The Renaissance was published by Simon & Schuster in 1953 as the fifth volume of The Story of Civilization. Subtitled “A History of Civilization in Italy from 1304 to 1576 A.D.,” it is widely regarded as the finest volume in the series — the one where Durant’s biographical method and his subject matter were most perfectly matched. The Italian Renaissance, with its extraordinary concentration of genius, its dramatic personalities, and its fusion of art, politics, and philosophy, was ideal material for Durant’s narrative approach.
The book covers the great families (Medici, Borgia, Sforza), the great artists (Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian), the great thinkers (Petrarch, Machiavelli, Erasmus), and the political, economic, and religious structures that made the Renaissance possible. Durant’s account of the Borgia papacy and the Medici patronage system are particularly vivid.
Collecting The Renaissance
First edition (Simon & Schuster, New York, 1953): Cloth binding with dust jacket.
Market values:
- Fine in dust jacket: $60–$150
- Very good: $20–$50
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation.
Italy Reborn
The Renaissance (1953) is Volume V, covering Italian civilization from 1304 to 1576 — the period from Petrarch to Titian. Durant’s portraits of the Medici, the Borgia, Machiavelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael are among his most vivid. The volume captures the explosive creativity of the Italian Renaissance while acknowledging its moral complexity — the patronage of art by tyrants, the corruption of the papacy, and the human cost of political ambition. It is one of the most popular volumes for standalone reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can individual volumes be read alone? Yes — each volume is self-contained, though reading them in sequence provides the full sweep of Durant’s narrative. The Renaissance volume and The Age of Faith are the most frequently read as standalones.