The Worlds of Medieval Europe

Rating:
Summary: All's fine in War and religion, as long as you don't live it
Review: I'll admit it. I had to read this book for class. But if you think of it as just another textbook, you're sadly mistaken. Backman's ability to catch you off guard and pull you past the standard mythos of the Medieval world makes this book enjoyable and the least likely to put you to sleep of any history text you may be forced to read. Not only does he manage to cover both religious and secular history without having you feel the need to chuck said book at the wall, he manages to poke fun at his topic and put the world into understandable language. How many books have you read admit that a previous quote was christian snobbery and then goes on how the man misquoted anyways? He strips away the stiff grandeur and manages to make history into a story with both events and characters that are relatable, if not a bit humorous. And definiately readable.

So, yes I recommend this book, not only if you're a history major looking for a good text, but someone who wonders what really happened when the world went from order to chaos just 'cause a guy started preaching on a rock.