A review by kizzia
The Light Ages: A Medieval Journey of Discovery by Seb Falk

challenging informative inspiring slow-paced

4.75

This book is well written, full of interesting facts, and also quite hard going if geometry and the mathematical elements of astrology are not quite your thing. I am incredibly glad I persevered and read it without worrying that I wasn’t understanding the complexities of the astrolabes and other scientific equipment being discussed since it was really not the point of the book at all. 

I loved how following John Westwyk’s life unfurled so much of medieval life as well as the science and - although I had long ago discarded the myth of the dark ages - was left with a new appreciation for just how much was going on in the period. 

This isn’t a book you’re going to zip through in a couple of days but it is absolutely worth taking your time and absorbing all it has to offer.