Mysteries of the Middle Ages: And the Beginning of the Modern World (Hinges of History) | 
 enlarge | Author: Thomas Cahill
Publisher: Anchor
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $11.82
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Avg. Customer Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 6240
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2
ISBN: 0385495560
Dewey Decimal Number: 909.07
EAN: 9780385495561
ASIN: 0385495560
Publication Date: March 4, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
From the bestselling author of How the Irish Saved Civilization, a fascinating look at how medieval thinkers created the origins of modern intellectual movements.
After the long period of decline known as the Dark Ages, medieval Europe experienced a rebirth of scholarship, art, literature, philosophy, and science and began to develop a vision of Western society that remains at the heart of Western civilization today, from the entry of women into professions that had long been closed to them to the early investigations into alchemy that would form the basis of experimental science. On visits to the great cities of Europe-monumental Rome; the intellectually explosive Paris of Peter Abelard and Thomas Aquinas; the hotbed of scientific study that was Oxford; and the incomparable Florence of Dante and Giotto-acclaimed historian Thomas Cahill brilliantly captures the spirit of experimentation, the colorful pageantry, and the passionate pursuit of knowledge that built the foundations for the modern world.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 Cahill Consistent June 17, 2008
Thomas Cahill has written another fantastic history book. He has the abiltiy to unlock mysteries and bring together themes in a very readable manner. This book especially is assisted by excellent photography and drawings.
Highly recommended and can't wait for the next book in the series.
 Good Read, but What's with the Soapbox? June 12, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm not sure what to make of this book. It is highly readable, delightfully written (for the most part) and has brought to life, for me, the contributions of Dante, Hildegard, Giotto (my favorite chapter), Thomas Aquinas, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Francis of Assisi, to name just a few. Cahill brings the same appealing and conversational tone that I found so agreeable in How the Irish Saved Civilization, but at times his good humor seems to give way to a bit too much soapbox scholarship, diverging from his narrative to rail against the warmongering of the Bush/Blair administrations (we know already) and an unseemly tirade, at the end, against the modern Catholic church. It almost (but note quite) spoils the book for me. Further, his attack on William Manchester seems churlish (and where were the citations in his notes to indicate the source of Manchester's quotes?) Overall, I give this book an A- for presentation and readability, but a C for going off the reservation at times in ways that were decidedly distracting.
 The Disappearance of Spain June 8, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I'm sorely dissapointed that Mr. Cahill refused to acknowledge Spain and the Islamic contribution to the Middle Ages and the Beginning of the Modern World. His refusal to mention Cordoba and Seville as great cities of Europe during this period shows his bias. Louis L'Amour did better research for his novel "The Walking Drum." I suggest you read that if you want a more complete history of this period.The Walking Drum
Interesting but Unfocussed June 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Although I enjoyed many of the Cahill's anecdotes, I did not get the sense that The Mysteries of the Middle Ages had a central point. Cahill bounces from Hildegard of Bingen, to Francis of Assisi, and then to Eleanor of Aquitaine, but does little to connect them to what he says is point of his book--that they somehow set the stage for the modern world. Granted, Eleanor of Aquitaine had power and apparently was sexually liberated, but I fail to see how these qualities set the stage for the modern world. Perhaps this is the great failing of Cahill's book: he reduces extremely complex issues to rather simplistic observations. For example, when Cahill says that "Islamic society and Christian society have been generally bad neighbors," he ignores the nuanced thinking of scholars such as Bernard Lewis, Amin Saikal, and Edward Said. In short, Cahill is a popularizer, not a scholar, and because of this, he has a tendency to reduce complex issues to sound bites. Most annoying, however, is Cahill's constant criticism of the Bush administration and the Iraq war, both of which he obviously abhors. Most of the time these intrusions are gratuitous and extremely distracting. Cahill should understand that people buy his book to learn about the middle ages, not to be subjected to harangues against the president. Although there is much to recommend Cahill's book, I think that the book's shortcomings more than outweigh it more entertaining aspects.
Best when it sticks to the middle ages May 3, 2008
28 out of 32 found this review helpful
This is a well written book that illustrates some of the major advances toward a more modern world that occurred during the middle ages. This is largely accomplished through a detailed examination of several key people (and one could surely quibble with these selections, although they are pretty reasonable to me): Hildegarde of Bingen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Francis of Assisi, Peter Abelard, Henry II (Plantagenet), Roger Bacon, Dante, Giotto, and a handful of others.
One issue that bothered me somewhat: the focus or purpose of this book is not real clear. The author, Thomas Cahill, begins by mentioning that the Middle Ages are, against the claims of some, the beginnings of modernity and has often been unappreciated for its contributions. However, at the end, he notes that (Page 313) "The story this book has had to tell is the story of the (often overlooked and belittled) Catholic contribution to Western civilization." And then, if one reads the book, he is often quite critical of the Catholic hierarchy. Thus, I am not sure that there is a consistent thematic spine to the book. That is hardly critical, but I sometimes asked myself what the purpose of this book might be.
That said, this is a handsomely produced work. There is a nice technique for including footnotes on the pages where a reference is made; there are very nice reproductions of the art of the day, maps, and so on; there is plenty of space between the lines and this renders reading much easier. From time to time there are summary charts (e.g., key dates on timelines).
For those (including me) who may a little about some of the key players but not much about others, this is a delight. I enjoy the music of Hildegarde of Bingen, but I scarcely had a sense of her role in the history of the times. Abelard and Eloise was a rather lugubrious story to me, but I had no great depth of information on their relationship and the events that challenged them. The juxtaposition of Thomas Aquinas and Francis of Assisi is nicely done.
On the other hand, gratuitous and underdeveloped linkages to today's politics just detract from the narrative flow. On pages 182-183, we read a rather ill formed critique of George Bush. Whatever one thinks of Bush and his Iraqi policy, such a throwaway commentary contributes little and is, in fact, irritating. If an author wish to draw parallels to today's political situation, such an author should be obliged to flesh out the comment rather than making snide asides.
Overall, though, a well done work exploring the important changes taking place in the Middle Ages, presaging the move to modernity.
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