The Middle Ages (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: Middle Ages, Holy Land, Saint Louis (more...)

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Review

"Mr. Bishop . . . says here almost everything of transcending importance about the Middle Ages and says it better than it has been said before." --LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL

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In this single indispensable volume, one of America"s ranking scholars combines a life"s work of research and teaching with the art of lively narration. Both authoriatative and beautifully told, THE MIDDLE AGES is the full story of the thousand years between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance — a time that saw the rise of kings and emperors, the flowering of knighthood, the development of Europe, the increasing power of the Church, and the advent of the middle class. With exceptional grace and wit, Morris Bishop vividly reconstructs this distinctive era of European history in a work that will inform and delight scholars and general readers alike.

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Product Details Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Mariner Books (February 26, 2001) Language: English ISBN-10: 061805703X ISBN-13: 978-0618057030 Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #136,779 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Middle Ages, Holy Land, Saint Louis, Dark Ages, Hundred Years War, Saint Francis, Holy City, Pope Leo, Asia Minor, Black Death, Richard the Lion-Hearted, Pope Innocent, King John, Eastern Empire, Robert Guiscard, Benedictine Rule, Joan of Arc, Great Schism, Saint Peter, Pope John, King Charles, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Lady Poverty, Holy Sepulcher, Philip Augustus of France

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Citations (learn more)

100 books cite this book:

• A Medieval Scrap Heap by W. Edwards on 6 pages
• Medieval Purity and Piety: Essays on Medieval Clerical Celibacy and Religious Reform (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities) by M. Frassetto on 6 pages
• Conflict in Medieval Europe: Changing Perspectives on Society and Culture by Warren C. Brown on 5 pages
• Clement V (Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series) by Sophia Menache on 5 pages
• Women's Monasticism and Medieval Society: Nunneries in France and England, 890-1215 by Bruce L. Venarde on 4 pages

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	87% buy the item featured on this page: The Middle Ages 4.4 out of 5 stars (16) $11.56
	6% buy The Civilization of the Middle Ages: A Completely Revised and Expanded Edition of Medieval History 4.0 out of 5 stars (46) $14.81
	2% buy The Oxford History of Medieval Europe 3.6 out of 5 stars (5) $12.89
	2% buy The New Penguin Atlas of Medieval History: Revised Edition (Hist Atlas) 4.4 out of 5 stars (13) $10.20

