Rating: 
Summary: Solid, organized, comprehensive.
Review: Out of my modest library of a dozen or so books on the period, "Medieval Europe, A Short History" is the one that I would recommend to use as a general introduction. I give it four stars because I believe that the highest ranking should be reserved for works of unparalleled insight and expression. That aside, this is a solid, professional, comprehensive, and accessible piece of work.First published by Dr. Hollister in 1964, the book is now in its Ninth Edition (2002). For this reason, some of the criticisms in the reviews pre-dating the most recent edition are unfounded. (I have a Second Edition, and it is but a shadow of the current volume.) The work of updating the text has been taken over by Dr. Bennett of the University of North Carolina. I believe that the long legacy of the book and its many revisions reflect what does and does not work in an introductory course to the Medieval period. Dr. Bennett's touch is apparent in the steady but fair commentary given to the role of women throughout the long period. Above all, the book is compact and well-organized. While, at times, it may proceed like an outline, that aspect is driven by its scope: Western Europe from late antiquity to the Renaissance, with additional commentary (for context) on Byzantium & the rise of Islam. In fact, the amount of information contained within its 397 pages (paperback version) is impressive. Given its purpose, one cannot expect much digression into painting portraits of the times. What one can expect is a clear and direct exposition of the salient events and major trends of the Medieval period from all angles (political, religious, intellectual, social, economic, artistic, cultural). On that score, it squarely delivers. The signature element of the discussion are the brief asides and analogies to 20th Century American society and culture. They only show up every once in awhile -- not enough to be distracting and certainly witty enough to bring a smile. From "A Short History," I'd suggest proceeding with Cantor's "Civilization of the Middle Ages" and to the essays in the "Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe." After that, the door should be wide open to an investigation of whatever detailed aspect of the period a reader might want to pursue.
Rating:
Summary: Solid, organized, comprehensive.
Review: Out of my modest library of a dozen or so books on the period, "Medieval Europe, A Short History" is the one that I would recommend to use as a general introduction. I give it four stars because I believe that the highest ranking should be reserved for works of unparalleled insight and expression. That aside, this is a solid, professional, comprehensive, and accessible piece of work. First published by Dr. Hollister in 1964, the book is now in its Ninth Edition (2002). For this reason, some of the criticisms in the reviews pre-dating the most recent edition are unfounded. (I have a Second Edition, and it is but a shadow of the current volume.) The work of updating the text has been taken over by Dr. Bennett of the University of North Carolina. I believe that the long legacy of the book and its many revisions reflect what does and does not work in an introductory course to the Medieval period. Dr. Bennett's touch is apparent in the steady but fair commentary given to the role of women throughout the long period. Above all, the book is compact and well-organized. While, at times, it may proceed like an outline, that aspect is driven by its scope: Western Europe from late antiquity to the Renaissance, with additional commentary (for context) on Byzantium & the rise of Islam. In fact, the amount of information contained within its 397 pages (paperback version) is impressive. Given its purpose, one cannot expect much digression into painting portraits of the times. What one can expect is a clear and direct exposition of the salient events and major trends of the Medieval period from all angles (political, religious, intellectual, social, economic, artistic, cultural). On that score, it squarely delivers. The signature element of the discussion are the brief asides and analogies to 20th Century American society and culture. They only show up every once in awhile -- not enough to be distracting and certainly witty enough to bring a smile. From "A Short History," I'd suggest proceeding with Cantor's "Civilization of the Middle Ages" and to the essays in the "Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe." After that, the door should be wide open to an investigation of whatever detailed aspect of the period a reader might want to pursue.
Rating:
Summary: Solid, organized, comprehensive.
