What Manner of Book Is This?

The Birth of Europe, by Robert S. Lopez. Lippincott, $15.00

CAN THERE BE any good reason for the appearance of yet another general history of the Middle Ages, after all that has been written on the subject? There might be, if the author has come up with new data or a fresh interpretation; if he has the ability to present a thrice-told tale with new clarity and vigor; or even if he is simply a master stylist capable of painting a striking word picture of the period. Unfortunately, The Birth of Europe possesses none of these assets. The author, Chairman of Medieval Studies at Yale, states in the foreword that his book will trace the “formation of Europe” through the Middle Ages, emphasizing the period’s economic development and touching briefly on other facets of medieval life. The specialist in medieval history will find nothing essentially new here. A few remarks here and there, such as brief comparisons of conditions in medieval Asia and Europe, and a discussion of the possible influence of climatic conditions and changes on primitive econo- “mies and populations, are tantalizing but are not developed. Debatable conclusions are given without argument or evidence. A few topics are very well presented, such as the tenth-century beginnings of the “commercial revolution” and the later flourishing of towns and business enterprises. Here the author warms to his subject (he – was formerly a professor of economic history in his native Italy) and provides us with a stimulating glance at a frequently slighted aspect of medieval life. Most of the book, however, is given over to a pedestrian recounting of the main events and themes of the Middle Ages in which nothing fresh emerges. The medieval specialist might wish Professor Lopez had confined himself to a somewhat smaller book dealing exclusively with economic history (or even to an article or two), since that seems to be where his real interest and competence lie. But this is clearly not a book for the specialist.

JZ

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Joan Zola

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The Birth of Europe, by Robert S. Lopez. Lippincott, $15.00

CAN THERE BE any good reason for the appearance of yet another general history of the Middle Ages, after all that has been written on the subject? There might be, if the author has come up with new data or a fresh interpretation; if he has the ability to present a thrice-told tale with new clarity and vigor; or even if he is simply a master stylist capable of painting a striking word picture of the period. Unfortunately, The Birth of Europe possesses none of these assets. The author, Chairman of Medieval Studies at Yale, states in the foreword that his book will trace the “formation of Europe” through the Middle Ages, emphasizing the period’s economic development and touching briefly on other facets of medieval life. The specialist in medieval history will find nothing essentially new here. A few remarks here and there, such as brief comparisons of conditions in medieval Asia and Europe, and a discussion of the possible influence of climatic conditions and changes on primitive econo- “mies and populations, are tantalizing but are not developed. Debatable conclusions are given without argument or evidence. A few topics are very well presented, such as the tenth-century beginnings of the “commercial revolution” and the later flourishing of towns and business enterprises. Here the author warms to his subject (he – was formerly a professor of economic history in his native Italy) and provides us with a stimulating glance at a frequently slighted aspect of medieval life. Most of the book, however, is given over to a pedestrian recounting of the main events and themes of the Middle Ages in which nothing fresh emerges. The medieval specialist might wish Professor Lopez had confined himself to a somewhat smaller book dealing exclusively with economic history (or even to an article or two), since that seems to be where his real interest and competence lie. But this is clearly not a book for the specialist.