How is it possible that despite the destruction of its infrastructure during the Siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s, Bosnian cinema rapidly rose to claim many of the most prestigious awards in world cinema during the 2000s? Were Bosnian films simply 'better' than those from neighbouring post-Yugoslav countries? Perhaps not. This work proposes that the international success of Bosnian films since the turn of the millennium has been due to how they enact Western prejudices concerning the war and its consequences. Delivering films with national narratives which associate the country with primitiveness and victimhood, Western audiences have engaged in dark tourism of the Bosnian screen.

Are you a fan of Union J? If so, you will probably be able to name the band members but how much else do you know about the four boys? Whether you are fully familiar with the lads from Union J, or would like to find out more about them, this quiz book is for you. With what record company did Union J sign after their time on The X Factor in 2012? Where did Union J first perform their single 'Carry You'? During what month in 2013 did Union J take over the Daybreak sofa at 7.50 am each morning for a week? The answers to these questions and more can all be found inside this new book. Packed with fun facts about all aspects of Union J, including many personal details, The Union J Quiz Book documents the boys' journey from four unknown artists into successful X Factor boy band and beyond. With 100 questions about your favourite group, this is a book Union J fans of all ages just won't want to be without.

Do you like British boy band The Wanted? Have you followed their career from when they first formed in 2009 through to the current day? Would you like to find out more about Max, Siva, Jay, Tom and Nathan? If you answered yes to any of these questions, 101 Interesting Facts on The Wanted is certain to appeal to you. Do you know who is the oldest member of the group? Which artist did The Wanted support on tour in Brazil? What member of the band originally came up with the name, The Wanted? The answers can all be found inside this book, together with many more fascinating facts about your favourite band. Fun and informative, this book includes many personal details about the individual band members as well as up-to-date information about The Wanted's projects, past and present. Gen up on The Wanted so that you can impress your friends with your knowledge. If you are a fan of The Wanted, you won't want to be without this book.

Are you a big fan of Doctor Who? Have you watched all of the series from years gone by through to the present day? Can you name the various actors who have played the Doctor from William Hartnell to Matt Smith? If you can tell a Hath from the Heavenly Host and a Sontaran from a Slitheen, you are certain to enjoy this fun new quiz book? What was the title of episode one of the first Doctor story, The Daleks? Who played The Siren in the eleventh Doctor story, The Curse of the Black Spot? What companion has appeared in the most episodes of Doctor Who since its return in 2005? The answers to these brain-teasers and more can all be found inside The Doctor Who Quiz Book. As the iconic series celebrates 50 years of production, have a go at the 500 questions in this book to find out how much you really know about the Doctor. This is a must-have tribute for Doctor Who fans of all ages.

Are you a fan of rock band the Arctic Monkeys? Have you followed their career from the early days when the band first gained recognition via the internet through to international success? Would you like to know more about your favourite indie band? 101 Interesting Facts on Arctic Monkeys gives you the chance to pick up some little-known trivia about popular band from Sheffield. What was the original line-up and who was the band's other lead singer with Alex Turner? What NME first did the Arctic Monkeys clock up in 2006? What offer did the Band repeatedly turn down during 2005? Find out the answers in this exciting new book along with many more fascinating facts. Packed with information including many personal details about the individual band members as well as up-to-date news on the Arctic Monkeys' recent projects. This book will appeal to anyone with an interest in contemporary music and is a must-have for all Arctic Monkeys' fans.

Are you a fan of One Direction? Have you followed the popular boyband from their very first performance on The X Factor to international stardom? Would you like to find out more about the 1D boys? If so, you there is no better way to get to know your favourite band than with 101 Interesting Facts About One Direction. Which member of One Direction was the first to suggest the name for the band? When and where was the premiere of 1D's 2013 film This Is Us held? What new product did One Direction launch in September 2013? Find out the answers inside this book, full of up to the minute information all about 1D. The book includes many personal details about each of the band members as well as facts about their past and current projects.Make sure that you are up to date on all the latest 1D news with this new book. If you love One Direction, you won't want to be without it.

