There is no shortage of stories about the crusades; or of biographies of those who played the leading roles in this; the greatest epic of the Middle Ages. But there has been no book in which we could find; recreated; the way of life; the world view; the everyday social organization of those who tempted adventure. They were kings and paupers; barons; clerks; women; and merchants. Some were driven by their faith; others by the spirit of conquest; and some by a hunger for greatness and wealth. Régine Pernoud presents for us a living picture in which we can view; first hand; the awe of the Christians as they beheld the Muslim world; the myriad ordeals they sustained while traveling for years in unknown lands; and the remarkable way in which they managed to adapt; to colonize; to erect churches and fortresses; and to abide for centuries in the face of an adversary far greater in number. Here; an unrecognized page in our history finally reveals itself. A great historian and writer brings this colorful period alive. Régine Pernoud; a renowned French archivist and historian; is among the greatest medievalists of our times; and the success of her books has helped to bring the Middle Ages closer to us. Among her numerous works are Those Terrible Middle Ages! and Women in the Days of the Cathedrals.
#788480 in Books 2011-05-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .90 x 6.00l; 1.20 #File Name: 0895874024480 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy sandpebblethanks1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Almost heaven West VirginiaBy MIke Carr SrNice resource. I am moving to WV in two weeks it will make travel planning easier.25 of 25 people found the following review helpful. Well written overview for budding historiansBy ScottYou are about to embark on a journey to many places untouched by modern man; giving you a glimpse of the past mirrored with stories and brief histories of battles long since silenced by time. As you open this book you will be begin your Civil War trek at Manassas; stopping at the National Battlefield and it's museum. From there you will work counterclockwise around Virginia and West Virginia; through one historic site to the next; stopping sometimes at battlefields; other times at simple out-of-the-way museums or perhaps nothing more than a few relics ravaged by nature.Each stop is clearly marked on easy-to-read maps accompanied by side notes or script detailing the historical significance of the stop. My particular favorite is the Harpers Ferry tour where the author gives an interesting overview of the town along with a brief account of how West Virginia became a state. Although one could spend days going over the surrounding historical sites the author does not drag you into detail after detail; but gives you a brief synopsis of what occurred. Coming from someone who has visited this site many times I've become very familiar with the back-roads and sights to see; and Mr. Johnson does a fine job in taking you around to many of those same areas. However; this book won't give you the detail you need to understand every site; but that can be obtained from the Harper's Ferry National Park visitor center; or by taking a ranger guided tour of the town.By using this book the average reader will enjoy his journey into the past with stops along the way at several key historic areas. This is not a book for the well-read historian or a tactical study on terrain and warfare; but simply a good book for those mildly intrigued by the Civil War. It may serve to whet their appetite and further their desire for more research.If you purchase this book and choose to go forth; your trek will take you to numerous battlefields; both small and large. It is my hope that you will leave with a better understanding of what took place during that bloody struggle we now call the Civil War. So; in finishing your journey you will find yourself as did Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia; in a quiet little place known as Appomattox Court House. "This is a quiet reverent place; the spot where one country died and another was reborn."
