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davehershey 's review for:
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.