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Customer Reviews

16 Reviews 5 star:  (10) 4 star:  (3) 3 star:  (3) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.4 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 41 of 41 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Speaks to Daily Lives, December 20, 2005 By  J. Hart (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    For most of my adult life, I have been interested in learning about the medieval era. I've been frustrated by the books I have read in the past because I either could not keep track of all the unfamiliar names and places thrown at me, or because they spoke only of political events and gave no information about what it was like to "be alive" back then. This book is the best I have read for allowing me to wrap my arms around the Middle Ages. The first and final chapters cover the political history in brief summary. It is written for the layman and does not assume that you already know your Pippen's from your Louis'. It broadly sketches the major events that occurred and why they were important, and it also tells why the Middle Ages differed from what came earlier (Antiquity) and what followed later (Early Modern era). The intervening chapters (the bulk of the book) describes each of the different social groups (nobility, peasantry, clergy, merchants, etc) and what it would have been like to have lived as a member of each class. It also describes the major institutions and how they functioned (Church, kingship, demesnes, free cities). Finally, the book gives a lot of solid and interesting information about medieval art, letters, and architecture. Those who are fairly advanced in knowledge about the Middle Ages will probably find little in this work that they don't already know. It is, after all, a relatively short book that covers almost 1,000 years in short, broad strokes. However, for those like me, who are interested in the period but really don't know much about it, this book is a wonderful place to begin your study. 30 of 32 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and witty overview of the history, culture, and society of Medieval Europe, December 30, 2006 By  Tim F. Martin (Madison, AL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)       _The Middle Ages_ by Morris Bishop is an enjoyable and witty overview of the history, culture, and society of Medieval Europe. The first chapter, "The Long Dark," looks at the beginning of the medieval period, the author arguing that the Middle Ages should be seen as both a continuation of the language, institutions, and artistry of not only old Rome but also of cultures independent of it, such as that of the Franks and Saxons and a formation, the beginning of our modern world, the end of pagan classical civilization. Charlemagne is a major figure in this chapter; his coronation as the first Roman emperor in the West in more than 300 years (in the year 800) marked a major shift in power, from the East to the West, the development of a culture that was not a satellite of Byzantium but rather firmly European, and the very birth of European civilization. Chapter two focused on the history of the High Middle Ages, focusing in large part on the year 1000 as a major turning point, that despite Viking threats "one could point to certain gains, to certain justifications for hope," as the West was in generally a better shape and the broad outline of the major modern states had begun to take form. Technology continued to advance, with the advent of the spinning wheel, mechanical weight-driven clock, compass, and fixed rudder. Notable in the chapter is King Henry II (who laid the foundations of English common law and the institution of limited monarchy). The next chapter focused on knights and the crusades. Bishop noted that the crusades were "the first wars fought for an ideal" and that they were promoted with all the tools of the propagandist, among them atrocity stories, lies, and inflammatory speeches. Also interesting was his coverage of Saladin (the "pet enemy" of the West), the description of crusade battles (Richard the Lion-Hearted took Acre in 1191 with the help of a catapult known as Bad Neighbor), and why the crusades ultimately failed (they did not correspond to any temporal aim, as Europe had no need for Jerusalem or Syria, and Europe would have benefited more from a stronger Byzantine Empire though the crusades achieved in fact quite the opposite). Chapter four focused on the life of the noble, on what in fact feudalism really was, the bloody nature of the family feuds of the nobles, the "bundle of paradoxes" that was the noble (he could be both gallant and bloodthirsty, charitable and immoral), and many of the elements of their daily lives. We learn for instance that window glass was rare for centuries and for long time was treated with great care, as Bishop tells of some nobles who removed and wrapped window glass before long journeys. Throughout much of the Middle Ages pockets were unknown, blonde hair was much prized in Italy (ladies spent a great deal of time bleaching it), hard soap was a luxury item and did not appear until the 12th century, and dinner guests were provided with spoons but had to bring their own knives (forks were a rarity). Chapter five looked at Christianity, arguing that the church, in many senses, was more than merely the patron of medieval culture, that it was medieval culture. He argued that the pope's involvement in political affairs blunted church authority, laying the papacy open to "mockery and shame" by overuse of crusades and excommunication for temporal gains. The coverage of the cult of relics was fascinating (so morbid was this that Saint Romuald of Ravenna, visiting France, heard people propose he was more valuable dead than alive and barely escaped). The life of the monastery was well covered, as well as St. Francis and the Franciscans, Dominic of Caleruega and the Dominicans, the Waldenses (early evangelical, almost Protestant, Christians), and the Cathari (dualistic heretics). Chapter six looked at towns and trade. Interesting tidbits include the fact that the last name Walker comes from the cloth trade (walkers stamped on cloth to shrink and compact it), that bankers first appeared in medieval trade fairs (money changers or "bankers" got the name from the banks or benches that they laid out their coins), artisans kept virtually no stock in stores (they worked only on orders), and our hook-and-ladder companies comes from the hooks supplied in medieval cities to pull burning thatch from roofs to the street. Chapter seven looked at the life of labor. Bishop looked at how the manorial system functioned, the daily life of the peasant, leprosy, and the state of medieval medicine. The eighth chapter focused on the life of thought, the author examining how schools worked and what it was like to have been a student, the origins of medieval science and secular scholarship (as scholars realized that the physical world was "no mere ugly training camp for the soul" but worthy of study in its own right), and famous medieval writers like Dante and Boccaccio. Chapter nine dealt with medieval art, architecture, and music. Fascinating coverage of the evolution of building styles, the construction of cathedrals, the use of stained glass (which told the stories of the Christian faith through "colored sunshine", though Bishop felt the term stained glass was incorrect, as it was not stained with color but rather infused with it), the work and role of artisans in society, and the origins of musical notation (developed during the eleventh century into our recognizably modern form, which was also when our notes were named - ut, re, mi, fa, so, la - from the opening syllables of the successive lines of a familiar hymn). The final chapter dealt with the end of the Middle Ages. Major topics include papal conflicts such as the Babylonian Captivity and the Great Schism, the challenges posed by John Wycliffe and John Hus, the "greatest calamity" to befall the Western world (the Black Death), the Hundred Years War (a "futile war,...it achieved little except destruction, misery, and death"), and Joan of Arc. 20 of 20 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous Medieval Miscellany!!, October 25, 2003 By  Anonymous (London) - See all my reviews This review is from: Middle Ages (Hardcover) This is unbeatable value! Whether you want to know more about the feudal system, monastic life, the merchant class, courtly love, the Crusades - social, political, military, cultural, church history, of both England and mainland Europe - it's all here. All delivered in easy, accessible language. As a teacher, I find this an indispensable reference source. As a student, always learning, it's a revelation for me. A must-have for any bookshelf.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Not your typical history book This is not a normal "history" with dates and references to the lives of specific people. It's simply a collection of interesting details about the lives and activities of the... Read more Published 4 months ago by Vern Buchholz 4.0 out of 5 stars The Uncurious Ages, not the Dark Ages Unlike the pedestrian writing of the Oxford survey (The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe), this is very well written with insight and humor, and continues to confirm... Read more Published 15 months ago by Todd Stockslager 4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Survey Work This is a great survey work. I stumbled across it as I was looking for information on medieval education. There is a good chapter on medieval education. Read more Published on August 9, 2007 by Mr. Webster 5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed this book. I was not sure what book to buy to read on the middle ages. But I seen this one and the reviews and bought it. I was not disappointed at all. Read more Published on December 31, 2006 by Thomas Bond 5.0 out of 5 stars Almost like following a TV series! I am always fascinated with anything to do with the middle ages. The best attribute of this book is the clarity of its author's writing. Read more Published on December 22, 2006 by Gopi Rajaseharan 4.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable This is a very enjoyable, informative and well written book which does a very good job of tackling various aspects of the Medieval Europe, covering the tale end of the dark ages... Read more Published on November 9, 2006 by born too late 5.0 out of 5 stars Reader-Friendly and Highly Informative This book combines thorough research and knowledge of subject with a fluid and clear writing style. Very informative and stimulating for both the scholar and the casual reader. Read more Published on January 15, 2005 by John La Boone 5.0 out of 5 stars excellent overview of the Middle Ages Arguably the best survey on the Middle Ages (my favorite time period). Bishop includes just the right amount of anecdotes and eyewitness accounts to keep the reader's interest... Read more Published on July 19, 2004 by A. Delgado 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!! I was inspired to learn more about the middle ages from a fiction book I had read. I am very lucky to have found this book. Read more Published on April 2, 2003 3.0 out of 5 stars "The Middle Ages Compacted" Morris Bishop's concise survey of medieval Europe covers nearly everthing of primary importance that may be found in the Middle Ages. Read more Published on October 18, 2001 by Johannes Platonicus Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (February 26, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 061805703X
• ISBN-13: 978-0618057030
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #136,779 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Speaks to Daily Lives, December 20, 2005

