What is Medieval History? (What is History?) - Softcover

"This stimulating and nuanced book should be required reading for, at the very least, all of those taking Master and Doctoral degrees in the period and it will give those already 'in the field' at schools and universities much to reflect upon." BBC History Magazine "A stimulating and very readable little book." Medieval Archaeology "As Arnold argues in this very readable little book, the subject/ period is one of vitality and movement. Like many of us, he appears optimistic about its future." History "A lively and thorough introduction for students embarking on the study of the period." Year's Work in English Studies "Acute and wide-ranging, engaging and up-to-the-minute. It will be essential reading for students of medieval history at all levels, and a stimulating challenge to their teachers, medievalist and non-medievalist alike." Chris Wickham, University of Oxford "Explains what every would-be medievalist needs to know and is seldom told. With matter-of-fact prose and a bundle of good stories, John Arnold gently walks his readers through the basics of the field--development, sources, methods, debates, and relevance. For both students and their teachers, every page of this book will enlighten, inform, and amuse." Judith Bennett, University of Southern California "Strong on content and structure, and both original and challenging, while remaining accessible to its readership. The main points, about concepts and debates, are all very well illustrated." Dame Janet Nelson, King's College London

What is Medieval History? provides an accessible, far-ranging and passionate guide to the study of medieval history. The book discusses the creation of the academic field, the nature of the sources, the intellectual tools used by medievalists, and key areas of thematic importance from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Reformation.