Charlemagne: From the Hammer to the Cross

by Richard Winston

It was so common for their rulers to be born bastards that he tough and practical-minded Franks ignored the slurs cast on their new king's birth during the great coronation ceremony which took place at Noviomum in Northern Francia...

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, France

418 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

Richard Winston was a celebrated American translator of German literature. He collaborated throughout his career with his wife, Clara.

Reviews

[Petauroak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carlomagno (Richard Winston).

Carlomagno es una de esas figuras que se consideran punto de inflexión en la historia occidental. Si bien los cambios históricos vienen dados por sus gentes, es cierto que Carlomagno cambió la Cristiandad creando un extenso imperio que revivió el comercio continental tras la ruptura del Mediterráneo como Mare Nostrum. Su legado es clave para comprender la etapa plenomedieval europea.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

[Mouldy Squid · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly decent biography of Charles the Great. A wealth of detail that doesn't become bogged down with either too much information or over simplification. Winston is easily able to skate the fine line of being true to his historian necessities and being entertaining enough to keep the reader's interest. Really, the only major issue I have is the lack of a cohesive timeline. While the narrative roughly follows the life of Charlemagne, there are many external factors that need explanation. These events are shoe-horned in rather clumsily disrupting the flow of the story. However, this is a very good work which sparks the imagination and brings the early middle ages to life. Well worth the read despite the sometimes difficult to follow narrative.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I'll never get those hours back.

I think I really didn't care for the Richard Winston's style- he seemed to quick to forgive Charles his many atrocities in the name of God and religion. I didn't care for his many assumptions or his style of writing.

I picked this book up because I wanted to learn more about the life of Charlemagne, and the book definitely filled me in on the details. If I were to choose to read another book on the life and times of Charlemagne, I would definitely pick an author who wasn't having a love affair with their main research subject.

[John E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the of the beginnings of Medieval Europe with the consolidation of the empire of Charlemagne. This was the first empire to try to recreate the Roman Empire in the West. A masterful warrior (and brutal also), a resourceful diplomat, and a defender of the Catholic Church he forged an empire to rival the Arabs and the Byzantines. His successors were not able to maintain his state and from the remains emerged France and Germany of modern history. It is hard to believe what he did at the beginning of the Middle Ages.

[Tom Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, so basically Charlemagne fought people. Then he fought more people. Then he fought more people. Then he fought more people. Sometimes he lost. Most of the time he won. You probably didn't want to lose to him. Sometimes he was nice, but a lot of times he would shave your head and make you become a monk. He eventually died. Dang, I should have marked that as a spoiler. Oh, he had a bunch of wives too that he killed by making them have babies.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to Charlemagne. Primarily though the accounts of official biographers of the time. The author does a good job of sticking to facts and avoids generalities or bias. Flow is a bit challenging at times - given names are often the same - so it does require some attention (in other words this isn't a light read). From here readers have a good historical primer for the Paladin tales/epics.

[Jonah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely tended towards hagiography at times, but does a good job filling in the basics of Charlemagne's lofe, which was all I was looking for.

Made me curious about Alcuin, which I think is a benefit.

At times, also interesting to read as a product of its time.

Solid book, no more than it promised. Occasional unintentional hilarity.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had this book in my library for nearly 8 months before I got round to listening to it (audible). It was SO much better than I had thought. History books can be a little dry, but this one was all action. But for this man we would all be muslim!

[Thom Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bibliography and Index (unlike the paperback). Pricey at 52$

[Shawn]

Very good book. I now have historical context to associate with this well known name.

[Sergio · Rating 3 out of 5]

good primer on European history.

[Duana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio