Petrarch and Apple Pie

A series of imaginary, nonfictional dialogues created by the students of an undergraduate-level course on the literary masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance. Each dialogue features a student in dialogue with one Renaissance man or woman of choice. Selections range from great men of arms, such as Francesco Sforza all the way to great men and women of letters, such as Petrarch and Modesta Pozzi (AKA Moderata Fonte). There are at least two ways to appreciate the many questions directed to the Italian Renaissance gathered in this playful book. The first is to enjoy them for what they are – an attempt to learn about the Renaissance. The second is to vet them, under the trusty guidance of an historical understanding of the Renaissance.