A short, easy to read book, with focused chapters and subsections whose headings point to distinct subjects. Makes it easier to use as a resource. Good maps that point out places in the chapter. Interesting new view on some old assumptions. ( )

Wells surveys recent European archaeological findings from the late Roman Empire around 400 through the rise of strong kingdoms epitomized by Charlemagne around 800. Rather than a collapse into barbarism, he finds the evidence supports a much slower transition. Elements of continuity endure, especially elements of Roman crafts and law, not to mention Christianity itself. Looking at former Roman garrison cities on the frontier, he finds no evidence of depopulation. But there is also change. The monumental architecture of Rome, which was repeated in the empire, and most vividly in his description of Roman London with its own amphitheater, forum, and basilica (largest structure north of the Alps), comes to an end. And the large stone structures are frequently dismantled over time with the stone reused for other needs. But rather than view the dismantling as life continuing in the ruins of former glory, he sees a continuing large and vibrant population that is simply going on about their lives and restructuring their cities to their current needs. The buildings disappear because the land is needed for other uses.

Much of the evidence reviewed is necessarily that of elites who left rich grave goods and do support evidence of continuing trade and long distance communication. In addition, evidence of craftsmen support continuing manufacture. But as he points out, the common person was a simple farmer who probably did not really notice a collapse of civilization. Life changes over time, but slowly enough that a single life changed little.

Wells wishes to dispute the idea of massive invading barbarian hordes marked by a descent into chaos and endemic violence. He agrees that Roman political control disintegrates and that it takes centuries for strong kingdoms to re-emerge in the empire's place. But he finds that daily life probably proceeded day by day only changing by small degrees becoming a little less Roman and a little more European. This is a relatively slim work for the general reader that in the main reviews archaeological excavations. The finds are very interesting but I would hope for a more comprehensive synthesis of archaeology with history, linguistics and other fields to outline the period of Roman decline and the formation of early Europe ( )

There are so many lengthy difficult books about the Early Middle Ages, written for and by specialists, what a delight to find a short and easy to read summary of the latest scholarship of this rapidly changing multi-disciplinary field, written for a general audience by a medieval scholar with an up to date and useful bibliography.

The term "Dark Ages" has a long and complicated history ever since its invention by Italian Humanists in the 14th and 15th centuries. Modern medieval historians try to avoid the term Dark Ages with its pejorative implications. However some will still justify its use because the period was "dark to us", because of the lack of written record. However even this is no longer the case, a wealth of archaeological information has surfaced to enlighten the period. The old prejudices of a violent, backwards and stagnant time are falling away. Was it different from Rome? Yes, but to apply a value judgment of a "Dark Age" is inappropriate, this powerful metaphor has sadly shaped many peoples vision of the period.

Peter Wells examines some of the enduring myths and shows, through new archaeological findings, rather than a sudden break with the past, a continuity of history. For example there is a myth that urban centers declined or were abandoned, Wells shows substantial evidence this was not the case, using a case example of London. There is a myth of continuous violence and warfare, however Wells suggests this could not have been the case because of freedom of movement and trade that was occurring. There is a myth that technology halted or went backwards, when in fact it was a period of innovation, including the deep plow, horse harness and 3-field system which created a surplus in food, population and specialization. There is a myth that Roman roads deteriorated, which is true, but the original Roman roads were built on ancient roadways and were mainly only meant for military purposes anyway. Artwork flourished in this period finding new and original expressions.

Barbarians to Angels is a quick read for a general audience that summarizes a lot of recent and difficult scholarship. For more specialized works, to understand how we know what we know, the "proof", there is an excellent Bibliography.

--Review by Stephen Balbach, via CoolReading (c) 2008 cc-by-nd ( )

Wells does not think the Dark Ages were dark at all. He goes through archaeology evidence to prove that this time period thrived after Rome fell. Archaeology that proves that people were eating well, living in populated cities (both new and old), and making art. He goes into much detail about London. London thrived during Roman’s height. After Rome fell, much of the stone buildings were dismantled and used for other things. Instead of taking this as an abandonment of London, as many used to believe, Wells looks at archaeology evidence that the people during the time period were using different materials to build their homes. I think what Wells is really trying to prove is that just because government, buildings, religion, art, and education were no longer Roman, does not make this time period worse off, just different. It makes sense. ( )