Ronnie Biggs is widely known for his part in the Great Train Robbery of 1963, his subsequent escape from prison, and notoriety as he lived as a fugitive around the globe with his family. Biggs' story has been well documented over the years but how much do you really know about the man behind the headlines? The Ronnie Biggs Quiz Book is your chance to gen up on all the facts. How old was Ronnie when he first appeared in court? On what date did Ronnie receive a 30 year sentence? Who was Ronnie's famous cellmate in Brazil? The answers to these questions and more can all be found in this fascinating new book. The 50th anniversary of the Great Train Robbery in 2013 has renewed interest in the gang who pulled of this audacious heist, and Ronnie Biggs in particular. Packed with information, this book will tell you everything you want to know about Ronnie Biggs, his life on the run and his part in one of the most talked about crimes of all time.

Lucrarea inedit? a lui Nathan Belofsky se concentreaz? asupra ideilor ?i practicilor medicale acceptate de-a lungul veacurilor, pe scar? larg?, ale doctorilor reali, nu ale vracilor ?i aproape to?i doctorii men?iona?i erau figuri medicale importante ale acelor vremuri. Autorul prezint? c?teva dintre cele mai r?sp?ndite practici ?ocante sau ?ndoielnice din fiecare epoc?, ?ncep?nd cu Antichitatea ?i continu?nd cu Evul Mediu, Rena?terea, perioada modern? ?i secolul al XX-lea. Cartea se afl? sub semnul insolitului ?i readuce la via?a, ?ntr-o manier? narativ? ?i deseori umoristic?, momente mai pu?in cunoscute din istoria medicinei. ,,Cartea este o comoar? de fapte uluitoare.“Los Angeles Examiner

O analiz? metodic? ?i patima?? a cumplitei dictaturi ro?ii de care a avut parte Rom?nia. Atitudinea elitelor fa?? de tiran ?i fa?? de clica sa. ?n ce masur? suntem vinova?i? La?itatea este oare una dintre caracteristicile definitorii ale c?rturarului rom?n? La aceste ?i multe alte ?ntreb?ri r?spunde profesorul de filosofie, Ion Iano?i – un veritabil model european. Cartea e destinat? studen?ilor, elevilor, profesorilor, precum ?i publicului larg de cititori.

Marele romancier face o incursiune ?n trecutul nu foarte ?ndep?rtat al Rom?niei, trat?nd anii dictaturii ro?ii f?r? p?rtinire, ?ncerc?nd o radiografie crud?, impar?ial? ?i – lucru extrem de rar ?n Balcani – radical? a unei jum?t??i de secol de istorie.Cartea e destinat? studen?ilor, elevilor, profesorilor, precum ?i publicului larg de cititori.

Cred ?n sensibilitatea publicului fa?? de un teatru al ideilor, dar ?i fa?? de un teatru de ac?iune fidel formelor clasice. Cu riscul de a fi considerat un manierist, accept aceast? etichet?, dac? ?mi aleg drept modele nume ca Montherlant, Camus, Vallejo sau Camil Petrescu. Am ?ncercat s? tratez una dintre marile teme ale dramaturgiei universale, care ?ncepe cu vechii greci ?i se ?mpline?te ?n teatrul clasic francez: conflictul dintre datorie ?i pasiune. Drama apare atunci c?nd cele dou? imperative devin divergen?e ?i ea se poate reg?si ?i azi de la marii lideri politici la oamenii de r?nd. Dar pentru a o ilustra am ales varianta teatrului istoric, deoarece (pentru a-l cita pe Henri Rochefort ) ?viitorul, ?n momentul de fa??, pare at?t de sumbru, ?nc?t am sim?it s? m? hr?nesc o vreme cu trecutul". Drama personajelor mele, fie c? este vorba despre Ugo, fie c? este vorba despre printul Rudolf, este e?ecul ?nregistrat ?n ?ncercarea de a le g?si un liant, de a le ?mp?ca. Am v?zut ?n Rudolf de Habsburg un adev?rat profet al lumii moderne… care a prev?zut toate catastrofele secolului al XX-lea ?i a ?ncercat s? orienteze politica austriaca ?ntr-o alta direc?ie. Dar via?a sa privat?, departe de a fi un model, a dejucat acest plan. El dispare pentru c? nu-?i mai g?se?te locul ?n lumea lui, ?n timp ce Ugo d’Este ??i accept? sf?r?itul din acela?i motiv. (Corneliu ?enchea)

