Medieval Christianity A new history

Madigan's history of "medieval Christianity" has many merits, and it brings new attention to a number of topics that have often been overlooked in books covering the history of medieval Western Christianity. In particular, Madigan (Harvard Divinity School) focuses on aspects of devotion and liturgy in this period and on relations with other religious traditions, which is laudable. In these areas, and others, the book improves considerably on other works. That said, Madigan's minimal consideration of Eastern Christianity during the Middle Ages is a significant flaw. The result is that more attention is paid to other religious traditions than to what amounts to (at least) half of the medieval Christian tradition. Such Occidentalism is, alas, not uncommon in the literature on medieval Christianity or indeed the literature on medieval studies in general. In this reviewer's opinion, a few other resources do a better job of negotiating the broad cultural diversity of medieval Christianity. But those interested in the medieval Christian West in particular will find this an excellent resource. Summing Up: Recommended. With the above caveat. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; general readers. --Stephen J. Shoemaker, University of Oregon

Madigan, a professor of ecclesiastical history at Harvard Divinity School, has produced a model of what an introductory text should be. The volume, divided into sections covering the early, high, and late Middle Ages, brings nuance to its overview of the traditional topics, such as the Crusades, the creation and consolidation of papal power, suppression vs. tolerance of heresy, and religious art and architecture; it also delves into less understood topics such as the status of women and their spiritual experiences in the church, changing views of Jews and Muslims, or the relationship between the institutional church and the average parishioner. In his neat synthesis of new and older research, Madigan also explores some relevant scholarly debates and probes the mechanisms of the cultural and religious changes he covers, whether through influential individuals or migrations of populations. His prose style is accessible and clear, making for an engaging narrative history that should please experts while whetting the appetites of beginners, providing background on and insight into a foreign society while charting development of a religious culture that still has relevance for the Western world today. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.