The Fantasy of the Middle Ages: An Epic Journey through Imaginary Medieval Worlds

The Fantasy of the Middle Ages by Larisa Grollemond and Bryan C Keene is a lavishly illustrated and very informative book.

This beautiful book looks at the period often called the Middle Ages and how it has been used and portrayed through history. This juxtaposition of what we now know of the

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period with the often inaccurate representations of it (sometimes for blatantly racist use) makes for fascinating reading. The authors also make a point of taking a more, though not comprehensive, global view of both the period and the later reimaginings.

Whether a reader is primarily interested in the pictures and artwork, the medieval history, or the popular culture history she will come away with a new appreciation for what really was as well as the creative ways in which ideas have morphed and come down to us in our present time.

Highly recommended for those interested in history as well as those interested in simply having a stunning book to display on their coffee table. It will certainly invite comments and conversation at your next get together.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

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