Books matching: medieval history
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- #1
Save:'The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century' by Ian Mortimer is a popular history book that delves into the lived experience of people in the fourteenth century. The book offers a detailed exploration of everyday life, social hierarchy, travel, health, hygiene, education, literature, and more during this period. Mortimer vividly describes various aspects of life, from food and clothing to laws and entertainment, making the distant time and place of medieval England concretely visible to readers. The book is structured like a modern travel guide, providing insights into the culture shock a visitor would have experienced in the fourteenth century.
It is the cathedral that you will see first. As you journey along the road you come to a break in the trees and there it is, massive and magnificent, cresting the hilltop in the morning sun. Despite t... 'A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century' by Barbara W. Tuchman is a weighty and detailed history book that provides a captivating look at the society of the 14th century, covering events such as The Plague Black Death, epic battles like Poitiers, and struggles for dominance from England to Italy. The book delves into both grand historical events and the mundanities of ordinary life, exploring topics like childhood, marriage, money, taxes, war, and their impact on all levels of society from serf to noble to clergy. Tuchman uses the history of the Sires of Coucey to give a human face to the 14th century, making the narrative rich in detail and scholarship.
The book is praised for its narrative style that reads like a novel, following the life of one nobleman through the tumultuous events of the 14th century. Tuchman's approach, combining personal biographies with discrete essay chapters on various historical aspects, is commended for making the period come to life and providing insight into both the large trends and small details of the era, from shrinking populations and war to religion and the decline of chivalry.
Formidable and grand on a hilltop in Picardy, the five-towered castle of Coucy dominated the approach to Paris from the north, but whether as guardian or as challenger of the monarchy in the capital w...- #3
Save:'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett is a historical novel set in medieval England, following the lives of various characters intertwined through the construction of a cathedral in the town of Kingsbridge. The narrative spans over decades, exploring themes of ambition, power, politics, love, and betrayal during the 12th century. The book delves into the challenges faced by individuals from different social backgrounds, including monks, nobles, and peasants, as they navigate through the turbulent times of the Middle Ages.
The storytelling in 'The Pillars of the Earth' is characterized by its epic scope, rich historical detail, and intricate character development. Readers are drawn into a world filled with vivid descriptions of life in medieval England, emphasizing the struggles and triumphs of the central characters involved in the monumental task of building a cathedral. The novel weaves together elements of suspense, drama, romance, and political intrigue, offering a captivating portrayal of a bygone era and the enduring human spirit that drives individuals to overcome obstacles in pursuit of their dreams.
The walls were already three feet high and rising fast. The two masons Tom had engaged were working steadily in the sunshine, their trowels going scrape, slap and then tap, tap while their laborer swe... - #4
Save:'The History of the Medieval World: From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade' by Susan Wise Bauer is a comprehensive overview of the medieval period, spanning across different continents and cultures. The writing style is engaging, with short chapters that read like episodes, each focusing on different rulers, adventures, and intrigues. The narrative flows smoothly, providing insights into the evolution of societies and influences during the Middle Ages.
delves into the religious, political, and daily life aspects of the medieval era, offering readers a detailed yet accessible introduction to a complex period in history. The author's inclusion of humor and occasional personal comments adds a touch of lightness to the otherwise vast and intricate subject matter, making it an engrossing read for both history enthusiasts and beginners.
Nor was it the last horrible death. Licinius then murdered Maximinus Daia’s two young children, both under the age of nine, and drowned their mother; he also put to death three other possible blood cl... 'The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England' by Dan Jones is a detailed historical account spanning over 245 years, chronicling the reigns of a dozen monarchs. The book delves into the lives of the Plantagenet dynasty, exploring their triumphs, flaws, and the turbulent political landscape of medieval England. Jones presents a narrative that is both informative and engaging, shedding light on the complex relationships, power struggles, and significant events that shaped England during this period. The writing style is accessible, making centuries-old history readable and enjoyable for both newcomers and history enthusiasts alike.
