subject that most people have never considered, though it relates to things we see everyday. --Robert J. McNamara Read more

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