Middle Ages Books

This book appeared in my life as a gift from my sister and the universe. It came at a time when, at 57, I had been widowed for
5 years and recently let go from my job of 27 years[which did not provide for my retirement] and I was embarking on a NEW career and life. It opened my eyes and provided me with a new and fresh perspective with humor and heart - just what I needed . Thank you Karen, all of "US" need a fresh perspective.
I am looking forward to intermission and Act 2,3,4......

Meet Karen Baar, mother, women's health advocate, writer and woman of the "fifty-something" group. Baar has been involved in women's health issues since the 1970s. She holds a masters degree in public health from Yale University School of Medicine. She is the author of countless articles in such publications as The New York Times, Health, Cooking Light, Parenting, Self, Good Housekeeping, and Natural Health. She has co-authored three books: Women and Pain, The Circadian Prescription, and American Indian Healing Arts.

In For My Next Act, Baar "compares and contrasts life before and after 50, offering readers a clear-eyed perspective on the way life changes for women as their roles and relationships evolve." (Excerpt from the dust jacket)

Shortly after the author turned fifty, her husband of many years left her. Life as she knew it was in complete disarray. Her children were grown, her career was successful; but her sense of self was challenged. Add to that mix, the fact that she was perimenopausal. She questioned everything about who she was and how she would continue with so many changes assaulting her at once. In the Introduction, Baar states, "I don't have all the answers yet. But, I've begun to reclaim my center, the solid core of me. More than ever before, I know who Karen is. And For My Next Act is the result of that journey."

The book begins with Baar's personal "fifty-something" story and builds on that by using interviews with women in the same age bracket conducted by medical, social and psychological experts. After much research and the study of the interview materials, Baar concludes that "most women emerge from their fifties feeling better about themselves, experiencing higher levels of happiness and satisfaction than women at all other stages of life."

Neatly sectioned into chapters on critical topics and subtopics for the fifty-something woman, the book also provides the reader an opportunity for self-assessment on each chapter's subject matter. These opportunities offer food for thought, and some also may be excellent journaling prompts.

Chapter 1, "What do I want to be for the rest of my life?," is a logical starting point. The following chapters takes the reader on the rollercoaster ride of traversing the 50's and making sense of it individually, including such issues as the Empty Nest Syndrome, friendships, religion and spirituality. Baar's final chapter poses the challenge to readers that they need to stop reading and start acting.

From the author's afterword: "We fifty-something women are putting all aspects of our lives on the table. There are no established rites of passage to mark our journey. Instead, as we stand poised on the threshold to the next act of our lives, we learn from each other how to reclaim or reinvent our best and truest selves."

by Lee Ambrose
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

This books is a very easy read and address all the issues of this time of a woman's life. From empty nesting to taking care of elderly parents to finding a spiritual connection - it is discussed. Bought several copies for friends especially at this bargain price!

Late Antiquity is still quite controversial. Its application, time boundaries, and geographic limits still a matter of debate. As such, theories about its true nature and its application to historical study is still undetermined and is being revised everyday.

This book, much like the book that landed 'Late Antiquity' as a free-standing period in English historical enquiry (Peter Brown's "The World of Late Antiquity") is a trend-setter. Wickham's excellent scholarship, plus the fact that he dares and explores new waters and concepts, is ground breaking and profound. This book is going to be the "Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World" of its generation and have many volumes written in "response" to it. A must have, no doubt about it, for anyone interested in the Late Antique and Early Medieval history, and a must read for anyone interested in pre-Industrial Revolution economic history, regardless of time and place!

Chris Wickham explores the world of the early Middle Ages in a systematic way. Using literary and archaeological evidence, Wickham describes the changes which took place in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa after the fall of Rome. He maintains that despite the great political upheavals of the time, local continuity was a hallmark of this period. Economic decline and regrowth were connected with changes in the power and wealth of the aristocracy, who also exercised lesser or greater control over the land and the people.

