Essays on Spanish writers of the sixteenth-century, a period of territorial expansion, political hegemony and cultural prosperity in the face of ideological repression. Discusses the Hapsburg dynasty, the impact of the Counter-Reformation and the Inquisition had on censorship and literary production, and the Spanish passion for the theater that increased during the 1600s, during the pinnacle of the Golden Age of drama.

"The world of books can seem like a trackless forest stretching to the horizon in all directions, full of wrong turns, dead ends, and pitfalls. But it is in fact full of treasure, and Indispensable Reading is a map to books that can provide a lifetime of reading that is thoughtful, provocative, pleasurable, and, above all, memorable--for at a minimum, a book worth reading should linger inthe mind.The selections are informed by Wm. RogerLouis's lifetime...

Here are the thrills, grandeur, and unabashed fun of the Greek myths, stylishly retold by Stephen Fry. The legendary writer, actor, and comedian breathes life into ancient tales, from Pandora's box to Prometheus's fire, and transforms the adventures of Zeus and the Olympians into emotionally resonant and deeply funny stories, without losing any of their original wonder. Classical artwork inspired by the myths and learned notes from the author offer...