So long as this book is viewed as a humorous and lighthearted attempt at popular history, it is far easier to enjoy than when one is tearing it apart for its inevitable stumbles and errors and its failure to give credit where credit is due to various people and groups of people. Just feast your eyes upon all of these debut books to check out and emerging authors to... Was medieval England full of knights on horseback rescuing fainting damsels in distress? Terry Jones’ Medieval Lives: The Book Of The BBC Series, by Terry Jones and Alan Ereira In many ways, this book is an entertaining volume, even though it seeks to present itself as something more than mere entertainment. A full 5 stars for me. Heinrich Fichtenau, Living in the Tenth Century. I enjoyed very much reading the book . This is no dry recitation of "facts." Search the world's most comprehensive index of full-text books. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. Knights were not romantic figures, outlaws were glorified by everyday people, and even though 'trial by jury' was introduced at this time the jury would have included witnesses and the person that accused. ‎A fascinating look at life in the Middle Ages that focuses on eight extraordinary medieval men and women through realistically invented conversations between them and their counterparts. And – surprise! I think i'm in the 1100s and on turning the page find it's 1321 and then back to 1001 and the like. Accompanying a TV series, the book addresses and redresses many of the stereotypical images we have of the Middle Ages. Packed with information, well researched - written by someone who really knows their history. Also the illustrations are excellent. There was a problem loading your book clubs. If Terry Jones gets something so basic wrong then it made me wonder how many other inaccuracies the book contains. Martin’s Game of Thrones series. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! Recently started reading this. And, of course, those key questions: which monks were forbidden the delights of donning underpants... and did outlaws never wear trousers? My expectation is that Terry Jones' Medieval Lives would blend some factual details of the way people lived during the medieval era with the lively humor of Monty Python. Please try again. Fun History book that covers Medieval England in an unusual way. This book was not at all what I thought it would be. BBC Physical Audio; New Ed edition (May 1, 2005). Admittedly, the book deserves praise for its discussion of the peasant as a key aspect of the society of the Middle Ages, but unfortunately the author ignores town dwellers and focuses on parasitic cultural and intellectual elites, evidence of an anti-bourgeois bias that is all too common in such efforts. Very readable and packed full of interesting stories which help to explain how medieval people viewed many aspects of life (e.g. Don't expect hugely detailed and forensic analysis of obscure texts or archeological evidence , this is after all a relatively short book covering a vast subject . Personally I will stick to my history podcasts. Download Medieval Saints Lives Book For Free in PDF, EPUB. I also really liked the way that the information was presented, although that isn't very surprising to me. Written in an accessible and colloquial style, this is a great read for anyone wanting to get a glimpse of real Medieval Lives . Well, maybe it was half of what I expected. Medieval years are romanticized in films and books. The book also puts paid to some persistent myths about the medieval concept of chivalry, the supposedly helpless position of women in medieval society and how the Renaissance "saved" the Middle Ages from wrack and ruin. health) in a very different way from how we understand them today. In many ways, this book is an entertaining volume, even though it seeks to present itself as something more than mere entertainment. This rather light-hearted look at the so-called Medieval period of history had something of the feel of a television program about it. The rest of the books is filled with tales of philosophers, alchemists, magicians, fraudsters, innovators and doctors, chivalric knights, damsels and, ultimately, the king himself. Terry Jones is probably best known as a member of Monty Python, but he's also a medieval scholar. I was wrong, so very wrong. Although Terry’s delightful presentation skills make the BBC series version memorable, I found his writing style to be much more captivating. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Terry Jones' Medieval Lives is a 2004 television documentary series produced for the BBC. This important book is well written and supports every conjecture with evidence and citations. If I had wanted to read dry and boring, I would have picked up my 7th grade history book (written about 40 years ago). Excellent introduction for anyone interested in the period, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2018. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Highly recommended for high school and college classrooms, and for anyone interested in medieval history. Each chapter is about different people you would find in the middle ages from the monk to the outlaw. If you like learning about how history is distorted according to who is telling it, this is a nice book. I indeed got a diatribe of medieval life, which may or may not be 100% factual. A Light-hearted look at the Medieval period, Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2016. In many ways, this book is an entertaining volume, even though it seeks to present itself as something more than mere entertainment. I agree, but it is true that nearly all lies are based on some truth. Medieval Lives: Eight Charismatic Men and Women of the Middle Ages Norman F. Cantor, Author HarperCollins Publishers $23 (197p) ISBN 978-0-06-016989-3 More By and About This Author Your used books make a big difference in the lives of America’s Veterans and their families. Various medieval "jobs" are examined one by one, with historical examples for each that illuminate the book's theme while educating. Mentalities and Social Orders (1991) This is actually … https://www.amazon.com/Terry-Jones-Medieval-Lives/dp/0563522755 Plenty of interesting (and surprising) facts - the author has obviously done a huge amount of research (the bibliography takes up 10% of the volume!). To see what your friends thought of this book. There’s A Medieval Castle Hiding In West Virginia And It’s Absolutely Stunning. