The Story of the Middle Ages (Yesterday's Classics) [Paperback]

Samuel B. Harding (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 18, 2006

Relates the history of the Middle Ages simply, directly, and entertainingly. The material is well-arranged and the selection of topics is excellent. Special attention is given to presenting the life of the people-peasant, noble, and court. A unique and valuable book. Suitable for ages 11 and up.

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Yesterday's Classics (April 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159915157X
• ISBN-13: 978-1599151571
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,286,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview, May 31, 2007

By 

M. L. Lambooy (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Story of the Middle Ages (Yesterday's Classics) (Paperback)

Tapestry of Grace curriculum uses this book and The Middle Ages: An Illustrated History (Oxford U. Press) for middle school. Story of the Middle Ages is a good overview. It is dated in certain aspects, but its critiques of most cultures and events are balanced and should be helpful to the young student of this period. It pairs well with the OUP title.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Use with caution..., August 19, 2011

By 

M. Pothoven "homeschooling mama" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Story of the Middle Ages (Paperback)

This is one of the books listed in the TOG curriculum for my 10 year old this year. Since I wasn't familiar with it, I decided to read a few chapters and get a feel for the book. What I concluded is that we will be reading it together. That's because I found things like this:

"When missionaries went among them, however, they became Christians. This shows one of the greatest qualities which they possessed. They were willing and able to learn from other people... Other races, like the American Indians, who did not learn so readily, have declined and died away when they have been brought in contact with a higher civilization... " Ch. 1, pg. 11

Ok, so I think most people this day in age know that the American Indian culture didn't "decline and die away", and that many did convert to Christianity and learned things from other cultures. There are many groups of "American Indians" today who maintain their old traditions. I think this is a racist comment; and depending on your doctrinal beliefs, you may also think that the conversion of the "Germans" (the author calls the people of present day Germany, Germans, even though Germany didn't exist in the Middle Ages, confusing...), wasn't due to their own good works, or willingness "to learn from other people."

I think this book offers a humanist perspective. The Middle Ages wasn't just a time of preparation or "growing time." It was a time when the church grew and prospered, influencing the people and culture around in positive ways, as well as negative - like any other period in history, worth studying for its own contributions and events and not just as a prelude to the Renaissance and Modernity.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Story of the Middle Ages, March 10, 2011

By 

Samanthia Corcoran - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Story of the Middle Ages (Paperback)

I purchased this book to be used with Tapestry of Grace. Apparently there are several editions, and this one does not line up with the assignments given in the curriculum. As for the book, I have no complaints. Just a word of warning.