"Baldesar Castiglione, an Italian diplomat and man of letters began to write The Book of the Courtier while he was attached to the court of the Duke of Urbino and finished it by 1516. It was published by Aldo in Venice in 1528 and almost immediately achieved international renown, being translated into English by Sir Thomas Hoby as early as 1561. Today it still remains the most vivid picture ever set down of Italian court life during the Renaissance; and in this new, unexpurgated translation has been, the discussions it records of what constitutes the "Perfect courtier" - and his ideal counterpart, the court lady - have an astonishing freshness and pertinence. Here is the Renaissance in its most charming aspect, with revealing sidelights on its social life, ethics, politics, humor, sports, and relations between the sexes. The 32 pages of pictures, chosen especially for this edition, portray some of the famous personages, scenes, and activities described in the book." -- from back cover.