Most studies of medieval Jews focus on Jewish-Christian relations or follow a "decline towards persecution and expulsion" narrative. Ray's mission is Most studies of medieval Jews focus on Jewish-Christian relations or follow a "decline towards persecution and expulsion" narrative. Ray's mission is to focus on Jewish life for its own sake. He discusses how Jewish communities thrived and suffered in the wake of the Christian conquest of Iberia. Most importantly, Ray takes us inside the communities themselves to show how they governed, disagreed, fought bitterly, cooperated, splintered, took risks, and worked oppressive systems to their advantage. He's even able to show differences between religious scholars' legal decisions and the day-to-day actions of elite and common members of Jewish society....more
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
"Everyone knows" the story of Jews in the Middle Ages: moneylending, pogroms, blood libel, exile. Einbinder's study of Jewish martyr chronicles and so"Everyone knows" the story of Jews in the Middle Ages: moneylending, pogroms, blood libel, exile. Einbinder's study of Jewish martyr chronicles and songs challenges the conception you didn't know you had that medieval Jews were defined solely by persecution. She draws out an amazing amount of details about everyday life, how Jews coped practically and theologically with Christian oppression--and, not incidentally, allows Jewish literature itself to stand as proof of just how vibrant these communities really were....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
While male scholastics were debating in Latin, holy women (and their male advisors) were using vernacular poetry and their own bodies to create an altWhile male scholastics were debating in Latin, holy women (and their male advisors) were using vernacular poetry and their own bodies to create an alternative model of saintliness. This book, which broke open the world of medieval religious women to modern audiences, features a great introduction to the roles of medieval women in the Church before focusing more specifically on what made a few standout women particularly holy--and why....more
What, indeed, have Baghdad and Damascus to do with Rome? Griffith explores the impact of the rise of Islam on Christianity--Middle Eastern, Greek, andWhat, indeed, have Baghdad and Damascus to do with Rome? Griffith explores the impact of the rise of Islam on Christianity--Middle Eastern, Greek, and Latin alike. What were Christians' very first impressions of this new religion? How did Middle Eastern theologians respond to the challenge of conversion to Islam? This book takes us back to the days when over fifty percent of the world's Christian lived with the shadow of the crescent over their cross, letting us see how they coped, suffered, and thrived....more
Be warned this book is very dry, mainly of interest to someone who already knows a fair amount about the Mongols. It basically takes an in depth look Be warned this book is very dry, mainly of interest to someone who already knows a fair amount about the Mongols. It basically takes an in depth look at the the exchange of goods, ideas and people between Yuan China and the Ilkhanate (based in Iran), two states ruled by Mongol dynasties descended from Genghis Khan. It's fantastically detailed, or horrifically detailed depending on perspective, and provides an unparalleled examination of exactly what was and wasn't transferred by the Mongols, the agency by which things were transferred and how much influence these new ideas, goods, etc, had....more
This book examines the entire Mongol Empire but its real strength lies in its examination the Ilkhanate, especially the early period. It's best read aThis book examines the entire Mongol Empire but its real strength lies in its examination the Ilkhanate, especially the early period. It's best read after David Morgan's book as much of that work is a direct challenge to Morgan's theories, so it's good to know what he's challenging. Amusingly this guy was David Morgan's student, and his book is heavily based on the PHD he submitted to him....more
Absolutely standard text in the field. Gives an excellent grounding in the history of the Mongol Empire, although it is strongest when discussing IlkhAbsolutely standard text in the field. Gives an excellent grounding in the history of the Mongol Empire, although it is strongest when discussing Ilkhanate (A Mongol successor state based around Iran). Ideally read the second edition, his views evolved substantially between the first and second publication, he explains how and why his views have changed on the Mongol administration....more
An nice introduction, entertaining, interesting and good for history geeks and the general population. However there are some misrepresentations that An nice introduction, entertaining, interesting and good for history geeks and the general population. However there are some misrepresentations that the author makes, so follow it up by reading some criticism to see what he got wrong e.g. bad translation. However the main issue is in placing so much emphasis on the positive aspects of the Mongols, partly as a counter to their usual bad press, the reader risks coming away with a somewhat distorted impression of the Mongol Empire....more
a tremendous work of longue durée scholarship from one of the venerable old guard of American Sinology. This book is not only meticulously researched,a tremendous work of longue durée scholarship from one of the venerable old guard of American Sinology. This book is not only meticulously researched, but engagingly written. For narrative history of China, it is unparalleled....more
Extremely accessible book that is based completely on secondary sources and cites other reference books. It is a very handy introductory primer to whaExtremely accessible book that is based completely on secondary sources and cites other reference books. It is a very handy introductory primer to what life generally was like for the average Chinese person. While obviously focused on the Tang Dynasty, it is a solid place for a start as serious readers/history buffs can build off of this solid foundation as they research more on their own. It is a very light read compared to the more academic texts that I usually recommend but personally this one of my favorites....more
Divided between sections on history, geography, the economy, society, and culture, this book is comprehensive without being overloaded--whether your iDivided between sections on history, geography, the economy, society, and culture, this book is comprehensive without being overloaded--whether your interests are agriculture, the status of women, or the nature of the poet in society you will find information here. It also does well at torpedoing national mythology....more
Certainly a bit dated, but one of the most comprehensive looks at the Islamic conquests of the seventh century as a whole. Donner very usefully dispelCertainly a bit dated, but one of the most comprehensive looks at the Islamic conquests of the seventh century as a whole. Donner very usefully dispels a number of Orientalist myths about the conquests, including the weakness of the "great empires" of antiquity and supposed ineffectiveness of Arab armies....more
A textbook geared towards the High School or Undergraduate level. This book begins with an extensive chronology that places events in West Africa in tA textbook geared towards the High School or Undergraduate level. This book begins with an extensive chronology that places events in West Africa in the context of events around the world in the thousand years covered. This book has chapters dedicated towards politics, state building and warfare, but also to the arts, religion, class, and gender....more
A history of the effects the Hundred Years War had on French and English society including the development of their armies, ideas of nationalism and tA history of the effects the Hundred Years War had on French and English society including the development of their armies, ideas of nationalism and the people who lived through the intermittent warfare that marked the period. Also includes a great introduction to the war as a whole and its major events....more
AskHistorians
>
Books:
middle-ages
(77)
Loading...
