This volume forms the third part of one of the finest general introductions to the medieval world of prevailing times. Lavishly illustrated, with numerous accompanying maps and charts, each of the three volumes presents a synthesis of scholarly research and interpretation, translated from the original French and revised thoroughly for an English speaking readership. Volume III covers the close of the Middle Ages, an era of crisis, plague, famine and civil strife, and yet also - towards its end - of vigorous economic and colonial expansion, intellectual renewal and religious reformation. Full coverage is given not only to Western Europe, but also to the Byzantine and Islamic worlds, whose artistic heritage is displayed in several of the colour plates. A bibliography is appended as an aid to further study, whether by the general reader or by teachers and students of the period. The two further volumes, on 350–950 and on 950–1250, are also available. The Cambridge Illustrated History of the Middle Ages is also sold as a three-volume boxed set. The sophisticated reader with a strong background in late medieval European history will enjoy this knowledgeable, cleverly written, and lavishly illustrated survey. The several authors skillfully treat ecological, climatic, agricultural, and business changes; the role and status of women; popular religion and the Church; and standard political history. Fair attention is given to all parts of Western Europe, and there is detailed information on the impact of Islamic and Turkish cultures on Europe. The authors conduct a running provocative dialogue with traditional historical interpretations. However, they show slight familiarity with the enormous scholarship produced on this side of the Atlantic on such topics as marriage and the family, and while there are illustrations on virtually every page, the captions do little to elucidate them. For general collections. Bennett D. Hill, St. Anselm's Abbey, Washington, Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. 'These volumes [are] beautiful books, lavishly illustrated, wide-ranging and … a mine of information …'. English Historical Review Volume III covers the close of the Middle Ages an era of crisis, vigorous economic and colonial expansion, intellectual renewal and religious reformation. Used Book in Good Condition