Toate popoarele sunt preocupate de identitatea lor, dar la rom?ni aceast? chestiune a ?mbr?cat forme speciale. Rom?nii, locuitori p?n? ?n epoca modern? ?n dou? principate autonome supuse Por?ii Otomane ?i r?vnite de mul?i al?i vecini, dar tr?itori ?i ?n vaste provincii ocupate de unguri, de austrieci, de ru?i ?i de turci, pierdu?i ?n mijlocul at?tor str?ini rapace, s-au ?ntrebat, parc? mai mult dec?t al?ii, de unde vin ?i cine sunt ei. P?n? la urm? ?ns?, toate popoarele mici, lovite de soart? ?i l?sate la cheremul celor mari, au asemenea preocup?ri, transformate uneori ?n adev?rate obsesii. (Ioan-Aurel Pop)

Imaginea Romaniei prin turism, targuri si expozitii universale, in perioada interbelica, este titlul unei noi carti extrem de interesante, adresata atat specialistilor cat si publicului larg. Lucrarea elaborata de dr. Claudiu-Alexandru Vitanos reprezinta bilantul unor eforturi sistematice ale autorului de cercetare a modului in care a fost elaborata politica nationala privind dezvoltarea turismului si, totodata, politica de promovare a Romaniei prin intermediul targurilor si expozitiilor universale de-a lungul deceniilor interbelice.

Dvadeset godina nakon epohalne promjene 1989., koja je na postjugoslavenski prostor djelovala na posve druk?iji na?in nego na druge prija?nje realsocijalisti?ke europske zemlje, ova studija predstavlja poku?aj analiti?kog osvrta na dva desetlje?a razvoja civilnog dru?tva na zapadnom Balkanu. Njen autor Sr?an Dvornik iz Hrvatske, u to je dobro upu?en. Nije slu?ajno ?to se kroz cijeli sadr?aj i u strukturi ove knjige ispreple?u teorija i praksa te odnosi unutar i izvan “civilnodru?tvenog” razvoja. (...) Ova je studija va?an doprinos, dosad nedostatnim, razmatranjima o mogu?nostima i ograni?enjima akter? civilnog dru?tva u (post)autoritarnim dru?tvima. Istovremeno ona donosi i pouku da instrumenti zapadne politike demokratizacije imaju pred sobom jo? dug put razvoja do to?ke na kojoj ?e posve iscrpsti svoje dosada?nje organizacijske i politi?ke potencijale, da bi potom na nove me?unarodne izazove, koje nam novi svjetski (ne)red postavlja posljednja dva desetlje?a, mogli primjerenije reagirati. dr. Azra D?aji?-Weber

Vajon van esélye Hanna és Olivér szerelmének?Túlélheti a fiatal lány a végzetesnek hitt balesetet? ?s ha túl is éli, visszaállhat-e az élete a normális kerékvágásba?Mire képes a szerelem, mit bír el a szív? Elfogadni, megbocsátani, elengedni, újrakezdeni. A másik oldalról els? részében megismert szerepl?ké mellett új kapcsolatok alakulását is nyomon k?vethetjük. Együtt sírhatunk és nevethetünk a hétk?znapi h?s?kkel, akikkel végtelen természetességük miatt igazán k?nny? azonosulni. A korábbi k?tethez hasonlóan ezúttal is számtalan komoly téma vet?dik fel, a bonyodalmakkal dúsított, meglep?, néhol megd?bbent? fordulatokban gazdag t?rténet mégis k?nnyed, szórakoztató kikapcsolódást ígér. Papp Csilla legújabb k?nyvében, mely ott kezd?dik, ahol az els? regény véget ér, újra és újra rácsodálkozhatunk a szerelem erejére, mik?zben minden kétséget kizáróan el fogjuk hinni, hogy biztosan nincsenek véletlenek.

