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Title: Above Average Writing, Below Average (Distorted) History
Review: As an AP World History teacher I had to take a look at this to consider for required reading, and I have to say that I was pretty shocked after reading it that this is used as much as it is in the classroom. Manchester's writing is lively, but his use of sources shows no critical examination. He takes the nobility's appraisal of peasant life at face value, Catholics' characterization of Martin Luther without much balance, and in general overstates the figurative 'darkness' of the Medieval Age.The book is not without legitimate insights, but personally I found it way too much of a mixed bag to endorse, especially for high school readers.
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