Chronicles (Paperback)

Chronicles (Paperback)
By Jean Froissart

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Customer tags: medieval history(11), penguin classics(6), renaissance(3), literature(2), classics(2), 14th century england, hundred years war, french literature, 100 years war, edward ii, 14th century, 14th century france

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The Chronicles of Froissart (1337-1410) are one of the greatest contemporary records of fourteenth-century England and France. Depicting the great age of Anglo-French rivalry from the deposition of Edward II to the downfall of Richard II, Froissart powerfully portrays the deeds of knights in battle at Sluys, Crecy, Calais and Poitiers during the Hundred Years War. Yet they are only part of this vigorous portrait of medieval life, which also vividly describes the Peasants' Revolt, trading activities and diplomacy against a backdrop of degenerate nobility. Written with the same sense of curiosity about character and customs that underlies the works of Froissart's contemporary, Chaucer, the Chronicles are a magnificent evocation of the age of chivalry. Read more

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Scarborough Faire (Audio CD)

Scarborough Faire (Audio CD)
By Richard Searles

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20 used and new from $4.49
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Renaissance Dances, Folk Tunes and Lute Music performed instrmentally on Guitars, Recorders, Shawm, Harpsichord, Bagpipes, Hurdy Gurdy, Concertina and Percussion. Read more

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Renaissance Art: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Kindle Edition)

Renaissance Art: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Kindle Edition)
By Geraldine A. Johnson

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Artists like Botticelli, Holbein, Leonardo, Dürer, and Michelangelo and works such as the Last Supper fresco and the monumental marble statue of David, are familiar symbols of the Renaissance. But who were these artists, why did they produce such memorable images, and how would their original beholders have viewed these objects? Was the Renaissance only about great masters and masterpieces, or were women artists and patrons also involved? And what about the "minor" pieces that Renaissance men and women would have encountered in homes, churches and civic spaces? This Very Short Introduction answers such questions by considering both famous and lesser-known artists, patrons, and works of art within the cultural and historical context of Renaissance Europe. The volume provides a broad cultural and historical context for some of the Renaissance's most famous artists and works of art. It also explores forgotten aspects of Renaissance art, such as objects made for the home and women as artists and patrons. Considering Renaissance art produced in both Northern and Southern Europe, rather than focusing on just one region, the book introduces readers to a variety of approaches to the study of Renaissance art, from social history to formal analysis.Artists like Botticelli, Holbein, Leonardo, Dürer, and Michelangelo and works such as the Last Supper fresco and the monumental marble statue of David, are familiar symbols of the Renaissance. But who were these artists, why did they produce such memorable images, and how would their original beholders have viewed these objects? Was the Renaissance only about great masters and masterpieces, or were women artists and patrons also involved? And what about the "minor" pieces that Renaissance men and women would have encountered in homes, churches and civic spaces? This Very Short Introduction answers such questions by considering both famous and lesser-known artists, patrons, and works of art within the cultural and historical context of Renaissance Europe. The volume provides a broad cultural and historical context for some of the Renaissance's most famous artists and works of art. It also explores forgotten aspects of Renaissance art, such as objects made for the home and women as artists and patrons. Considering Renaissance art produced in both Northern and Southern Europe, rather than focusing on just one region, the book introduces readers to a variety of approaches to the study of Renaissance art, from social history to formal analysis. Read more

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The Power of The Past With Bill Moyers: Florence [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The Power of The Past With Bill Moyers: Florence [VHS] (VHS Tape)
By Bill Moyers

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European Decolonization, 1918-81 (Themes in Comparative History) (Paperback)

European Decolonization, 1918-81 (Themes in Comparative History) (Paperback)
By R. F. Holland

12 used and new from $13.95

First tagged by Linda3057
Customer tags: palestine, great depression, colonialism, post-colonial age, france, british empire, japanese, indo-china, portuguese, bourgeoisie, colonial empires, dutch

