by Frances and Joseph GiesStarted: October 16
Finished: November 2
Notes: Picked this up a few years ago at a Barnes and Noble in North Carolina. It's one of those books I'm not real excited about reading,but feel like I need to. My medieval history knowledge is spotty, at best, and this should help some. This book is a compilation of three earlier books,"Life in a Medieval Castle," "Life in a Medieval City,"and "Life in a Medieval Village."
Mini review: Another one I'm glad I read, but I'm really glad to be finished with. Not the most tedious book I've read, but not very exciting reading. Because this is a collection of three books, sometimes the information is a bit repetitive. However, all that said, this is a good book, literally opening my eyes to much about the daily world of the Middles Ages, roughly 1106 A.D. to about 1250 A.D. The most eye-opening element for me was to discover that average person had much more freedom than is generally believed. Yes, they were somewhat tied to the land and their lord, but there was more opporunity for movement and change than I would have thought.
4 comments:
Have it, bought it for the same reason (though my knowledge of those times sounds better than yours), desire to read but not eager to read it. Have used it a time or two for quick reference though - will someday read it cover to cover - just not anytime soon.
Funny thing, I know quite a bit about the arms and military strategies of the period, but I'm not real good with names and dates.
Roman history, now that's my specialty, especially during the Republic.
See, now, I hate the Romans. With a passion. They destroyed all culture that came into their path - unless they could steal it. Either way, they stole it from us! Warped it almost as much as rain does plywood.
Give me the Greeks, the Carthaginians, the insert-who/what- ever race you'd like, any day. Especially this one. O
See, one of the reasons I love Roman history so much is because it reminds me of the U.S., especially during the Republican period.
There are even events, and individuals, that are so similar to things in American history it's spooky.
Example: Kennedy brothers. Rome had them too. They were called the Brother Gracchi.
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