The Worlds of Medieval Europe [Paperback]

Clifford R. Backman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 2002

The Worlds of Medieval Europe updates and revises traditional textbook representations of the Middle Ages by balancing the conventional focus on political affairs, especially those of northern Europe, with equally detailed attention to medieval society as it developed in the Mediterranean. The result is a nuanced portrayal of a multifarious western world that was sharply divided between its northern and southern aspects. By also integrating the histories of the Islamic and Byzantine world into the main narrative, the text brings new life to the continuum of interaction--social, cultural, and intellectual, as well as commercial--that existed among all three societies. In addition, it describes ways in which the medieval Latin West attempted to understand the unified and rational structure of the human cosmos, which they believed existed beneath the observable diversity and disorder of the world. This effort to re-create a human ordering of "unity through diversity" provides an essential key to understanding medieval Europe and the ways in which it regarded and reacted to the worlds around it. The Worlds of Medieval Europe is an ideal text for undergraduate courses in medieval history, Western civilization, the history of Christianity, and Muslim-Christian relations. It also serves as an excellent supplement for courses on the history of a specific country in the medieval period, the history of medieval art, or the history of the European economy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Advance Praise: "This fresh and often iconoclastic survey acknowledges the diversity of medieval experiences--from era to era, region to region, class to class. The solid and traditional political narrative is enriched with an energetic discussion of environmental and technological issues, while social history, fascinating in itself, is successfully integrated into these contexts. Important intellectual themes of religion and philosophy are particularly accessible to students through a clear and focused examination of broader issues. The later Middle Ages, now the focus of much research, receive extended treatment. There are suggested texts and studies to draw students into the library but the text itself is so richly annotated with primary sources that as a course resource it could stand alone."--James W. Brodman, University of Central Arkansas

About the Author

Clifford R. Backman is at Boston University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195121694
• ISBN-13: 978-0195121698
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,264,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Engaging, March 30, 2009

By 

Levi Kovacs (Martinez, GA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Worlds of Medieval Europe (Paperback)

This is by far one of the best general history books on the Middle Ages. It is written in a style that is lively, engaging, and humorous which is something missing in many works of history meant for a general readership. Backman covers the period from the collapse of Rome to the Renaissance. He touches on many different aspects of Medieval history. War and politics, society, economics, medieval philosophy, arts, sciences, and religion all recieve mention. The author looks at several different regions in Europe rather than focusing most of his work on one or two regions (usually England and France, in other works). Medieval Spain, Italy, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Byzantine Empire are given treatment along with England and France. This allows the reader to grasp the diverse nature of the medieval experience in Europe.
I was very impressed with the author's ability to dispel common myths about the period. His treatment on common society and on Spain are particularly enlightening. He also has a great appreciation for the people of this time period and approaches them with a great deal of respect. They are not treated as if they are a bunch of backward, unenlightened savages or barbarians who lack our proper modern views. Backman does not trivialize the beliefs, outlooks, and motivations of the people he discusses in the book.
I have only two minor complaints with the book. There was little in the way of discussion of Eastern Europe unless it is connected with the Holy Roman Empire. I was hoping there would be some discussion of the Kingdom of Hungary, but it was little mentioned. I cannot complain too much though as the author covers so much of Medieval Europe already. My second complaint is that the last part of the book seems a bit rushed and a little unfocused. It struck me that the late Middle Ages was not a strong area for the author and that he was rushing through it to finish the book.
Overall, this is a great book. I highly recommend it to students and general readers alike. There is a wealth of information in this book that will leave you with the realisation that the Middle Ages was a fascinating period of change and development in Western history, not one thousand years of non-history as it is so often taught to be.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All's fine in War and religion, as long as you don't live it, February 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Worlds of Medieval Europe (Paperback)

I'll admit it. I had to read this book for class. But if you think of it as just another textbook, you're sadly mistaken. Backman's ability to catch you off guard and pull you past the standard mythos of the Medieval world makes this book enjoyable and the least likely to put you to sleep of any history text you may be forced to read. Not only does he manage to cover both religious and secular history without having you feel the need to chuck said book at the wall, he manages to poke fun at his topic and put the world into understandable language. How many books have you read admit that a previous quote was christian snobbery and then goes on how the man misquoted anyways? He strips away the stiff grandeur and manages to make history into a story with both events and characters that are relatable, if not a bit humorous. And definiately readable.

So, yes I recommend this book, not only if you're a history major looking for a good text, but someone who wonders what really happened when the world went from order to chaos just 'cause a guy started preaching on a rock.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Read, August 16, 2005

By 

L. K. Hackett "khackett" (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Worlds of Medieval Europe (Paperback)

This was not only an INTERESTING history book, but Backman is just a very funny guy and that completely comes across in his writings. The footnotes, typically a skipped portion of my reading, became my favourite details.

The man knows his stuff and likes to engage; there's no reason NOT to read this book.