The Middle Ages

by Morris Bishop

Middle Ages (96) by Bishop, Morris [Paperback (2001)]

Genres: Medieval, History, Nonfiction

Paperback

Published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Alex Yauk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was just what I hoped it would be. Morris shines a light on that confusing, ambiguous period known as the Middle Ages, which he defines as the time between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. Dispelling the myth that this period was the Dark Ages, Morris shows how seeds of the Renaissance, Enlightenment, and Modernity were sowed in these years.

Probably my favorite part of the book was the relatability I saw in our past ancestors. It’s easy to think we are so smart now, and we know so much more than did those in the Middle Ages. But Morris shows (and I felt deeply) how much a prisoner of our times all of us are.

“If we should change places with them we, with all our learning, would soon succumb under the weight of our ignorance.”

Another challenging aspect to wrestle with in our times vs that of the Middle Ages is the centrality of the Church. Not ignoring the excesses and corruption, but considering Beauty (think cathedrals and art) and the way the church permeated every aspect of life. I was recently in a city with a beautiful 17th century cathedral made of pink limestone located directly in the center of town. This really challenged me to think where we put our churches now and what they look like — are we doing it right?

After reading this book, I am by no means an expert of the Middle Ages, but I do feel much better informed, and I have an appetite for more!

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It's older than I thought it was. Two things resonate: 1. Nothing much has changed. Same arguments, same solutions, same cruelty. It's not shocking. What's a bit unnerving is the glorification and Romanticization of the age. It was marked by low level energy. People suffered and the rich took even more advantage of them. Slavery in different forms existed and the downpression of women was not even a question. The art is not that great. The Cathedrals were run and funded by terrible people. Nothing has changed. 2. Dante is hilarious. Every time something stupid happens, he sets the person in Hell in some ridiculous and horrible pose. At least he was human enough to do so in writing? and not in real life. Anyway, there's a third--3. JOAN of ARC. I never knew her story. It's the only place in the book that I took pause and "realized" something. She did it all for her country for some King Charles, and when she was captured and turned over to the English, Charles did nothing to save her, to help her. And if it wasn't for her, France would not have been revived. See, nothing has changed.

[Matt Asobayire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread this like a year ago my highschool AP euro teacher picked a gud author