The Birth of Europe: 400-1500 (Making of Europe) Book

In The Middle Ages and the Birth of Europe, Jacques Le Goff, arguably the leading medievalist of his generation, presents his view of the primacy of the period in the development of European history. At the heart of the book lies the argument that in the Middle Ages many of the institutions and ideas we consider "European" were defined and developed for the first time. Of all the periods that have contributed to a common European heritage, the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, he contends, are the most important. The book ranges widely, examining the impact and legacy of the Middle Ages in both material and intellectual terms, and covering the region from Ireland to the Black Sea. One of the central concerns of the book is to show the diversity of communities in medieval Europe and to examine the relationship between the center and peripheries. It was at the physical frontiers of Europe, Le Goff argues, that new ideas about what made Europe special and unique were first negotiated and the structures to support them evolved. Around this argument, the author provides detailed coverage of the events that dominated the period, making the book accessible to introductory readers. This book will be enjoyed by loyal followers of Jacques Le Goff as well as general readers interested in understanding the place of the Middle Ages in European history.Read More