Wisdom of the Middle Ages

by Michael K. Kellogg

This engaging survey of important works from late antiquity to the beginning of the Renaissance reveals the depth of thought and the diversity of expression that characterized the Middle Ages. Michael Kellogg demonstrates that medieval thought owes far more to ancient philosophy than is generally supposed; that poets of this era were as sophisticated and nuanced as their ancient counterparts; and that writers of this time anticipated most of the lines of inquiry that gave rise to the Renaissance. The author examines philosophical treatises, memoirs, letters, tales, romances, and epics, documenting the unique array of evolving concerns that drove the medieval search for wisdom. Among the authors and works discussed are Augustine's Confessions; Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy; Beowulf; the writings of Abelard and Heloise, Francis of Assisi, and Thomas Aquinas; the Song of Roland; the Arthurian romances of Chretien de Troyes; Dante's Divine Comedy; and the tales of Boccaccio and Chaucer.Written for the lay reader, this lively overview of a flourishing era, often devalued in our time as a benighted period of history, will bring a new appreciation to the many accomplishments of the Middle Ages.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

390 pages, Hardcover

Published December 13, 2016

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book with little interest in the philosophy or literature of the Middle Ages. I read it simply because I'd enjoyed Kellogg's earlier works The Greek Search for Wisdom and The Roman Search for Wisdom. I was delighted to discover that I liked it anyway. Beginning with the New Testament and working his way through to Chaucer, Kellogg has taken key writers and works of the Middle Ages and traced the development of Western philosophy through them. He begins the book with a summary of medieval history and includes a chronology at the end that places the authors and works in their historical context, and non-expert me thought this was useful. While someone who does know a lot about this period might want something deeper and more academic, I think this is a good, interesting introduction for readers who'd like to know more about the Middle Ages.

[Hugolane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had read this before I embarked on my project to read what the Romantics had read. I've already read a number of these books, and those I have not read, I have generally heard of. Still, not having read these works in a humanities classroom, as they are often taught, I am pretty sure I would have profited having a guide, just as Dante valued Virgil and later Beatrice. Kellogg is no Virgil, but he well versed in the main currents of thought that were at the core of Medieval thought as it drifted from late Antiquity towards the decline into a new and brutal heroic age from which classical thought could find renewed purpose, until economic revival redirected thought to more secular thinking. What would have been nice, however, would have been a final chapter offering a survey of major translations of all the works covered here with recommendations.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Written for the lay reader" - that should have been my first clue.

Studying medieval history has been a passion of mine for many, many years so while I applaud Mr. Kellogg's attempt, I found it difficult to embrace his simplistic way of illustrating major events/turning points from that period of time and also on occasion seeing glaring errors - e.g. it was William the 1st not the 2nd who led the Norman invasion/participated in the Battle of Hastings (error in the introduction section).

According to his bio, Mr. Kellogg is an attorney, not an historian.

[Michael Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book; I'd like to read more by Michael Kellogg.