Medieval World FInalIf you want to preview the flap copy for the upcoming book, read on (and please forgive the self-promotion, it’s what we writers do.)

A History of the Medieval World
From the Conversion of Constantine through the First Crusade

Susan Wise Bauer

A masterful narrative of the Middle Ages, when religion became a weapon for kings all over the world

In her earlier work, The History of the Ancient World, Susan Wise Bauer wrote of the rise of kingship based on might. But in the years between the fourth and the twelfth centuries, rulers had to find new justification for their power, and turned to divine truth or grace to justify political and military action. Right began to replace might as the engine of empire.

Not just Christianity and Islam, but the religions of the Persians, the Germans, the Mayas – were pressed into the service of the state. Even Buddhism and Confucianism became tools for nation-building. This phenomenon—stretching from the Americas all the way to Japan—changed religion, but it also changed the state.

The History of the Medieval World is a true world history, linking the great conflicts of Europe to the titanic struggles for power in India and Asia. In its pages, El Cid and Guanggaeto, Julian the Apostate and the Brilliant Emperor, Charles the Hammer and Krum the Bulgarian stand side by side. From the schism between Rome and Constantinople to the rise of the Song Dynasty, from the mission of Muhammad to the crowning of Charlemagne, from the sacred wars of India to the establishment of the Knights Templar, this erudite book tells the fascinating, often violent story of kings, generals, and the peoples they ruled.

Susan Wise Bauer is a writer and historian. She is a member of the faculty at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. Visit her on the Web at susanwisebauer.com.

Showing 3 comments
  • Sebastian (a lady)

    There is a new history out on the Thirty Years war. The review in WSJ mentioned that there hadn’t been much written on it in English. Might be one to check out for the next book. (There’s always a next book, isn’t there.)

  • Christina

    I have just found out that the Terra Cotta Army (well, not the whole thing, but a portion of it…) is touring the US. We are planning to go this weekend to Houston, but it is leaving there and going to D.C. My guess is that you already know about this, but I thought I would tell you about it anyway. We are excited to see some of the warriors and other pieces that are here, after reading about them in your text.

  • Colleen in NS

    Way to go, Susan!!

    Your suggestions in the new WTM (the list of facts) are helping me to further get a “big picture” of history. I’m also slowly working through HOAW, even as my kids study medieval history this year and I write my “list of facts” for medieval (I wrote it for ancient already, so now HOAW is making more sense to me). I look forward to reading the next book – the first paragraph of your flap copy just gave me another “aha” moment. And, I found How the Irish Saved Civilization at the thrift store – I had tried to read it years ago because I am Irish, but it didn’t make sense. Suddenly, I can contextualize it now. Thank you once again for all your work.

Contact Us

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Not readable? Change text. captcha txt