C eti un artist dramatic care se zbate s supravieuiasc sau c eti un om care nu se identific cu sexul cu care a fost nzestrat i ncearc disperat s remedieze aceast problem, c eti un geniu ajuns n zdrene, care cerete ansa de a-i spune povestea, c eti un ndrgostit iremediabil, care ncaseaz doar indiferen, c eti un nimeni urmrit venic de autoriti, de probleme i eecuri, c eti captiv n lumea ta, singurul loc n care nu eti perceput ca fiind nebun tocmai fiindc sfideaz noiunea unanim acceptat de normalitate, c eti un scriitor care i aterne realitatea bidimensional, pe foaie, n replici, n didascalii, n uniti de msur a emoiei – numite cuvinte –, i ridic n alii realiti tridimensionale, c eti o ntmplare care citete aceste rnduri, tii foarte bine c orice fapt consumat d singur startul la o continuare i c exist mereu o a doua ans, la fel cum Moartea tie cnd trebuie s lase ceva s continue, cnd s-i spun stop sau cnd s nchid ochii, fiindc intervenia ar descalifica-o. Totul poart eticheta cu va urma i depinde doar de noi s lsm eticheta acolo i s urmm indicaia.Teatrul prelungete viaa fiindc este o prelungire a vieii. Nu e att parte a ei, ct o extensie, ca o pereche de aripi cu care plonjm ntr-un bar supraaglomerat, ntr-un dormitor n care ncap fix dou persoane, ntr-un vis policrom cu iz de psihotrope, sau ntr-o scen care ne va marca fiindc urmeaz s se petreac n acel interval de timp pe care niciodat nu suntem n stare s-l dibuim, dar tim atunci cnd se ntmpl c nu putea fi altcndva.Trei piese care ne zguduie, ne las simurile bulversate, creierii bruscai, inima n aritmie, dar sufletul cumva ridicat. Trei piese de prelungit viaa, chiar i a celor care cred c aceasta urmeaz abia dup ce vor muri. Moartea strig: Bis!“ cnd se vede aplaudnd de una singur, fiindc nu are de ales dect s lase spectacolul s continue n momentul n care tocmai se dezintegreaz.ndrznete i citete!“ – Andrei Vornicu

A magyar k?nyvkiadás legnagyobb adósságainak egyike ez a k?nyv. A világ t?bb országában a holokausztirodalom egyik legjelent?sebb remekm?veként tartják számon, Magyarországon 1982-ben jelent meg utoljára.Zsolt Béla, nagyváradi író, újságíró, a zsidót?rvények után nem folytathatta a pályáját. Munkaszolgálatra Ukrajnába került, az út onnan haza, majd a váradi gettóba, kés?bb Bergen-Belsenbe vezetett, egészen a szabadulásig.Zsolt Béla regénye nem artisztikus memoár. Vad, olykor az elviselhet?ség határáig kegyetlen és ?szinte visszaemlékezés, felzaklató olvasmány.Az olykor egymás kínjának is ?rül? társairól. Az elmebajig kegyetlen, egyszersmind a megtorlástól retteg? csend?r?kr?l. ?rulásról, kétségbeesésr?l, az újra és újra feltámadó hamis reményr?l, és mindennek okáról és céljáról: a zsidók kifosztásáról.Aki elolvassa a Kilenc koffert, megérti, miért nem tud a rémálomból eszmélni sok európai ország azóta sem.Zsolt Béla feleségének egész családja odaveszett, k?ztük az a Heyman ?va, akinek gettónaplója megjelent már t?bb nyelven, magyarul Piros bicikli címen.

