If you want to know anything about the Italian Renaissance, you MUST read this book. It's so comprehensive. You learn everything about how women from different social classes behaved, how houses were divided, the various ruling families, and the famous persons of the day, whether they be popes or painters. There's not subject untouched in this book. It's a quick read, accessible to all ages, with plenty of pictures to give context to what's written on the page. It's a beautiful book and well worth it. ( )