The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe (Hardcover)

by George Holmes (Editor) "IN the late fourth century there was little sign of imminent upheaval in the Mediterranean heartlands of the Roman Empire..." (more)
Key Phrases: northern world, barbarian kingdoms, Middle Ages, Roman Empire, Holy Land (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Holmes et al. have produced an attractive account of medieval Europe from the fall of Rome to the eve of the Reformation. This popular history, well-written by professional historians, is for the intelligent general reader. The book conveys a good sense of the movement of events and the succession of great people, and it catches the economic, social, and intellectual structures which underpinned events. Noteworthy among the well-conceived chapters is Malcolm Vale's discussion of "the eclipse of ecclesiastical power . . . especially papal power . . . and the expansion and elaboration of secular rule." Holmes concludes that this fragmented era laid the groundwork for the fertile period that followed. Maps, charts, and illustrations deserve high praise. Highly recommended. David Keymer, CUNY Coll. of Technology, Utica
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
'The individual chapters are scholarly and up to the minute, without loss of accessibility or pace. The illustrations are many, apposite and refreshingly unhackneyed.' Times Literary Supplement

'In this beautifully illustrated collection of essays the editor and his six collaborators present a picture of that civilization which is well written and well presented.' Contemporary Review

'The rich diversity of the period is admirably conveyed ... and visually enhanced by hundreds of the fine illustrations. With maps, chronology and a comprehensive reading-list, this attractively produced reference book will appeal to a wide readership.' David L. Edwards, Church Times

'the contributors have lucidity as well as learning in common. This book will make a good companion for sightseeing trips abroad.' Bob Marshall, Bookseller

'Among the individual contributors the palm goes to Edward James for his masterly survey of northern Europe 400-900 ... The illustrations have been well selected and excellently reproduced' James Howard-Johnston, Sunday Times

'The individual chapters are scholarly and up to the minute, without loss of accessibility or pace. The illustrations are many, apposite, and refreshingly unhackneyed.' Times Literary Supplement

'a splendid volume, presenting contemporary scholarship to the general reader with care, grace, much thought and many illustrations; filled with things that most general readers won't know at all, and that many specialist readers won't have thought of' London Review of Books

'With over 200 magnificent illustrations, this is likely to become a standard introduction to the subject.' Good Book Guide

'ambitious and informative' History Today

'The volume is full of splendid illustrations, some in full colour, many of them unusual, and these make a notable contribution to the quality of the book. We should be grateful to the entire production team, and not least to the printers, for having done an outstanding job in making available a volume which deserves to sell well at the very reasonable price at which it has been published.' French History

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 19, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198200730
• ISBN-13: 978-0198200734
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #546,274 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Survey writing is informative, not inspiring, August 6, 2008

By	Todd Stockslager (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

High-level survey by multiple authors of Middle Ages from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance. As a survey, the writing doesn't inspire, but it does inform. See, for example, Morris Bishop's The Middle Ages for a history with a consistently higher level of writing.

Interesting is that Dark Ages weren't so dark, nor were they the result and fault of a repressive Christianity. The common folks of classic civilization lived lives just like the lives of those of the Dark Ages.

In fact, with the collapse of the Roman Empire and the rise and spread of Christianity, there was a flowering of study, history, and literature, much of liturgical or doctrinal, some heretical, some orthodox. Its was a battle for hearts and minds, waged of course among the smaller upper crust of literacy.

After the establishment of orthodoxy and the politicization of Christianity, literary and intellectual freedom did seem to decline, to a large part due to a bunker mentality on the part of a church attempting to maintain a separate by equal authority with and over secular empires and kings, and not helped by the east/west split between Rome and Constantinople, and the encroachment by Muslims from the east and literal barbarians from the north.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe (Oxford Illustrated Histories), May 28, 2009

By	Raven Z "Raven Z" (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe (Oxford Illustrated Histories) (Paperback)

The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe (Oxford Illustrated Histories) is very helpful and I love the richness of the pictures.