The Second Renaissance

Can some history experts recommend some insightful books about the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance?

I have a feeling there is much to learn from that historic time about our current time.

In public schools we were taught that the growth was due to mankind throwing religion in the trash and embracing cold science, but I have heard that many of the scientists who propelled the Renaissance were devout believers who considered their breakthroughs as a way to explain the glory of the divine Creator. And I believe that the discarding of religious blindness had a lot to do with discarding the superstitions of the controlling/oppressive/political religiousity and studying the scriptures for themselves (which was forbidden by the religious authorities of the time).

What can we learn about the transition from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance to the Enlightenment that applies to what is happening now? How does the Reformation play into it all? What can we do even better, and how was that progress eventually compromised and controlled by the powers-that-be to return humanity back to a new type of indoctrination and blindness? How can we prevent that in the future?

How different was the post-Renaissance to the Dark Ages? How different will life on earth be in 20 years from today?

>We are going to show you a new world.

>Those who are blind will soon see the light.

>A beautiful brave new world lies ahead.

>We take this journey together.

>One step at a time.

>WWG1WGA!

>Q