While this massive piece of scholarship does not address cultural or intellectual history, it provides a very clear picture of the political and economic changes that transformed the former Roman Empire during the years 400-800 A.D. The writing is lively and easy to read, and the work is well organized. The full index and large bibliography as well as the broad range of topics covered make this book an indispensible reference tool for anyone studying Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages.

This is a monumental review of the economic and social histories of the former provinces of the Roman Empire between the penetration of the empire by the barbarians and the imperial coronation of Charlemagne. Along with the Origins of the European Economy, this book is likely to be the standard social and economic survey of the dark ages for years to come. The author surveys each of the major territorial regions of the fomer Roman Empire region-by-region, and slowly develops his theses. These include: (1) a "soft-fall" view of the disintegration of the Western Empire, concluding that many of its structures were in place well into the seventh century and gradually were melded into the less sophisticated successor states of Western Europe; (2) a taxation-driven notion of the state, concluding that the major factor distinguishing Rome and Roman power from that of successor states is that Rome had an elaborate and relatively efficient tax system, and that the successor states did not; (3) a regionalist approach to conclusions, finding that things changed in different degrees in different ways throughout the territories of the Roman Empire -- slowly and relatively little in the East, massively in Britain, in odd ways in Spain and Gaul; (4) a picture of transformation from peasant-based society to feudal society, occurring rather later than many historians would allow; (5) a strong de-emphasis on barbarian wars and conquests as an explanation for these transformations; and (5) a peasant's eye view of the transformation from Roman Empire to the Middle Ages.

It is in the latter that the only real problem with the book arises. The author is so pro-peasant in his view that he takes what could be called a "Xena" view of medieval class struggles. In Xena (and Conan, and Red Sonya, and 10,000 B.C., to name but a few sword-and-sorcery potboilers) there is a familiar scene where the peaceful peasants are going about their village business, talking to each other and carrying out their daily tasks, while a band of heavily-armed thugs is approaching the village on horseback, ready to destroy it with fire and sword. In this author's world, heavily-financed aristocrats are about to encroach on an idylic and egalitarian peasant world, forcing the formerly free peasantry to pay rent, work harder, and have more children. In what is perhaps his most radical claim, the author suggests that the serious decline in population from the late empire to about 700 A.D. was due, not to war, pestilence, famine and occupation but -- family planning! He admits that he cannot prove this, but it is clearly an idea which attracts him. I am dubious -- it is difficult to think of any other society between the birth of agriculture and the industrial revolution where the bulk of the population did not breed to its Malthusian limit, and the claim that early medieval Europe was an exception would require a good deal of proof.

That said, this is a wonderful book. Even its bias supplies a point of view which has been the subject of all-too-little factual analysis in the past. And by focusing on social relations above all, the author presents a very different view of the dark ages than that usually presented in our histories. Far from being a time of barbarism and decay, the early Middle Ages (the author balks at the term "dark ages") were a period of relative prosperity, equality, and good relations compared to what was to come.

The human body begins to stop caring physically around 40 - the problem is, however, is that the mind still cares. "Getting Fit & Staying Fit: In Your 40s, 50s, and Beyond" is a diet and exercise manual aimed at those saddled with the metabolic slowdown of middle age. Focusing on the needs of people of advancing age, "Getting Fit & Staying Fit" is a complete and comprehensive guide anyone over 40 should acquire. A top pick for community library fitness collections.

After reading and trying numerous "get fit" plans, I came across Mr. Laabs' book and finally found something that works! The analogy of a fitness program being like a chair is logical and easy to comprehend. Whether you're a newbie or a veteran to exercise, you'll find a plan that works for you within this book. By weaving in humor and lightheartedness, Mr. Laabs also proves that fitness can be fun! Three cheers for The Middle Age Doesn't Suck Guide To Getting Fit & Staying Fit In Your 40s, 50s and Beyond!

Combining humor and sound advice, author Jim Laabs hits a home run with this book. His fitness and eating programs are well-researched, yet not at all hard to follow. Unlike other fitness plans for baby boomers, the author allows for increased training and intensity. The book continues to be a guide as you get stronger! Mr. Laabs also provides helpful pictures and checkpoints as a guide to help with proper form during exercise. This book makes the perfect gift for the baby boomer in your life.

