Book Review: The World of Renaissance Italy: A Daily Life Encyclopedia

Abstract

This latest two-volume set from Greenwood’s Daily Life Encyclopedia series provides an overview of everyday life and society in Italy during the Renaissance period. After the preface, a brief introductory essay, and chronology, volume 1 contains thematic sections spanning “Arts” to “Food and Drink.” The second volume picks up at “Housing and Community” and concludes with “Science and Technology.” Sections begin with a broad overview (“Introduction”) and are then broken down into alphabetical sub-topical entries offering more nuanced explorations of each. The section “Family and Gender,” for example, contains entries such as “Childhood,” “Espousal and Wedding,” “Old Age,” and “Siblings.” Further readings suggestions, most of which are books, accompany each entry.