Rating: 
Summary: A change to understand the Middle Ages
Review: This is a very helpful book, especially for people who are looking for accurate historical analysis. ALthough written in the beginning of the XX century, it shares a lot of the spirit of what was called 'cultural history'. The author reveals how the people on the late Middle Age (i.e. century XIV) feel, how they see the cavalry rules and habits, what's the place of religion, how art was important for creating a common culture... And, besides all that, he helps us understand that Renassaince didn't come out of nowhere, but brings a lot of medieval thought with it. A fantastic book!
Rating:
Summary: superlative
Review: Though this book is absolutely excellent (though the style takes a little getting used to), it shouldn't be the first book you read on the Middle Ages.I say that not so much because the book is difficult, as because it's elliptical. The book has a lot of discussion about themes prevalent in the art and literature of the later Middle Ages, but it's not a "history": it doesn't tell you what happened. For example, to make a point about fastidious medieval protocol, Huizinga relates an anecdote about the battle of Crecy. But he never explains what the battle was, who fought in it, or why it was important. He assumes you already know that stuff, so don't come to this book looking for a more straightforward history. This is more a discussion of the major themes and movements of the age, divided by chapter.
Rating: 
Summary: Overrated
Review: What are some of the words that come to mind when one thinks of the middle ages in Europe ?______ cold,famines,plagues,boredom,toil,superstition,religiosity ,fear,cruelty,wars,poor hygiene ,death,maudlin piety ,guilt, hell-fire,mud and mire, ,xenophobia,persecutions & pogroms etc etc . Prof.Huizinga does a pretty decent job describing all this.However I came away disappointed from this book because it is nothing but a compilation and collation of FACTS .There is little in the way of analysis and interpretation .From the rave reviews of this book I was expecting something more original & seminal , given the obvious expertise of the author in this area. Reading this book was a chore _____perhaps by reading this book the author wanted us to "feel" first hand what those poor ,illitrate peasants in the medieval villages must have felt on those cold,dark & seemingly never-ending winter evenings !
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