Adventures in the Human Spirit (3rd Edition) - Softcover

The third edition of Adventures in the Human Spirit is now enhanced with even more of the special features that have made it the most readable and teachable single-volume survey of the humanities available. Covering the major periods, styles, and movements of the Western humanities from the ancient world to the 21st century, Adventures in the Human Spirit offers a balanced treatment of the major arts, philosophy, and religion in historical context. It is lavishly illustrated, with a greatly expanded number of color photographs. It remains, as before, enriched with features to encourage student engagement and critical thought.

New features include:

• Summary of Key Topics now at the head of each chapter for easy overview.
• New Key Concepts on Civilizations and Progress, Skepticism, Empiricism, Imagination, and the Human Will.
• New coverage of Renaissance theater, Renaissance women painters and musicians, art deco, and the Mexican muralists.
• Lavish new color illustrations throughout the text.
• Expanded captions to capture the attention of student readers.

There are 477 illustrations, including 253 in full color and 10 color maps.

This third edition of Adventures in the Human Spirit enhances a book that strives to be the most readable and teachable single-volume survey of the humanities available. It summarizes historical developments in the arts, religion, philosophy, and science of the Western world, with emphasis on the connection between ideas and cultural creation. The conciseness and coherence of previous editions remain, as do the features that invite readers to begin a thoughtful and lifelong conversation with the humanities.

The most visible improvement in this edition is the welcome addition of color photographs on nearly every page – a boon to readers, who can study visual arts in detail. A summary of key topics now heads each chapter, giving readers an easy overview of what follows. I have revised the Key Concepts in several chapters, giving several a more philosophical cast. "Civilizations and Progress" (Chapter 2) considers our notions of human progress in light of recent discoveries. "Skepticism" (Chapter 9) and "Empiricism" (Chapter 10) stress the philosophical roots of the modern scientific attitude. "Imagination" (Chapter 12) and "Human Will" (Chapter 13) introduce readers to philosophical ideas that were widely applied in the art, literature, and science of the nineteenth-century West. In each case, these concepts can be connected to other themes in each chapter and to the culture and values of our contemporary world.

Other sections of the text have been revised following recent scholarship. The treatment of Italian Renaissance culture gives greater space to women musicians and to the Italians' innovations in theatrical design. The achievements of women are accorded more attention, from the Renaissance painter Sofonisba Anguissola to the photographer Imogen Cunningham. In the twentieth century, I have added brief discussions of the Mexican muralists, art deco design, and classical Hollywood cinema. The last chapter ends with pointed examples of the truly global culture that is emerging as the new century begins. Many of these new topics are punctuated by attractive new illustrations.

These additions have been achieved without adding to the book's length or bulk, in keeping with its primary aim: to be the one volume on Western art and ideas that readers will keep on their shelf for a lifetime. I trust that students using this book will find a text that they can read and understand on their own. I hope they also find the questions that provoke them to question, debate, and explore far beyond the boundaries of these four hundred and fifty or so pages.

I am grateful to many for their assistance in making this edition possible. My most important critics have been students at Valencia Community College and the University of Central Florida. My relentlessly enthusiastic chairman Richard Rietveld and our department staff – especially Sonia Navarro and Bunnie Jackson – provide constant encouragement. I owe much to the loyal support of my colleagues at Valencia and elsewhere. Mary Jo Pecht, Kenneth Marshall, and Donald Tuthill, among others, have provided specific assistance on this edition. At Prentice Hall, my publisher Bud Therirn and editorial supervisor Kimberly Chastain urged me on to complete this edition sooner than I thought possible. It was a pleasure to work again with Elisabeth Ingles, ever cheerful and a professional to the last detail, in producing the text. Her sharp eye saved me from many errors. Picture researcher Maureen Cowdroy found many stunning new illustrations and designers Melinda Welch and Paul Barren accommodated them into a handsome format. For reviewing the manuscript, I am indebted to:

· Cortland Bellevance, Atlantic Cape Community College
· Cyndia Susan Clegg, Pepperdine University
· Mary Francey, University of Utah
· Howard Kerner, Polk Community College and Nova Southeastern University
· Mark Luprecht, University of Arizona
· Charles Mahan, Chattanooga State Technical Community College
· David Simmons, Brevard Community College
· James Walter, Sinclair Community College.

As they have reached college age, my children Shaughna and Aaron have become not only one reason I work at this but also a new and special audience. The other reason is Kira, my true and constant companion. This third edition is lovingly dedicated to my parnents, Harry and Verna Bishop. Philip Bishop
Orlando, Florida
2001