content: A poorly informed book, written and packaged in an entertaining way. Very unfortunate that a good writer would do so little research before constructing his argument. Please see "Legends, Lies and Cherished Myths of World History" by Richard Shenkman for further debunking of old cliches. And this is NOT a "new" take on medieval history- it's the same propaganda the renaissance authors pushed centuries ago. Popular history can be great, but only if it also has the facts straight.