Mysteries of the Middle Ages: And the Beginning of the Modern World (Hinges of History) [Paperback]

Thomas Cahill (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 4, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0385495560 | ISBN-13: 978-0385495561 | Edition: First Edition

From the bestselling author of How the Irish Saved Civilization, a fascinating look at how medieval thinkers created the origins of modern intellectual movements.

After the long period of decline known as the Dark Ages, medieval Europe experienced a rebirth of scholarship, art, literature, philosophy, and science and began to develop a vision of Western society that remains at the heart of Western civilization today, from the entry of women into professions that had long been closed to them to the early investigations into alchemy that would form the basis of experimental science. On visits to the great cities of Europe-monumental Rome; the intellectually explosive Paris of Peter Abelard and Thomas Aquinas; the hotbed of scientific study that was Oxford; and the incomparable Florence of Dante and Giotto-acclaimed historian Thomas Cahill brilliantly captures the spirit of experimentation, the colorful pageantry, and the passionate pursuit of knowledge that built the foundations for the modern world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Intoxicating. . . . Cahill's command of rich historical detail makes medieval cities and their colorful characters come to alive.”
—The Los Angeles Times

“Cahill offers a fascinating portrayal of the intellectual richness that foreshadows the coming Renaissance. . . . [He] deftly focuses on key locations and major figures that form the foundations of Renaissance and Modern thought in feminism, science, and art.”
—Rocky Mountain News

“[Cahill] succeeds roundly in bringing his own gift of enticing readers to the study of the past, describing the development and definition of the medieval worldview, as well as he has ever done.”
—New York Daily News

About the Author

Thomas Cahill's appealing approach to distant history has won the attention of millions of readers in North America and beyond. Cahill is the author of four previous volumes in the Hinges of History series: How the Irish Saved Civilization, The Gifts of the Jews, Desire of the Everlasting Hills, and Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea. They have been bestsellers, not only in the United States but also in countries ranging from Italy to Brazil. He and his wife, Susan, also a writer, divide their time between New York and Rome.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; First Edition edition (March 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385495560
• ISBN-13: 978-0385495561
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > History > World > Civilization & Culture
  • #76 in Books > History > World > Women in History

More About the Author

Thomas Cahill, former director of religious publishing at Doubleday, is the bestselling author of the Hinges of History series.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 75 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A rose by any other name is still a rose March 13, 2008

By B. Simmons

Format:Paperback

This is a well-written, beautifully illustrated book. The treatment of the footnotes is unusual and eminently readable; they are on the same page, rather than being relegated to the end of the book, and not in the usual 6 or 7 pt fine print of a scholarly treatise. The author obviously knows his subject matter, but his writing is more conversational than pedagogical. However, buyer beware. If you've read the hardcover "Mysteries of the Middle Ages: The Rise of Feminism, Science, and Art from the Cults of Catholic Europe," don't buy this so-called reprint edition. They've simply changed the subtitle to "And the Beginning of the Modern World." It's not the additional volume on the making of the modern world promised on page iii of the hardcover edition.

58 of 63 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Best when it sticks to the middle ages May 3, 2008

By Steven A. Peterson TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This is a well written book that illustrates some of the major advances toward a more modern world that occurred during the middle ages. This is largely accomplished through a detailed examination of several key people (and one could surely quibble with these selections, although they are pretty reasonable to me): Hildegarde of Bingen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Francis of Assisi, Peter Abelard, Henry II (Plantagenet), Roger Bacon, Dante, Giotto, and a handful of others.

One issue that bothered me somewhat: the focus or purpose of this book is not real clear. The author, Thomas Cahill, begins by mentioning that the Middle Ages are, against the claims of some, the beginnings of modernity and has often been unappreciated for its contributions. However, at the end, he notes that (Page 313) "The story this book has had to tell is the story of the (often overlooked and belittled) Catholic contribution to Western civilization." And then, if one reads the book, he is often quite critical of the Catholic hierarchy. Thus, I am not sure that there is a consistent thematic spine to the book. That is hardly critical, but I sometimes asked myself what the purpose of this book might be.

That said, this is a handsomely produced work. There is a nice technique for including footnotes on the pages where a reference is made; there are very nice reproductions of the art of the day, maps, and so on; there is plenty of space between the lines and this renders reading much easier. From time to time there are summary charts (e.g., key dates on timelines).

For those (including me) who may a little about some of the key players but not much about others, this is a delight. I enjoy the music of Hildegarde of Bingen, but I scarcely had a sense of her role in the history of the times. Abelard and Eloise was a rather lugubrious story to me, but I had no great depth of information on their relationship and the events that challenged them. The juxtaposition of Thomas Aquinas and Francis of Assisi is nicely done.

On the other hand, gratuitous and underdeveloped linkages to today's politics just detract from the narrative flow. On pages 182-183, we read a rather ill formed critique of George Bush. Whatever one thinks of Bush and his Iraqi policy, such a throwaway commentary contributes little and is, in fact, irritating. If an author wish to draw parallels to today's political situation, such an author should be obliged to flesh out the comment rather than making snide asides.

Overall, though, a well done work exploring the important changes taking place in the Middle Ages, presaging the move to modernity.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Mixture of facts and opinions April 12, 2008

By Armchair Interviews

Format:Paperback

Mysteries of the Middle Ages is the third book in a series of seven on European history.

Thomas Cahill's thesis is that the Middle Ages were not the intellectual desert that many people think them to be. He suggests that they were a period of fertile development in the areas of science, philosophy and the arts. Rather than trying to give a broad overview of the period, he introduces us to a number of the main characters who lived in the period. The book is a history of the Church and faith more than the countries, but it is through the gradually shifting nature of that faith that the world changes.

The book begins with a quick overview of the Greek and Roman civilization. As strange as it may seem to start there, it becomes clear that much of the Middle Ages are the re-discovery of Greek philosophy and science, but with a different twist to it.

During the course of the book we meet a sequestered nun who, by the end of her long life is going on speaking tours of Europe; another woman who lives her own life as ruler; and a gentle man who renounces all wealth and power. We are introduced to a villain who has a great effect on all three of the above, and many other characters who are all unique in the way they view the world they live in.

While I found the stories fascinating, I found Cahill's diversions into commentary on the modern day less interesting. He interjects his opinions of our modern day in a way that more often distracts than adds to the book. The entire closing chapter is in this vein. That said, I found the way the author tells the story usually carried me past the infrequent rants. I would still recommend this amusing and readable book to anyone who wishes an introduction to this misunderstood period of our history.

Armchair Interviews says: When Cahill is telling stories he is terrific, when he is ranting, less so.