Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages

Without doubt one of the best books I have read in 2023. Takes the reader into global history in the Middle Ages and sets everything into context of British and European history at that troubled time. We can all learn from reading this book which is a brilliant study by Dan Jones. Highly recommended and I have already referred the book onto some friends.

Any book which covers such a lengthy period is bound to be a lightening tour, but Dan Jones conducts it with aplomb and authority. I studied modern history for my degree, a period which start where Jones finishes, so I appreciated this book as it filled in some patches in my historical knowledge. And by the standards of many history books, it's a page turner with the grand narrative sweep of a Gibbon or a Churchill.One thing I found irritating were partisan footnotes on a few pages regarding the EU and Brexit and a few other contemporary and controversial issues. Jones' sympathies on Brexit are well known. I don't think a book on medieval history is a place to allude to these controversies. The connections are tenuous to say the least and contrary arguments could be made. And why risk alienating or annoying half your readership.Nevertheless, an excellent and informative book well worth the investment of time.

This book, which covers around 1000 years of European and Middle Eastern history in 639 gripping pages is history writing at its finest and most enjoyable. So often we read history in bits and pieces, in chunks of time, and with very limited geographies. Not so here. although the focus is somewhat geographically limited; it would be of unmanageable size otherwise.This book flows along and helps to join up and synthesise knowledge - so we can easily see what happened, why it happened and what it led to. Starting with the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and concluding with the Renaissance and then the Reformation that can be considered to have drawn medieval times and society to a close, this covers a wide span of time and events.The book covers the rise and fall of Byzantium, the rise of of the religions of Christianity and Islam, and some of the flash points between them and within them. We have crusaders, popes, kings, princes, queens and princess, peasant rebellions, the world explorations of the 15th century, the flowering of art and culture in Italy and the Low Countries, and so much more.Although a huge book I found the pages flying by, and I was engrossed and fascinated throughout. The book is beautifully illustrated with three sections of plates, and is frankly superbly written. I was a little sad to have finished the book, though certainly better informed and entertained.One of the best works of history I have ever read - and I have read many

So many bits of history I was unaware of and shocked by the appalling carnage of humanity. Dan Jones tells it all in a way that's easy to read. Having read some of his other books, I'm a big fan.

Well worth a read

Good book, enjoyed the read

One of my favourites in the popular history sector. I have nothing else to say other than to read this thing... now. It's the perfect fact resevoir for a party night where you wish to be called both a geek and a nerd, i.e. amazing frenemy source.

I have had this 900 page book for four days. Seems OK com back in a month and I will have finished it and can give a review!

Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle AgesOver the last few months I began to buy books by Dan Jones that looked to be promising as the pricing was right. I am now the proud owner of five. Power and Thrones is the first I have had the opportunity to readThis book does not disappoint at any level, it has all of the bells and whistles you could hope for.It was so well written that I wish I had the time to read it again, despite having a broad collection of books that I am hoping to read in the next few years, it was that good.If you have wondered when the Middle Ages began, when it ended and what happened in between, this is the book for you.If you have wondered why the Roman Empire fell and what the ramifications were from that event in history, this will guide you in the right direction.Below my review are some of the topics covered in this book, they are not spoilers in the classic sense, but if you prefer not to know the contents, skip over them at the bottom.Dan Jones has done an outstanding job of interlacing these historically significant events into a coherent, wonderful ride through history.I can honestly say that none of the time periods discussed were any less interesting than the other. I had expected some topics to be a little slower, yet they all become an intricate part of the whole, and in themselves held their own weightThis past year I was fortunate to have read some really great books by Marc Morris, Anthony Everitt, Paul Rahe, Goldsworthy, Cartledge, Podany, and others.You simply cannot go wrong with Power and Thrones by Dan Jones. His notes, credits and indexes alone are worth their weight in gold for tips, leads and information to expand your research.Really looking forward to reading his entire collection and can highly recommend this book, it is easily one of the best I read in 2023List of MapsAuthor’s NoteIntroduction PART I imperium (ca. a.d. 410–750)1. Romans2. Barbarians3. Byzantines4. Arabs PART II dominion (ca. a.d. 750–1215)5. Franks6. Monks7. Knights8. Crusaders PART III rebirth (ca. a.d. 1215–1347)9. Mongols10. Merchants11. Scholars12. Builders PART IV revolution14. Renewers15. Navigators16. Protestants IllustrationsNotesBibliographyCreditsIndex

Very informative!

What a great tour throughout the Middle Ages; using pivotal historical figures as well as events as anchors to tell a compelling story, this book offers full insight into an epoch so neglected and at the same time so rich and definitive for our world today.I cannot recommended more and I wish to see the translation to Spanish soon so I can share it with mom

Un libro muy bueno e importante, una buena introducción al tema de la Edad Media, especialmente en lo que se refiere al período temprano. Desafortunadamente, la cubierta del libro está un poco rota, lo cual no se menciona en la descripción del libro.

One of the greatest if not the best books out there which covers the medieval history.Heartily recommend this read to those who wish to learn more about this period of history, you will not be disappointed!