These are the qualities of the complete and perfect courtier, described by Castiglione in a series of imaginary conversations between the principal members of the court of Urbino in 1507. Castiglione's book is of enormous historical value as a deeply felt account of the ideals of the Italian Renaissance at the moment of its greatest splendour. But the enduring topicality of some of the issues raised in The Book of the Courtier, together with the author's sensitivity to atmosphere, his powers of narrative and delicate psychological perception, make it, in addition, a highly skillful and entertaining comedy of manners.