Frederick II: A Medieval Emperor

This is an easy read that stays on track and manages to convey what the period must have been like. Though David dispels some of the mystique, he also brings home the life of Frederick II. I have read this several times now and enjoy it every time.

Abulafia has written a wonderful biography of one of the most important rulers of European history. His biography is detailed and precise, a well documented look at Frederick's life from childhood to his death, even ending the book with a great chapter to quickly tell what happened to the Hohenstaufen dynasty. Throughout the book you get an even non-biased representation of what Abulafia interpreted through his extensive research. I did feel that there were two chapters out of place and did not belong in the scope of the biography. Towards the end we read "Culture at Court" and "Remote Control". "Culture at Court" is a nice chapter to evaluate the culture of the times - such as falconry, hunting, music, poetry, fashion - but did not add anything to the biography of Frederick II. "Remote Control" reads more like an appendix chapter to explain the registers and how much of the information is known. Both chapters are good but they do not figure into the overall structure that Abulafia used to write about Frederick II. I am amazed to see this book trashed because one reviewer calls Abulafia a revisionist. Is not history furthered through new research and interpretations? Or should we accept the prevailing notion of history revolving around a subject as the one and true way? Abulafia has looked at the facts and interpreted them the way he saw it, and his arguments are very sound. I've always saw Frederick II this way and agree with Abulafia's interpretation. If you don't like a book because of its research or prose than discredit the book, but not because a historian writes a different view than the prevailing view. All in all this biography is one of the better ones I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend Frederick II: A Medieval Emperor to anyone. 4.5 stars.

This book is generally acknowledged as an excellent, recent account of the life of Frederick II. Frederick is famous in the German-speaking world for being an inspiration to the Nazi party. The earlier biography by Kantorowicz(who later taught in America), was seized on by Nazi's and Nazi sympathizers in support for a strong, mystical leader who would bring Germany back to greatness. Although Abulafia notes this troubled history in the notes, he account is mostly concerned with Frederick II's actual life and times. In a way, he is trying to debunk the superstition and legend that was built up around Frederick II in the early part of the twentieth century. So who was Frederick II? He was the heir to the kingdom of Sicily and the Holy Roman Empire. He managed to unify his vast kingdom during his lifetime, he re-conquered Jerusalem without a fight, he wrote a subperb book on Falconry, corresponded with Arab scholars and, oh yes, fought bitterly with a succesion of Popes who just hated his guts. In fact, these Popes, more then Frederick himself, emerge as the focal point of this book. More then anything it was their unreasoning hatred for Frederick's power that defined his life. Particularly, it seemed like Frederick spent the majority of his life fighting rebels in Lombardy who were supported by the Pope. Recommended.

Several prominent historians recommended this book so I decided to read it. I found it extrememly well informed, heavily documented and clearly written. The book covers a number of years in a period once called the "Dark Ages" and now referred to as the Middle Ages. I read this book to further my knowledge of the Middle Ages. Also, although I am interested in the history of England, the Netherlands, France and Italy, and not a devotee of German History per se, my interests led me to Frederick II, the Emperor of Germany, because he once ruled parts of Italy including Sicily.Abulafia, had access to the Vatican archives to research his book, and thus has been able to recast these years of the Middle Ages, as well as the character of Frederick II. Some call this kind of writing revisionist history, if so, it is revisionism at it's best as Abulafia does not appear to have an "axe to grind" or a preconceived notion of what transpired. He reports the facts as he finds them. For example, many have long admired Frederick as a secular leader who "stood up to the Pope." However, it appears Frederick was a bit more fickle in his relationships with Popes than had been thought. He may have been able to get around Pope Honorius, he met his match in Gregory. Frederick had promised to go on a crusade to expiate his sins, but he failed to do so. Gregory told Frederick "Do not put yourself in a position where I have to take action against you; go on a crusade as promised or else." Frederick failed to keep his word and Gregory excommunicated him. Abulafia's depiction of the struggle between these two powerful individuals reads like a novel.An interesting note--the basis of Shakespeare's dueling families in "Romeo and Juliet" is revealed--they were antagonists because one sided with the Pope and his faction, and the other with Frederick. The Waibles and the Welfs of Germany became the Guelfs and Ghibllines of Italy--and precursors to the Protestant and Catholic struggles centuries later.

I used this book as background-studies for a paper I wrote on Frederick II. I especially liked the way Abulafia remains objective to this great personality, compared to other writers(as Kantorowitz). The book is very detailed, and I was grateful for the many details about the disputes between the Pope and the Emperor, as well as about the culture in the court of Frederick II. If you are have an interest in The Hohenstaufen-family, this is definately a book worth reading.