Customer Reviews

The Worlds of Medieval Europe

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

One of the best overall history books I've read. Mr. Backman makes the history of Medieval Europe come alive with his insights and easy-reading style. Believe me, I've read quite a few Medieval history books; most of the older ones are a dull recitation of facts, dates, names and battles. In a reaction to this, most recent histories have all but ignored the "big picture" to focus on everyday life. That's fine, but I'd still like a reference point in history. Backman's book delivers. He lets you know what's going on at the lowest levels of society, while, at the same time, keeping in in context of the "major" history occurring at the same time.

This is probably the best generalist study of the Middle Ages I have read. The author is clear, concise, and tends to get the broad outlines of history and its dynamics right. And the work is quite accessible.

However, I did notice a number of errors in his text, or at least contrarian statements offered with no evidence etc. My suspicion is that these are just misunderstandings. For example, his appraisal of side-rudders on ships is quite different from what people have said who have actually tried such designs, and I am not at all sure what he means by the Norse practising polygamy. However, I wouldn't expect a generalist to get everything right all the time.

All in all, though, I would recommend this work.

This is not the best nor the worst intro to medieval Europe. It can be interesting and a little less dry than other historical works but some of his opinions and facts are shaky, like his account of Sylvester III. A better choice might be Davis' or Riddle's medieval histories, yet I have used some of this work when writing essays. In combination with other works this one is OK, since you can compare them, but on its own some of the facts and conclusions are a little out there or simply incorrect. The church is not one of his strong suits, for that look to Davis, but some of his Viking incursion era material was interesting, though I disagree with his view about polygamy adding to overpopulation.
Sadly no medieval intro seems wholly satisfying, and they keep on making Latin mistakes (Backman has "iquisitio" in the index instead of "inquisitio," Riddle goes on a rant in the Epilogue about the phrase "deus veritatem est" and how it could mean "God is truth" or "a god is truth" etc, sadly it means God eats truth, he meant to write "deus veritas est," Davis misspells foederati twice.) I doubt you care much about Latin errors, but my point is don't trust it just because it's in a book, especially this one.

While I have not read this book (I opted not to buy it for the class I had with Professor Backman) I have had a significant amount of time to hear him speak. I'm sure the man is very insightful, but he excites no interest in any subject he ever breached in class, and in fact ruined most of my interest in Medieval religious roots. Once again I have not read the product, this is solely based on my experience with the author himself.