Documentele publicate sub egida Institutului de Istorie ?George Bari?iu“ al Academiei Rom?ne au fost structurate ?n dou? p?r?i: Emigra?ia albgardist? ?i Biserica Rus? din Bucure?ti. Prima parte cuprinde r?spunsul direc?iilor regionale la Ordinul Direc?iei Generale a Securit??ii Statului nr. 354/81558 privind albgardi?tii din raza acestora de competen??, iar cea de a doua – materiale ale Direc?iei Regionale a Securit??ii Bucure?ti despre personalul, emigran?ii ?i refugia?ii care frecventeaz? Biserica Rus?. Sursele relev? destinul, starea de spirit ?i material? a fo?tilor membri ai armatelor ruse ?i ucrainene stabili?i ?n Rom?nia, supravie?uitori ai celor dou? r?zboaie mondiale, liderii fiind deja aresta?i.Din sinteza informativ? a Direc?iei Regionale a Securit??ii Bac?u din 27 octombrie 1951:??n urma ac?iunilor contrarevolu?ionare desf??urate ?n t?n?rul Stat Sovietic de c?tre bandele conduse de Denikin, Kerenski ?i Vranghel, bande ce au fost distruse de c?tre t?n?ra Armat? Ro?ie Sovietic? ?i alungate peste grani?ele Statului Sovietic, ?i ?n ?ar? la noi au venit o serie de elemente ce au f?cut parte din aceste armate, care ?i-au stabilit domiciliul ?n diferite ora?e ale ??rii noastre, unde sub regimul burghezo-mo?ieresc ce se afla ?n acel timp la c?rma ??rii noastre au g?sit azil ?i ocrotire.Astfel ?i ?n regiunea Bac?u din aceste elemente identificate p?n? ?n prezent sunt ?n num?r de 6 persoane, ?i anume: Mateevski Konstantin, ?n prezent domiciliat ?n Piatra-Neam?, de profesie electrician ?i mecanic, angajat ?n aceast? func?ie la Sovromlemn Piatra-Neam?; Petrovski Vasile, fost colonel de artilerie ?i avia?ie ?n armata alb? a lui Vranghel, ?n prezent domiciliat ?n Piatra-Neam?, fiind angajat ca magazioner la fabrica Bistri?a din Piatra-Neam?; Galini?cenko Alexandru, domiciliat ?n Piatra-Neam?, f?r? ocupa?ie, ?n prezent fiind b?tr?n; Kazimirov Mark, de profesie ?ofer angajat ?n aceast? calitate la fabrica ?Reconstruc?ia“ Piatra-Neam?, fost ofi?er ?n Armata Alb? ucrainean?, ?n prezent lucreaz? ca t?mplar, ?i Babici Ifrim, fost ofi?er ?n armata lui Vranghel, actualmente domiciliat ?n comuna Tarc?u, raionul Piatra-Neam?, cu serviciul la Sovromlemn.?n leg?tur? cu susnumi?ii trebuie s? ar?t?m c? dac? ?n trecut existau unele rela?ii de prietenie ?ntre d?n?ii, ?nt?lniri ?n care ??i reaminteau cu pl?cere de trecutul lor, ast?zi, fiind elemente b?tr?ne, nu se mai observ? aceste leg?turi, mai ales c? majoritatea sunt c?s?tori?i cu cet??ence rom?ne ?i parte dintre d?n?ii au chiar ?i copii.De asemeni, din cele cunoscute de noi rezult? c? ace?tia nu ?ntre?in leg?turi prin coresponden?? cu str?in?tatea ?i nici cu elementele dubioase ?i du?m?noase din locurile unde tr?iesc ei. S-a putut constata c? aceste elemente sunt extrem de fricoase ca nu cumva s? vin? o dispozi?ie care s?-i pun? ?n situa?ia s? se ?ntoarc? ?n URSS, obliga?i. Comentarii ?n acest gen au fost extrem de multe ?n r?ndurile lor, ?n special ?ntre anii 1945-1946, c?nd ei credeau sigur c? vor fi evacua?i din ?ara noastr? ?i trimi?i ?n Uniunea Sovietic?. Totu?i ?i ?n prezent, de?i b?tr?ni, exist? ?i ?n r?ndurile lor unele comentarii ?i nemul?umiri, pe care ?ns? ?i le arat? ?n anturajul restr?ns pe care eventual ?l au.“

