The final work of the great Belgian historian Henri Pirenne; this remarkable classic — published after his death — offers a revolutionary perspective on how Europe under the influence of a Roman Empire centered in Constantinople evolved into the Europe of Charlemagne and the Middle Ages.Departing from the standard view that Germanic invasions obliterated the Roman Empire; Pirenne advances the radical new thesis that "the cause of the break with the tradition of antiquity was the rapid and unexpected advance of Islam;" and event of historical proportions that prevented the western Mediterranean from being what it had always been: a thoroughfare of commerce and thought. It became instead what Pirenne refers to as "a Musulman lake;" thereby causing "the axis of life [to shift] northwards from the Mediterranean" for the first time in history.Brilliant and controversial; this volume garnered these words of praise from the critics: "It is a dull reader indeed who does not recognize the light of genius in the pages of this book; without doubt a landmark in contemporary historiography." — G. C. Boyce; Annals of the American Academy. "… Pirenne's crowning triumph. The fire of his genius; the boldness of his mind; his profound learning and vivid pen make this volume pleasant reading." — Commonweal. "… an important; seminal book; worthy to close one of the most distinguished careers in European scholarship." — Saturday Review of Literature.Pirenne's masterly study is essential reading for history students; medievalists; and general readers with an interest in the decline of the Roman Empire and the beginnings of the Middle Ages.
#172378 in Books 1959-06-01 1959-06-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.27 x .45 x 10.69l; 1.27 #File Name: 0486227316224 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Extremely Relevant Photo BookBy Roderick S. HaynesAlexander Gardner and Matthew Brady are the two photographer icons from the American Civil War. Until photos from the Battle of Antietam were placed in galleries in New York City causing draft rioting there; the public (civilians) in both the North and South did not have a concrete understanding of the brutality of a conflict that would eventually kill upwards of 650;000 citizens; almost 2% of the American population. This is a coffee table book and photos can be scanned for use in classrooms. These photos are extremely relevant to the telling of that terrible war; and are the 19th century equivalent to the LIFE magazine photos of WW II; Korea; and Vietnam conflicts.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A narrow but valuable picture of Civil War reality.By mchoneburnardkAlthough this book was unsuccessful when originally published it should now be appreciated and read for what it is: a valuable photographic record with captions which; taken together; are a narrow picture of Civil War reality. If you want to "see" scenes from the aftermath of the Civil War; you need to read and look through this book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great productBy LisaThis book for my husband for Father's Day. Absolutely love the Civil War and he really enjoyed this book. Has a bunch of interesting information in there and some very intriguing pictures that we've never seen before. And my husband has a major history buff and he's never seen most of those pictures I really recommend this book if anybody is a history buff or specifically just loves the Civil War.