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An introductory survey by RF Holland. One of the most dramatically significant themes of the 20th century has been the decline and final dismemberment of the European colonial empires. This book outlines the general features which influenced this decline and by concentrating on a series of case studies, emphasises the varieties of experiences within this broad historical process. While primarily concerned with events in the British Empire, the largest of the imperial systems, Dr. Holland also considers developments in the French, Belgian, Dutch and Portuguese dependencies. The chronological arranged sections focus on the sources of weakness in the European empires between 1918 and 1939; the impact of the Second World War; the upheavals o fthe post-war crises; the move to decolonization in the later 1950's and early 1960's; and the subsequent realignment of relations between advanced and non-advanced nations. The aim of this study is to provide an introductory text for sixth form and university students on a vital dimension of change within international relationships in the 20th Century. Read more

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Renaissance to Baroque: Three Centuries of Choral Music: Volume 3 (Paperback)

Renaissance to Baroque: Three Centuries of Choral Music: Volume 3 (Paperback)
By Lehman-Selected And Edited By Engel

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A Question of Justice (Kindle Edition)

A Question of Justice (Kindle Edition)
By Monica Spence

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Customer tags: historical fiction(3), medici(3), florence(3), renaissance, benevento cellini, ebook, seton hill writers, cosimo de medici, seton hill university

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Benevento Cellini is a renowned artist, much sought after as a sculptor and goldsmith, though he is egotistical, temperamental and boastful. His reputation for anger and violence are as well-deserved as his reputation for creating magnificent artwork.
Cosimo de Medici, the second Duke of Florence, is inspired by the example of his prominent Medici ancestors, and is a noted benefactor of the arts. As Cellini’s patron, he is the sponsor of some of the finest works made by the artist. Over the years, Cosimo has ruled his city with patience and an even hand. His ideas of justice cut across class lines—most unusual in the Renaissance.
This is the story of the relationship between two strong-willed men and how they came to clash over their views of right and wrong, and of what justice means to both men.
Benevento Cellini is a renowned artist, much sought after as a sculptor and goldsmith, though he is egotistical, temperamental and boastful. His reputation for anger and violence are as well-deserved as his reputation for creating magnificent artwork.
Cosimo de Medici, the second Duke of Florence, is inspired by the example of his prominent Medici ancestors, and is a noted benefactor of the arts. As Cellini’s patron, he is the sponsor of some of the finest works made by the artist. Over the years, Cosimo has ruled his city with patience and an even hand. His ideas of justice cut across class lines—most unusual in the Renaissance.
This is the story of the relationship between two strong-willed men and how they came to clash over their views of right and wrong, and of what justice means to both men.
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Treasures of Venice: A passion they never expected and a danger they cannot escape (Kindle Edition)

Treasures of Venice: A passion they never expected and a danger they cannot escape (Kindle Edition)
By Loucinda McGary

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When American librarian Samantha Lewis and Irish rogue Keirnan Fitzgerald set off to find priceless jewels, they become embroiled in a 500-year-old love story that eerily prefigures their own...

In 15th century Venice, beautiful and wealthy Serafina falls in love with Nino, a young Florentine sculptor. They decide to flee to Padua, and to fund the trip, Nino copies a set of jewels that then disappear.

In modern-day Venice, Keirnan needs Samantha's help to locate the jewels so he can pay his sister's ransom. Samantha must decide whether the man she's so drawn to is her soul mate from a previous life...or are they merely pawns in a relentless quest for a priceless treasure?

When American librarian Samantha Lewis and Irish rogue Keirnan Fitzgerald set off to find priceless jewels, they become embroiled in a 500-year-old love story that eerily prefigures their own...

In 15th century Venice, beautiful and wealthy Serafina falls in love with Nino, a young Florentine sculptor. They decide to flee to Padua, and to fund the trip, Nino copies a set of jewels that then disappear.

In modern-day Venice, Keirnan needs Samantha's help to locate the jewels so he can pay his sister's ransom. Samantha must decide whether the man she's so drawn to is her soul mate from a previous life...or are they merely pawns in a relentless quest for a priceless treasure?