O carte pasionant i minuios documentat.“ – Le Figaro Littéraire Dac exist o dinastie care s ntrupeze Europa, aceea este Casa de Habsburg“, scrie Jean des Cars n debutul acestei cavalcade pasionante prin istoria zbuciumat a Europei. Destinul prodigios al Habsburgilor ncepe, n cheie minor, n secolul al XI-lea, ntr-o fortrea situat n cantonul elveian Aargau, prinde aripi n 1273, odat cu alegerea, cu totul neateptat, a contelui Rudolf de Habsburg ca mprat al Sfntului Imperiu German, i i ncheie epopeea monarhic la Schnbrunn, pe 11 noiembrie 1918, cnd Carol al IV-lea semneaz actul de renunare la coroana imperial a Austriei. Vreme de apte secole, Habsburgii au dominat o mare parte a Europei, a Orientului Apropiat i a Americii de Sud. Cuceritorul Carol Quintul, reformatoarea Maria Tereza, Franz Joseph i legendara sa soie Sisi, Zita, suverana datoriei, sunt doar cteva dintre figurile emblematice ale acestei familii excepionale, care a marcat istoria. Nendoielnic, dispariia lor semnaleaz prbuirea unei lumi, dar numele lor rmne venic sinonim cu nflorirea artelor, grandoarea politic i identitatea european. Pentru alctuirea acestui volum incitant, n care faptul istoric documentat se ntlnete fericit cu excursul jurnalistic profesionist i bine calibrat, dar i cu o anecdotic ncnttoare, Jean des Cars, talentat raconteur i recunoscut cronicar al marilor monarhii europene, a consultat arhive, a vizitat toate locurile-reper ale dinastiei, a realizat interviuri i a cules mrturiile inedite ale mprtesei Zita i ale arhiducelui Otto de Habsburg. Istoria este plin de maiesti individuale, ns Habsburgii ntruchipeaz maiestatea dinastic. [...] A ajunge s nu mai constitui doar o familie, s nu mai reprezini doar o ar, ci un agregat de naiuni, a stpni jumtate din Europa i o mare parte din America, a purta o coroan mai grea chiar dect coroana Imperiului Britanic, dar a te plimba, n acelai timp, prin Prater, cu o umbrel sub bra, iat un spectacol pe care omenirea nul va mai vedea vreodat.“ – Paul Morand n 1919, prbuirea imperiilor i, apoi, o redivizare geografic arbitrar elimin de la conducere familii vechi i puternice, cum ar fi Romanovii, Hohenzollernii i Habsburgii. Dup veacuri de prestigiu i influen, vechile case domnitoare sunt terse de pe hart, asasinate sau surghiunite. Dar, n timp ce familiile imperiale din Rusia i din Germania au fost nevoite, ulterior, s se mulumeasc, dup caz, cu nostalgii discrete, compromisuri regretabile sau reabilitri tardive, Habsburgii au luptat mpotriva anihilrii progresive la care erau supui, ripostnd chiar fa de ostracizarea care le era impus. Nu fr eforturi sau adversiti umilitoare, ei au reuit s triasc, s i refac imaginea, s existe din nou, s impun respect fa de numele lor nainte de anii ’40 i s redobndeasc un loc att n memoria vechii Europe, ct i n noua construcie european, ceea ce este un lucru excepional.“ – Jean des Cars

