George Buchanan

In the anthology 'George Buchanan,' editors Robert Wallace and John Campbell Smith curate a meticulous collection that brings to light the multifaceted works of one of Scotland's most influential Renaissance scholars. This compilation navigates through Buchanan's contributions to poetry, history, and politics, showcasing an impressive range of literary styles from polemical prose to Latin verse, thereby underscoring the diversity and significance of Buchanan's oeuvre. Particularly notable are Buchanan's 'Rerum Scoticarum Historia' and his political writings, which stand out for their incisive critique of monarchy and advocacy for republican government, reflecting the intellectual vitality of the Renaissance and Reformation periods. The volumes' contributing editors, themselves scholars of Scottish history and literature, bring together their extensive knowledge to contextualize Buchanan's works within the broader movements of humanism and Reformation thought prevalent in 16th-century Europe. Their collaboration offers insights not only into Buchanan's individual genius but also into the larger cultural and intellectual currents that shaped his worldview, highlighting the enduring relevance of his ideas on education, politics, and religion. This anthology is recommended for both scholars and general readers interested in the Renaissance, Reformation, or Scottish history. 'George Buchanan' presents a unique opportunity to explore the breadth of one man's influence across various spheres of Scottish society and beyond. Through its pages, readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of Buchanan's legacy, enriched by the editors' expert commentary and the wide array of perspectives and themes presented within the collection. The anthology not only serves as a tribute to Buchanan's contributions but also stimulates ongoing dialogue about the ideas and movements that defined the early modern period.