This is a great book for children, with a wealth of information about ancient Chinese culture and history. It is probably most appropriate for children between 8 and 13. Younger children would need to be strong readers or could enjoy this book by reading and doing the activites together with a parent - a great way to absorb the contents of this book for parent and child alike! Weinberg's illustrations are essential to the playful nature of each chapter. Each chapter focuses on an aspect, invention, tradition, or object from Chinese history, and each includes side bars and boxes of "words to know" and an explanation of relevant Chinese characters. The book has a lot of text but is also very visual - making for a deceptively rich presentation. I believe a strength of this book is that it does not simplify things to the point of talking down to the child reader. The activities provide just enough information to spark a child's imagination and don't squeeze out all the fun by providing step-by-step "must be done this way," cookbook directions (except for the recipes, of course). That said, there are a couple of activities where an additional illustration or two would have helped, but this is a minor criticism. I imagine that most children will finish this book having gained a useful body of knowledge about Chinese culture and a heightened curiosity for more.

I had a lot of fun playing around with these projects and I'm way too old to be a kid. They're clearly described, simple to do, historically interesting, and they're just plain fun. A great way to get kids interested in the history of one of the world's most important countries, while still letting them make a mess and have fun. It's just the kind of book to pull out on a rainy Saturday.

An engrossing read for children and young people. The integrated hands-on projects offer the young reader the chance to experience the excitement of technical and scientific discovery.

David Ehrlich, Professor of Film and Media Studies, Dartmouth College

I love this book and have read it more than 10 times. One reason I like this book is because the main character, Kate, has mixed interests. She's a good athlete, and a tomboy, but also likes fairy tales. She's a real girl and not a goody two-shoes. The plot has lots of twists but is fun to follow. Kate is funny and shows the medieval court subjects that girls can be more than princesses. Every time I read this book, I feel like I am in the story, watching Kate. This book is like eating my favorite dessert and I love it!

She's adorable; she's audacious; she's fairy-tale-loving, tomboy Kate in Pulitzer Prize winning Anna Quindlen's Happily Ever After, illus. by James Stevenson.

When Kate's wish to be a princess comes true, she straightens up a kingdom by popping the black knight with a chamber pot and teaching the Serving Maids how to play baseball.

Undaunted by a dragon, she reminds us that living happily ever after is being who we are.

I loved Happily Ever After. I think that Kate spoke very differently from the people in the story and she taught them a lot.

Have a child? Are a child? Used to be a child? EVERYONE will love this. I had the chance to see Mr. Bagert at a teacher's conference yesterday and he read us his books, in the character's voice they were written in. I laughed until I cried. And then I bought this for my 8th grader. And her 4th grader sister swiped it and asked for her own copy. I love it and highly recommend it to anyone!

I loved loved loved reading hormone jungle. Even if it's written to be for children through the ages of 9-12 or grades 5 through 8 it really connects to the high school students too! I loved reading out of it in poetry club, especially middle school payback and Planning for the future! This is awesome, I'll have to get one for me and my brothers!!!

Hormone Jungle truly embodies the thoughts and feelings of middle schoolers. Having worked with middle school students for over 20 years, I related to the characters Brod creates and their voices expressed in his poetry. I laughed and cried with these characters as they experience middle school life! Brod Bagert has the 'right stuff' for middle school students and
teachers in his collection of poems in Hormone Jungle.
Sharmen M. Oswald, Library Teacher, NBCT Gilbert Middle School
Gilbert, SC

Strong women, battling men, first at war, and eventually in love. Loosely based on real-life ancient history, this book is a feast for young imaginations with glimpses of past Assyria (the modern day Middle East), Egypt, and hieroglyphics. The book is educational as well as entertaining.

A fairly short book that won't overwhelm younger children (artistically stimulating for the pre-reader), but also keeps us old folks visually engaged.

