"Recommended ... .Illustrate[s] the continuing differences on how scholars treat the past, differences found among early modern scholars as well as medievalists." (Sixteenth Century Journal, Summer 2009)
"A book that never fails to be informative, readable and provocative. [Le Goff] has been the bravest and best of champions for medieval history. This book, written by its author at the age of 80, is in every sense an inspiration." (BBC History Magazine)
"[A] superb and necessary book. This provocative assessment from a lifetime of scholarship might help us to place ourselves, not just territorially, but in that other precious element of history: time." (The Guardian)
"Le Goff authoritatively traces the initial
development of virtually all aspects of modern society." (The Morning Star)
"A fine survey of medieval Europe that will benefit both specialists and non-specialists alike." (History: Reviews of New Books)
"Le Goff's book not only embodies his long-term project of a new political history but is a politically engaged history in the most valuable sense: it should be on the compulsory reading list of politicians everywhere." (Reviews in History)"This is a fascinating and timely study of the medieval origins oftoday's Europe. It is extraordinary how many of the themesand ideas in this book reverberate through the arguments of the21st century." Rt Hon Christopher Patten, CH, Former Member ofthe European Commission
"The Middle Ages was a fulcrum epoch that compared with theRenaissance and the trading, industrial and technologicalrevolutions as eras of systemic change in Europe. But whilst thesignificance of the historic surges since the late 15th Century iswidely known, the formative relevance of the age before that isless recognised. Professor Le Goff addresses that and brilliantlyprovides an intriguing and convincing explanation of the vitalimportance of the early centuries of the second millennium for theshaping of Europe and its identity and diversities." NeilKinnock, Vice-President, European Commission
"Jacques Le Goff has capped off a lifetime of contemplating theMiddle Ages with this work of great insight and learning. Afascinating rumination on the structure of medieval culture andsociety." Norman F. Cantor, Late of New York University
"This book distils the life's work of one of the greathistorians of our time. It is remarkable equally for the breadth ofits learning, the clarity of its exposition, and the depth of itshumanity and wisdom. Anyone who asks why Europe needs its history,or why History needs Europe, should read it." R. I. Moore,Professor Emeritus, University of Newcastle
