Medieval Europe [Hardcover]

H. W. C. Davis (Author), 1stWorld Library (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2006

All divisions of history into periods are artificial in proportion as they are precise. In history there is, strictly speaking, no end and no beginning. Each event is the product of an infinite series of causes, the starting-point of an infinite series of effects. Language and thought, government and manners, transform themselves by imperceptible degrees; with the result that every age is an age of transition, not fully intelligible unless regarded as the child of a past and the parent of a future. Even so the species of the animal and vegetable kingdoms shade off one into another until, if we only observe the marginal cases, we are inclined to doubt whether the species is more than a figment of the mind. Yet the biologist is prepared to defend the idea of species; and in like manner the historian holds that the distinction between one phase of culture and another is real enough to justify, and, indeed, to demand, the use of distingui-shing names.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 188 pages
• Publisher: 1st World Library - Literary Society (February 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1421809400
• ISBN-13: 978-1421809403
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too generalized., July 1, 2010

By 

Ebookman - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Medieval Europe (Kindle Edition)

This is a short book, just over 100 pages in printed form and far too vague and general to be a lasting real interest.
The subject matter, Medieval Europe, needs a fuller more detailed study.
I skipped the pages on the crusades for instance as I have an excellent full length study, "God's War" (900+pages), already.
Medieval Europe is a free book of course, and if you know nothing of European history maybe you could start here. Otherwise give it a miss.

6 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great overview of Midieval Europe, July 20, 2011

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Enigmatic Tzu (Phoenix, Az) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Medieval Europe (Kindle Edition)

I have to say; I agree with the other reviewer, that it is a very drawn back outlook. This is one of the greatest aspects; sometimes when you're zeroed in on a particular person or area of history, you might find yourself wondering what's going on in another part of the world at this time.

I found it very captivating and as the other reviewer also said a great introduction. It is a great easy way to discover if your interested in this topic or not.

One thing I found truly exciting was the discussion of the constant power struggles between church and state. The fact that the church believed itself and only it's presence in the world to be the only thing holding back the devil from engulfing the entire world - well I guess I should say, not the entire world, as back then the world was flat! I wonder who was protecting the native Americans?

Did you know that although the Pope at the time (1600's not the era of this book) believed Galileo was right when he claimed the earth to be round; but the pope still imprisoned Galileo because as the pope put it "If I were to endorse your claim; it would cause the entire Christian world to begin to question it's faith!" (paraphrased)