The study of the Middle Ages provides an indispensable bridge between the classical
cultures of Greece and Rome and the Modern World. The penetration of Christianity
into Western culture and the feudal and monarchical roots of statism are key elements
of our inheritance from this period.

To appreciate how, after the Fall of Rome, America's "mother continent" was gradually,
tortuously reborn and reshaped, one first needs a proper narrative introduction to the
period. This is best afforded by Oliver Thatcher's Short History of Medieval Europe.
Beyond this, one may turn to any number of sources as supplements. Emerton and West
are also accessible, but Hoyt and Cantor provide more insight. Since none of the stated
works provide sufficient geographical references, Shepherd's Atlas is indispensable.

BEST FIRST HISTORY

       Thatcher, Oliver J., A Short History of Medieval Europe (New York, Chautauqua
           Century Press, 1897)

BEST SECOND HISTORY

       Hoyt, Robert, Europe in the Middle Ages (Harcourt, Brace & World Inc.,
           2nd Edition, 1966)

ALSO RECOMMENDED

       Emerton, Ephraim, Introduction to the Middle Ages (Boston, Ginn & Company, 1899)
       West, Willis Mason, Early Progress (Allyn and Bacon, 1931)
       Cantor, Norman, Medieval History (New York, Macmillan, 1969)

HISTORICAL ATLAS

       Shepherd, Historical Atlas (New York, Barnes & Noble, 1964)

TO BE AVOIDED

       Crump, C.G, and Jacob, E.F, The Legacy of the Middle Ages (Oxford University Press, 1962)
       Trevor-Roper, Hugh, The Rise of Christian Europe (Thames and Hudson, 1965)