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Writer on Demand: Grim, Fair e-Tales (Writer on Demand TM) (Kindle Edition)

Writer on Demand: Grim, Fair e-Tales (Writer on Demand TM) (Kindle Edition)
By Donald J. Bingle

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Customer tags: disturbing, imaginary friend, carnival, civil war, homicide, anthology, horses, ghosts, bingle books, horror, gencon writers symposium author, dark

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Best known as the world's top-ranked player of classic role-playing games for fifteen years, Donald J. Bingle is an oft-published author in the science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller, steampunk, romance, and comedy genres. Many of these stories have been written on short deadlines to required specifications of wordcount and topic, making Don a veritable Writer on Demand TM. While some of his stories are electronically available in the themed anthologies in which they first appeared, they are being collected and offered here by genre, with new collections coming out periodically.

Writer on Demand TM Vol. 4: Grim, Fair e-Tales includes four stories:

"Suburban Legend" (approximately 6,400 words) rips from the headlines and twists the classic tale of a suburban husband accused of murdering his beautiful wife. This story originally appeared in "Imaginary Friends," edited by John Marco and Martin H. Greenburg (DAW Books. Inc. 2008).

"Artists Only" (approximately 3,500 words) tells the tale of a little girl who goes unwillingly with her brother to the local traveling carnival, tires of the garish distractions, and becomes lost. This story originally appeared in compact disc format in "Carnival/Circus," edited by Jean Rabe (Lone Wolf Productions 2004).

"Stew" (approximately 3,900 words) deals with a boy who decides it is right to go to war, but later regrets his decision. This story originally appeared in "Civil War Fantastic," edited by Martin H. Greenberg (DAW Books, Inc. 2000) and was later reprinted in "Stalking the Wild Hare," edited by John Helfers, Chris Pierson, Marc Tassin, and Jean Rabe (Walkabout Publishing 2010).

"Grok" (approximately 4,000 words)is a the story of the mud-man of the local Renaissance Faire. It originally appeared, appropriately enough, in "Renaissance Faire," edited by Andre Norton and Jean Rabe (DAW Books, Inc. 2005).

Also available: Writer on Demand Vol. 1: Tales of Gamers and Gaming, Writer on Demand Vol. 2: Tales of Humorous Horror, and Writer on Demand Vol 3: Tales Out of Time. Watch for more Writer on Demand TM Collections, coming soon.

About the Author:

Donald J. Bingle has three published novels (Net Impact; Forced Conversion; GREENSWORD) and about thirty stories, primarily in DAW themed anthologies and tie-in anthologies, including stories in The Crimson Pact, Steampunk'd, Imaginary Friends, Fellowship Fantastic, Zombie Raccoons and Killer Bunnies, Time Twisters, Front Lines, Slipstreams, Gamer Fantastic, Transformers Legends, Search for Magic (Dragonlance), If I Were An Evil Overlord, Blue Kingdoms--Mages & Magic, Civil War Fantastic, Future Americas, All Hell Breaking Loose, The Dimension Next Door, Sol's Children, Historical Hauntings, Hot & Steamy--Tales of Steampunk Romance, Carnage & Consequences, and Fantasy Gone Wrong.

His story "Gentlemanly Horrors of Mine Alone" was the ninth story in Mike Stackpole's Chain Story Project.

Also available, "Father's Day," his award-winning, humorous short memoir.

Donald J. Bingle is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers, the GenCon Writers Symposium, and the St. Charles Writers Group.

You can find out more about Don's writing and link to all of his books and stories at www.donaldjbingle.com.

Best known as the world's top-ranked player of classic role-playing games for fifteen years, Donald J. Bingle is an oft-published author in the science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller, steampunk, romance, and comedy genres. Many of these stories have been written on short deadlines to required specifications of wordcount and topic, making Don a veritable Writer on Demand TM. While some of his stories are electronically available in the themed anthologies in which they first appeared, they are being collected and offered here by genre, with new collections coming out periodically.

Writer on Demand TM Vol. 4: Grim, Fair e-Tales includes four stories:

"Suburban Legend" (approximately 6,400 words) rips from the headlines and twists the classic tale of a suburban husband accused of murdering his beautiful wife. This story originally appeared in "Imaginary Friends," edited by John Marco and Martin H. Greenburg (DAW Books. Inc. 2008).

