This volume presents an original view of the culture of early modern Italy.

A cultural history of European languages from the invention of printing to the French Revolution.

These essays, presented to Sir Keith Thomas on his retirement as President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, concentrate on one of the broad themes illuminated by his work - changing notions of civility in the past. They explore its implications and shifts in its meaning since the 16th century.

This volume of essays brings together work by social historians of Britain, France and Italy.

The money spent by the French government on the public image of Louis XIV was extensive and succeeded in making him into a god like figure. In this book the author gives an account of the contemporary representations of Louis XIV and illustrates the relationship between art and power.

The way in which history is written has changed quite dramatically - so much so that the phrase the new history is now commonly used by historians. This book sets out to examine the most exciting and important developments in the methodology and practice of history.

aeo Brilliant social history of the Italian Renaissance, discussing the major figures of the period -- a well established, classic text in the field. aeo Highly readable and richly illustrated. aeo The text has been thoroughly revised and updated for this second edition.

This important book examines the role of written and spoken language in shaping our sense of reality, in exchanges of social life, and in fashioning our sense of self. It develops a distinctive, socio--historical approach to these issues, offering a range of illuminating studies in the social history of language.

This work emphasizes the survival of medieval traditions and the process of the creative adaptation of classical forms and values to their new cultural and social contexts in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

A routine business trip to Egypt ends in terror for father of two, Robert Batson when he is abducted and held captive in appalling conditions for what seems like a lifetime. Then, following his unexpected release, to help come to terms with his ordeal, he decides to trace his ancestry as a form of therapy.