Category Archives: history

Mysteries of the Middle Ages

Posted on February 6, 2009 by smellincoffee

Mysteries of the Middle Ages and the Beginnings of the Modern World© 2006 Thomas Cahill317 pages, plus notes and index A couple of weeks ago I met a friend for breakfast, and he brought with him an interesting-looking book. He … Continue reading →

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The Echo of Greece

Posted on December 22, 2008 by smellincoffee

The Echo of Greece© Edith Hamilton 1957224 pages About two years ago I read The Greek Way by Edith Hamilton, which was an exploration of the Greek mind as reflected in law, philosophy, art, and more. The book introduced me … Continue reading →

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Asimov’s Guide to the Bible

Posted on December 21, 2008 by smellincoffee

Asimov’s Guide to the Bible – Volume I© Isaac Asimov 1968677 pages plus indices This week I read volume one of Isaac Asimov’s two-volume guide to the bible. The first volume is on what Christians call the “Old Testament”. The … Continue reading →

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Collapse

Posted on December 17, 2008 by smellincoffee

Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed © 2005 Jared Diamond 560 pages plus index A few years ago, I read Guns, Germs, and Steel by this same author, who put forth the idea that the success of world … Continue reading →

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The Knight in History

Posted on December 10, 2008 by smellincoffee

The Knight in History254 pagesFrances Gies This week I read The Knight in History, written by France Gies. Typically she and her husband co-author novels, but not in this case. I was somewhat wary about this particular book because military … Continue reading →

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Women in the Middle Ages

Posted on December 2, 2008 by smellincoffee

Women in the Middle Ages© Frances and Joseph Gies 1978236 pages, plus index, notes, and bibliography. Again this week I read from Frances and Joseph Gies’ series on daily life in the medieval era. The book is divided smartly into … Continue reading →

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Life in a Medieval Village

Posted on November 24, 2008 by smellincoffee

Life in a Medieval Village© 1990 Frances and Joseph Gies207 pages, plus index, notes, and a bibliography This week I continued reading from the Gies’ excellent series on daily life in the medieval era. This book, like Life in a … Continue reading →

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Great Feuds in Science

Posted on November 17, 2008 by smellincoffee

Great Feuds in Science: Ten of the liveliest disputes everHal Hellman © 1998192 pages, plus bibliography and index Last week I wanted to read a little science, and while roaming through the shelves, my eyes found this book. It looked … Continue reading →

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Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel

Posted on November 16, 2008 by smellincoffee

Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel: Technology and Invention in the Middle Ages© 1994 Frances and Joseph Gies291 pages, plus notes, an extended bibliography, and an index The Gies’ various books on life in the middle ages have continued to delight and … Continue reading →

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Marriage and the Family in the Middle Ages

Posted on November 4, 2008 by smellincoffee

Marriage and the Family in the Middle AgesJoseph and Frances Gies, © 1987Harper & Row, New York369 pages. This week I continued reading Gies, this time one of their books concerning changes in the family during the middle ages — … Continue reading →

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