Mysteries of the Middle Ages

The Rise of Feminism, Science and Art from the Cults of Catholic Europe

De: Thomas Cahill

Narrado por: John Lee

After the long period of cultural decline known as the Dark Ages, Europe experienced a rebirth of scholarship, art, literature, philosophy, and science and began to develop a vision of Western society that remains at the heart of Western civilization today.

By placing the image of the Virgin Mary at the center of their churches and their lives, medieval people exalted womanhood to a level unknown in any previous society. For the first time, men began to treat women with dignity and women took up professions that had always been closed to them.

The communion bread, believed to be the body of Jesus, encouraged the formulation of new questions in philosophy: Could reality be so fluid that one substance could be transformed into another? Could ordinary bread become a holy reality? Could mud become gold, as the alchemists believed? These new questions pushed the minds of medieval thinkers toward what would become modern science.

Artists began to ask themselves similar questions. How can we depict human anatomy so that it looks real to the viewer? How can we depict motion in a composition that never moves? How can two dimensions appear to be three? Medieval artists (and writers, too) invented the Western tradition of realism.

On visits to the great cities of Europe—monumental Rome; the intellectually explosive Paris of Peter Abelard and Thomas Aquinas; the hotbed of scientific study that was Oxford; and the incomparable Florence of Dante and Giotto—Cahill brilliantly captures the spirit of experimentation, the colorful pageantry, and the passionate pursuit of knowledge that built the foundations for the modern world.©2006 Thomas Cahill; (P)2006 Books on Tape

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Like a favorite college professor who could make any subject fascinating and understandable, Thomas Cahill takes us on an intoxicating journey through medieval Europe in Mysteries of the Middle Ages. Throughout it all, you are keenly aware that the author wants you to fall in love with this pivotal period in Western civilization every bit as much as he did....Cahill spans centuries of history beautifully and seamlessly, giving readers a lovingly painted picture of the high Middle Ages and how its sensibilities evolved to shape ours today."--The Los Angeles Times"A prodigiously gifted populizar of Western philosophical and religious thought spotlights exemplary Christians in the High Middle Ages...Cahill serves as an irresistible guide: never dull, sometimes provocative, often luminous."—Kirkus ReviewsPraise for Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea“Fascinating…Commendable…Cahill has an impressive knowledge of the Greek world.…His admirable skill at summing up movements of enormous complexity surfaces throughout the book.”—Seattle Times“Astonishing…If anybody can get us reading about Homer, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Thucydides, Xenophon and more, Cahill will.”—Chicago TribunePraise for Desire of the Everlasting Hills“Each of [Cahill’s] books offers moments of genuine insight into the workings of culture, literature, and the human heart.”—Commonweal“With grace, skill, and erudition, he summarizes obtuse semantic and historical arguments, highlights the findings most relevant to lay readers, and draws disparate material together in his portraits of Jesus, his mother, Mary, and the apostle Paul.”—Washington Post Book WorldPraise for The Gifts of the Jews“Captivating…Persuasive as well as entertaining…Mr. Cahill’s book is a gift.”—New York Times“Cahill’s clearly voiced, jubilant song of praise to the gifts of the Jews is itself a gift—a splendid story, well told.”—Boston GlobePraise for How the Irish Saved Civilization“Charming and poetic…an entirely engaging, delectable voyage into the distant past, a small treasure.”—New York Times“Cahill’s lively prose breathes life into a 1,600-year-old history.”—Boston Globe

I aged years listening

I read "Sailing the Wine Dark Sea" a few years ago and had a positive memory of it. This book, alas, was a dreadful bore. If not for John Lee's outstanding narration I would have never gotten to the end. The endless passages in Latin and Italian were nothing but time wasted. I doubt if one in 10,000 understand it and the "beauty of the language" excuse can only take one so far. I further feel Cahill's personal prejudice was far too evident. I appreciate it is his book, and he can say as he pleases, but it becomes very off putting for the reader (or listener). Broader historical strokes and a less narrow point of view would have made this a more successful work. I really cannot recommend it.
Rickapolis

I'm sorry to say Thomas Cahill died shortly before I listened to this book. My sympathies to his family and friends.

If you're only listening....

If you're only listening, and not following along in this beautifully produced book, you will unfortunately miss many of the interesting footnotes scattered throughout the text. Not sure I understand why they are left out...and would otherwise have given it 5/5 stars.

excellent read

Cahill does a superb job teaching history without the taint of student/teacher. It is after all, entertainment and enlightenmment. Try this! You'll be glad you did.

A Master Story Teller

Thomas Cahill reads, writes &/or speaks multiple languages including Italian, Greek & Hebrew! He's extremely readable (listenable in this case). He's an impeccable scholar with a vast & comprehensive grasp of Western culture & civilization's origins and history. He writes with ease, wit and insight about "the Hinges of History"; individuals, cultures, & events without whom or which history as we know it would have unfolded VERY differently! Unequivocally recommended!

Mysteries of the Middle Ages

I enjoyed Cahill's presentation of people and history of the Middle Ages. I liked John Lee's narration. I am not a Dante fan. perhaps I should reread this classic.