Review: Out of my modest library of a dozen or so books on the period, "Medieval Europe, A Short History" is the one that I would recommend to use as a general introduction. I give it four stars because I believe that the highest ranking should be reserved for works of unparalleled insight and expression. That aside, this is a solid, professional, comprehensive, and accessible piece of work. First published by Dr. Hollister in 1964, the book is now in its Ninth Edition (2002). For this reason, some of the criticisms in the reviews pre-dating the most recent edition are unfounded. (I have a Second Edition, and it is but a shadow of the current volume.) The work of updating the text has been taken over by Dr. Bennett of the University of North Carolina. I believe that the long legacy of the book and its many revisions reflect what does and does not work in an introductory course to the Medieval period. Dr. Bennett's touch is apparent in the steady but fair commentary given to the role of women throughout the long period. Above all, the book is compact and well-organized. While, at times, it may proceed like an outline, that aspect is driven by its scope: Western Europe from late antiquity to the Renaissance, with additional commentary (for context) on Byzantium & the rise of Islam. In fact, the amount of information contained within its 397 pages (paperback version) is impressive. Given its purpose, one cannot expect much digression into painting portraits of the times. What one can expect is a clear and direct exposition of the salient events and major trends of the Medieval period from all angles (political, religious, intellectual, social, economic, artistic, cultural). On that score, it squarely delivers. The signature element of the discussion are the brief asides and analogies to 20th Century American society and culture. They only show up every once in awhile -- not enough to be distracting and certainly witty enough to bring a smile. From "A Short History," I'd suggest proceeding with Cantor's "Civilization of the Middle Ages" and to the essays in the "Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe." After that, the door should be wide open to an investigation of whatever detailed aspect of the period a reader might want to pursue.
Rating: 
Summary: An Insufferable Revision
Review: The ninth edition of _Medieval Europe_ is a very informative, and very readable, introductory text. Professor Hollister compiled the first edition of this book in the 1960s, and its popularity is evident in how many editions have been produced. Professor Bennett updated the text and published this ninth edition in 2002. Bennett's updates and additions are very welcome: she adds a great deal of women's history, as well as expanded sections on socio-economics, and religious history. The general layout of the book is also very attractive; it is not a huge tome that will scare people away, rather a small unassuming paperback. Yet, it is filled with organized and well-researched chapters. The suggested readings at the end of these chapters were particularly helpful for me.
Rating:
Summary: Good introductory text
Review: The ninth edition of _Medieval Europe_ is a very informative, and very readable, introductory text. Professor Hollister compiled the first edition of this book in the 1960s, and its popularity is evident in how many editions have been produced. Professor Bennett updated the text and published this ninth edition in 2002. Bennett's updates and additions are very welcome: she adds a great deal of women's history, as well as expanded sections on socio-economics, and religious history. The general layout of the book is also very attractive; it is not a huge tome that will scare people away, rather a small unassuming paperback. Yet, it is filled with organized and well-researched chapters. The suggested readings at the end of these chapters were particularly helpful for me.
Rating: 
Summary: "insufferable revision" reviewer needs to do some homework
Review: The quotes used in the review of this textbook to illustrate Bennett's incompetence are actually both written by Hollister. The reviewer might have at least consulted an earlier edition before assuming that Bennett was at fault for all the reviewer's perceived shortcomings in the text.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book!
Review: With this review, I hope to offset some of the unfortunate negative reviews listed here. This book is not only informative, but enjoyable to read--I literally couldn't put it down! How often does one say that about a book of Medieval History? I am currently teaching my first few semesters of Music History, and chose this book to help me get a broad generalization of the currents that shaped Western civilization, and ultimately Western culture. Some may say it is too brief in the retelling of history, but I for one found this book to be exactly what I was looking for. A wonderful overview of European history.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book!
Review: With this review, I hope to offset some of the unfortunate negative reviews listed here. This book is not only informative, but enjoyable to read--I literally couldn't put it down! How often does one say that about a book of Medieval History? I am currently teaching my first few semesters of Music History, and chose this book to help me get a broad generalization of the currents that shaped Western civilization, and ultimately Western culture. Some may say it is too brief in the retelling of history, but I for one found this book to be exactly what I was looking for. A wonderful overview of European history.
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