A Short History of the Middle Ages

However, there are a few things that force me to deduct stars from the rating. While the choice of topics for the narrative is good, I find the narrative itself somewhat annoying. There seems to be a certain sarcasm underlying much of the writing. I dont mind histories that try to keep an element of humor. But for this book, just after the first few pages it felt like the author does not respect the medieval culture and religion enough to try to seriously understand it. Flippant and dismissive remarks, particularly concerning religion unfortunately cast a shadow on credibility.

Now dont get me wrong, this is a nice little book: valuable for its maps, illustrations, bare-bones presentation of facts -- the survey it intends to be. I just wish the author struck a more balanced tone in the commentary.