"Artists Only" (approximately 3,500 words) tells the tale of a little girl who goes unwillingly with her brother to the local traveling carnival, tires of the garish distractions, and becomes lost. This story originally appeared in compact disc format in "Carnival/Circus," edited by Jean Rabe (Lone Wolf Productions 2004).

"Stew" (approximately 3,900 words) deals with a boy who decides it is right to go to war, but later regrets his decision. This story originally appeared in "Civil War Fantastic," edited by Martin H. Greenberg (DAW Books, Inc. 2000) and was later reprinted in "Stalking the Wild Hare," edited by John Helfers, Chris Pierson, Marc Tassin, and Jean Rabe (Walkabout Publishing 2010).

"Grok" (approximately 4,000 words)is a the story of the mud-man of the local Renaissance Faire. It originally appeared, appropriately enough, in "Renaissance Faire," edited by Andre Norton and Jean Rabe (DAW Books, Inc. 2005).

Also available: Writer on Demand Vol. 1: Tales of Gamers and Gaming, Writer on Demand Vol. 2: Tales of Humorous Horror, and Writer on Demand Vol 3: Tales Out of Time. Watch for more Writer on Demand TM Collections, coming soon.

About the Author:

Donald J. Bingle has three published novels (Net Impact; Forced Conversion; GREENSWORD) and about thirty stories, primarily in DAW themed anthologies and tie-in anthologies, including stories in The Crimson Pact, Steampunk'd, Imaginary Friends, Fellowship Fantastic, Zombie Raccoons and Killer Bunnies, Time Twisters, Front Lines, Slipstreams, Gamer Fantastic, Transformers Legends, Search for Magic (Dragonlance), If I Were An Evil Overlord, Blue Kingdoms--Mages & Magic, Civil War Fantastic, Future Americas, All Hell Breaking Loose, The Dimension Next Door, Sol's Children, Historical Hauntings, Hot & Steamy--Tales of Steampunk Romance, Carnage & Consequences, and Fantasy Gone Wrong.

His story "Gentlemanly Horrors of Mine Alone" was the ninth story in Mike Stackpole's Chain Story Project.

Also available, "Father's Day," his award-winning, humorous short memoir.

Donald J. Bingle is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers, the GenCon Writers Symposium, and the St. Charles Writers Group.

You can find out more about Don's writing and link to all of his books and stories at www.donaldjbingle.com.

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Renaissance to Baroque (Three Centuries of Choral Music) (Volume III) (Paperback)

Renaissance to Baroque (Three Centuries of Choral Music) (Volume III) (Paperback)
By Lehman Engel

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Customer tags: musical life, choral, henry viii, candidi facti sunt, musical renaissance, english music, dunstable, baroque, renaissance, singing, renaissance to baroque, music

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Francesco da Milano (Audio CD)

Francesco da Milano (Audio CD)
By Francesco da Milano

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22 used and new from $10.47
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Michelangelo and the Reinvention of the Human Body (Hardcover)

Michelangelo and the Reinvention of the Human Body (Hardcover)
By Michelangelo Buonarroti

59 used and new from $1.04
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A brilliant new comprehensive critical analysis of Michelangelo's art, focusing on his depiction of the human body.

Michelangelo's art is exhilarating, but also bewildering: What is the source of its power? In this imaginative and detailed study, the art critic James Hall explores some of the major puzzles of Michelangelo's work-his stern Madonnas and their lack of maternal responsiveness; his concern with colossal scale and size; the way that anatomical dissections affected his attitude toward the human body; and the placing of solitary, heroic figures against backgrounds of chaotic, troubling crowds. Hall arrives at a more precise, nuanced appreciation of the body language of Michelangelo's figures, and offers new explanations of many sculptures, paintings, and drawings, including David, the narratives of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and the monumental figures of his middle and late period.

