Book excerpt: The Renaissance and Reformation Movements presents a panoramic history of the politico-ecclesiastical, intellectual, and cultural life of the two centuries preceding the 16th-century Reformation. Stressing the dynamic character of the 14th and 15th centuries, Spitz paints a careful portrayal of virtually every phase of life in this epoch, especially focusing on late medieval theology and particular Renaissance humanism. This second volume chronicles the people, ideas, and movements of the 16th century with the same insight and stylistic vividness that distinguish the first volume. Chapters address The Age of the Reformation Luther's evangelical thrust The Roman Empire in crisis Zwingli and the Radicals Calvin and Calvinsim The Reformation in England and Scotland The Catholic Reformation The civil war in France and the Spanish Preponderance England under Elizabeth The impact of the Renaissance and the Reformation on society and culture. Revised edition. Includes illustrations and extensive bibliography.