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itstoocliche's review against another edition
4.0
Currently writing a critical review of this (critical in the academic sense, not the pejorative). Maybe I'll post parts if they feel relevant. Basically: a VERY interesting book with the common problem of all such books --- it tries to do a lot in a little under 3000 pages .
ktymick's review against another edition
2.0
This history is structured into chapters relating to different body parts, ie., the head, the heart, the feet, and Hartnell seeks to elucidate his audience on how humanity viewed our corporeal forms biologically, scientifically, and culturally. Hartnell attempts to draw evidence from not only Western sources but from the Middle East and Asia as well, but by the end heavily leans on European accounts to assert his suppositions. There are pockets of interesting asides, but his research is paltry and cherry-picked, and the conclusions that are subsequently drawn are weak and point toward what often felt like the author's own professed uncertainty about the subject. I questioned what I was supposed to have learned at the end of each chapter.
purplemuskogee's review
5.0
This book was just fantastic. It is well written, interesting, entertaining, and so informative. I have learned so much - took so many notes when reading, and went back every time to Google things. I would recommend this to everyone - it doesn't matter if you know a lot or not about the Middle Ages, it would be either super informative, or fun to read, but definitely enjoyable.
lealila's review against another edition
4.0
Finally! I finished this! It was good. Wasn't so much about medical stuff, like I thought it would be, but just living in the Medieval world, from head to toe. Appreciated that there was a lot of Middle East Medieval history too (as people tend to sometimes ignore that) and liked all the pictures too. Nice overview in a non-traditional way.
scyian's review against another edition
3.0
I’ll admit, the cover is so gorgeous, I had to buy this. Sadly, the cover is the better part. Don’t get me wrong, the content is good. However, the Medieval period (wonderfully summed up as from Braveheart to Blackadder) is vast, and Hartnell tries to encompass the period throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The drawback is the information is set in small information bites and, while the book is interesting, it never goes into enough detail.