The story is probably familiar to those who’ve taken an American or world history course. After the fall of Rome, a dark age descended on Europe until the Italian Renaissance reignited European minds. Those same Italians passed their inspiration to English protestants, who in turn brought ideas to the original 13 colonies in what would become the United States.

East Tennessee State University’s Dr. Brian Maxson plans to complicate that narrative in his upcoming book, “The United States Finds the Italian Renaissance.” He’s receiving impressive support to accomplish the project.