All things medieval : an encyclopedia of the medieval world / Ruth A. Johnston.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Johnston, Ruth A.

Contributor:

George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Civilization, Medieval--Encyclopedias.

Civilization, Medieval.

Genre:

Encyclopedias.

Physical Description:

2 volumes (xix, 790 pages) : illustrations ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

Santa Barbara, Calif. : Greenwood, [2011]

Summary:

Written for readers at the high school level and up, this 2-volume reference offers impressive coverage of the way people lived in the Middle Ages. The majority of entries are on general topics related to everyday life, but some are on aspects of geography such as climate and resources, and some on events that affected most medieval people, such as the Crusades. Johnston (an independent scholar) has done a terrific job of describing what are often very broad topics, giving individual examples of specific practices and descriptions of the associated objects of material culture. The entry on magic, for example, includes a general definition and overview, followed by separate sections on natural magic, astrology and alchemy, and occult magic. A sampling of entry topics includes animals, babies, cosmetics, fairs, knights, latrines and garbage, and universities. The topics of other entries are highlighted within the text and each entry concludes with a list of cross-references and bibliography. The work is well illustrated in b&w. A full bibliography is provided in Vol.2. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

ISBN:

0313364621

9780313364624

9780313364631

031336463X

OCLC:

702357650

Publisher Number:

99945253587