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The Mind of the Middle Ages: An Historical Survey
"This is the third edition of a near standard survey of the intellectual life of the age of faith. Artz on the arts, as on philosophy, politics and other aspects of culture, makes lively and informative reading."— The Washington Post
600 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 5, 2016
Discovered this book by chance when reading a review, a few years ago, by Washington Post book critic Michael Dirda. Artz, long time professor at Oberlin College, died in 1983. This is still being published. It is an
excellent introduction to the intellectual milieu of the Middle Ages. Later editions were only updated in terms of small text corrections and updating the extensive bibliography. A must have book for any Medievalist.
excellent introduction to the intellectual milieu of the Middle Ages. Later editions were only updated in terms of small text corrections and updating the extensive bibliography. A must have book for any Medievalist.
May 15, 2018
I've read this book two times; once when I bought it around 1988, and once again around 2010. I now want to read it again, and am pondering if I should buy it on my Kindle, but the price is rather stiff; about 45 USD with the Norway VAT added. However, it's a wonderful book that I'll heartily recommend for everyone interested in the ideas which formed Europe during the first millenium CE.
May 16, 2023
Introductory survey covering a wide array of subjects — trends in theology and political philosophy; school curricula; the adoption of the compass and its effect on trade and shipping; the recovery of Aristotle; the influence of Muslim scholarship on science and medicine; letters from university students asking their parents for more money; mysticism, humanism, nominalism, and scholasticism; Anselm, Aquinas, Petrarch, and da Vinci; a typical monastic daily schedule; the difference between Romanesque and Gothic architecture; and much more.
(I didn't read the chapters on literature, so I can't speak to those.)
The book is excellent as an introduction and an overview to (this is an important qualification) the later Middle Ages, the tenth or eleventh centuries on; the discussions of the early Middle Ages are too often populated by stock canards and prejudiced ignorance.
As a survey of medieval thought, it's much less interpretive, original, and delightful than C.S. Lewis' The Discarded Image (published six years later); but is much broader in scope. It's informative in a helpfully general way. More recent introductory surveys, like The New Cambridge Medieval History (seven volumes!) will obviously provide more in-depth, as well as more up-to-date, scholarship; on the other hand, a work like The Mind of the Middle Ages benefits from its concision and breadth — it's better as a general (albeit somewhat facile) introduction. So there are pro's and con's to consider.
(I didn't read the chapters on literature, so I can't speak to those.)
The book is excellent as an introduction and an overview to (this is an important qualification) the later Middle Ages, the tenth or eleventh centuries on; the discussions of the early Middle Ages are too often populated by stock canards and prejudiced ignorance.
As a survey of medieval thought, it's much less interpretive, original, and delightful than C.S. Lewis' The Discarded Image (published six years later); but is much broader in scope. It's informative in a helpfully general way. More recent introductory surveys, like The New Cambridge Medieval History (seven volumes!) will obviously provide more in-depth, as well as more up-to-date, scholarship; on the other hand, a work like The Mind of the Middle Ages benefits from its concision and breadth — it's better as a general (albeit somewhat facile) introduction. So there are pro's and con's to consider.
March 8, 2020
Fundamental read in English for understanding the entirety of the middle ages. Exceptional synthesis. Totally agree that this is a must for any medievalist working in English.
July 14, 2022
It’s difficult to summarize a book that took so long to read in a few words. I acquired the book back in the 90s from the remainder table and I’m sure it’s out of print now.
In the beginning, I wasn’t sure what to make of Professor Artz, but as my reading progressed I became more comfortable with him. His writing and approach reminded me of Christopher Dawson.
Prof. Artz gives a thorough background to where the medieval period, where their ideas and culture came from and how Christianity influenced and the role it played in the various periods that make up the Middle Ages. And Professor Artz clearly shows how we are dealing with different smaller periods within the larger time frame.
I would highly recommend this book if you’re interested in the medieval period. He introduces you to many of the important thinkers of this time and he does this in a fair manner.
In the beginning, I wasn’t sure what to make of Professor Artz, but as my reading progressed I became more comfortable with him. His writing and approach reminded me of Christopher Dawson.
Prof. Artz gives a thorough background to where the medieval period, where their ideas and culture came from and how Christianity influenced and the role it played in the various periods that make up the Middle Ages. And Professor Artz clearly shows how we are dealing with different smaller periods within the larger time frame.
I would highly recommend this book if you’re interested in the medieval period. He introduces you to many of the important thinkers of this time and he does this in a fair manner.
June 27, 2019
I actually did not finish this book. I just put it here to get it off my currently reading shelf.
August 31, 2020
Interesting as an overview, but pretty dated in it's willingness to assert value judgements and assume teleologies of thought.
February 4, 2016
the development of culture in the middle ages
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews