The Bright Ages: A New History of Medieval Europe
4.1 | 811 ratings
Price: 22.04
Last update: 02-01-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- John MazzellaVery EnjoyableRemarkably accessible history of a complex age. The authors explain the nuances of the Middle Ages without making the period overwhelming
- RMWARZReadable History with a Shaky Overarching ThesisAs its title suggests, this book demonstrates that the historical period called the Dark Ages was not dark at all: After Rome was sacked, the Empire didn’t collapse; its administrative structure merely moved east to Constantinople. Learning was not extinguished but persisted among scholars of all religions and ethnicities. The arts did not wither but flourished. Cosmopolitan Roman society didn’t evaporate; rather multiculturalism continued and even expanded during the Middle Ages. Much of this will come as no great surprise to readers who remember their Western Civ 101 classes, but the authors do present the material in a colorful and accessible manner, illustrating the period’s progression with events and individuals both well-known and obscure. Where the book is weakest is in its thesis that extremists from neo-Nazis to ISIS skew the history of the Middle Ages to serve their agendas. That argument seems weak to me. As far as I have observed, extremists of every stripe latch on to false narratives from the whole arc of human history to buttress their agendas. Still, this book is a well-written, informative window into a time that is much more complicated and nuanced than popular culture portrays.
- Connie K.BrillantI wanted to read nonfiction and this book was recommended to me, flag for it. Enjoyed the historical perspective and how past events leads to justification of ennoble deeds of modern time.read it on my Kindle which enabled me to quickly research terms, peoples maps and time lines
- BretExceeded ExpectationsThis is an excellent history book. It presents the middle ages in a way that feels so much more alive than many other records of the time have. The authors go out of their way to explain the events of the time the way the people experiencing them would have seen it.
What I found most impressive is how much information they were able to get into such a concise package. It manages to squeeze 100 years into less than 400 pages. The work is also well cited.
For anyone interested in an overview of the middle ages that will challenge the various biases they may have about the middle ages I strongly recommend this book. - KgpSome Brightness was missedThe Bright Ages is a review of the history of the Middle Ages framed by two episodes in Ravenna Italy, the first involving Galla Placidia in 430 CE and the second involving Dante Alighieri in 1321. The stated intent is to re-posture the events in this period to remedy the perception of darkness and to expand on the previous story said to be by white men about white men. While finding for the reader a number of Bright moments in the period, there are more moments mentioned that do not receive their due.
The authors choose to start with Galla Placidia, sister of a Roman Emperor, devout Christian, who commissioned the decoration of a small chapel in Ravenna. Intentionally avoided is the council of Nicaea in 325 CE. It is a key choice for it lends to their theme that brightness in the ages consists significantly of religious artworks. Perhaps 70% of the text deals with religious art and texts, affirming as the authors state that scientists did not surrender their beliefs in a higher power.
The choice of Galla, a murderous type as explained in the text, belies the brightness credited to her. In a way it confirms the previous cast given to the period as being dark. Had the events at the Council of Nicaea been examined, they might have explained, why 100 years later, Galla could be such a significant character. At Nicaea, Emperor Constantine sought to stop infighting between various Christian sects. To do this, leaders were called to meet in Nicaea, a Creed was agreed upon and Constantine agreed to convert to Christianity and make it the official religion. It later became the required religion.
These happenings at Nicaea explain why the book is left 70% to religious texts and art. It seems less a brightness and more a censorship of thought and creativity that might diverge from approved religious doctrine. Scientists who did not “surrender their beliefs” became the less for it.
Unfortunately, bright spots in these ages, including those attributed to women, are alluded to more than developed.
There is but a brief description of the creation of the Code of Justinian and nothing about its rediscovery in about 1070 CE. The Academy of Athens, closed in 529, is denigrated as polytheistic and not examined. Particularly interesting is the mention of techniques for controlling floods and the invention of a new architectural style, the Gothic, exemplifying light and lightness in the abbey of Saint Denis. There is however, no discussion of how any of this non-religious knowledge and brightness may have developed.
Ignored completely or largely overlooked are many important events during the same period: The development of mathematics in the Indian subcontinent, dating at least from the seventh century CE. In the eighth century the use of paper for writing spread from China into Muslim regions, arriving in Al-Andalus, Iberia in the tenth century. Muslim philosophy, technology and scholars made their way into Europe especially in the ninth through twelfth centuries. Certainly, this was a lost opportunity to examine these non-white effects on the Middle Ages.
The Countess Matilda of Tuscany, who receives no mention, was key in the founding of the first University at Bologna about 1088. The Code of Justinian was rediscovered at that same university. The authors chose instead to discuss the religious university at Notre Dame. In 1204, when the Crusaders sacked Constantinople, waves of Byzantine scholars moved to Northern Italy, a key to the revival of Greek and Roman studies. This together with the destruction of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad by the Mongols in 1258 is considered the end of the Islamic Golden Age. However, it found no traction in this history.
Speaking of the Mongols, they promoted and innovated new forms of warfare (mobility and firing weapons from horseback) and governance, bringing a new interpretation to Alexander’s policy of absorbing conquered populations and their religions. This is in contrast to the roman/catholic model that required conversion. At its height the Mongol Empire exceeded all others.
Instead of focusing on works of art, we might have been reminded of the reason for Bocaccio writing the Decameron. He fled Florence because of the Black Death and then wrote of a band of similar escapees telling tales over a ten day period.
Obviously, I see light in freedom of thought and expression. I am prejudiced against works that need to meet the approval of any authority, secular or religious. There was light in the Middle Ages. As the authors discuss, Hildegard of Bingen sought freedom of expression as one of the influential thinkers of her time. Cleverly, she claimed her thoughts, which might otherwise have been censured were “visions.”
In all, while the book is informative, it swerves from its avowed purpose to find the bright non-white non-male history of the Middle Ages. Just as previously, it remains largely hidden. Aside from Hildegard and a few other instances, the bright and non-white aspects of this period need to be front and center, even though they may not be Euro-centric. - CelissaAn Interesting Historical ReadI'm glad I read this book on my Kindle as I was able to look up many of the women and men the authors were writing about. It definitely gave me a better perspective on our past Medieval world and how it effects our world today. It made sense out of why we have anti-Semitism and white supremacy today. What some people in this world still don't realize is that it pays to treat others with respect and kindness and to treat others like you want to be treated. God loves every soul here on this earth, no matter your status or color of your skin. He is watching everything we do in our lives and He will judge each one of us on the last day! I pray that people will come out of the darkness and into the brightness!
- Brian S.Puts an entertaining light on medieval EuropeThe authors deserve a lot of credit for writing an entertaining and enlightening book on the European Middle Ages. The book is very well written and extremely readable. The authors also have a good sense of humor, and that helps make The Bright Ages an enjoyable read.
The book doesn't contain any notes. However, the recommended readings section contains chapter-specific information. That's a really nice touch that's actually better than a standard bibliography.