Hall dispels both the idea of Michelangelo as an artist-superman and as brilliant but unbalanced, obsessed with the male nude. Instead he redefines him as the first artist to put the body center stage, making it the focal point of his quest for psychological and spiritual meaning. Lively and thought-provoking, Michelangelo and the Reinvention of the Human Body is a bold critique that will reshape the way we see this iconic artist's work, throwing a vividly revealing light on the originality and power of his genius.
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You and No Other (St. Briac Novel #1) (Kindle Edition)

You and No Other (St. Briac Novel #1) (Kindle Edition)
By Cynthia Wright

195 used and new from $2.99

First tagged by Love 2 Read
Customer tags: royalty, joust, humorous romance, historical romance, medieval romance, masquerade, knight, france, forced marriage, sensual romance, renaissance, strong heroine

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Special Author’s Cut Edition
Originally Published by Ballantine Books

“Romance the way it was meant to be.” ~ Kathe Robin, Romantic Times Magazine

Readers say:
“St. Briac is one of my favorite romantic heroes!”
“I can’t say enough good things about this book!”

Thomas Mardouet, seigneur de St. Briac is a man with a perfect life – bold, witty, and splendid to behold, he is the King of France’s trusted knight.

But the day the captivating Aimee de Fleurance appears in the woods to interrupt a hunt, St. Briac’s life is turned on end. When she takes her sister’s place and joins the royal court to avoid an arranged marriage, St. Briac is drawn unwillingly into her impetuous scheme.

To save Aimee from the king’s bed, St. Briac shocks them both by declaring that they are betrothed. After all, marriage is the last thing he wants, especially to this infuriating maiden…

Journey back to the magical world of 16th century France and join Aimee and St. Briac for an adventure filled with enchantment, laughter, and sensuous passion!

Cynthia Wright is a true gem among writers!” ~ Literary Times
Special Author’s Cut Edition
Originally Published by Ballantine Books

“Romance the way it was meant to be.” ~ Kathe Robin, Romantic Times Magazine

Readers say:
“St. Briac is one of my favorite romantic heroes!”
“I can’t say enough good things about this book!”

Thomas Mardouet, seigneur de St. Briac is a man with a perfect life – bold, witty, and splendid to behold, he is the King of France’s trusted knight.

But the day the captivating Aimee de Fleurance appears in the woods to interrupt a hunt, St. Briac’s life is turned on end. When she takes her sister’s place and joins the royal court to avoid an arranged marriage, St. Briac is drawn unwillingly into her impetuous scheme.

To save Aimee from the king’s bed, St. Briac shocks them both by declaring that they are betrothed. After all, marriage is the last thing he wants, especially to this infuriating maiden…

Journey back to the magical world of 16th century France and join Aimee and St. Briac for an adventure filled with enchantment, laughter, and sensuous passion!

Cynthia Wright is a true gem among writers!” ~ Literary Times
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The Opera of Bartolomeo Scappi (1570): L'arte et prudenza d'un maestro Cuoco (The Art and Craft of a Master Cook) (Lorenzo Da Ponte Italian Library) (Hardcover)

The Opera of Bartolomeo Scappi (1570): L'arte et prudenza d'un maestro Cuoco (The Art and Craft of a Master Cook) (Lorenzo Da Ponte Italian Library) (Hardcover)
By Bartolomeo Scappi

10 used and new from $258.54
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Customer tags: cooking history(4), renaissance(4), italy(3), sca(3), food history(2), history, terence scully, italian, cooking, italian cooking, pope

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Bartolomeo Scappi (c. 1500-1577) was arguably the most famous chef of the Italian Renaissance. He oversaw the preparation of meals for several Cardinals and was such a master of his profession that he became the personal cook for two Popes. At the culmination of his prolific career he compiled the largest cookery treatise of the period to instruct an apprentice on the full craft of fine cuisine, its methods, ingredients, and recipes. Accompanying his book was a set of unique and precious engravings that show the ideal kitchen of his day, its operations and myriad utensils, and are exquisitely reproduced in this volume.

Scappi's Opera presents more than one thousand recipes along with menus that comprise up to a hundred dishes, while also commenting on a cook's responsibilities. Scappi also included a fascinating account of a pope's funeral and the complex procedures for feeding the cardinals during the ensuing conclave. His recipes inherit medieval culinary customs, but also anticipate modern Italian cookery with a segment of 230 recipes for pastry of plain and flaky dough (torte, ciambelle, pastizzi, crostate) and pasta (tortellini, tagliatelli, struffoli, ravioli, pizza).

