Paul F. Grendler is a distinguished scholar of the Italian Renaissance. The author of numerous books and editor in chief of Encyclopedia of the Renaissance and Renaissance: An Encyclopedia for Students, he has been president of three scholarly organizations including The Renaissance Society of America. He is currently a Fellow of the American Philosophical Society. Grendler taught at the University of Toronto for thirty-four years.

Intended for a general audience, this book examines how the term Renaissance is used in modern US culture and why it remains so popular with the general public. Grendler draws upon decades of experience as a professor, author, and editor to gently point out ways in which Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and the Medici are (mis)used by today's politicians, management gurus, filmmakers, and novelists. The introduction describes the real Renaissance as Grendler sees it (i.e., the movement from 1400 to 1620, beginning in Italy and celebrating achievements in art, education, poetry, and high culture), while the conclusion discusses the recent turn in the academy away from Renaissance in favor of early modern….Recommended. Public and undergraduate libraries.

Paul F. Grendler is a distinguished scholar of the Italian Renaissance. The author of numerous books and editor in chief of Encyclopedia of the Renaissance and Renaissance: An Encyclopedia for Students, he has been president of three scholarly organizations including The Renaissance Society of America. He is currently a Fellow of the American Philosophical Society. Grendler taught at the University of Toronto for thirty-four years.

Intended for a general audience, this book examines how the term Renaissance is used in modern US culture and why it remains so popular with the general public. Grendler draws upon decades of experience as a professor, author, and editor to gently point out ways in which Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and the Medici are (mis)used by today's politicians, management gurus, filmmakers, and novelists. The introduction describes the real Renaissance as Grendler sees it (i.e., the movement from 1400 to 1620, beginning in Italy and celebrating achievements in art, education, poetry, and high culture), while the conclusion discusses the recent turn in the academy away from Renaissance in favor of early modern….Recommended. Public and undergraduate libraries.