Francesco Petrarca

"Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374), one of the greatest of Italian poets, was also the leading spirit in the Renaissance movement to revive ancient Roman language and literature. Just as Petrarch's Latin epic "Africa" imitated Virgil and his compendium "On Illustrious Men" was inspired by Livy, so Petrarch's four "Invectives" were intended to revive the eloquence of the great Roman orator Cicero. The "Invectives" are directed against the cultural idols of the Middle Ages--against scholastic philosophy and medicine and the dominance of French culture in general. They defend the value of literary culture against obscurantism and provide a clear statement of the values of Renaissance humanism. This volume provides a new critical edition of the Latin text based on the two autograph copies, and the first English translation of three of the four invectives"--Jacket.

"Petrarch's personification of the hapless lover has become one of our major models. Indeed, in many of his poems of the pain and the bitter pleasure of love, we recognize a vivid and timely picture of existential man. Humble sinner, aesthete, contemplative, man of the world, secretly tormented spirit, droll observer, and advocate of life, Petrarch's protagonist in these poems possesses a personality as complex as was the nature of his time." "The 366 poems of Petrarch's Canzoniere form one of the most influential books of poetry in Western literature. Varied in form style, and subject matter, these "scattered rhymes" contain metaphors and conceits that have been absorbed into the literature and language of love. In this definitive bilingual edition of the Canzoniere, Mark Musa provides verse translations, annotations, and an introduction co-authored with Barbara Manfredi."--BOOK JACKET.

This is not a guidebook. And it's definitely 'not-for-parents'. It is the real inside story about one of the world's most exciting continents - Africa. In this book you'll hear fascinating tales about Dogon warriors, fearless explorers, Nollywood film stars, crazy coffins, Egyptian tombs and witch doctors. Check out cool stories about Tuareg nomads, the world's biggest diamond, killer crocodiles, and eccentric dictators. You'll find thumb pianos and mummified monkeys, camel caravans, a goldendeath mask, a seriously tough desert race, and history galore. This book shows you an Africa your parents probably don't even know about.