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. I've seen the Medieval Lives TV series and this is just as good, though each contains information not found in the other. This is not true. Yet it clearly wants the reader to take historical fact away from it, and while it has wit, isn't particularly funny. As any author does, this particular writer comes to the subject of medieval history and the lives of various classes of people with a certain bias and a certain background. In conclusion Jones writes. And it challenges many of the assumptions we make about the people of the medieval period, their lives, their circumstances, and the history they lived through. - I think this was written for a reader who knows a lot less than I and is looking for an easy intro to the subject. Unable to add item to List. A fascinating insight into an extended and much maligned period in history and a salutary reminder that misrepresenting facts is not a modern invention, but a human habit over many generations. We cannot guarantee that every book is in the library. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2017. In their widest ramifications ‘the Middle Ages’ thus constitute one of the most prevalent cultural myths of the modern world. Lovely little book that deals with all prejudices we might have about the Middle Ages. My main problem with this book is that it never seems to figure out what it wants to be. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. This is serious history, but Terry Jones, being Terry Jones, is able to insert plenty of humor. This is a really good book. Medieval Life (Eyewitness Books) Published April 14th 1996 by Knopf Books for Young Readers Hardcover, 0 pages Author(s): Andrew Langley. There was no humor, whatsoever. This book uses primary sources to dig into the lives of 6 Medieval people -- Bodo the peasant, Marco Polo, Eglentyne the Prioress, a Paris housewife, an English wool merchant, and an English clothier. Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2015. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. Written with Alan Ereira, parts of pieces of Jones' comedic voice remains in the the text. It does seem wel. My library There is very little stuff about anything outside England. Were the Middle Ages mired in superstition and ignorance? Written with Alan Ereira, parts of pieces of Jones' comedic voice remains in the the text. I indeed got a diatribe of medieval life, which may or may not be 100% factual. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. not live out lives that were always the same against an unchanging backdrop. A fascinating look at life in the Middle Ages that focuses on eight extraordinary medieval men and women through realistically invented conversations between them... Free shipping over $10. The writing style was perhaps a little on the dry side for me - it took me quite a while to plough through the book, but it was still worth reading. Not Monty Python wackiness--not that there's anything wrong with that--but erudite and clever. We’d love your help. Songs are heard across London said to originate from an ancient book that prophesies the end of England’s kings, and among the book’s predictions is Richard’s assassination. Famous for lampooning the medieval world in, The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century, The Middle Ages: Everyday Life in Medieval Europe, Life in a Medieval Village (Medieval Life), Who Murdered Chaucer? It's very difficult to blend genres with informational books, and I don't think this one succeeded. Buy a cheap copy of Medieval Lives book by Norman F. Cantor. Wittily written and informative this is the clearest and most easily followed account of the decline of the Roman Empire and the development of medieval Europe that I have come across. Terry Jones' love of history is well-known, and this book, which seemed to be based on a BBC series of the same name, goes more deeply and detailedly in the richness of late medieval history in English than one would expect . Otherwise, I couldn't recommend it more than this. The origins of these interpretations are disparaged as fulfilling a propaganda role. Terry Jones' love of history is well-known, and this book, which seemed to be based on a BBC series of the same name, goes more deeply and detailedly in the richness of late medieval history in English than one would expect. Life in a Medieval Village (Medieval Life) by Frances Gies and Joseph Gies | Jul 12, 2016. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2013. Terry Jones' love of history is well-known, and this book, which seemed to be based on a BBC series of the same name, goes more deeply and detailedly in the richness of late medieval history in English than one would expect . May 5th 2005 Refresh and try again. Although Terry’s delightful presentation skills make the BBC series version memorable, I found his writing style to be much more captivating. Written and hosted by Terry Jones, each half-hour episode examines a particular Medieval personality, with the intent of separating myth from reality. Video. No excuse for such sloppy scholarship. It's very difficult to blend ge. Separated into the medieval roles, Jones uses these roles to construct a counter-narrative to many of the stereotypes around medieval history through focusing in on specific instances and highlighting specific anecdotes to clarify the his major points. Evoking every aspect of city life in the Middle Ages, Life in a Medieval City depicts in detail what it was like to live in a prosperous city of Northwest Europe in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Behind the stereotypes of "damsels in distress" and "knights in shining armor," there are wonderfully human stories that bring the period to life. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published I thought this would have more humor/color to it, but it read like plain jane history. Jones is funny (or more cheeky) but he has good observations about the various Medieval archetypes. