Author:Baldesar Castiglione,George Bull
In The Book of the Courtier (1528), Baldesar Castiglione, a diplomat and Papal Nuncio to Rome, sets out to define the essential virtues for those at Court. In a lively series of imaginary conversations between the real-life courtiers to the Duke of Urbino, his speakers discuss qualities of noble behaviour - chiefly discretion, decorum, nonchalance and gracefulness - as well as wider questions such as the duties of a good government and the true nature of love. Castiglione's narrative power and psychological perception make this guide both an entertaining comedy of manners and a revealing window onto the ideals and preoccupations of the Italian Renaissance at the moment of its greatest splendour.
Her intention is that fact and fiction should complement each other. They do perfectly
—— Frances Spalding , Sunday TimesWith clarity of purpose and clarity of style, she has written a book that is both elegant and thoughtful
—— Michael Prodger , Sunday TelegraphGillian Tindall is a tapestry maker. She finds patterns in history - woven from close research into people and places - that no one else would have the persistence and insight to pursue
—— IndependentA testament to the late Booth that he could make such a boring subject so interesting.
—— Sunday TimesA colourful tale ... Chronicles the remarkable and often mystifying process through which cannabis became outlawed throughout the Western world, and the devastating effect such legislation has had on the global economy.
—— Sunday TelegraphAfter two puffs on a marijuana cigarette, I was turned into a bat.
—— Dr James Munch, pharmacologist'Amazingly informative...fascinating stuff'
—— Financial Times