Applause to Tamara Bower for bringing back to life a story heard by ancient ears. Her attention to artistic detail makes this book a visual feast. With all of the information included in this book it is interesting for children as well as for adults.
Thank you Tamara Bower for this treasure!

This story is an ancient tale with a modern sensibility. Two great leaders, a prince and a queen, who do not know much about each other at first, rise to battle each other, then learn to respect each other and join forces. It's a great story of adventure, empowerment and acceptance, beautifully told with Tamara Bower's rich, colorful, hieroglyphic style paintings. This is a great book for anyone who likes Egyptian art and classic storytelling.

Martha has written a very funny book -- and don't just take my word for it.

When I wrote my book on marketing this is what I revealed...
(This is an excerpt from Book Marketing DeMystified: Enjoy Discovering the Optimal Way to Sell Your Self-Published Book, Practical advice from the inventor of print-on-demand (POD) publishing)...

Martha Knight Foster wrote a humorous and heartwarming account
of her mid-life crises in her novel I Never Woke Up 'Til I Was Forty [isbn
1553954408]. She sent a draft copy to the famous comedienne Phyllis
Diller with a letter telling Diller how she was an inspiration for Martha's
writing style. Diller wrote Martha back to thank her and gave her book
this glowing endorsement: "It is fabulous funny reading. LOVE, Phyllis
Diller."
By including Diller's comments on the book's back cover and all
marketing materials, suddenly Martha had transformed her product
from "just any novel" into a "fabulous funny reading" experience endorsed
by one of America's top celebrities. Clever idea!

I live in Maine myself and had the chance to get my hands on I Never Woke Up Till I Was Forty a few weeks before it showed up here at Amazon.com.

I know it's been a major topic of conversation for both myself and lots of other people in my area -- from young to old.

I was pleased to see that this book is now finally available on the internet for people all across the country to order. It's a wonderful, funny peek into the life of an Every Woman -- identifiable to millions of women from coast to coast. She is our mother, our friend, our acquintance.

Martha gives us a character to attach ourselves to and get connected with. The story makes you think, ponder, and laugh at your own life. It's been truly one of the best books I've read in awhile and it's diary format really adds to the journey Annie Bloom takes us on. I promise it will not disappoint!!

Deftly written in the form of a collection of one-page journal notes, I Never Woke Up 'Til I Was Forty by Martha Knight Foster is an engaging portrait of Annie Bloom, a fictional woman dealing with her turning point in life. Telling of Annie's struggles with the roles of wife and mother, and offering a recognizable human experience that women everywhere can relate to, I Never Woke Up 'Til I Was Forty is a most enjoyable read with a deeply resonating undercurrent.

Please consider putting the book on audio tape so others, who have less time to read, can listen to it in the car while driving to work or on long trips. Great book and very helpful. Debbie

Dr. Reichamn has written a well thought out health game plan for all women over thirty. She addresses many common health challenges and presents good options and explainations. When I realized at age 36, I was going through perimenopause,it was Reichman's book that got me on track. She offered help for my pounding heart, constant hot flashes, and troubles with sleeping. It was a godsend. As the creator and host of HotFlash!, an online perimenopause support group, I recommend this book for my new memebers. It has literally helped hundreds of women. Dr. Reichamn acknowledegs the special differences each woman possess and how these differences require unique solutions. She discusses both natural and traditional means to help women through perimenopause and other health challenges. If there is only one book to buy this would be it. I have read dozens of perimenopause/menopause books, conducted extensive research on the how the body changes with perimenopause/menopause and have talked with hundreds of women about their health needs. This book has it all. It reflects my belief that all women need to be educated about ALL aspects and therapies for perimenopause. Buy one for yourself, and buy one for your best friend : ).

I have referred to this book since it was published in 1996 and find it to be a treasure trove of information. It is well written and covers all issues that I have ever had the need to look up. As a woman experiencing perimenopause and now menopause, it has been a real aid to me. I find the description of HRT options to be the most informative I have found. I would like to see an update to reflect revisions to medical options since 1996, but with that proviso, give it a high recommendation.