Terence Scully presents the first English translation of the work. His aim is to make the recipes and the broad experience of this sophisticated papal cook accessible to a modern English audience interested in the culinary expertise and gastronomic refinement within the most civilized niche of Renaissance society.

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Sound and Space in Renaissance Venice: Architecture, Music, Acoustics (Hardcover)

Sound and Space in Renaissance Venice: Architecture, Music, Acoustics (Hardcover)
By Deborah Howard

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Customer tags: renaissance, deborah howard, acoustics, sound, religious buildings

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While composers of sacred music in 16th-century Venice were devising increasingly complex choral polyphony, Venetian architects began to develop new configurations of sacred space. This fascinating book explores the direct relationship between architectural design and sacred music in Renaissance Venice. Deborah Howard and Laura Moretti combine historical research into the architectural and liturgical traditions of a dozen Venetian churches with the results of a parallel series of scientific surveys and live choral experiments of the acoustic properties of the chosen buildings. Read more

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Tapestry Lion (Book Two of The Landers Saga) (Kindle Edition)

Tapestry Lion (Book Two of The Landers Saga) (Kindle Edition)
By Karen Nilsen

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Customer tags: romance(4), fantasy(4), warlock(3), paranormal romance(3), adventure(3), witch(3), kindle(3), historical fantasy(3), renaissance(3), gothic fantasy(3), fantasy family saga

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Book 2 of the Landers Saga

When Queen Jazmene of Sarneth assassinates her brother with the help of her lover Lord Toscar and the witch Undene, she hopes to gain control of her ancestral throne. However, the unexpected birth of an heir thwarts her plans . . . for the moment.

When young witch artist Safire of Landers travels with her husband Merius to Sarneth, she no longer fears being burned at the stake. Unlike her homeland Cormalen, Sarneth allows witches to live and women to be artists. She revels in this newfound freedom, unaware that her ignorance of her own talents could prove fatal to those she loves.

When Queen Jazmene takes an interest in Safire's sketches, it would seem to be an artist's dream come true. After all, who doesn't want a royal patron? But Jazmene is no ordinary patron, and Safire is no ordinary artist. Suddenly entangled in an intrigue of international proportions, Safire and Merius struggle to escape the web of deception before their situation becomes deadly . . .
Book 2 of the Landers Saga

When Queen Jazmene of Sarneth assassinates her brother with the help of her lover Lord Toscar and the witch Undene, she hopes to gain control of her ancestral throne. However, the unexpected birth of an heir thwarts her plans . . . for the moment.

When young witch artist Safire of Landers travels with her husband Merius to Sarneth, she no longer fears being burned at the stake. Unlike her homeland Cormalen, Sarneth allows witches to live and women to be artists. She revels in this newfound freedom, unaware that her ignorance of her own talents could prove fatal to those she loves.

When Queen Jazmene takes an interest in Safire's sketches, it would seem to be an artist's dream come true. After all, who doesn't want a royal patron? But Jazmene is no ordinary patron, and Safire is no ordinary artist. Suddenly entangled in an intrigue of international proportions, Safire and Merius struggle to escape the web of deception before their situation becomes deadly . . .
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The Swerve: How the World Became Modern (Kindle Edition)

The Swerve: How the World Became Modern (Kindle Edition)
By Stephen Greenblatt

Buy new: $9.43
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A riveting tale of the great cultural "swerve" known as the Renaissance.

One of the world's most celebrated scholars, Stephen Greenblatt has crafted both an innovative work of history and a thrilling story of discovery, in which one manuscript, plucked from a thousand years of neglect, changed the course of human thought and made possible the world as we know it.

Nearly six hundred years ago, a short, genial, cannily alert man in his late thirties took a very old manuscript off a library shelf, saw with excitement what he had discovered, and ordered that it be copied. That book was the last surviving manuscript of an ancient Roman philosophical epic, On the Nature of Things, by Lucretius—a beautiful poem of the most dangerous ideas: that the universe functioned without the aid of gods, that religious fear was damaging to human life, and that matter was made up of very small particles in eternal motion, colliding and swerving in new directions.

