Atlas of Medieval Europe (Historical Atlas)
Gr 9 Up-This resource barely qualifies as an atlas; almost half of the 79 double-page chapters contain no map(s) whatsoever. Konstam reviews the activities, achievements, and personalities of the medieval age from 500 to 1500, with an overemphasis on France, England, and Italy. There are numerous full-color photographs of sites and reproductions, but the writing is dull and sometimes confusing. The chapter divisions don't always make sense, and result in an overall lack of flow and connectedness. There is no glossary. The maps that are included are incomplete and frequently omit places mentioned in the text. Although it's not an atlas, Barbara Hanawalt's The Middle Ages (Oxford, 1998) is a readable survey that integrates daily life with history.Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NYCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.