In this outstanding book we travel through history, five centuries, in a definitely unique way. Trust me, this is not a boring history read. Inside the pages of this work our author takes us into the very heart of the places and people she is writing about. Her words are written in a way that every person can understand, enjoy, and definitely learn from. The author breaks down the work into time-frames, countries, and brings the human touch into play. That is where she captures your heart and keeps you reading. Included are some beautiful pictures that really bring to life what she is trying to bring across.
Definitely in this work you will see how the past played such an important part in our cultures today.Here is one for you. Did you know that the American Indian gave us the invention of the snowshoe and canoe? I was really surprised at some of the facts I learned. What you read will delight and definitely educate you. Very nice work, very well done.

Ideas and Adventures 1200-1700 authored by the late five-time author Sonia P. Seherr-Thoss is quite impressive as it charts five centuries of important history that include the historic and cultural contributions of less well-known nations. Many history books omit to include insights on important past civilizations, and this is what makes this book extraordinary that will no doubt appeal to the everyday reader who can now more fully appreciate these contributions to history.

Seherr-Thoss was a passionate world traveler exploring ancient ruins and cultures becoming a self-taught history expert and today many of her writings and photographs can be found in the Smithsonian Institute.

She began her worldwide travels in 1966 when she and her husband trekked 10,000 miles through several Middle East countries. Along the way she photographed hundreds of sites as well as speaking to locals who helped her accumulate a great deal of data included in the book. Seherr-Thoss died in June 2006 at the age of 87.

The book is divided into eight sections including an introduction, conclusion and endnotes. Readers have a brief glimpse into the contributions made by such countries as the Ideas and Adventures, 1200 to 1700 In addition each section briefly discusses pertinent happenings and cultures as the Crusades, the Mongols, the Ottomans, various religions, the Reformation, and the British Colonists. Many of these sections succinctly delve into the contributions made by areas of the world that are often snubbed.

The book also includes over sixty beautiful and unique photographs in full-color from Seherr-Thoss's private collection. A sampling of these photographs included are an Aztec workman as represented in his everyday clothes, showing respect for his labor, Chartres that is a proud symbol of French Gothic art, one of twelve churches excavated out of the tufa by King Labilela in the late twelfth century in Labilea, Ethiopia, Alhambra located in Granada, Spain, first royal residence of the Spanish monarchs, and Roayan-ji (1499) which has been described as the unsurpassed creation of abstract design located in Kyoto, Japan, and the Palace of Emperor Galawdewos (sixteenth century) in Gondar, Ethiopia.

The detailed research and breadth of information are remarkable and what is more is that it is presented in a way that is devoid of academic prose thus making it user friendly to the reader.

The book, however, has some shortcomings, as I would have liked to have seen included a more comprehensive Table of Contents, as well as a short bibliography and index. Nevertheless, this will not prevent readers from receiving a brief taste of five centuries of important history that as the introduction states: "will bring a more balanced evaluation of the contributions made by various lands and people to human culture."

Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor Bookpleasures

With her new book, Ideas and Adventures 1200 to 1700, covering five centuries of world history, Sonia (Sunny) Seherr-Thoss adds time traveler to her already extensively published world travel reportage. It is a fascinating narrative of world history that is accessible to the general reader. This book reads like a conversation with someone who has camped out in the thirteenth century, transported gold by camel caravan, and returned to relate her adventures. She leaves to others the chronicling of rulers and reigns, the carnage of battles, and the cataloging of maps and dates. Her vision of history is a retrospective on civilization, and an exploration of our multicultural heritage. It fulfills the reader's expectations with a gentler, more accessible vision of history. Another distinguishing feature is the author's inclusion of regions that are not typical Western Civ fare. The book takes a modern, multi-disciplinary approach to world history, in language that encourages cover-to-cover reading. The same curiosity that draws travelers to the ruins of lost civilizations, to five hundred year old sculptures, and to the legends of history's cultural icons will attract readers to Ideas and Adventures, 1200 to 1700. It is a popular, entertaining, and informative world history, and it is "a good read."