Maszumé hétk?znapi kamaszlány a 60-as évek Iránjában. Iskolába menet meglát egy fiatalembert, akivel egymásba szeretnek. Maszumé bátyjai megtalálják ártatlan levelezésüket, húgukat megverik, majd máshoz kényszerítik feleségül. A lánynak fel kell adnia álmait, és el kell indulnia egy g?r?ngy?s úton, melyet a sors rendelt neki. Az ?tven évet fel?lel? regény a hazáját jól ismer? szerz? szemével k?veti végig Irán viharos t?rténelmét: a 60-as évek a sah elnyomó uralma alatt, majd az iszlám forradalom, mely visszahozta Iránba a k?zépkort, az iraki–iráni háború. A regényt, mely az utóbbi évtized legnagyobb bestsellere lett Iránban, kétszer is betiltották, azonban nem politikai tartalma miatt, hanem mert egy olyan független és er?s n? sorsát állítja példaképül, aki a sorscsapások és nehézségek ellenére sosem adja fel a reményt, s bár csendesen, mégis határozottan tiltakozik társadalmának elnyomó hagyományai ellen. Parinoush Saniee szociológus és pszichológus, t?bb regény szerz?je. A sors k?nyve els? regénye, melyet t?bb nyelvre fordítottak le, Olaszországban elnyerte a Boccaccio-díjat, Németországban bestseller lett. Az iráni írón? 1949-ben született, férjnél van, két fia külf?ld?n él.

Leonardo's views of aesthetic are all important in his philosophy of life and art. The worker's thoughts on his craft are always of interest. They are doubly so when there is in them no trace of literary self-consciousness to blemish their expression. He recorded these thoughts at the instant of their birth, for a constant habit of observation and analysis had early developed with him into a second nature. His ideas were penned in the same fragmentary way as they presented themselves to his mind, perhaps with no intention of publishing them to the world. But his ideal of art depended intimately, none the less, on the system he had thrown out seemingly in so haphazard a manner. The long obscurity of the Dark Ages lifted over Italy, awakening to a national though a divided consciousness. Already two distinct tendencies were apparent. The practical and rational, on the one hand, was soon to be outwardly reflected in the burgher-life of Florence and the Lombard cities, while at Rome it had even then created the civil organization of the curia. The novella was its literary triumph. In art it expressed itself simply, directly and with vigour. Opposed to this was the other great undercurrent in Italian life, mystical, religious and speculative, which had run through the nation from the earliest times, and received fresh volume from mediaeval Christianity, encouraging ecstatic mysticism to drive to frenzy the population of its mountain cities. Umbrian painting is inspired by it, and the glowing words of Jacopone da Todi expressed in poetry the same religious fervour which the life of Florence and Perugia bore witness to in action. Italy developed out of the relation and conflict of these two forces the rational with the mystical. Their later union in the greater men was to form the art temperament of the Renaissance. The practical side gave it the firm foundation of rationalism and reality on which it rested; the mystical guided its endeavour to picture the unreal in terms of ideal beauty.The first offspring of this union was Leonardo. Since the decay of ancient art no painter had been able to fully express the human form, for imperfect mastery of technique still proved the barrier. Leonardo was the first completely to disengage his personality from its constraint, and make line express thought as none before him could do. Nor was this his only triumph, but rather the foundation on which further achievement rested. Remarkable as a thinker alone, he preferred to enlist thought in the service of art, and make art the handmaid of beauty. Leonardo saw the world not as it is, but as he himself was. He viewed it through the atmosphere of beauty which filled his mind, and tinged its shadows with the mystery of his nature. From his earliest years, the elements of greatness were present in Leonardo. But the maturity of his genius came unaffected from without. He barely noticed the great forces of the age which in life he encountered. After the first promise of his boyhood in the Tuscan hills, his youth at Florence had been spent under Verrocchio as a master, in company with those whose names were later to brighten the pages of Italian art. At one time he contemplated entering the service of an Oriental prince. Instead, he entered that of Caesar Borgia, as military engineer, and the greatest painter of the age became inspector of a despot's strongholds. But his restless nature did not leave him long at this. Returning to Florence he competed with Michelangelo; yet the service of even his native city could not retain him. His fame had attracted the attention of a new patron of the arts, prince of the state which had conquered his first master. In this his last venture, he forsook Italy, only to die three years later at Amboise, in the castle of the French king.