Book Challenge Update: Medieval Britain: A very Short Introduction

I've read another book for my One, Two, Theme Challenge!  Again it is for the Medieval Category, which I'm now almost done with.  Just two more books.  One of which needs to be fiction . . . I'm going to have to start looking!

Not a very exciting cover . . .

I read "Medieval Britain: A Very Short Introduction" by John Gillingham and Ralph Griffiths for this review.  It is very short . . . and delightful.  It is just an easy fun read.  The writing it superb and not too filled with history jargon.  If you have any interest in learning more or something about Medieval Britain, I would suggest you start here.  I have read a lot about Medieval Britain.  Meaning I'm reading it towards the end of my reading and I found it really made things (like the time-line) click in my head.  If you know about the confusion line of succession in the late medieval period you'll know why this took me a bit to get my head around.  So, for shear clarity this is a great book.  It also covers a lot, both in time and scope, for such a small book.  That being said it isn't overly detailed . . . it couldn't be.  But, it is a great survey of whats going on and gives enough specifics that I didn't feel like it wasn't based on anything.

If you want something to read that makes you look smart, but doesn't take too much effort or time . . . this is for you.  Or read it if you just like to learn stuff and read a good book.

Book Challenge Update: Women In Dark Age and Early Medieval Europe c500 - 1200

I have completed another book for my One, Two, Theme challenge.  This one is for my 5th category Late Medieval/Medieval Britain.  Now the reason this is a topic is because medieval Britain is the time period for my dissertation work and I feel it is important to know more about the time period.  I like history books, so it seemed like a good deal all around.  So, if you don't like non-fiction this book and review are probably not for you.

Women In Dark Age and Early Medieval Europe c500 - 1200 by Helen M Jewell.

First, I feel it is important to point out that is a good bit of scholarly work.  Very worthwhile if you study Medieval Europe.  It has a fair focus on Britain making it useful to me. It is also unique for its focus on women.  This is becoming more common in the medieval studies literature, but is by no means hugely available.  Part of this is due to the difficulty in obtaining primary sources on the subject.

But how is it to read?

Quite enjoyable actually.  The book is well written and the prose is not unduly bogged down with heavy phrases to make it sound more impressively historical in nature.  It also is not over referenced.  The author simple presents how things were during the period, but also makes an argument for change through time.  All of these make for a very readable and helpful book.

If you are interested in medieval history and/or the history of women this is a good choice.