What was it like to grow up in a Jewish family in medieval Ashkenaz? What was it like to raise children? Baumgarten reveals both what was distinctive What was it like to grow up in a Jewish family in medieval Ashkenaz? What was it like to raise children? Baumgarten reveals both what was distinctive about Jewish family life in the high and later Middle Ages, and how Jewish and Christian neighbors influenced each other and even helped each other raise their kids. A great example of how to use comparative history to highlight one story while illuminating a broader picture--and a fascinating look at a never-before-studied aspect of medieval Judaism....more
Before they were Catholic hippies whose colleges had great academics and great basketball, the Jesuits were the front line soldiers of the Catholic ReBefore they were Catholic hippies whose colleges had great academics and great basketball, the Jesuits were the front line soldiers of the Catholic Reformation or Counter-Reformation. O'Malley demonstrates how the first generation of Jesuits rejuvenated spirituality within the Catholic Church at the same time Luther and Calvin were working on the same mission outside it. Unlike those early Protestant counterparts, the first Jesuits also led the way in carrying their new vision west to the Americas and east to India and beyond. And then they helped invent ballet....more
hink predestination is a horrible and cruel doctrine? Don't understand why the Reformation ripped Europe to shreds for a century and a half? Let two ohink predestination is a horrible and cruel doctrine? Don't understand why the Reformation ripped Europe to shreds for a century and a half? Let two of the most compelling writers in Christian history (yes, even in translations) show you. In which theologies are extremely clearly laid out, reputations are asserted and defended, one party is endlessly graciously, and one party brings all the snark. This will make you fall in love with the Reformation, with rhetoric, and with primary sources....more
When a 1933 book still merits an English translation in 1994, you know it's important. Grundmann's exploration of how 13th century medieval men and woWhen a 1933 book still merits an English translation in 1994, you know it's important. Grundmann's exploration of how 13th century medieval men and women alike took religion into their own hands, launching popular religious movement that survive through today, is a foundational text in medieval studies. It's also a model of how to use the different sources available to tell a story, from literature to law to charters....more
A popular history book about early European colonisation attempts of America, before the successful Jamestown colony. Written as a semi-travelogue by A popular history book about early European colonisation attempts of America, before the successful Jamestown colony. Written as a semi-travelogue by the author, but an interesting read....more
Less a comprehensive history of the continent than a piece to explain how "civilized" Europe became the bloodiest continent in that century, Mazower bLess a comprehensive history of the continent than a piece to explain how "civilized" Europe became the bloodiest continent in that century, Mazower brings fascism back into the picture as a really competing opponent to communism and capitalism; and looks at how imperial practices cultivated abroad were copied and applied to Europe itself....more
A collection of chapters discussing a variety of topics, such as horses as a cultural and literary metaphor, the changes in the theory of horse trainiA collection of chapters discussing a variety of topics, such as horses as a cultural and literary metaphor, the changes in the theory of horse training and riding, development of studbooks and breeds, international trade of horses, and, in one very specific chapter, the significance of catalogues of bits....more
Levack gives important background and context to his discussion of the witch-hunt. The work's value as an introduction to the topic is evident, as theLevack gives important background and context to his discussion of the witch-hunt. The work's value as an introduction to the topic is evident, as the book is now in its third edition....more
A suitable counterpoint to Koch's Rise of Modern Warfare, it argues the tactical freeze that occurred after the Thirty Years War and how it would playA suitable counterpoint to Koch's Rise of Modern Warfare, it argues the tactical freeze that occurred after the Thirty Years War and how it would play a part in the political and military history of Europe ending with an analysis of Napoleon's way of War and why he returned to Decisive Warfare compared to the limited and scientific warfare of the previous era....more
Absolutely full of etchings, portraits, and diagrams. Divided into several sections based on country: England, France, Russia, etc., as well as generaAbsolutely full of etchings, portraits, and diagrams. Divided into several sections based on country: England, France, Russia, etc., as well as general discussion of modern warfare. Each section discusses uniform, armament, and tactics. Suitable for in-depth study or just looking at the pictures....more
One of the most popular English-language accounts of one of Europe's most destructive wars, an important factor in the Reformation, Counter-ReformatioOne of the most popular English-language accounts of one of Europe's most destructive wars, an important factor in the Reformation, Counter-Reformation, the fate of the Holy Roman Empire, and one that leads to the Peace of Westphalia....more
A magisterial take on the Reformation across the world, from late medieval Wittenberg to Puritan New England. In contrast to historians who seem to siA magisterial take on the Reformation across the world, from late medieval Wittenberg to Puritan New England. In contrast to historians who seem to sideline religion to highlight social and political motivations, MacCulluch lovingly builds a case that the Reformation was a time when thought and belief changed the world forever....more
A formidable classic on the Western Expansion and the age of exploration. Parry provides a dense but excellent description of how the west was able toA formidable classic on the Western Expansion and the age of exploration. Parry provides a dense but excellent description of how the west was able to conquer and their motivations. His section on the development of scientific navigation is particularly good....more
A fine single-volume introduction, and one of the most accessible. Keegan was one of the best popular military historians going, and he was generally A fine single-volume introduction, and one of the most accessible. Keegan was one of the best popular military historians going, and he was generally believed to be at the height of his game in this particular work. It situates the war in the "senseless tragedy" school of cultural memory, but this is hardly a fringe position. Still, very good....more
One of the better, if not best, books on the origins and causes of the First World War. A narrative that gives the reader an insight into the decisionOne of the better, if not best, books on the origins and causes of the First World War. A narrative that gives the reader an insight into the decision making of all of the major players of Europe at the time, Clark paints a somewhat-new picture of an unstable, problematic, and poorly-led Europe that trudged on to war by 1914, in contrast to other works that might focus on the motives and decision making of Germany and Austria-Hungary in particular. It is heavy on the political origins and causes of the war, with only a brief account of the first days of actual fighting. It is, overall, a highly readable, detailed, captivating, and informative account of the causes and origins of the First World War that should be held in high regards by those seeking to learn more about the period. ...more
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