Grade 6 Up—These two volumes are compilations from Hinds's "Life in the Renaissance" and "Life in the Roman Empire" series (both Benchmark, 2004), but with new introductions and more illustrations. Both books combine clear, bold text with vivid reproductions of period paintings, frescoes, and sculptures, making for stunning presentations. The first title covers life in Renaissance courts, cities, countryside, and the church of the Reformation era. Hinds explores the cultural milieu of popes, princes, monks, working women, and courtiers, in the process revealing much about the world inhabited by Shakespeare, Machiavelli, Martin Luther, and the Medici. A generous number of sidebars offer up chronologies, poems, songs, recipes, and more. Roman Empire discusses patricians, the city, the countryside, and religion.
