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sethdmichaels.bsky.social · @sethdmichaels.bsky.social@bridge.neodb.net

Rated The History of the Medieval World: From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade 8/10

Extremely well-done, almost overwhelmingly comprehensive history spanning 800ish years. You see glimpses of almost the whole world. The through-line, such as it is, takes you from the time the Mediterranean is under one empire mostly worshipping the pantheon of Roman gods to the time when the Mediterranean is the site of multiple chaotic states, with two monotheistic religions facing off against each other. That would be enough, but you also get a lot of China and Korea, India, and Vikings. It's a lot to keep track of! But it's also like reading the recaps from, like, eight hundred seasons of Game of Thrones, with disloyalties and vendettas and clashes and an astonishing amount of eye-gouging. I loved this book but I'd be hard pressed to recommend it unless the subject matter really excites you, because it really is a lot.

#book

Published 2026-08-18 14:47 UTC · bridged from Atmosphere