The Black Death: Natural and Human Disaster in Medieval Europe

There is no subject as "The Black Death" that has aroused so many chilling stories around it. From Bocaccio's "Decameron" to Stephen King's "The Stand" thru Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" and Stewart's "Earth Abides", innumerable literary works had grown from these memories. It has left an inextinguishable fear of sudden death and extinction by the appearance of a deadly pestilence. Professor Gottfried has written a very comprehensive study, examining different aspects as climate, sanitary status, and medical knowledge at those times, in order to establish a solid background to his investigation. In a comparatively short text, he is able to give the reader, a very complete picture of the dreadful events occurred in Europe between 1347 and 1351. The book starts with a study of the different plagues occurred in the Ancient World comparing their evolution and effects on the Mediterranean populations. It follows with a description of Europe between years 1050 till 1347 taking into account: population, political system, agriculture, religion and commerce. Finally describes what happens from the initial appearance of the pestilence at the port of Messina and its vertiginous spread all over Europe. Mortality is estimated in 25% of the total population, with peaks of 50% in certain cities. Chaos and under population affected the region for at least two centuries. Professor Gottfried extracts lots of information from contemporary texts, giving a very attractive rhythm to the narration, without omitting references to more complex sources. At the end of the book a very detailed bibliography is given, so the reader interested in the subject may expand the research for himself. Reviewed by Max Yofre.

In this book, professor Gottfried gives us an in-depth, and yet easy to read analysis of the Black Death of the late 14th century, as well as earlier and later epidemics of various diseases. The first chapter is an examination of the three varieties of plague--bubonic (with a 50%-60% mortality), pneumonic (with a 95%-100% mortality), and septicaemic (mortality unknown as of the writing of this book). The following chapters examine the history of plagues, and the effects these had on Western and Middle-Eastern civilization.I particularly appreciated the author's use of first-hand accounts in this book, which really served to keep the dialogue from ever becoming too dry and academic. This book is easy to read, with the issues made quite apparent. For example, the author was careful to delineate what epidemics included the pneumonic strain that produced such horrific mortality in many locations. I was also impressed with the author's examination the plague's affects on the Islamic world, not just confining his examination to Europe.This book is easy to read and understand, and a great reference for anyone (academic or not, such as myself) interested in the Black Death. I recommend this book absolutely.

This is the second book I read about the Black Death of 1347-51. I was equally impressed with the way Gottfried presented his materials. The author also examines several other diseases that were common in those days, and takes a scientific look at the bacillus that infected fleas and, eventually, the rodents that spread the epidemic. Thoroughly researched (look at his bibliography), this is a terrific book for anyone wanting to know not only about the Black Death but also about its aftermath in Europe (it shaped and changed the future of Europe). I would rank this book with Philip Ziegler's classic "The Black Death."

As a student of Medieval History. This was the most rewarding book on the black death I have read. The bibliography at the end of the book gave me a new path to learn more about this period of time. This book explained in detail why Europe went into the Dark Ages, that it was not an overnight process. Upon completion of reading this book, I have looked at the new emerging viruses and see how it could happen again.

Gottfried's Black Death is one of the best books on the subject. The black death was a period of history that its participants would soon forget, at the expense of future generations. The author has managed to scour Europe and collect an incredable resource of singularly obscure facts to form the "big picture." The Black Death permanently changed the world, and brought about the Renaissance