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The Story of the Middle Ages
Relates the history of the Middle Ages simply, directly, and entertainingly. The material is well-arranged and the selection of topics is excellent. Special attention is given to presenting the life of the people-peasant, noble, and court. A unique and valuable book. Suitable for ages 11 and up.
228 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1906
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61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 6, 2013
There are some advantages to reading a text that is over 100 years old.
1) It is easy to explain to children how it is that the Vikings were called Vikings, Normans and Northmen by different people when this text uses Mohammedans for followers of Islam. Language changes over time, and using an older text illustrates that and exposes the student to expressions and forms of the English language that are not in current style, providing them comfort with other classic works.
2) The expectation for what a child should be able to to understand/ learn encourages a high standard. This book has no illustrations. Chapters are written in an engaging narrative form, but its all text. The student needs to absorb long passages of text. This approach is completely counter-cultural to our current attention deficit functioning, which is welcome for today's student.
3) Political correctness has not intruded upon this presentation. For example, the Crusades are discussed as what they really were: An attempt by European Christians to re-open the Holy Land for pilgrimage. The fact that the Holy Land was part of the Byzantine Empire, was then conquered by the Arab Muslims (who allowed pilgrimage) and then by the Turkish Muslims (who did not allow pilgrimage) is also referenced. Whereas our contemporary work said the Crusades were an attempt to force people to believe in Christianity! Blech.
And there is one weakness...
2) The history of the Middle Ages has not changed, but some of our interpretations have. Whenever the author uses the word "today", the teacher needs to keep in mind that "today" for this work is 1906! Students may need clarification that this author wrote not knowing about World War I or II, fascism or communism because they had not happened yet! It is interesting to see what is identified as 'tensions that still exist today' or 'challenges of our world today' with the hindsight of knowing what came. This does not happen often enough to detract from the work, but aides in teaching about how our perspective on history changes with more information.
Overall, we enjoyed our trip through this work. A valuable resource that we own and will use again.
1) It is easy to explain to children how it is that the Vikings were called Vikings, Normans and Northmen by different people when this text uses Mohammedans for followers of Islam. Language changes over time, and using an older text illustrates that and exposes the student to expressions and forms of the English language that are not in current style, providing them comfort with other classic works.
2) The expectation for what a child should be able to to understand/ learn encourages a high standard. This book has no illustrations. Chapters are written in an engaging narrative form, but its all text. The student needs to absorb long passages of text. This approach is completely counter-cultural to our current attention deficit functioning, which is welcome for today's student.
3) Political correctness has not intruded upon this presentation. For example, the Crusades are discussed as what they really were: An attempt by European Christians to re-open the Holy Land for pilgrimage. The fact that the Holy Land was part of the Byzantine Empire, was then conquered by the Arab Muslims (who allowed pilgrimage) and then by the Turkish Muslims (who did not allow pilgrimage) is also referenced. Whereas our contemporary work said the Crusades were an attempt to force people to believe in Christianity! Blech.
And there is one weakness...
2) The history of the Middle Ages has not changed, but some of our interpretations have. Whenever the author uses the word "today", the teacher needs to keep in mind that "today" for this work is 1906! Students may need clarification that this author wrote not knowing about World War I or II, fascism or communism because they had not happened yet! It is interesting to see what is identified as 'tensions that still exist today' or 'challenges of our world today' with the hindsight of knowing what came. This does not happen often enough to detract from the work, but aides in teaching about how our perspective on history changes with more information.
Overall, we enjoyed our trip through this work. A valuable resource that we own and will use again.
November 18, 2023
This easy-to-understand and highly interesting book guides you through the Middle Ages in a pleasant, engaging read without being dull.
It stands out as one of the few history books written in a style that effortlessly impart knowledge engagingly, interesting, enjoyable way.
While primarily centered on the Middle Ages, the book also offers comparisons from earlier periods and insights into how the Roman Empire transformed into the Middle Ages.
The book vividly describes the lives of people from all classes, from common farmers to noblemen, their various habitats, and how they worked during this era. Instead of merely stating facts, the author paints a mental picture, allowing you to vividly imagine these scenes.
The book contains an abundance of information, too extensive to cover fully in this brief review. If you enjoy an easy read and are fascinated by every aspect of the Middle Ages—how people actually lived, the wars they fought, the causes and effects, the downfall of the Roman Empire leading into the Middle Ages, Popes and Kings, life in monasteries, feudalism and economy, structures such as castles, and the different social classes in society and much more.
One example, which I won't label as a spoiler since it's historical, not fictional: how a young privileged juvenile goes through the many stages to become a knight, first learning chivalry, customs, and manners, how to ride, performing menial tasks, then becoming a squire, and eventually a knight.
It stands out as one of the few history books written in a style that effortlessly impart knowledge engagingly, interesting, enjoyable way.
While primarily centered on the Middle Ages, the book also offers comparisons from earlier periods and insights into how the Roman Empire transformed into the Middle Ages.
The book vividly describes the lives of people from all classes, from common farmers to noblemen, their various habitats, and how they worked during this era. Instead of merely stating facts, the author paints a mental picture, allowing you to vividly imagine these scenes.
