Review Of "Landscapes Of Fear: Perceptions Of Nature And The City In The Middle Ages" By V. Fumagalli

Document Type

Book Review

Publication Date

2-1-1995

Published In

Choice

Abstract

Fumagalli writes with energy and charm in order to tempt readers unfamiliar with the Middle Ages to reflect upon the long-term trajectory of such current issues as environmental change, perceptions of urban life, and representations of the body. He draws upon themes taken from such innovators in cultural history as Jacques Le Goff, Carlo Ginzburg, and Philippe Ariès and proceeds to illustrate them with attractive source material taken from early medieval Italy. Despite thematic repetition, some heart-stopping generalizations, and occasional factual gaffes (Gregory of Tours did not title his most famous work History of the Franks), the discussion of nature and human agency has a great deal of appeal. One can easily recommend the book to general readers ordinarily put off by footnotes, but undergraduates can be introduced to the basic issues more directly and efficiently with other works.

Comments

This work is freely available courtesy of Choice Reviews. The review has been reproduced in full in the abstract field.

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