By	J. Hart (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For most of my adult life, I have been interested in learning about the medieval era. I've been frustrated by the books I have read in the past because I either could not keep track of all the unfamiliar names and places thrown at me, or because they spoke only of political events and gave no information about what it was like to "be alive" back then.

This book is the best I have read for allowing me to wrap my arms around the Middle Ages. The first and final chapters cover the political history in brief summary. It is written for the layman and does not assume that you already know your Pippen's from your Louis'. It broadly sketches the major events that occurred and why they were important, and it also tells why the Middle Ages differed from what came earlier (Antiquity) and what followed later (Early Modern era).

The intervening chapters (the bulk of the book) describes each of the different social groups (nobility, peasantry, clergy, merchants, etc) and what it would have been like to have lived as a member of each class. It also describes the major institutions and how they functioned (Church, kingship, demesnes, free cities). Finally, the book gives a lot of solid and interesting information about medieval art, letters, and architecture.

Those who are fairly advanced in knowledge about the Middle Ages will probably find little in this work that they don't already know. It is, after all, a relatively short book that covers almost 1,000 years in short, broad strokes. However, for those like me, who are interested in the period but really don't know much about it, this book is a wonderful place to begin your study.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and witty overview of the history, culture, and society of Medieval Europe, December 30, 2006

By	Tim F. Martin (Madison, AL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

_The Middle Ages_ by Morris Bishop is an enjoyable and witty overview of the history, culture, and society of Medieval Europe. The first chapter, "The Long Dark," looks at the beginning of the medieval period, the author arguing that the Middle Ages should be seen as both a continuation of the language, institutions, and artistry of not only old Rome but also of cultures independent of it, such as that of the Franks and Saxons and a formation, the beginning of our modern world, the end of pagan classical civilization. Charlemagne is a major figure in this chapter; his coronation as the first Roman emperor in the West in more than 300 years (in the year 800) marked a major shift in power, from the East to the West, the development of a culture that was not a satellite of Byzantium but rather firmly European, and the very birth of European civilization.

