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Loading... In the Wake of the Plague: The Black Death and the World It Madeby Norman Cantor (otherwise under Norman F. Cantor)
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will love Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. An interesting book about the sociological & historical consequences of the plague. Interesting points (it was probably anthrax as well as bubonic plague) are overshadowed by an irritating style, repititions & vagueness leading to more questions (did the plague come from Africa? Why did England suffer more than elsewhere?). (  ) marek2009 | Dec 24, 2009 |  Cantor, a famously cantankerous historian, with a penchant for nudging the accepted stylings of history, does not disappoint in his overview of the Black Death. He covers enough of the crucial social, economic and political background to place the pandemic securely in context without bogging down the reader, even without a lot of historical knowledge going in. His dry wit and subtle humor, together with his obvious passion for the history he shares, makes the wealth of information he provides flow easily. But in true Cantor style, he also gives nods to the more controversial assertions about the Black Death (about which we know surprisingly little, in fact) and shows he is willing to see the long held suppositions about the causes and effects of the plague upset. While covering his topic thoroughly, he still leaves plenty of material ready and available for the reader to pursue further. This is an excellent beginning for an academic study of the Black death, or an equally solid overview for a more casual investigation. (  ) raven_moon | Nov 4, 2009 | Poorly written history of the effects of the plague. (  ) cgodsil | Oct 17, 2009 | I went into this book thinking I was going to get an interesting look at the consequences of the Black Death - the way it potentially changed the world and perhaps how the world would be today had it not happened. Instead, I got an excessively in-depth history lesson on middle age politics and society. The history was rather dull and very hard for me to get through, despite the ridiculously silly claims Cantor makes (of which I don't know whether or not to take seriously,) and this unfortunately takes up the bulk of the novel. When the book was on the topic it claims to be about in the summary, I rather enjoyed it. The last few chapter discussing things like the Jewish conspiracy and failed military campaigns due to the plague were interesting. It's unfortunate more of the novel wasn't written this way. As it is, I can't really recommend this one. ( ) Ape | Sep 19, 2009 | Absorbing and surprisingly amusing study of the plague in medieval Europe, and the political, religious, and social ramifications of the loss of approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the population within the span of a few years. Norman Cantor, the author, is a noted medieval historian, and he writes with a certain dry wit and sly sarcasm, so this book isn't nearly as deadly as it sounds. (Yes, that was a pun. Yes, it was intentional.) Plainly and concisely written, and even giggle-worthy on occasion. Includes a number of illustrations taken from contemporary manuscripts. Also includes a "critical bibliography" or suggested reading material for anyone wishing further information about the various topics discussed in this book. (  )2  avanta7 | Apr 24, 2009 |  no reviews | add a review
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After giving an overview, Cantor describes various theories about the medical crisis, from contemporary fears of a Jewish conspiracy to poison the water (and the resulting atrocities against European Jews) to a growing belief among modern historians that both bubonic plague and anthrax caused the spiraling death rates. Cantor also details ways in which the Black Death changed history, at both the personal level (family lines dying out) and the political (the Plantagenet kings may well have been able to hold onto France had their resources not been so diminished).
Cantor veers from topic to topic, from dynastic worries to the Dance of Death, and from peasants' rights to Perpendicular Gothic. This makes for amusing reading, though those seeking an orderly narrative may be frustrated. He also seems overly concerned with rumors of homosexual behavior, and his attempt to link the savage method of Edward II's murder to a cooling in global weather is a bit farfetched.
Cantor wears his considerable scholarship lightly, but includes a very useful critical biography for further reading. While not an entry-level text on the Black Death, In the Wake of the Plague will interest readers looking for a broader interpretation of its consequences. --Sunny Delaney
(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:02 -0400)
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