Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 558
•
Trim: 7 x 10
978-1-4422-4685-0 • Paperback • February 2016 • $91.00 • (£70.00)
978-1-4422-4686-7 • eBook • February 2016 • $86.50 • (£67.00)
John M. Riddle is Alumni Distinguished Professor of History emeritus at North Carolina State University.
Winston Black is assistant professor of history at Assumption College.
List of Illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Slow Transition from Classical to Medieval World
Chapter 1: The Transformation of Classical Civilization: The Political and Economic Story through the Fifth Century ce
Chapter 2: The Transformation of Classical Civilization: Religion and Culture through the Fifth Century ce
Chapter 3: Warriors, Farmers, and Saints in the Barbarian Kingdoms (200–600)
Chapter 4: Byzantine Empire: A Struggle for Unity and Regaining Past Glory (451–630)
Chapter 5: Islam: The Religion, Politics, and Culture (570–1000)
Part II: Central Middle Ages
Chapter 6:
Chapter 7: The Age of Charlemagne (750–814)
Chapter 8: Europe: Disunited, Assaulted, and Saved (814–1024)
Chapter 9: New Devotion, Growth of Towns, and Commerce (950–1100)
Part III: High Middle Ages
Chapter 10: The Era of the First Crusade (1071–1097)
Chapter 11: The Renaissance of the Twelfth Century
Chapter 12: The Flowering of the Middle Ages (ca. 1150–1300)
Part IV: The Transition from the Medieval to Modern Periods
Chapter 13: Falcons, Swords, Occam’s Razor, and Germs: From Bouvines to the Black Death (1214–1347)
Chapter 14: Conformity, Creativity, and Authority (1350–1500)
Chapter 15: The Medieval Twilight in Europe and Western Asia: Decay and Discovery
Epilogue
Chronology 1: Roman Empire to 500
Chronology 2: 500 to 1500
Index
About the Author
In this updated edition of his magisterial survey of the Middle Ages, John Riddle does the near impossible: improves upon the already excellent first edition. Still comprehensive in scope, the second edition also adeptly balances depth and breadth in the coverage of an important era in history, adding discussion of topics too often ignored in other survey texts, such as eastern Europe and the Islamic states. The addition of full color maps and figures in the second edition adds a vivid visual element to the work, while the incorporation of new interpretations drawn from recent scholarship creates a revised narrative that is insightful.
— Christopher Broadhurst, University of New Orleans
Rooted in the twilight of the Roman empire as its political unity, classical culture, and way of life waned, this well-written volume provides a comprehensive treatment of the Middle Ages. Eminent scholar John Riddle guides us expertly into the heart of these crucial twelve centuries, tracing their continuity while highlighting the extraordinary capacity for innovation in all aspects of European society, religion, politics, culture, science, and technology.
— Maria A. D'Aronco, Università di Udine
A lively and fascinating account of the Middle Ages. The intriguing vignettes that open each chapter set the scene for the issues and themes to be explored. Aspects of daily life are teased out not just from written records but also from archaeological remains, surgical instruments, and even analyses of bones and sewage deposits. This novel approach will be of particular interest to all readers wishing a cogent yet compelling account of events that defined the medieval period—an era in which the foundations were laid for what was to become modern science and ultimately the industrial revolution. (Previous Edition Praise)
— Emilie Savage-Smith, University of Oxford
The scope is superior to all other texts on the market—best coverage I have seen since Tierney and Painter’s Western Europe in the Middle Ages. It is a book with good 'bones' and includes most of the essential material my students need. It also reads well and covers other tangential items that often go uncovered in lecture. (Previous Edition Praise)
— John D. Hosler, Associate Professor of History, Morgan State University
In my upper-level overview course on Medieval European History, the biggest challenge I face is the lack of background my students have. This text gives them an understanding of Antiquity and an excellent rehearsal of Islamic history. My students love this book. They found it very helpful in explaining things I didn't have time to cover in class or that they ran into in their own research. A number said this was one of the books they would keep rather than selling back. That's a big compliment. This text is easier—and in my opinion more interesting—to read than many of the newer texts currently available, or the old-reliable Canter. It is better in its approach than the other popular versions and more up to date. (Previous Edition Praise)
— Wendy Turner, Augusta State
Very comprehensive yet readable. The scope is a good balance between broad strokes and specific details. The impressive historiographic sections reinforce the historiography that I incorporate in my course. The author adeptly weaves humor and modern examples into the narrative to illustrate points about medieval history. Students really enjoyed this book, and they demonstrated greater comprehension of medieval history as a result. (Previous Edition Praise)
— Mary Kathryn Robinson, Lourdes College
Inclusive in its coverage and innovative in approach, John Riddle's survey of medieval history offers a first-rate introduction that will prove invaluable to those embarking on the study of this richly diverse period. Features of special note include Riddle's highlighting of key medieval texts and his evaluations of the contributions made by leading modern scholars to major historical debates. The list of judiciously selected Internet resources that supplements the bibliography at the end of each chapter will prove particularly useful to the new generation of readers. (Previous Edition Praise)
— Timothy Graham, University of New Mexico
Instructor Resources: Test bank and PowerPoint slides that include the maps and illustrations from the text. The test bank and slides are available to adopters for download on the book’s home page at https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781442246843/Broad geographic coverage includes northern and eastern Europe, western Asia, and northern AfricaOpening vignettes describe the lives of ordinary and extraordinary people, providing a human dimension and setting each chapter's theme
Boxes featuring the ideas of leading medievalists acquaint students with central controversies and themes in medieval historiographyInterweaves intellectual, cultural, and artistic history within the political and economic narrative Assesses advances in science and technology, including the central importance of evolving attitudes toward nature and the establishment of the metaphysical foundations for modern scienceEmphasizes medieval medicine, nutrition, and health, areas neglected by other textsExplores gender roles, the lives of medieval women, family and clan relationships, and social historyDraws on archaeological findings to bring to bring to life the material culture of towns, castles, and medieval homes, both rural and urbanExamines Judaic cultures and contributions to Christian and Islamic societiesProvides a balanced assessment of the impact of the Crusades from both Muslim and Christian perspectivesTopic-specific Internet and print resources are listed in each chapter Fully illustrated with paintings, drawings, maps, and a chronologyNew featuresFour-color maps and illustrationsIncorporates new archaeological discoveries, especially on the pre-crusade Islamic and post-Charlemagne erasProvides insights into Viking, Hungarian, Slavic, and Asiatic tribal societiesSubstantially revises the discussion of the Merovingian and Carolingian erasAdded coverage of the Hundred Years’ War as it affected pan-European culturesExpanded exploration of women, Jews, eastern Europeans, and Muslim societies Attention to technologies and natural sciences as foundations for modern scienceExploration of the concept of privacy, artistic genius, and the role of individual in the late-medieval period
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Test Bank. The Test Bank includes a variety of test questions and is available in either Word or PDF formats. For every chapter in the text, the Test Bank includes a complete test with a variety of question types, including multiple choice, true false, and essay formats.
Lecture Notes. The Lecture Notes provide the tables and figures from the text.