History: Western Civilization: Reading list (Ryan)

A traditional political history of the Albigensian Crusades that includes a interesting epilogue that serves as a wonderful introduction to the Albigensian heresy.

Cartledge is the rare academic historian who can write compellingly for both academic and popular audiences—another excellent Cartledgian contributiuon.

A brash, erudite, and brilliant biography by a great classicist.

This is not an easy collection of essays to read. Only students who have read several biographies of Alexander the Great should select this book.

A vibrant survey.

An even more straightforward history of Roman political and military institutions. Mackay’s account is plodding, unremarkable, but accurate.

Parenti’s book is much damned by classical scholars who find this account to be unhistorical and poorly researched, but student reviewers generally like this passionate but arguably flawed reassessment of Caesar.

Student reviewers react lukewarmly to this study-they find it a bit soulless and encyclopedic.

Students who enjoy anthropology may find Well’s book interesting.

A heavily theoretical but fine biography of Caesar but students would be better off selecting Adrian Goldsworthy’s biography.

While a thick book, Goldsworthy’s biography is especially student friendly—a wonderful narrative biography!

An older but classic study that makes for relatively easy reading.

Grant tries to study Cleopatra by way of analyzing men like Antony and Caesar. Grant’s history is solid but student reviewers regularly contend that Grant spends too much time analyzing the men in Cleopatra’s life instead of Cleopatra herself.

An inventive and innovative book that student reviewers usually like. MATC copy missing - consider InterLibrary Loan

Saunders paints an occasionally clear portrait of fourteenth century Italy but student reviewers are often frustrated with her inability to provide more ironclad information about Hawkwood.

Executed by the Nazis for his involvement in the French Resistance, Marc Block was an amazing historian whose Feudal Society was one of the most influential works of history in the first half of the twentieth century.) While Bloch was a tremendous scholar, volumes 1 and 2 of Feudal Society are scholarly and difficult.

A short but intense analysis of the crusades written in the aftermath of 9/11. Madison College copy missing - consider Interlibrary loan.

An important work by an eminent historian that’s both intellectually challenging but easy to read.

A fine narrative history of Rome’s first war with Carthage.

A book that regularly misfires but contains great anecdotes and searing descriptions of late medieval England and France.

Student reviewers routinely argue that Weatherford gives a bit too much credit to Gengis Khan but enjoy reading this fast-moving biography.

An interesting but occasionally overemotional and anachronistic account of “the last days of Pompeii.”

Massive but pretty easy to read; Tyerman’s description of the growth of the “Just War” doctrine is especially helpful.)

Student reviewers have been routinely frustrated by Tyldesley’s unwillingness to construct arguments that do not contain the words “may have,” “might have,” and “possibly could.”

A tremendous survey by an eminent expert on the Byzantine Empire.

Barrett’s biography of Livia provides an assessment that challenges the popular myth that Augustus’s wife was a conniving and evil imperial hag.

A solid but occasionally plodding study.)

Student reviewers have been routinely frustrated by Tyldesley’s unwillingness to construct arguments that do not contain the words “may have,” “might have,” and “possibly could.” Please keep in mind that little is known about Nefertiti and student reviewers routinely object to Tyldesley’s examination of male historical figures.

An occasionally confusing account of late Republican Rome.

consider interlibrary loan

A thin but intensely scholarly study recommended for students who have some prior knowledge of Roman history.

Academic historians find much of Weir’s work irritating and ill-researched but student reviewers generally like this book [and her other ones]

An excellent and accessible survey written by a first-rate classicist.

An excellent account that may spend less time examining the actual battle than military history enthusiasts may want.

A decent book about English kings who—not surprisingly—were all named Richard.

Like Seager’s account of Pompey, this biography of Tiberius is short but very scholarly.

A rambling but interesting account of Richard I that is constructed with more than its fair share of poetic license.

A gripping but occasionally incorrect narrative history of the fourth crusade.)

A good survey but the authors’ spend little time preparing readers for the runic letters and Norse pronunciations that appear in the book. Student reviewers like the book but find it occasionally intimidating.

A gripping if occasionally historically incorrect account.
Currently "missing" from the libraries. Consider InterLibrary Loan.

An interesting but quite repetitive account that uses comparative anthropological methods to explore the topic. Student reviewers like the authors’ enthusiasm but criticize the leaps in logic and lack of evidence.

One of the more influential studies of women’s religiosity in the medieval era that touches on far more than the title indicates.

Classic survey by an eminent historian. - JR
Library copy not available; consider interlibrary loan - DM

Lerner’s book is passionately written and argued—a bit dated but still definitely worth the effort! Consider Interlibrary Loan

Pomeroy’ Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves is a pioneering work in women’s history. Sue Blundell’s survey of Greek Women is much easier to read.

An interesting book whose arguments have been challenged by C. W. Bynum and other historians.

Orme’s study is controversial, difficult, but worthwhile.

consider InterLibrary Loan

A fine book that makes for difficult reading, Pandora’s Daughters works best for those students who already have some knowledge of ancient Roman history

An older but still valuable account of Roman social history.)

An excellent introduction to the subject that uses a comparative historical approach to describe and analyze slavery. Student reviewers generally praise the book. Consider Interlibrary Loan