Medieval Panorama (Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum)
More than just a range of years, the Middle Ages are distinguished by the society, lifestyle, perceptions, and beliefs of that time. The author of several books on medieval society and history, Bartlett (medieval history, Univ. of St. Andrews, Scotland) introduces the Middle Ages through eight major themes, which are then illustrated by selections of medieval art. The arrangement is intriguing and thematic, covering everything from religion, knighthood, and courtly love to alchemy, daily labor, and ceremony. Within each of the broader chapters are subtopics illustrated with medieval art depicting the topic as interpreted by the people of the time. These sections are cross-referenced to other related topics by color-coded notations on the bottom of the pages. Many features make this book particularly useful to students a 35-page biographical dictionary, time lines, maps, a glossary, a bibliography, and a list of 22 web sites devoted to medieval studies. For better encyclopedic coverage of the period, public and school libraries should have The Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages (Viking, 1999), but Medieval Panorama makes a fine companion and is recommended for all library collections. Karen Ellis, Nicholson Memorial Lib. Syst., Garland, TXCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.