On the Continent, the 9th century was a period of extended struggle among the children and grandchildren of Charles the Great, constant coastal raiding by northern pirates, and tedious quarrels among theologians. This now-classic collection of biographical essays chronicles the rise and decline of Charles's empire through the careers of such men as Einhard of Seligenstadt. But our interest here is in the scholarly but very readable piece on Louis the Pious, the solitary and monastic son and successor of Charles, whose inability to cope with his legacy resulted in profound changes in political and religious relationships, especially between the king/emperor and the diverse military aristocracy.

The title makes the tenth century sound so depressing and dull, but the text makes the tenth century come back to life. Great stories about great figures from the past. The author has a knack for pulling you in and making you want to know what happened next.

A great survey of the time period, it gives your that big picture of how different events relate to one another while making them intriguing at the same time. If you have any interest in this time period, or wonder if you should, find a copy of this book!

Eleanor Shipley Duckett is one of a handful of medieval scholars whose works are always both amusing and informative. This one is no exception. After introductory chapters on early trends in Roman and Celtic monasticism, she launches into two jewel-like portraits -- of St Benedict of Nursia, founder of the Benedictine Order, and St Gregory the Great, a monk turned pope.

Duckett's Dark Ages are illuminated with the warmth of her monk-saints who strove to protect their fledgeling communities in the face of turmoil and rapine. At the same time, they sought to burnish their souls so that they would be pleasing to the all-merciful God who cast so much adversity their way.

Yet these spiritual heroes just tightened their belts and leaned ever harder into the wind. The simple things that we have lost!