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Rosamond McKitterick

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Charlemagne: The Formation of a European Identity Illustrated Edition

by Rosamond McKitterick (Author)

4.1 31 ratings

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Charlemagne is often claimed as the greatest ruler in Europe before Napoleon. This magisterial study re-examines Charlemagne the ruler and his reputation. It analyses the narrative representations of Charlemagne produced after his death, and thereafter focuses on the evidence from Charlemagne's lifetime concerning the creation of the Carolingian dynasty and the growth of the kingdom, the court and the royal household, communications and identities in the Frankish realm in the context of government, and Charlemagne's religious and cultural strategies. The book offers a critical examination of the contemporary sources and in so doing transforms our understanding of the development of the Carolingian empire, the formation of Carolingian political identity, and the astonishing changes effected throughout Charlemagne's forty-six year period of rule. This is a major contribution to Carolingian history which will be essential reading for anyone interested in the medieval past. Rosamond McKitterick has also received the 2010 Dr A. H. Heineken Prize for History for her research into the Carolingians.

ISBN-10

0521716454
ISBN-13

978-0521716451
Edition

Illustrated
Publisher

Cambridge University Press
Publication date

June 2, 2008
Language

English
Dimensions

5.99 x 1.09 x 9.02 inches
Print length

480 pages
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Recommended." -Choice

"...magisterial study of this historical figure..." -H-German, Kevin Teo Kia-Choong

"...an important addition to our understanding of the diplomatic and non-diplomatic (linguistic-cultural, religious, social-ethnic) contributions Charlemagne made to medieval European society." -Kevin Teo Kia-Choong, H-German

"this book is a mile-stone in Carolingian scholarship, a critically significant reappraisal of the celebrated emperor and of the impact of his rule, and an achievement which cannot fail to stimulate further work on a number of fronts." -English Historical Review

"In this important book, Rosamond McKitterick undertakes both a historiographical synthesis and, in part, a major reassessment of the era 768-814, the period during which Charlemagne was king of the Franks and emperor of the West." -David S, Bachrach, The International History Review

"This is a laudable book by a leading and prolific scholar of Carolingian Europe." -Timothy P. Newfield, Canadian Journal of History

Book Description

This book is a major re-examination of Charlemagne the ruler and his reputation.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press; Illustrated edition (June 2, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0521716454
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0521716451
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.53 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.99 x 1.09 x 9.02 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,316,491 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #642 in Historical France Biographies
- #1,913 in Royalty Biographies
- #2,433 in French History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.1 31 ratings

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4.1 out of 5

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Dick from New Hampshire

Much more than I expected

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2012

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I ordered this book expecting it to be just another narrative history meant for the general public. Instead I received a scholarly tome.
Most of the written sources exist in only one copy, and perhaps in fragments at that. McKitterick lists her cources and tells where they may be found--whether library, museum, or monastery--and provides their document numbers.
Footnotes often cover half the page.
She does not progress chronologically but covers aspects of Charlemagne's life and government topic by topic, debunking much of the received wisdom as she does so. For example, she simplifies, and makes more plausible, Charlemagne's itineraries, pointing out that if he supposed to be at Point A on a given date and point B three days later, and the distance is 300 km (180 mi), it is very unlikely the trip occurred. Perhaps a notary at one point or the other supplied his location and not the king's.
This is a book for the serious student of Carolingian history. I predict it will become a classic.

11 people found this helpful

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James C. Hamilton

An excellent scholarly appraisal of Charlemagne

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2008

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Professor McKitterick's magisterial examination of Charlemagne is a welcome addition to literature on the King of the Franks,after 800 Emperor. The book is not a biographical narrative but an examination of five central concepts: (1) Charlemagne's contemporary "representation," that is, how he was portrayed in chronicles and other accounts, (2) the creation of the "Pippinid" dynasty, beginning with Charlemagne's father, Pippin III, and his grandfather Charles Martel, (3) Charlemgne's court, (4)royal communication in the Frankish kingdom and Empire, and (5) the relationship between knowledge and the exercise of power, with special reference to religious authority. This book is best read with a prior understanding of 8th and 9th century Continental history or after first reading a general recent biography on Charlemagne such as Derek Wilson's Charlemagne: A Biography. McKitterick's well-written book will likely serve as a standard reference for years to come. This is an excellent book.

43 people found this helpful

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James L. Mack

Marvelous Historical Presentation

Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2015

Verified Purchase

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, although it is probably better described as historiography rather than history. It goes thoroughly into source material, so that the reader gets a very clear picture of the difficulties in dealing with that material. The author makes it quite clear when she is expressing her opinion, and the reader will easily recognize that judgment is an important part in interpreting the sources for this period, indeed, for all periods of history. A reader who is looking for a dramatic overview of the topic will probably find the book tedious, but to one is interested in understanding how historical information is interpreted and how that understanding is applied to the period of Charlemagne, it is an excellent compendium of knowledge.

4 people found this helpful

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bcf5009

Great book and great price

Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2011

Verified Purchase

The book is very good but only for scholars or people with a strong interest in Charlemagne. I am a graduate student and the book was a great source but not an easy read and not something I would pick up for a casual read.

13 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Disappointed

Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2020

Verified Purchase

Disappointed. The text is very detailed and filled with references to particular details. Practically emptied of informative perspective and a meaningful historisk dimension. This can only be of interest to å fra Scholars.

One person found this helpful

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R. Hurst

Ground Breaking!

Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2012

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This is an amazing read and ground breaking scholarship that shines new light on THE formative period of medieval European history (and medieval church history)!

3 people found this helpful

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Richard J.

Not for the novice historian

Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2020

Verified Purchase

Not for the novice historian. Most of the information provided related to how other historians have interpreted Charlemagne’s empire rather than the author making her own assessment. Most of the book pertains to the administrative functions of the empire, which I would guess intent historians may find interesting. For those simply interested in the major events surrounding the empires reign and its influence on European development should look elsewhere.

Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2017

Verified Purchase

excellent as expected

One person found this helpful

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Gord Duncan

Very disappointing.

Reviewed in Canada on September 20, 2020

Verified Purchase

I read this book hoping to learn something about Charlemagne but learned almost nothing. It's a very academic book. Every time it gets close to telling you anything the author says that this is well known so I won't go into it here. It is about what documents there are, when they might have been written and when they might have been revised. Trips Charlemagne might have taken and how long they might have taken. Nothing of any substance. If I already knew about Charlemagne I wouldn't have bought a book to learn about him.

Lorenzo Domenis

One of the most complete study about Charlemagne

Reviewed in Italy on December 6, 2017

Verified Purchase

This study about the figure of Carlemagne is certo complete. From the rise to power until the succesion, McKitterick's book is a fondamental reading.

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Circleplane LTD

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2017

Verified Purchase

No complaints so far

autodidact

Charlemagne - a good academic history

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2011

Verified Purchase

Charlemagne: The Formation of a European Identity
This is a fascinating academic history, going back to the primary sources and investigating why the documents were produced. It is not a popular history for the general reader - knowledge of the period is assumed.

But as a way of understanding what the business of history is about and why the 'facts' in popular histories are subject to so much interpretation, it is highly recommended.

7 people found this helpful

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