Today the Book remains the most reliable and illuminating account of Renaissance court life and of what it took to be the Perfect Courtier and Court Lady. The Singleton translation-the most acclaimed and accurate available-is accompanied by annotations. Criticism features ten essays on The Book of the Courtier, which represent the best interpretations from the United States, Italy, and England including the backgrounds-rich essays by Amedeo Quondam and James Hankins. A Selected Bibliography, a Chronology, and an Index are included.