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Why does nobody ever mention King Louis the First and Last? In this lesson, you will begin to unpick the difficulties surrounding medieval peasants and their source record. He is best known as a member of the Monty Python comedy team. Terry Jones also passes some rather unflattering judgements on the medieval church and the monastic movement in particular. They also don't bog down in parts, so it's not like you're dying to go to the next section. Written with Alan Ereira, parts of pieces of Jones' comedic voice remains in the the text. “The Renaissance invented the Middle Ages in order to define itself; the Enlightenment perpetuated them in order to admire itself; and the Romantics revived them in order to escape from themselves. Particularly good is the book as a memory study, arguing against the interpretations of the Middle Ages as backward (Enlightenment view), idealized (romantic/Victorian view), and holy (Catholic view). In 1607, Jamestown was founded by the Virginia Company. Written in a clear and accessible style, it reworks a well-loved book to provide an entirely new resource for students, teachers, and general readers. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Terry Jones' Medieval Lives is a BBC documentary series presented by Terry Jones, looking at the Medieval world with the intent of finding out what it was really like. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Among his biases is a strong hostility to organized religion as well as a certain degree of favoritism to entertainers and outlaws. Lesson overview: Medieval lives in Domesday Book. So, pretty much that's how the book goes as well. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read Terry Jones' Medieval Lives. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. The whole book wasn't laugh out loud funny, but there were some places that were pretty good in that regard. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Full of facts like how people in the Middle Ages did not think that the world was flat. In Terry Jones' Medieval Lives, his mission is to rescue the Middle Ages from moth-eaten cliches and well-worn platitudes. Castles, for the most part, are the purview of European countries, whose castles and fortresses date back centuries to a time when monarchical rulers frequently faced the possibility of invasion from a foreign enemy. : A Medieval Mystery. Alright, so my thinking on this book was "Medieval=awesome, Terry Jones=also awesome, I must read this." Separated into the medieval roles, Jones uses these roles to construct a counter-narrative to many of the stereotypes around medieval history through focusing in on specific instances and highlighting specific anecdotes to clarify the his major points. This is a delightful book for both the layman and expert. I also really liked the way that the information was presented, although that isn't very surprising to me. Similarly, the author comes to the Middle Ages with a certain background as a comedian whose work, especially Monty Python's Search For The Holy Grail, itself made a lot of knowing winks and nods at the medieval history of the British Isles. This book is largely about how our ideas of what life was like in the so-called Dark Ages have been mythologized, propagandized, romanticized, stereotyped, or just plain lied about. I enjoyed very much reading the book . The whole book wasn't laugh out loud fun. Readers have a lot to look forward to this year! I was very well surprised by the elaborate details used to debunk many of the classic popular conceptions associated with the Middle Ages .I liked the most the ‘Damsel’ ( chapter 7) and ‘Peasant’ (chapter 1) – I was fascinated to learn that these people, who in general are perceived to be weak and have limited coping skills, were able to handle so courageously and wisely unfortunate events. Read 1 485 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Terry Jones' love of history is well-known, and this book, which seemed to be based on a BBC series of the same name, goes more deeply and detailedly in the richness of late medieval history in English than one would expect. In this lavish volume, he slays the dragons of cliché and platitude. Alright, so my thinking on this book was "Medieval=awesome, Terry Jones=also awesome, I must read this." A hefty amount of the information was familiar to me, (I even recognized the Christine de Pisan passage from when I read it in Art History,) but some of it was new and those parts were interesting. There's a problem loading this menu right now. Richard I may not have captured Jerusalem, but he was certainly a capable warrior and commander. Well, maybe it was half of what I expected. His novella collection 3XEOLVK DQG 3HULVK 7KUHH 7DOHV RI 7HQXUH DQG 7HUURU was a 3XEOLVKHUV :HHNO\ Best Book of 1997 and appeared on several critics’ best-of-the-year lists. Both aspects of his personality -- the comic and the scholar -- show in this book. Written with Alan Ereira, parts of pieces of Jones' comedic voice remains in the the text. MEDIEVAL REVIEW This is an important book. A Distant Mirror book. On pp 60-61 he talks about Anne Boleyn and the charges of adultery that brought her down, including Anne's alleged affair with minstrel-poet Mark Smeaton. I read as far as Jones asserting that Mark Smeaton was hung, drawn and quartered. Similarly, the author comes to the Middle Ages with a certain. Sources are cited. Particularly good is the book as a memory study, arguing against the interpretations of the Middle Ages as backward (Enlightenment view), idealized (romantic/Victorian view), and holy (Catholic view). Terry Jones is most famous as a member of Monty Python; he has also directed a number of feature films, including. But then you can start reading Kindle books on your PC, android, iOS devices reader to historical! Nothing at all what i expected unusual way presented, although that is n't very surprising to.. Great read for anyone interested in the Middle Ages with a pinch salt. Like ( Personal use ) and Join Over 150.000 Happy readers religion at the acknowledgements reveals... ( some of us still have day jobs! ) listening to a series! `` Medieval=awesome, Terry Jones=also awesome, i found his writing style to be with... 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