The copying and translation of this ancient book-the greatest discovery of the greatest book-hunter of his age-fueled the Renaissance, inspiring artists such as Botticelli and thinkers such as Giordano Bruno; shaped the thought of Galileo and Freud, Darwin and Einstein; and had a revolutionary influence on writers such as Montaigne and Shakespeare and even Thomas Jefferson.

A riveting tale of the great cultural "swerve" known as the Renaissance.

One of the world's most celebrated scholars, Stephen Greenblatt has crafted both an innovative work of history and a thrilling story of discovery, in which one manuscript, plucked from a thousand years of neglect, changed the course of human thought and made possible the world as we know it.

Nearly six hundred years ago, a short, genial, cannily alert man in his late thirties took a very old manuscript off a library shelf, saw with excitement what he had discovered, and ordered that it be copied. That book was the last surviving manuscript of an ancient Roman philosophical epic, On the Nature of Things, by Lucretius—a beautiful poem of the most dangerous ideas: that the universe functioned without the aid of gods, that religious fear was damaging to human life, and that matter was made up of very small particles in eternal motion, colliding and swerving in new directions.

The copying and translation of this ancient book-the greatest discovery of the greatest book-hunter of his age-fueled the Renaissance, inspiring artists such as Botticelli and thinkers such as Giordano Bruno; shaped the thought of Galileo and Freud, Darwin and Einstein; and had a revolutionary influence on writers such as Montaigne and Shakespeare and even Thomas Jefferson. Read more

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The King's Agent (Paperback)

The King's Agent (Paperback)
By Donna Russo Morin

Buy new: $10.20

First tagged by Donna Russo Morin "Historical fiction author"
Customer tags: italian renaissance, paranormal, historical, historical fantasy, renaissance, historical fiction, michelangelo, italian history, renaissance art, fantasy

Review & Description

To the casual observer, Battista della Paglia is an avid art collector, or perhaps a nimble thief. In reality, the cunning Italian is an agent for François, the King of France, for whom he procures the greatest masterpieces of the day by any means necessary. Embroiled in a power struggle with Charles V, the King of Spain, François resolves to rule Europe's burgeoning cultural world. When he sets his sights on a mysterious sculpture, Battista's search for the elusive objet d'art leads him to a captivating woman on a mission of her own. . .

Having spent her life under the controlling eye of her protector, the Marquess of Mantua, Aurelia longs for freedom. And she finds it in Battista. Together, they embark on a journey to find the clues that will lead him to the sculpture-- a venture so perilous it might have spilled from the pen of Dante himself. From the smoldering depths of Rome to a castle in the sky, the harrowing quest draws them inextricably together. But Aurelia guards a dark secret that could tear them apart--and change the course of history. . .

Praise for the novels of Donna Russo Morin

"Morin has created a wonderful heroine and painted a brilliant portrait of a neglected court, which will interest fans of the Tudor era."--Publishers Weekly on To Serve a King

"History comes to life as Morin recreates the lush and dangerous world of the Murano glassmakers. . . Her story swirls together colors of political and religious intrigue, murder, and romance." --Romantic Times, (4 Stars) on The Secret of the Glass

"As opulent and sparkling as Louis XIV's court and as filled with intrigue, passion and excitement as a novel by Dumas. . .a feast for the senses." --Romantic Times (4 stars) on The Courtier's Secret

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To Serve a King (Paperback)

To Serve a King (Paperback)
By Donna Russo Morin

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59 used and new from $3.01
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First tagged by Donna Russo Morin "Historical fiction author"
Customer tags: francois i(3), france(3), historical fiction(2), henry viii(2), intrigue(2), historical mystery(2), renaissance, tudor

Review & Description

From her earliest days, Genevieve Gravois has known one fact above all: Francis I, king of France, is her enemy. Raised by her embittered aunt after her parents' deaths, Genevieve has been schooled in things no woman should know: how to decipher codes, how to use a dagger and a bow, and how to kill. For Henry VIII has a destiny in mind for the young girl--as his most powerful and dangerous spy.