The book contains an abundance of information, too extensive to cover fully in this brief review. If you enjoy an easy read and are fascinated by every aspect of the Middle Ages—how people actually lived, the wars they fought, the causes and effects, the downfall of the Roman Empire leading into the Middle Ages, Popes and Kings, life in monasteries, feudalism and economy, structures such as castles, and the different social classes in society and much more.
One example, which I won't label as a spoiler since it's historical, not fictional: how a young privileged juvenile goes through the many stages to become a knight, first learning chivalry, customs, and manners, how to ride, performing menial tasks, then becoming a squire, and eventually a knight.
March 7, 2019
I read this in preparation for my son’s schooling next year with Heart of Dakota’s Resurrection to Reformation package. The book is written for 10-12 year old to read for themselves.
I found the book to be interesting, engaging, and well-written. Sometimes histories get too bogged down in facts and dates, and “then this war happened and then this war and then this war...” I never felt that way about this book. There was plenty of interesting biographical information along with insights into people’s daily lives.
I found the book to be interesting, engaging, and well-written. Sometimes histories get too bogged down in facts and dates, and “then this war happened and then this war and then this war...” I never felt that way about this book. There was plenty of interesting biographical information along with insights into people’s daily lives.
December 19, 2025
I definitely see why this book is so popular amongst Christian Nationalist homeschool curriculums, but I do think my own students would like it too. Published in 1906, when the the Ottoman Empire still existed, there is definitely some problematic talk of Muslims, but we have to look at these things in context. The way someone saw the Middle Ages in 1906 was very different than the way we see them in the 2020s. I think this is a great lesson for my students, and the kids will definitely love the detailed illustrations.
September 14, 2017
A wonderful introduction to the Middle Ages aimed at children, but a good overview for anyone. It was first published in 1906 so there are some biases in there that may confuse a modern reader but if you get into the book knowing this, it makes it more fascinating rather than a deterrent. Loved it.
June 14, 2022
My kids and I loved reading this book for our Dialectic homeschool history studies. Harding made the history easy and exciting to learn.
July 24, 2024
Oh, boy, so boring.
March 27, 2012
Samuel Harding’s book The Story of the Middle Ages gives a brief flight through the seven hundred (app) that most historians accept as the Middle Ages. This time is roughly from the fall of Rome (ancient times) until the discovery of America (modern times). The Middle Ages witnesses the rise of the towns and cities throughout Europe, the establishment of various governments, the course of feudalism and the rise of nationalism. The amount of time the book covers and the relative shortness of the book makes it considerably less interesting than it could or should have been. I imagine when it was published in 1906 it was meant to serve as a school reference book and the information I had hoped it would contain wouldn’t have much pleased the readers it was meant for. I can’t say I learned anything from it but I never-the-less enjoyed reading it.
January 24, 2013
I listened to this on a free audiobooks service, read by volunteers. Since I tend to fall asleep when someone reads me a story, it has taken me a long time to finish this nice little book. It's basic history from 1905, meant for a young audience, so to the curious but casual history reader, it's pretty good. In a few places the book is a bit archaic, like when it talks about how the Christians "lost Jerusalem to the infidels" and such, but it's not over the top; especially Saladin gets a very respectful coverage here.
It's definitely not for the scholar, for that it's too old and too superficial. But if you enjoy learning a little while reading history made simple and sometimes even entertaining, it's for you. Free for download and streaming here: http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/book...
It's definitely not for the scholar, for that it's too old and too superficial. But if you enjoy learning a little while reading history made simple and sometimes even entertaining, it's for you. Free for download and streaming here: http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/book...
April 19, 2013
This book was exactly what I was looking for. I know very little about the history of Europe in the Middle Ages. I needed a basic overview of the time period and this was perfect. I also enjoyed the fact that it was written in 1906. It was fun to hear the author write about things in a way that would be considered politically incorrect today. If you want a detailed in-depth look at the Middle Ages, this book is not for you but if you are ignorant (like me) and want to build up your knowledge from square one, this book is perfect. Free kindle and audiobook versions are available.
June 23, 2013
Unsurprisingly, racism is rampant throughout the book. It is, however, very interesting and informative, when not complaining about the qualities of anyone who wasn't either an Ancient Roman or Greek. It's necessarily brief, considering that it begins with the end of the Roman Empire and ends just before the Reformation. I think it covers events fairly well, and is well-structured. Instead of trying to cover everything chronologically, he picks out an aspect to discuss in each chapter, such as what life was like as a peasant, or a monk.
December 11, 2012
Very interesting, but since it encompasses so much time and area, you only learn of very surface parts of history. It may be a bit dry and boring if you read it. I recommend listening to the audiobook. I found it absolutely hilarious to listen to. And the person who recorded it on LibreVox had a very good voice and expressions to go with it.
October 28, 2012
This book is meant for children, so it's a very broad overview of the Middle Ages. You will find it useful if you have absolutely no prior knowledge of this period of European history, but if you're looking for something meatier, it's not for you.
Want to read
February 8, 2010
July 31, 2013
Excellently done overview of a period often ignored or overly simplified and lampooned by modernity. I loved this book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews