Makers of the Middle Ages and Renaissance

Examines the life and achievements of Renaissance scientist and astronomer Galileo, discussing his youth, family, and education, his innovation in testing his ideas with experiments, his teaching career, and his controversial claim that Earth was not the center of the solar system which brought him into conflict with the Catholic Church.

Presents a brief biography of Thomas Moore, philosopher, writer, and theologian of the Middle Ages, including information on his childhood, his family life, and his contributions to law and religious freedom.

Profiles the life and works of Italian Renaissance painter and sculptor Michelangelo, and describes some of his greatest masterpieces including the "Pieta, " "Moses, " and the statue of David, as well as his ceiling frescoes of the Sistine Chapel.

Profiles the life and works of late thirteenth-century poet and author Dante Alighieri, noted for his most famous piece "The Inferno.".

Presents a comprehensive history of the forty-five-year reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and describes her relationship with her father, Henry VIII; half-sister, Queen Mary; and cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, religious controversy, and more.

Examines the life of Renaissance political theorist and author Machiavelli, looking at his ideas on power within the context of the times in which he lived, and discussing his youth, diplomatic career, imprisonment, the writing of "The Prince, " and his later years as a scholar and historian.

Profiles the life and works of artist, sculptor, inventor, writer, and scientist, Leonardo da Vinci, and describes how much of his work became forerunners of many modern machines such as the automobile and the airplane.