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Missing Monarchy: Correcting Misconceptions About The Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy, And Liberty
When you think of democracy, what comes to mind? Comparing democracy to monarchy, are you thankful to be living free rather than suffering oppression under a medieval tyrant? What if you could be evidentially shown that the democracy you hold so dear is not only less ideal than you've been taught, but is actually inferior to the kingdoms of the Middle Ages?
Get ready for a real history lesson you won't soon forget. In Jeb Smith's Missing Monarchy, he uncovers eye-opening facts about the Medieval period, kingship, democracy, and more. When you learn how societies of our past addressed their governmental needs, you may begin to perceive that our current system isn't the utopia it is commonly portrayed as. And as you come to understand how power is wielded under our democracy, you just might start missing monarchy too.
This is the latest edition, published with Sensus Fidelium Press in 2025.
Get ready for a real history lesson you won't soon forget. In Jeb Smith's Missing Monarchy, he uncovers eye-opening facts about the Medieval period, kingship, democracy, and more. When you learn how societies of our past addressed their governmental needs, you may begin to perceive that our current system isn't the utopia it is commonly portrayed as. And as you come to understand how power is wielded under our democracy, you just might start missing monarchy too.
This is the latest edition, published with Sensus Fidelium Press in 2025.
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2024
7 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 15, 2024
Reading this made me realize how much we hate freedom!
The book has two parts: i) the praise and defence of monarchy/aristocracy, where one gets reenchanted with a time where medieval peasants were far, far more free and righteous than we are today; ii) the evils of democracy and centralized government, where one gets disenchanted with the current world. In the former, Smith shines showing the “Dark Age” was actually quite colorful. In the latter the book gets a bit somber and I didn’t enjoy it as much, though every bit of it was true.
A very good book that also points to further readings. Highly recommend it.
PS: I had an issue with the Kindle version and was able to reach Smith directly. He promptly provided a pdf version of the book and quickly solved the issue. Pretty cool guy!
PPS: A King will always be better than a President.
The book has two parts: i) the praise and defence of monarchy/aristocracy, where one gets reenchanted with a time where medieval peasants were far, far more free and righteous than we are today; ii) the evils of democracy and centralized government, where one gets disenchanted with the current world. In the former, Smith shines showing the “Dark Age” was actually quite colorful. In the latter the book gets a bit somber and I didn’t enjoy it as much, though every bit of it was true.
A very good book that also points to further readings. Highly recommend it.
PS: I had an issue with the Kindle version and was able to reach Smith directly. He promptly provided a pdf version of the book and quickly solved the issue. Pretty cool guy!
PPS: A King will always be better than a President.
October 5, 2025
This thought-provoking book challenges modern assumptions about democracy and monarchy. Focusing mainly on medieval Western Europe, Missing Monarchy argues that the Middle Ages were far less oppressive and far more nuanced than the “dark” caricature we’re often taught. Smith presents evidence that medieval kingship, rooted in mutual obligation, custom and liberty under law, may in some ways have offered greater personal freedoms than today’s democratic systems.
The book touches only briefly on the Byzantine Empire and Orthodox Christianity, hinting at how Eastern Europe developed under different religious, cultural, and political influences. I would have liked to see more of this. Nevertheless, this is a concise read that invites us to rethink our political heritage and reconsider what “freedom” truly meant in the medieval world.
The book touches only briefly on the Byzantine Empire and Orthodox Christianity, hinting at how Eastern Europe developed under different religious, cultural, and political influences. I would have liked to see more of this. Nevertheless, this is a concise read that invites us to rethink our political heritage and reconsider what “freedom” truly meant in the medieval world.
December 23, 2024
Amazing book with many references and insights, the author deserves much more credit! Makes me feel like I'm not crazy for believing the truth!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews