Description
Book SynopsisThis series is the first English translation of the letters of the philosopher priest who helped to shape the Renaissance worldview. This volume spans the seventeen months from April 1491 to September 1492. This is a crucial period for Marsilio Ficino and Florence itself, for it witnessed the death of Lorenzo the Magnificent.
Trade Review'Such giants as Ficino deserve a wider audience' Umberto Eco; "In the last two decades or so it has become very difficult to keep high scholarly standards in the humanities ... In such circumstances it is almost a miracle to find the recent tenth volume in this ambitious and important project of providing English translations to Marsilio Ficino's letters, containing book 11 of Ficino's letters ... All in all this volume is an example of the high scholarly standards essential to the humanities." Amos Edelheit, Renaissance Quarterly; "These letters are not only a joy to read, they are deeply nourishing. Like Plato's Dialogues, they make me stand up straight and listen. Ficino's letters are witty, subtle, full of intelligence and wisdom. His words are joyful and have a poetry and intimacy that I cannot resist. If you try reading them out loud, as I did, you discover that they have a rhythm and a haunting melody all of their own. Very soon, you will find yourself admiring the rich beauty of this man." Elizabeth Medler, Editor of New Vision (www.thehamblintrust.org.uk); 'Marsilio Ficino (1433-1499) was at the very fountainhead of some of the most characteristic and influential aspects of the Italian Renaissance.' C B Schmitt, Times Literary Supplement; 'All that we regard as the norm of Western European art - Botticelli's paintings, Monteverdi's music, Shakespeare's philosophical lovers, Berowne and Lorenzo, Jacques and Portia - has flowered from Ficino's Florence. Kathleen Raine, The Times; 'Undoubtedly these letters comprise one of the "spiritual classics" of the past thousand years.' - Christopher Booker, The Spectator
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; Letter Titles; Introduction; Translators’ Note; The Letters; Appendix Letters; Notes to the Letters; Note on the Latin Text; The Latin Text; Biographical Notes; German correspondents; Correspondents in Italy; Names from Letter; Bibliography; Index
