A good introduction into a period in history where dynastic relations start to get really confusing. ( )

Interesting. Nice, concise chapters. ( )

A solid and comprehensive history, but I would have wished for a bit more analysis. ( )

I'm surprised by the low ratings this book has been given- it's nothing jaw-dropping, but, on the other hand, it's short, well written and doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It's a selective survey of European history in the later middle ages. It's not trying to convince you that micro-history is more important than the history of high politics; it's not trying to sell you on the idea that the center or the periphery is more important; it's not out to convert you to ethical ideals you already hold. It just tells you, more or less, what you need to know to start reading more deeply about the time period.

That said, it has some flaws: Jordan pays very little attention to the Byzantines or Russia, while giving lots of space to the Crusader kingdoms. He seems to have chosen 'the Jews' as his marginalized people of choice (compare Chris Wickham's preference for 'the women' in his 'Inheritance of Rome'), which is more about us than about the middle ages, and doesn't seem to do much other than signpost the fact that he's not an imperialist or whatever. Luckily he's happy to do the other things that 'imperialists' do: discuss high culture, discuss political change, actually say things. And he leavens it a bit with social history, economic history and generally acknowledging that ideas don't rise in a vacuum.

Also, the cover of the hard-back edition is gorgeous. Why they didn't keep it for the paperback is more mysterious than anything that happened between 900 and 1350. ( )

What at first sight might appear an intimidating subject becomes clearer with this helpful introduction to the subject. A surprisingly easy read - albeit with one exception - this book quickly gives the reader an overview of the period and the key events in Europe at the time. The Crusades are put in a proper geo-political context, and the book also looks at specific themes, such as learning, literature, architecture, plague and famine.

The one point where the book becomes a bit less comprehensible - especially to the more secular reader - is in the intricacies of Church politics and theology (which at the time were roughly the same things). This is made worse by the way in which the subject is introduced; part one of the book is an overview of eleventh century Europe on a regional basis, but one finishes that section and is then plunged straight into the political machinations that accompanied the election of Pope Leo IX. I rather got the feeling that Jordan, having let us into the period gently, felt that readers would automatically be ready for an unleavened chunk of papal politics; I certainly wasn't.

Still, the style settles down and subsequent chapters return to the earlier ease and clarity. One is, however, left with the overwhelming impression of the influence of the Church on all areas of life during this period, and the extent to which this held back social, political, intellectual and economic development. Of particular interest is the appendix listing the Kingdoms of Europe and their rulers during this era - all sixteen pages of it! ( )