Description: Sebastian MÃ1/4nster's Cosmographia was an immensely influential book that attempted to describe the entire world across all of human history and analyse its constituent elements of geography, history, ethnography, zoology and botany. Through this examination of MÃ1/4nster, his publications and scholarly networks, the conflicts and continuities between medieval scholarly traditions and the widening horizons of the sixteenth century are explored and revealed. Of interest to scholars of humanist culture, the Reformation and book history, this ambitious work throws into relief previously overlooked aspects of the intellectual and religious culture of the time.
Review Quotes: 'In this book, his first, Matthew McLean demonstrates great depth of research, a mind capable of lateral thinking and the ability to capture the interest of his reader... this book delivers a well researched examination of the context and creation of Sebastian MÃ1/4nster's Cosmographia.' Rare Books Newsletter '...McLean has achieve a Herculean task in analysing one of the greatest publishing enterprises of the sixteenth century.' The Library '... a thoughtful and probing work, full of interesting asides and arresting turns of phrase...' Bulletin of the German Historical Institute 'To sum up, this is a major study of one of the most outstanding works of Renaissance Europe that should be read by historians of science and technology, and by all those interested in the culture of this exciting time.' Metascience 'The reader of McLean's work will certainly feel his knowledge and understanding of early modern humanist scholarship enhanced; it is a worthy contribution to what is surely one of the most intellectually stimulating and attractively produced series on the market.' Sixteenth Century Journal