The History of the Renaissance World: From the Rediscovery of Aristotle to the Conquest of Constantinople Hardcover – September 23, 2013

Bauer's book would be more appropriately titled "A History of the Late Middle Ages" - or, to be more Euro-centric, "The High Middle Ages," the book really ending when the Renaissance began (in 1453). For those seeking a book on the Renaissance proper, look elsewhere, but do give this marvelous history your attention as well. There is much to recommend here (the confusion of the time period not withstanding.)First, this is truly a "world history" - not the typical Euro-centric history with the obligatory nod to civilizations in the Near East and Asia. While much attention is paid to the political goings on in Europe (about 45% of the book), attention and detail is also given to civilizations in Africa (5%), Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia (about 10%), India (10%), China and the Mongols (12%), the Near East and Byzantium (16%) and the Americas (2%). The narrative thread shows the growing interconnectedness between civilizations in terms of economics, culture, religion and politics.Second, the depth and detail Bauer provides in relating a world history is astonishing. Each chapter is between 6 - 8 pages, but they are packed with information about political interrelationships and the aims, goals and hopes of various groups and families from popes to emperors to pretenders to the throne. This makes for a relatively fast-paced read, but it also gives a solid overview of the forces at play.Finally, the writing is superb. Bauer's prose is fluid and geared to a general audience which makes the reading easy and entertaining. Her works cited is extensive and comprehensive with a super-abundance of really outstanding works for those interested in more detail on a given topic, time period or event.In spite of my prickliness regarding the title, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a well-written history with a genuinely global scope.

Was looking for a book specifically on European history during the Medieval ages and rather mistakenly purchased this book, which covered the world during the Medieval period, including Asia (northern and southern), India, Africa (primarily Western Africa) and Meso-America (Mayan and Incan) history. Superbly written and meticulously researched, easily approached, a tome from which I learned a great deal and am thus the better for it.Not as socially/culturally focused as Barbara Tuckman's "A Distant Mirror" (a truly delightful book, even more easily approachable than Professor Bauer's and quite a pleasurable read), but so very informative.

This, along with the two preceding histories, is the best history I've ever read, and I've read a lot of history: serious histories of England, France, Germany, and Italy, and popular histories of people and events in those countries. These histories beat them all. I also read part of a history of India (too depressing), and a good but short history of China. I HOPE there will be further volumes continuing these histories. I believe that with 1453, history begins to be less gruesome in general. I'm ready for happier endings, as I'd guess the author would be. But gruesome or not, I really was happy to read so much of what I'd never known, and which was always interesting.

I liked the book, but I wish it had shown more of the arts and culture aspect, not just the military side of things

Love these books the narrative style text is much more interesting and there’s a lot of informationGreat for homeschool history lit.

This is the third volume of Prof. Wise-Bauer's work that I have read and they just keep getting better. Each volume is written in the same format with chapters varying from a few to just enough pages to give the reader the basis for further reading if they so choose. Like the volumes on ancient and medieval history the author guides the reader through the most important events, sources her narrative, hitting the high points before moving on. The style is just as relaxed, almost conversational, the pages - and years - curling back with ease, the content sitting comfortably in the forefront of the mind awaiting digestion.I sat down on a Sunday morning to begin this read and by early afternoon had already made my way through nearly half the book. This volume is not as large as the previous but the time period is not as broad in scope as before either. As with previous works the Renaissance has something for everyone and will make an attractive addition to one's shelves. Well worth the time invested in having coffee with Susan.

Probably the best, most unbiased, least boring, narrative-style, chronological history series ever written. We have the ancient and Medieval volumes as well, and even my 13 yr old loves them. Some advanced vocabulary, but my 13-yr old son loves the books enough that he doesn’t mind looking up words as he goes (this is really something for a 13 yr old boy). They’re fun/rewarding words to look up. You can tell the author loves words, because she uses them in wonderful ways.

We used Story of the World books in our homeschool curriculum. And now that our children are older, we’re including the next level of Susan Wise Baer‘s from school books.