The History of the Medieval World: From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade

by Susan Wise Bauer Narrated by John Lee

Overview

From the schism between Rome and Constantinople to the rise of the T'ang Dynasty, from the birth of Muhammad to the crowning of Charlemagne, this erudite book tells the fascinating, often violent story of kings, generals, and the peoples they ruled.



In her earlier work, The History of the Ancient World, Susan Wise Bauer wrote of the rise of kingship based on might. But in the years between the fourth and the twelfth centuries, rulers had to find new justification for their power, and they turned to divine truth or grace to justify political and military action. Right thus replaces might as the engine of empire.



Not just Christianity and Islam but the religions of the Persians and the Germans, and even Buddhism, are pressed into the service of the state. This phenomenon-stretching from the Americas all the way to Japan-changes religion, but it also changes the state.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Bauer (The History of the Ancient World) continues her witty and well-written examination of world history with a volume that is rich in detail and intriguing in anecdotal information. In describing dramatic events (such as the worldwide –impact of the eruption of Krakatoa in 535 C.E., or civil war among the descendants of Charlemagne), near-legendary individuals (like the great general turned mercenary El Cid), and decisive historical movements from the fourth century C.E. to the beginnings of the 12th century, attention is effectively paid not only to western and eastern Europe but to North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Far East, South Asia, and the Americas. The political and military rise and fall of rulers or would-be rulers and the prominence of religion in matters of conscience and state give force and power to the narrative as does the constant impact of simple human emotion and ambition on the flow of history. A bit overwhelming in its scope, Bauer’s work nevertheless proves perfectly, and entertainingly, that the “more things change, the more they stay the same.” 20 illus., 85 maps. (Feb.)

From the Publisher

"[A] witty and well-written examination of world history...that is rich in detail and intriguing in anecdotal information." ---Publishers Weekly

MAY 2010 - AudioFile

Following on her HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT WORLD, Bauer tackles the history of the medieval world, from the fourth century through the First Crusade at the end of the eleventh century. The flowing narrative traces parallel stories through Europe, Asia, and the Americas, artfully weaving them together and highlighting the similarities in the development of each region. John Lee deftly navigates the dense text with his steady, controlled reading, and his clear enunciation and even pace make the somewhat overwhelming scope of the text easier to digest. The narrative style of Bauer's work transitions well to audio, although the maps and time lines that are sprinkled throughout the written text are sorely missed. The interspersed author's notes, while necessary, are the only disruption in the flow of this detailed historical account. E.N. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170486021
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	03/03/2010
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	1,160,028

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