Chapter two focused on the history of the High Middle Ages, focusing in large part on the year 1000 as a major turning point, that despite Viking threats "one could point to certain gains, to certain justifications for hope," as the West was in generally a better shape and the broad outline of the major modern states had begun to take form. Technology continued to advance, with the advent of the spinning wheel, mechanical weight-driven clock, compass, and fixed rudder. Notable in the chapter is King Henry II (who laid the foundations of English common law and the institution of limited monarchy).

The next chapter focused on knights and the crusades. Bishop noted that the crusades were "the first wars fought for an ideal" and that they were promoted with all the tools of the propagandist, among them atrocity stories, lies, and inflammatory speeches. Also interesting was his coverage of Saladin (the "pet enemy" of the West), the description of crusade battles (Richard the Lion-Hearted took Acre in 1191 with the help of a catapult known as Bad Neighbor), and why the crusades ultimately failed (they did not correspond to any temporal aim, as Europe had no need for Jerusalem or Syria, and Europe would have benefited more from a stronger Byzantine Empire though the crusades achieved in fact quite the opposite).

Chapter four focused on the life of the noble, on what in fact feudalism really was, the bloody nature of the family feuds of the nobles, the "bundle of paradoxes" that was the noble (he could be both gallant and bloodthirsty, charitable and immoral), and many of the elements of their daily lives. We learn for instance that window glass was rare for centuries and for long time was treated with great care, as Bishop tells of some nobles who removed and wrapped window glass before long journeys. Throughout much of the Middle Ages pockets were unknown, blonde hair was much prized in Italy (ladies spent a great deal of time bleaching it), hard soap was a luxury item and did not appear until the 12th century, and dinner guests were provided with spoons but had to bring their own knives (forks were a rarity).

Chapter five looked at Christianity, arguing that the church, in many senses, was more than merely the patron of medieval culture, that it was medieval culture. He argued that the pope's involvement in political affairs blunted church authority, laying the papacy open to "mockery and shame" by overuse of crusades and excommunication for temporal gains. The coverage of the cult of relics was fascinating (so morbid was this that Saint Romuald of Ravenna, visiting France, heard people propose he was more valuable dead than alive and barely escaped). The life of the monastery was well covered, as well as St. Francis and the Franciscans, Dominic of Caleruega and the Dominicans, the Waldenses (early evangelical, almost Protestant, Christians), and the Cathari (dualistic heretics).

Chapter six looked at towns and trade. Interesting tidbits include the fact that the last name Walker comes from the cloth trade (walkers stamped on cloth to shrink and compact it), that bankers first appeared in medieval trade fairs (money changers or "bankers" got the name from the banks or benches that they laid out their coins), artisans kept virtually no stock in stores (they worked only on orders), and our hook-and-ladder companies comes from the hooks supplied in medieval cities to pull burning thatch from roofs to the street.

Chapter seven looked at the life of labor. Bishop looked at how the manorial system functioned, the daily life of the peasant, leprosy, and the state of medieval medicine.

The eighth chapter focused on the life of thought, the author examining how schools worked and what it was like to have been a student, the origins of medieval science and secular scholarship (as scholars realized that the physical world was "no mere ugly training camp for the soul" but worthy of study in its own right), and famous medieval writers like Dante and Boccaccio.

Chapter nine dealt with medieval art, architecture, and music. Fascinating coverage of the evolution of building styles, the construction of cathedrals, the use of stained glass (which told the stories of the Christian faith through "colored sunshine", though Bishop felt the term stained glass was incorrect, as it was not stained with color but rather infused with it), the work and role of artisans in society, and the origins of musical notation (developed during the eleventh century into our recognizably modern form, which was also when our notes were named - ut, re, mi, fa, so, la - from the opening syllables of the successive lines of a familiar hymn).

The final chapter dealt with the end of the Middle Ages. Major topics include papal conflicts such as the Babylonian Captivity and the Great Schism, the challenges posed by John Wycliffe and John Hus, the "greatest calamity" to befall the Western world (the Black Death), the Hundred Years War (a "futile war,...it achieved little except destruction, misery, and death"), and Joan of Arc.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous Medieval Miscellany!!, October 25, 2003

By	Anonymous (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Middle Ages (Hardcover)

This is unbeatable value! Whether you want to know more about the feudal system, monastic life, the merchant class, courtly love, the Crusades - social, political, military, cultural, church history, of both England and mainland Europe - it's all here. All delivered in easy, accessible language.

As a teacher, I find this an indispensable reference source. As a student, always learning, it's a revelation for me.

A must-have for any bookshelf.