When the time is ripe, Genevieve enters the magnificent world of the French court. With grace to match her ambition, she becomes maid of honor to Anne de Pisseleau, King Francis's mistress. Yet neither the court--which teems with artistry and enlightenment as well as intrigue--nor Francis himself are at all what Genevieve expected. And with her mission, her life, and the fate of two kingdoms at stake, she will be forced to make deadly decisions about where her heart and her ultimate loyalties lie.

Praise for Donna Russo Morin's The Courtier's Secret

"As opulent and sparkling as Louis XIV's court and as filled with intrigue, passion and excitement as a novel by Dumas. . .a feast for the senses." --Romantic Times (4 stars)

"Vivid, delightful, spirited. . .a page-turner as smooth as fine cognac." –Steven Manchester, author of The Unexpected Storm

"A wonderfully spun gem of a story." --Armchair Reviews

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The King's Agent (Kindle Edition)

The King's Agent (Kindle Edition)
By Donna Russo Morin

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195 used and new from $9.82

First tagged by Donna Russo Morin "Historical fiction author"
Customer tags: italian renaissance, paranormal, historical, renaissance, historical fiction, michelangelo, italian history, renaissance art, historical fiction italian, fantasy, historical fiction fantasy

Review & Description

To the casual observer, Battista della Paglia is an avid art collector, or perhaps a nimble thief. In reality, the cunning Italian is an agent for François, the King of France, for whom he procures the greatest masterpieces of the day by any means necessary. Embroiled in a power struggle with Charles V, the King of Spain, François resolves to rule Europe's burgeoning cultural world. When he sets his sights on a mysterious sculpture, Battista's search for the elusive objet d'art leads him to a captivating woman on a mission of her own. . .

Having spent her life under the controlling eye of her protector, the Marquess of Mantua, Aurelia longs for freedom. And she finds it in Battista. Together, they embark on a journey to find the clues that will lead him to the sculpture-- a venture so perilous it might have spilled from the pen of Dante himself. From the smoldering depths of Rome to a castle in the sky, the harrowing quest draws them inextricably together. But Aurelia guards a dark secret that could tear them apart--and change the course of history. . .

Praise for the novels of Donna Russo Morin

"Morin has created a wonderful heroine and painted a brilliant portrait of a neglected court, which will interest fans of the Tudor era."--Publishers Weekly on To Serve a King

"History comes to life as Morin recreates the lush and dangerous world of the Murano glassmakers. . . Her story swirls together colors of political and religious intrigue, murder, and romance." --Romantic Times, (4 Stars) on The Secret of the Glass

"As opulent and sparkling as Louis XIV's court and as filled with intrigue, passion and excitement as a novel by Dumas. . .a feast for the senses." --Romantic Times (4 stars) on The Courtier's Secret

Reading Group Guide InsideTo the casual observer, Battista della Paglia is an avid art collector, or perhaps a nimble thief. In reality, the cunning Italian is an agent for François, the King of France, for whom he procures the greatest masterpieces of the day by any means necessary. Embroiled in a power struggle with Charles V, the King of Spain, François resolves to rule Europe's burgeoning cultural world. When he sets his sights on a mysterious sculpture, Battista's search for the elusive objet d'art leads him to a captivating woman on a mission of her own. . .

Having spent her life under the controlling eye of her protector, the Marquess of Mantua, Aurelia longs for freedom. And she finds it in Battista. Together, they embark on a journey to find the clues that will lead him to the sculpture-- a venture so perilous it might have spilled from the pen of Dante himself. From the smoldering depths of Rome to a castle in the sky, the harrowing quest draws them inextricably together. But Aurelia guards a dark secret that could tear them apart--and change the course of history. . .

Praise for the novels of Donna Russo Morin

"Morin has created a wonderful heroine and painted a brilliant portrait of a neglected court, which will interest fans of the Tudor era."--Publishers Weekly on To Serve a King

"History comes to life as Morin recreates the lush and dangerous world of the Murano glassmakers. . . Her story swirls together colors of political and religious intrigue, murder, and romance." --Romantic Times, (4 Stars) on The Secret of the Glass

"As opulent and sparkling as Louis XIV's court and as filled with intrigue, passion and excitement as a novel by Dumas. . .a feast for the senses." --Romantic Times (4 stars) on The Courtier's Secret

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