The prince was drunk. So too were the crew and passengers of the ship he had borrowed. On the evening of November 25, 1120, nearly two hundred young and beautiful members of England’s and Normandy’s e...'The Wars of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors' by Dan Jones delves into the turbulent period of English history during the Wars of the Roses, detailing the intricate power struggles between the Plantagenets, Lancasters, Yorks, and Tudors. Jones' storytelling is praised for bringing to life the stories of these royal houses, filled with high drama, betrayals, and political intrigue. covers key events such as the battles between the Lancasters and Yorks, the rise of Henry Tudor as Henry VII, and the ultimate fall of the Plantagenet dynasty, providing a comprehensive narrative that captivates readers.
Jones' narrative style is commended for its engaging and accessible approach to presenting a complex and often confusing era of history. not only offers a detailed account of the Wars of the Roses but also provides insights into the personalities of key historical figures like Henry VI, Margaret of Anjou, Edward IV, Richard III, and Henry VII. Readers appreciate Jones' ability to balance empathy for both sides of the conflict, avoiding a biased portrayal of the Lancastrians or Yorkists, and bringing a fresh perspective to this period of English history.
SHEWASMARRIED in a soldier’s wedding. Shortly before midday on Trinity Sunday in June 1420, a large band of musicians struck up a triumphant tune as the elegant parish church of St. Jean-au-Marché in ...- #7
Save:'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is a medieval murder mystery set in a 14th-century Italian monastery where Brother William of Baskerville investigates charges of heresy as monks begin to die one by one. The book delves into the complexities of religious factions, beliefs, and conflicts during a time of political and religious unrest, with a central mystery surrounding rare parchments in the library. Eco's writing style combines elements of historical fiction, mystery, and intellectual discourse, exploring themes of doubt, belief, signs, meaning, and ambiguity.
ON AUGUST 16, 1968, I WAS HANDED A BOOK WRITTEN BY A CERTAIN Abbé Vallet, Le Manuscrit de Dom Adson de Melk, traduit en français d’après l’édition de Dom J. Mabillon (Aux Presses de l’Abbaye de la Sou... 'The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land' by Thomas Asbridge is a detailed and well-balanced account of the Crusades, primarily focusing on the Middle Eastern and Egyptian crusades. The book covers the historical, religious, political, social, military, and economic contexts of the wars, examining the internal divisions among both Europeans and Muslims that led to the initial success of the Crusades and continued the struggle for two centuries. Asbridge provides a narrative of the events from the Crusader perspective, offering insights into the rise of significant figures like Nur al-Din, Saladin, and the Mamluks in unifying the Levant to drive out the crusaders. The writing style is described as academic yet accessible, with an abundance of detail and clear maps to aid in understanding the routes, battles, and strategies of the Crusades.
Nine hundred years ago the Christians of Europe waged a series of holy wars, or crusades, against the Muslim world, battling for dominion of a region sacred to both faiths–the Holy Land. This bloody s...- #9
Save:'Terry Jones' Medieval Lives' by Terry Jones and Alan Ereira is a witty and informative account of the decline of the Roman Empire and the development of medieval Europe. The book takes a somewhat rapid overview of the period, discussing the lives of eight types of people you might have encountered during the almost five hundred year period of the Middle Ages in England. Jones and Ereira employ an approachable style to delve into the richness of late medieval history, challenging commonly held beliefs and shedding light on specific instances to construct a counter-narrative to many stereotypes around medieval history.
BEING A PEASANT DURING THE MIDDLE AGES must qualify as one of the worst jobs in history – but then we’re only guessing because the peasants didn’t leave much record of their lives. Except once, in the... 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' by Mark Twain is a humorous tale about Hank Morgan, a man from Connecticut in the 1800s who finds himself transported back in time to King Arthur's Court. Through the collision of past and present, Twain uses Morgan to expose the flaws in both eras, critiquing systems such as slavery, feudal class structures, and the power dynamics of the Church. The novel combines elements of time travel, social commentary, and satire, showcasing Morgan's attempts to revolutionize Arthurian England with his modern knowledge and inventions.
Twain's writing style in 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' is characterized by wit, humor, and sharp social observations. The book humorously explores the clash between 6th-century Britain and 19th-century America, as Morgan navigates the challenges of implementing his progressive ideas in a medieval setting. Twain's satirical approach sheds light on various political, social, and religious issues, making the reader reflect on the parallels between the past and the author's contemporary society.
It was a soft, reposeful summer landscape, as lovely as a dream, and as lonesome as Sunday. The air was full of the smell of flowers, and the buzzing of insects, and the twittering of birds, and there...
