Customer Reviews

Early Medieval Europe, 300-1000, Second Edition (History of Europe (St. Martins))

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In writing an overall account of history such as this, what matters is the capacity for synthesis and re-interpretation, and Roger Collins certainly has both. But he also has the faults of his virtues. He manages to cover all important features of the enormous period under observation; he is familiar with modern scholarship; he is an excellent writer; and he is constantly questioning his material and searching for new interpretation. On a number of issues, his views are not only interesting but revelatory; take for instance his account of the barbarity and self-serving mendacity of Charles Martel, or of the real role of Aetius in the end of the Western Empire. However, his constant questioning of the issues can take the form of being contrary for its own sake; and some of his preconceptions are unacceptable. In particular, he pushes the issue of Roman influence on the conquering Germanic war bands so far that, in effect, any notion of Teutonic cultural autonomy vanishes into a phantom, and we are left wondering why, if everything of importance from monarchy to law-codes had been borrowed by the Teutons from the Romans, the political structures of the Dark and Middle Ages are so different from the Roman one - not only in scale, but in kind. This is a fine and thoughtful account of a large area of our history, but I would not take it without taking in some contrary views as a balance.

A good narrative history of the transition from late antiquity to the medieval. I enjoyed the intelligent scepticism about the available written sources and the way Collins analysed historical actors in terms of the problems actually facing them (rather than some teleological notion of how they "should" have acted or be seen to have acted). Found the lack of consideration of the underlying structures of (changing) societies a bit frustrating, though I realise there are major evidence difficulties. Still, there seemed to be an underlying story just out of reach.

Collins sees the central drama of the period, the "Fall" of the Western Roman Empire, as mainly consisting in the disappearance of the first the Western Roman Army and then the capping Imperial authority as the result of various choices made by said authority under mounting military pressure with most of the underlying structures remaining. There is much to be said for this characterisation. However, the evidence of a long-term demographic and economic decline extending from about 300AD to about 750AD suggests that these processes were themselves the results of deeper underlying causes (which they may, of course, have then aggravated). Similarly, Collins seems a little over-impressed by the survival of the Eastern Roman Empire (p.98). Yes, that state did survive for another 1000 years, but it also lost half its own territory in the period 650-710AD.

Which is not to say it is other than a useful and informative book. The political and military struggles of the period are laid out in a clear narrative, particularly the rise and decline of the Carolingian empire, and there is plenty of information to assist in building a better sense of the period.

This is a subject that is almost impossible to write about coherently. Collins has moments where he uses a difficult style that can seem impenetrable on a first reading (perhaps this is an american point-of-view). But often on a second reading, his points become exceptionally clear and well grounded. Not being an expert, though, I sometimes wonder if he's not a bit too sure of his analyses. Keeping that in mind, this is still a good, strong book with a great deal of historiographical landmarks to support his major premises.

This is one of the best survey histories that I have ever read: while comprehensive, it neither gets bogged down in obscure scholarly debates nor over-simplifies controversies on sources or interpretation for lay readers. I was utterly absorbed in it for weeks - every page made me want to learn more in more specialized sources. A demanding read, its level is advanced undergraduate or early graduate school.

The book starts with the sudden deterioration of the West Roman Empire, with a detailed portrayal of the culture, the military challenges faced, and an extended analysis of the collapse. This takes up the first 100 pages and is necessary for an understanding of the new order (or disorder) that is covered in the next 300+ pages. In seeking causes of the implosion, the author examines the thesis that it was Christianity, population decline, or circumstances and bad decisions; it is a wonderfully nuanced discussion.

The last 3/4 of the book covers both the rise of new states or kingdoms as well as the rise of Christianity and its institutions, which differed in many ways from the Roman ones that carried on through the cultural influence of surviving aristocrats. This is so dense with ideas and information that I cannot do justice to it here. Essentially, new kingdoms arose that borrowed from Roman models of government, culminating in the Holy Roman Empire of Charlemagne. However, with the exception of Byzantium, these arrangements were temporary hereditary monarchies, rarely intact for longer than 100 years due to incessant wars with eachother or with outside forces (Arabs, Slavs, Vikings, all of which is covered). The greatest change was the development of a Christian ideology as a way to transmit culture and ultimately political reach.

There are faults with the book. First, there is only one map, which is a serious problem given the complexity of evolving regions with names that were long superceded - would you know, for example, what part of Germany was "saxon"? Second, there are no illustrations, which would have enhanced the reading experience. Third, there is no wrapup analysis at the end - it just ends abruptly, with a descriptions of the Ottonians' demise. You get no view of what follows, what it might have meant, and what was accomplished. Finally, social questions, economics, and technology are not covered.

Recommended for all serious students of history. It is a wonderful read and beautifully written.

Roger Collins' book covers a great scope of history both in time and geography. Overall he does admirable job. He manages to bring in a multitude of facts and figures and covers a huge number of historical characters. Still- I found the book less than great. First, and this is the publisher's fault, it desparately needs maps. Where is Norvicum or Pannonia? Where even is Leon in Spain? Second, the beginning of each chapter consists of a discussion of texts and how the material is lacking or not to be believed. His discussion of text gets laughable at times. More important, Mr. Collins misses so much. He misses much social context and rarely delves into the economics or trade. I would point in specific to non-Visigothic Spain which is amazingly complex and interesting. He glances over the spread of Islam and its reasons and other important features in the history of this period. He gives little detail about the Caliphate in Cordoba and other issues around it and other cities, north and south. In short, he often over simplifies and often makes a statement like something changed but never quite shows how and why. Still, this is a good book, but I would not recommend it as a first read on the period.

I needed this book in a hurry for school. Nobody else had it so I had no choice but to order it online. I was kind of nervous because I did not know when it would come in. I was really glad that it came in only four days after ordering it.

This is an excellent introduction for the person who is seriously interested in understanding the full scope of the early middle ages. Is provides a broad understanding of the many and varied elments of late antiquity. I strongly recommend it.