Very interesting and pleasant to read ( )

This book was advertised in the History Book Club's brochure, but I was unable to find additional reviews or a description of the target audience. There was one copy available through the consortium used by my public library, which includes most large and public libraries in NJ, and I was able to borrow that copy to read (thank you, Drew University).

I expected a general history with some analysis, and while the book is simple enough for a lay audience and also a quick read, it's written in the style of a term paper or extended Wikipedia article. The text is primarily strung together from anecdotes attributed to or about various historical figures, and some anecdotes are mentioned two or even three times when the story concerns different topics. Each chapter begins and ends with a summary, with subchapters of a page or two given separate headings and sometimes quotes. The quotes are frequently restated as a prominent part of the limited discussion which follows. Many anecdotes have no conclusions, leading the reader to wonder what happened to the participants. It would have been gratifying to at least be told why the outcomes are not included, even if because they are unknown. There is no discussion of how people who were forced to live in a monastic community for some reason affected the other inhabitants. There are, however, lengthy descriptions of the lack of cleanliness, which apparently resulted at times from rules against bathing or cleaning, which were viewed as a means to vanity. That part is really gross - thank goodness smells are not yet available to accompany print.

Both miracles and visitations (by the devil, saints, or deceased) are treated as though factual, which might be just a style of writing (and the reader trusted to understand that the author is describing the participants' viewpoints) or might indicate this was written for an audience which accepts the reality of such events.

The book includes a very helpful glossary. Illustrations are limited to a few b&w medieval renderings of the cloistered life. There are no maps or diagrams of monastery layouts, which would have been welcome. All-in-all, I'm glad to read have read this, but it could have been much more than it is. ( )