Alfonso de Vald?'s has long been recognized as one of the majorproponents of Renaissance values in Spain, especially for his role in espousing thethinking of Erasmus, the Dutch humanist and philosopher. His Dialogo de Mercurio yCaron, a major work of both literary and historical significance, has never beforebeen available in English. The dialogue provides a lively, satirical commentary onthe thought, politics, religious arguments, and court intrigues of earlysixteenth-century Spain. It is a mark of Vald s's talent that he was able not onlyto describe the period, a time of great turmoil and complexity, but to do so in ahumorous and critical manner. Professor Ricapito has brilliantly rendered the livelyhuman quality in his fine translation. A must for all students of Spain and theReformation.