The World of Renaissance Italy: A Daily Life Encyclopedia. By Joseph P. Byrne. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood, 2017. 2 vols. Acid-free $198 (ISBN 978-1-4408-2959-8). E-book available (978-1-4408-2960-4), call for pricing.
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...