The Formation of Christendom (Princeton Paperbacks)

Rating:
Summary: Informative And Wide Ranging
Review: 'The Formation of Christendom' by Judith Herrin is an excellent resource for those interested in the crucial, much-maligned period when the Roman Empire fell apart, Byzantium and Islam arose, and the Roman Church gained institutional and intellectual primacy in western Europe. It should be essential reading for those allegedly educated many who think the Renaissance somehow erupted full blown in the 15th century without the important previous groundwork outlined here. True, it's not easy reading, but then again, this is not a beach novel. Particularly fascinating to me is the clear presentation of the relationships between political power and what now seem like obscure, even laughable, theological controversies. They were more serious and far-reaching than I would have imagined. Terrific book!

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Synopsis Bridging The Gap Between East and West
Review: This is an excellent book that filled the gaps in my knowlege concerning the history of eastern christendom. Judith Herrin explains how the issues of Monotheletism, Iconoclasm, and the ideological struggle between the Papacy and Constantinople affected relations between both eastern and western "Europe". Her book is a close analysis of this struggle, spanning all of the early Middle Ages until 843. If your knowledge of the issue of iconoclasm is vague, then Judith Herrin's book is the one to buy. Her narrative is engaging, coherent, and thoughtful. It is a good synthesis of the developments of the Oecumenical Councils too. Her explication of the Franco-papal alliance and its influence on eastern christendom is what I found most illuminationg. The Afterword has a nice personal touch as well.

Rating:
Summary: A Demanding Survey of a Fascinating Topic
Review: This is an unbelievably comprehensive history of a little-known topic. For those not well-schooled in Late Antique, Early Christian, and Early Medieval history, Ms. Herrin's book is a tough introduction, assuming knowledge on a wide range of topics. Nonetheless, the overall narrative is fascinating and lack of background should not prevent one from enjoying it. This book's main thesis - that the Late Antique and Early Medieval developments in Christianity explain modern Europe - is carefully and thoughtfully displayed. In addition, the prose is sharp and often elegant. Overall, Ms. Herrin's is an astounding accomplishment to read - both for the specialist and the layman.

Nonetheless, anyone who undertakes this book must be prepared to make a serious commitment to its rigor and density. Ms. Herrin is not patient in her presentation. You either get it or you don't. I spent many hours looking back to passages that I thought I had understood. Still, a delight. Highly, highly recommended.