The 2nd Half of the Medieval World

The History of the Medieval World gave us that history up to the end of the First Crusade, with this book picking up in the wake of that around 1100 and carrying us to 1453--the approximate beginning of the Renaissance. So why is this book labeled like this when practically every other historian agrees on the labeling? As near as I can tell, it's because this is when the texts of the Ancient Greeks were first rediscovered, just as the title claims. I realize the devil's in the details, but that's pedantic. This book, like the two volumes before it, is for general audiences that want to see how the pieces fit together. Confusing people with something that arbitrary seems pointless.

What is not pointless is this book. As with the Ancient and Medieval World volumes before it, this book covers all of the hotspots of the globe, East and West. To see how the world of the Samurai line up with that of the Crusaders or the Mongols is just astounding. If you've not read the previous two volumes, get them. Everything in these books serves to show the cause and effect of historical events and the people who rode through them. Names and dates are there as references, but the personalities are touched upon so as to give the overview some meaning and provide that perfect springboard for future learning.

I really want a book on the Renaissance and Reformation now so as to continue the flow of these works. When viewed through the long lens, it's easy to see how the world we live in today is built upon all of that which has gone before. To the people who lived back then, it's always the modern world, just as ours is for us. Why there aren't more history books written like this, I'll never know. Kudos all around for this book and for its predecessors for making history both broad enough to see the big picture and detailed enough to understand it in context as the sum of its parts.

65 people found this helpful

Almost Great

Any additional comments?

This was a very enjoyable listen. It took a little while but once I settled into this book I really enjoyed John Lee's reading. I am not a student of this time period in history and this book gave me a great broad understanding of and exposure to many events I had heard of (and many I had't) but would have been hard pressed to explain or put in context. This sparked my interest in specific subjects that I can delve into deeper. I doubt a knowledgable history buff would learn much new or hear any critical insights.

In the end that is where the book fell a bit short for me. I suppose there was so much material to cover that there was little room for historical retrospective. I was also hoping for more background on the influence of ancient writers and thought and how it shaped events.It would have been more engaging if there was more focus on the development of thought and knowledge and the struggles it caused.

Ultimately the history of this time period (and alas much of human history) can be summed up thus .... dates, Kings, Popes, conquests, mass murders, ruthless power struggles and untimely deaths ... rinse and repeat. There were very few heros beyond the inventors, artists and thinkers.

36 people found this helpful

This happened, then that happened

I listened to this dutifully with no enjoyment. It's like eating vegetables, you do it because it's good for you. Sometimes historians are guilty of creating a narrative that is just not there. Well, not here. This is basically a chronicle of the events that happened and the people who made it happen. In order words, you're just handed fact after fact, as though you're reading an almanac. I'm glad I listened to it, though. Just wish it were more compelling.

38 people found this helpful

Extremely Misleading Title

DO NOT BUY if you want to hear about the actual Renaissance. This is a summary of notable historical events and figures of the middle ages. The narration is quite good and the book itself isn't terrible, but I wanted to hear about the late 1400's through late 1500's. Not having that expectation met makes me hate this book.

17 people found this helpful

Mostly about wars leading up to the Renaissance

While this was an entertaining book, it was not really about the Renaissance period. It spends most of its time talking about the wars and Intrigue leading through the medieval period of time to the Renaissance. it bounces Asian, mongul, American, European history.

17 people found this helpful

The Title is a bit misleading....

I wanted a book about the Renaissance; not the period leading up to the Renaissance .
Those looking for tales of art and enlightenment should look elsewhere. This book ends just before the Renaissance begins.
A good work to be sure, but hopelessly (however literally) misnamed.

26 people found this helpful

Absolutely insufferable

Worst audible purchase I've made so far. Like her other books the author focuses too much on politics and military affairs. She makes zero attempt to flesh out the historical characters so they're all forgettable. Every chapter is the same garbage story - forgettable generals fight for crown. Of the authors trilogy this is the worst I was getting drowsy while listening. I didn't learn a single thing and asked myself why any of the content in the book mattered. I couldn't finish it.

12 people found this helpful

not about the renaissance

What disappointed you about The History of the Renaissance World?

This history of the renaissance is misnamed. it is simply an account of everything going on in the known world in the late 11th and early 12th centuries. (I don't actually know how far it goes since I am dropping it halfway through.) But if you bought this book, odds are you weren't expecting a history of sri lanka or japan or peru, but that's what you get - in addition to European history. but even there, it's all political/military. I have yet to hear of an artist. why does the author even refer to the renaissance? it would be more apt to entitle it: history of the world 1170 - 1300.

7 people found this helpful

Lots of details but not much insight

I understand that historians today believe it is their job to report facts without critiquing them, however, this book could have been a lot more interesting had the author made some attempt to weave these disparate histories into some kind of narrative on the drivers influencing the Renaissance. The time spent covering societies in south and mesoamerica made it clear that the author didn't have any interest in explaining the relevance of the various stories with the supposed subject of the book. The abrupt ending was also disconcerting without any type of closure or explanation for why this particular event in SE Europe should signal the end of whatever era she was claiming to cover.

11 people found this helpful

Not. about the. Renaissance

A. good history but not really about. the. Renaissance. Covers the time around the start but only touches the Renaissance at the start and end of the book. Disappointing.

9 people found this helpful