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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
informative
medium-paced
Tom Holland does a wonderful job with the story of the transformation of Europe from 900 to 1100. He sets the stage with a brief background before pressing full-steam ahead into a story of monks, kings, emperors, popes, barbarians and peasants. As with any history, there are a lot of names. This is probably one of the better history books I have read and I recommend it for any interested in history.
There are also a few practical lessons, for example, people have expected the end of the world for centuries. Many in America see all of the craziness in the economy and other issues as a sign the end is coming. A book like Holland's reminds us that people are self-centered and always think their time is the end time. The last words of the book are almost chilling as Holland tells of the First Crusade's taking of Jerusalem, an earth-shaking event...yet the world kept spinning.
There are also a few practical lessons, for example, people have expected the end of the world for centuries. Many in America see all of the craziness in the economy and other issues as a sign the end is coming. A book like Holland's reminds us that people are self-centered and always think their time is the end time. The last words of the book are almost chilling as Holland tells of the First Crusade's taking of Jerusalem, an earth-shaking event...yet the world kept spinning.
3.5 stars. Not a bad book and enjoyable, but it's a tough subject to tackle with so much going on all over Europe. Holland does his best, but it was at times difficult to follow the sprawling narrative. I'm not sure how he would have done it differently, mind you. Still, a fascinating look at a period of history I know less about than probably any other (the "dark ages" and early middle ages).
An excellently written account of the Dark Ages from Charlemagne to the very first Crusade. Holland writes in a very grandiose, sweeping manner that makes every person and event featured, epic in their existence.
The books ending though abrupt could not have been worded better. A fantastic book that explains just how Christianity has shaped (for better and worse) the nations of modern Europe.
The books ending though abrupt could not have been worded better. A fantastic book that explains just how Christianity has shaped (for better and worse) the nations of modern Europe.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Not quite sure what to make of this one. About halfway through, was really finding the book a slog. I generally have enjoyed Holland's books, but this one was a bit melodramatic even for me. Even though meticulously sourced, Holland writes in such a grandiloquent style that it tends to distract from the actual historical drama at times. Which is a shame. Because there is drama a plenty in the 10th and 11th centuries, so why the need to wax so poetic? But perhaps I am being overly harsh, because this is Holland's style after all - he writes of historical events and characters and does all he can to make them vivid and real. And if the style is a bit garish at times, that is part of the effect, is it not? Anyways, as I was saying. What is this book about? Holland's thesis seems to be that certain religious and political factors (variously numerated in the book and I shall not attempt to summarize!) led to the revitalization, forming and focusing of the Christian West (namely Europe, specifically England, France and the Holy Roman Empire...and the Pope) leading up to the launching of the First Crusade in 1095 AD under Urban II. The author does a good job of tracing the last few centuries of the first millennium, specifically the formation of certain power groups, dynasties and nation states (although that last may be slightly anachronistic) that held sway at the time of the First Crusade. It was interesting because reading this book, I wasn't actually sure where the history would end or what Holland was trying to say but as I got near the end, the lightbulb flashed on and I thought of course. The First Crusade - marking Europe as not just a boiling cauldron of banditry and gangsterism, but as an expansionary power turning its eyes East. So with that insight, this volume was really quite good and I only wish I had more properly appreciated the first half of the book. I think a lot of what bothered me in my initial reading was the heavy pushing that Holland did to show the impact the turning of the Millennium had upon the people of Europe. While I don't doubt that the idea that the apocalyptic end of days was coming had an impact on the actions of both peasants and kings, I wasn't entirely convinced that the 1000-year anniversaries of various points on the Christological calendar had as big of an effect as Holland seems to be postulating. Once Holland got past the 1000-year marks, I more appreciated his historical fervor. The last two chapters were superb and worth the cost of admission on their own. Reading about the various forces warring to make England their own ("1066 and All That") was purely a delight to read and kept me up far too late one night! And the chapter chronicling the war of wills between Henry IV and Gregory VII was utterly fascinating...culminating of course, in the power and surety of Urban II that led to the call to Holy Crusade. Deus Vult indeed. Having just recently read a fantastic history of the Crusades (Runciman's 3-volume set - read it!!), I really enjoyed this lead-up. While I will still continue to roll my eyes at times at Holland's writing style, I do enjoy his history. He somehow manages to pack quite a bit of history in a book that just rolls along effortlessly. A worthy volume to add to my rapidly expanding Holland collection.
informative
medium-paced