THE LATE MIDDLE AGES

All of these 24 lectures on the late Middle Ages are exceptionally well organized; furthermore, Professor Philip Daileader ends each talk with a cogent, focused summary. Addressing specific topics (the papal schism, the Black Death, etc.) allows him to focus on them in greater depth than a strictly chronological approach would allow. However, during the first few lectures his delivery is a bit flat—as if he's covered this material too many times before. Fortunately, as he moves through his various themes and topics, his voice becomes more lively. His enthusiasm for the period becomes evident, and he even weaves numerous dry jokes amid the discussions of Renaissance humanism and knighthood. G.T.B. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2008]