Mysteries of the Middle Ages: The Rise of Feminism, ... (ISBN 0385495552)

Slight Disappointment....:
I adore Thomas Cahill's other books in the Hinges of History series and I was looking forward to another great read. Unfortunately this book failed to meet the standard set by his previous work. I realise that this is Cahill's book, but his digressions serve no purpose and ruin the flow of information. Issues in present-day America, Iraq, etc, may have root in the middle ages but they have no place in even a semi-scholarly book which purports to be about the middle ages. I was sorely disappointed and I can only hope his next endeavor will be just as good as this one should have been.

Interesting Read:
I found this book to be very interesting. If you enjoy historical mysteries, you'll really enjoy it.

Historical Detours:
I enjoyed Cahill's previous works immensely. This one is also good, taking the reader on a journey with several figures of the middle ages. THe effects of these individuals are laid out and integrated into the tale, sometimes in the languages they spoke, such as latin. I would have appreciated more text, less illustrations, and a more cohesive structure. Similarly, Cahill injects some current politics which only serves to distract from the historical revelations. Still a good read and a revealing text.

Greek matrix populated by Judeo-Christian content:
This book is greatly readable as are all of Cahill's "Hinge of History" series (this the fifth), but less satisfying to me than the others. In this entry Cahill ties together the roots of history from --Judaism (The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels (Hinges of History)), --Jesus (Desire of the Everlasting Hills: The World Before and After Jesus (Hinges of History)) and --Greece (Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter) as preserved by the Irish (How the Irish Saved Civilization (Hinges of History). As Cahill summarizes in conclusion, Western civilization is a Greek matrix populated by Judeo-Christian content. In the leap from Roman times to the High Middle Ages of the 12th and 13th Century, Cahill must cover so much territory that this books feels more like a rushed survey than the deeper but still accessible studies of the earlier books. In addition, because the sequence of the books has not been strictly chronological, Cahill must (especially early on) make frequent footnote references to the earlier books, a technique as confusing and potentially distracting as a movie told in out-of-sequence flashbacks. But this book is like the others well and purposefully illustrated, and Cahill's ability to phrase old events and idea in living language enables fresh light to dawn on long-dark events. My favorite bit from this book is an English Carol (uncertain of date, but probably from the time period of this book)) called "My Dancing Day", as Cahill writes "a love story in which Christ the Lord seeks out Mankind his Beloved in order to welcome human beings back into 'the general dance', the fantastic, if hidden, harmony of creation. In a searching theological exposition, such a thought might not appear simple, but here it is presented as if in a child's picture book." 1. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day; I would my true love did so chance To see the legend of my play, To call my true love to my dance; Chorus Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love, This have I done for my true love1 2. Then was I born of a virgin pure Of her I took fleshly substance Thus was I knit to man's nature To call my true love to my dance. Chorus 3. In a manger laid, and wrapped I was So very poor, this was my chance Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass To call my true love to my dance. Chorus 4. Then afterwards baptized I was; The Holy Ghost on me did glance, My Father's voice heard from above, To call my true love to my dance. Chorus 5. Into the desert I was led, Where I fasted without substance; The Devil bade me make stones my bread, To have me break my true love's dance. Chorus 6. The Jews on me they made great suit, And with me made great variance, Because they loved darkness rather than light, To call my true love to my dance. Chorus 7. For thirty pence Judas me sold, His covetousness for to advance: Mark whom I kiss, the same do hold! The same is he shall lead the dance. Chorus 8. Before Pilate the Jews me brought, Where Barabbas had deliverance; They scourged me and set me at nought, Judged me to die to lead the dance. Chorus 9. Then on the cross hanged I was, Where a spear my heart did glance; There issued forth both water and blood, To call my true love to my dance. Chorus 10. Then down to hell I took my way For my true love's deliverance, And rose again on the third day, Up to my true love and the dance. Chorus 11. Then up to heaven I did ascend, Where now I dwell in sure substance On the right hand of God, that man May come unto the general dance. Chorus

Answer to ancient questions:
Thomas Cahill went to a heck of a lot of research to be able to put together centuries of history and facts and stories to get such an organized telling of what was really happening during those dark times. Along with watching 'Da Vinci Code', I started asking myself questions, and several answers were provided while listening to Cahill's soothing voice. I really enjoyed this audio CD, and anyone interested in history that doesn't come from college books or the TV, it is a fresh, sensible approach to how we got to be where we are, and get a glimpse of where we are going. Bravo Tom!