A History of the Church in the Middle Ages

This carefully organized and easy-to-read history would make a fantastic text for an undergraduate survey course, a useful resource for grad students and teachers, and a good read for anyone even remotely interested in medieval Europe and Christian history. Particularly engaging for a general audience are the author's treatment of the Crusades (particularly the first; it's a shame that only the first and fourth are covered in any depth, but perhaps this would've stretched beyond the book's intended scope?) and Chapter 9, in which the reader is treated to highly informative and also highly entertaining "profiles" of a few famous 12th century figures: Abelard and Heloise, Thomas Becket, and Hildegard von Bingen. Logan weaves in references to trade and economics, politics, literature and art, as well as emphasizing 'church history' proper (doctrines, orders, etc.) The result makes for a cohesive narrative... and yet, thankfully, Logan also reminds the reader from time to time that the job of the historian or student of history isn't just to seek out and enjoy an objective, linear, cohesive reading of 'facts' and indisputable documents, but to ask questions. (And so, where the facts at hand leave contradictions and unknowns, Logan openly points that out. I, for one, really appreciate a scholar who can stand to do that.) I had not read anything by Logan prior, but will do so happily if I come across his work again.