Read any good books lately?

[unmerged(18826)]

I'm looking for one or two good books which deal with the history of the game's time span and geopolitical world. I would be most interested in historical works as opposed to works of fiction.

Is there a "difinitive" work upon which this group could agree?

TIA.

 

[crazy canuck]

I don't know about one particular definitive work.


There are a number of books dealing with a number of topics. If you gave a particular topic you are interested in, that would help.

You will see a number of references to books in the threads on the board. A number of posters here are very well read and many of them have taken the time to post their references within the threads.

My suggestion is to review the threads that interest you and if a poster has missed a cite to ask about it.

 

[unmerged(18826)]

Thanks CC.

Actually, I did see an entire thread with MANY citations but there was no particular order or topic headings so it was rather difficult to locate one of interest.

As I mentioned (or rather tried to convey ) in my original post, I am interested in the particular time period of this forum's game (CK) and actually a general historical/political perspective of the time period.

 

[unmerged(10080)]

It is not about the same timespan, yet it will probably be an excellent strategy guide. Yes, the classic, the timeless "The Prince", by Machiavelli. His teachings will be stuck in my megalomaniac head for a long time...

 

[unmerged(18269)]

That Davies guy, Europa I belive.

 

[Jos Theelen]

I would suggest:
The merchant of Prato (about trading in that period)
A distant mirror by BarberaTuchman
Montailliou (about religion in that period)

 

[unmerged(485)]

Originally posted by Jos Theelen
I would suggest:
The merchant of Prato (about trading in that period)
A distant mirror by BarberaTuchman
Montailliou (about religion in that period)

A Distant Mirror is a good glance at that wild and wacky 14th century. I liked it a lot.

 

[Deaghaidh]

Well, Wars of the Irish Kings by McCullough deals a lot with mideaval Ireland, one of my favorite subjects

 

[Kurek]

Well I've read a few books that have sparked my intrest in this game, the books are "The Plantagenet Chronicles" Which has translated extracts from chronicles written around the time, and also "Chronicles of the Age of Chivalry"
Both Edited by Elizabteh Hallam, good books, have a load of essays which give background info and such about the main chronicles. The books mainly focus on the Plantagenets, from the counts of Anjou to the Kings of England, theres a lot about the family and marriages, other French Duchies, Counts and whatnot, its amazing all the political intrigue, marriages and other events that went on in this period.

 

[Brannart]

Western Europe in the Middle Ages 300-1475
Edited by Brian Tierney.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_3/103-3565366-5291842?v=glance&s=books

The price is steep, but if you search used booksellers and university bookstores you should have no problem finding it. I treasure my copy and have held it close for nearly a decade.

 

[unmerged(9428)]

Originally posted by Sonny
A Distant Mirror is a good glance at that wild and wacky 14th century. I liked it a lot.

read that one too, I also liked it a lot! Mad kings, decadent popes, overzealous knights, plundering mercenary hordes, revolting peasants... Reminds of my job.

 

[crazy canuck]

I am about half way through 1215 - Year of the Magna Carta.

It just came out and is a very good read.

The book describes all aspects of life - political, military, economic, religious... etc, principally in England, in around the the year 1215.

 

[unmerged(9074)]

Norman Davies - "A history of Poland", vol 1.
Warren Treadgold - "A history of the Byzantine state and society"

 

[unmerged(485)]

Originally posted by crazy canuck
I am about half way through 1215

............

So you are up to 607 1/2???


Who is the author?

 

[crazy canuck]

Originally posted by Sonny
So you are up to 607 1/2???


Who is the author?

Ya, ya ,ya... one in every crowd

I forget the authors, I'll let you know when I get home tonight.

They are the same guys who wrote "1000" describing life at that time.

 

[Demetrios]

Runciman's three volume "History of the Crusades". It's a classic and totally readable and engrossing even after 50 years...

Norwich's three volume "Byzantium". A great survey of the Eastern Empire. His "Normans in Sicily" (which was orginally two volumes: "The Normans in the South" and "The Kingdom in the Sun") and "A History of Venice" are excellent as well...

 

[Kosh]

I´m reading Runciman now and it ´s great!!

 

[crazy canuck]

Originally posted by Sonny
Who is the author?

Danny danziger and John Gillingham

Published by Hodder and Stoughton

 

[Pontiac]

Two suggestions that are a little more academic in approach and generally focused on military history.

Warfare State and Society in the Byzantine World 565-1204
By John Haldon

Western Warfare in the Time of the Crusades 1000-1300
by John France

 

[Havard]

Originally posted by Demetrios
Runciman's three volume "History of the Crusades". It's a classic and totally readable and engrossing even after 50 years...

Norwich's three volume "Byzantium". A great survey of the Eastern Empire. His "Normans in Sicily" (which was orginally two volumes: "The Normans in the South" and "The Kingdom in the Sun") and "A History of Venice" are excellent as well...

Agreed, although they both are somewhat outdated on some of the topics they cover...