Was the Renaissance Real?

Way too dense to read but earlier authors (including james Burke on video) pointed out that much of the Greek/ancient knowledge rediscovered in the renaissance came through Umayyad Spain where Jewish, Muslim and Christians interacted, translated and propagated old knowledge.

I'm reading Palmer's book right now, and I'm enjoying her informal style. A lot of what I thought I knew about the Renaissance has been brought into question by this book. Thumbs up!