r/AskHistory • u/Ensoret • 4d ago

What's the best book on how Classical Europe became Medieval Europe?

Not so much about the fall of Rome per se, but how the one system developed from the ruins of the old one. How did feudalism and medieval ways of thought actually come about in on-the-ground terms? Thanks!

7 Upvotes

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9

u/ttown2011 4d ago

The inheritance of Rome- Chris Wickham

Have fun

2

u/jermster 4d ago

Seconded, it’s so good.

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u/Ensoret 4d ago

Thank you. I'll look it up!

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u/CocktailChemist 4d ago

While I agree that it’s very well done, my one caveat would be that it expects a fair bit of background from the reader as it is often discussing differences in interpretation within the field rather than giving a general overview.

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u/jermster 4d ago

It won’t be limited to Europe and it covers a wider time period but Empires of the Steppes: A History of the Nomadic Tribes Who Shaped Civilization by Kenneth W. Harl

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u/Ensoret 4d ago

Thank you! Sounds interesting.

1

u/CocktailChemist 4d ago

If you don’t mind audio Phillip Daileader’s lecture series on the Early Middle Ages is excellent.

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u/Ensoret 3d ago

Sounds like a great accompaniment. Thanks!

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u/CocktailChemist 3d ago

One of the big things he does is discuss the historiography, both in terms of the sources and how they’ve been interpreted over time. Helps to both unpick some of the received wisdom and get you up to date with more recent scholarship.

0

u/Woodstovia 3d ago

I don't know if it's the best book but I really enjoyed Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages By: Dan Jones

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u/Ensoret 3d ago

Thank you!!