The Age of Charlemagne (Trade Editions) [Paperback]

David Nicolle (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Trade Editions | Publication Date: September 25, 2000

Most historians agree that the Carolingian Age, from the 8th to the 10th centuries AD, represented one of the most important turning points in European history. The adoption of the stirrup and subsequently of early versions of the high-framed war saddle, plus the pressure of rival and essentially non-western European cultures, combined to give birth to what are popularly regarded as mediaeval European styles of warfare. This text explores the organization and history of the Carolingian Empire during the age of one of history's most romanticized and heroic figures - Charlemagne.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The Bringing History to Life collection is made up of Osprey's all-time favourite titles, re-released with striking new covers - selected titles also include visitor information sections.

About the Author

David Nicolle PhD was born in 1944 and was educated at Highgate School. For eight years he worked in the BBC Arabic Service. In 1971 he went 'back to school', gaining an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies and a PhD from Edinburgh University. For some years he taught art and architectural history at Yarmuk University, Jordan. David has written many Osprey titles, including MAA 140 Armies of the Ottoman Turks, MAA 320 Armies of the Caliphates 862–1098, and Campaign 43 Fornovo 1495. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (September 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841761257
• ISBN-13: 978-1841761251
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,921,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent concise overview of the period., August 16, 2006

By 

oakheart (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Age of Charlemagne (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

_The Age of Charlemagne_ offers an excellent concise overview of the political and military history of the Carolingian Empire. David Nicolle, perhaps Osprey's top author on medieval subjects, gives the usual Osprey coverage of the military development and organization of the era, in this case the gradual introduction of stirrups to western Europe and the rise of early fighting cavalry. However, perhaps due to the paucity of historical material on these topics, Nicolle also includes a brief but thorough history of the Empire itself. The factors cited for its fall in the early 900s CE include encroachment by Saracens and Magyars, raids by Vikings, and the inability of the offense-designed Carolingian military system to adapt to a defensive role. _The Age of Charlemagne_ details the military history of this early medieval period and provides a valuable overview of the political history as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect introduction, June 22, 2007

By 

K. Murphy "Fortune favors the Bold" (The thriving metropolis of Masury, OH) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Age of Charlemagne (Trade Editions) (Paperback)

Another wonderful men-at-arms book produced by the union of David Nicolle's detailed examination of politics, military organization, and armament and Angus McBride's flawless and exciting artwork. This book not only discusses the adventures of the Carolingian Empire in the 9th and 10th Centuries, but also looks at its Avar, Slavic, Germanic, Italian, and Muslim foes.