In this book, the author, Richard McKenney, raises basic questions that explain why the 16th century is of particular importance to modern society: why was society so and not so different? What were the most characteristic views of that era? What caused the main wars to be played out and what determined their outcome? R. McKenney is currently a senior lecturer in history at the University of Edinburgh. The book, he said, was written by him "in the sincere hope that reading it would be enjoyable. Nevertheless, the author considered himself obliged to remember that for many readers it would be the first meeting with the sixteenth century, and for some - the only one."