The Civilization of the Middle Ages: A Completely Revised and Expanded Edition of Medieval History

''No better explanation of medievalism is available to the general reader.'' --Booklist

A revised and expanded edition of Norman Cantor's splendidly detailed and lively history of the Middle Ages, containing more than 30 percent new material from the original edition.

Norman Cantor’s classic work provides a rich, narrative exploration of the forces that shaped the medieval world:

• The Age of Faith: Explore how the rise of Christianity and the power of the western church dominated the consciousness and sensibility of the era.
• The Rise of Monasticism: Discover the crucial role monks played in preserving learning, shaping society, and providing leadership after the collapse of Roman institutions.
• Feudal Society and Lordship: Delve into the complex social structures of the Middle Ages, from the rule of lords over peasants to the bonds of loyalty that defined the noble class.
• A Comprehensive Medieval History: Grasp the full narrative of the medieval world, including the legacy of the ancient world, the Byzantine Empire, and the forces that defined the late Middle Ages.

Norman F. Cantor was Emeritus Professor of History, Sociology, and Comparative Literature at New York University. His many books include In the Wake of the Plague, Inventing the Middle Ages, and The Civilization of the Middle Ages, the most widely read narrative of the Middle Ages in the English language. He died in 2004.