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Title details for Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel by Frances Gies - Available

Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel

Technology and Invention in the Middle Ages

by Frances Gies
Joseph Gies
ebook
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"A mine of information" on the surprising technological advances made in the Middle Ages, from the authors of Life in a Medieval City (Kirkus Reviews).
"In their latest medieval study, the Gieses explode the myth that the Middle Ages were unconcerned with the empirical and demonstrate that the Renaissance itself was the outcome of gradual progress made over the previous thousand years . . . They describe the above-ground reduction furnace that was feeding iron to local forges where smiths shaped it into parts for the new heavy ploughs, spades, and shoes for horses now beginning to pull with the aid of the padded collar; the triangular lateen sail that could drive Viking ships to trading posts on the Volga; and the considerable extension of the use of the waterwheel. The Gieses work century by century through the Middle Ages (from 500 to 1500), listing new tools and methods, each page full of attractive detail and anecdote. An important chapter is devoted to the influence of China, via the Silk Road, and Islam. We also learn how cities developed from fortresses into centers of commerce and watch the growth of handicrafts, gothic architecture, universities, mass production, the printing press and more." —Kirkus Reviews
"The flame of human ingenuity burned with surprising intensity during the medieval centuries . . . the Gieses here explode the myth of the Dark Ages, showing that the Fall of Rome did not plunge Europe into stagnation and lethargy." —Booklist
Includes photographs

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    August 18, 2023

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Read

      • ISBN: 9780062016607

    • EPUB ebook

      • ISBN: 9780062016607
      • File size: 3101 KB

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Library Journal

      March 1, 1994
      Moving chronologically through a millennium (500-1500 A.D.), the authors (who have written numerous books on medieval life, including Life in a Medieval City, LJ 2/1/70) show that the term "Dark Ages" is a misnomer by deftly tracing the period's "main technological elements, . . . their known or probable sources, and their principal impacts." In addition to the technological developments highlighted in the book's title, the authors cover such topics as the textile industry and shipbuilding/rigging, plus obligatory topics like printing, engineering, and gunpowder. Throughout, they nimbly weave medieval cultural history into the discussion. Informative, readable, enjoyable, and well written, this work is directed to general readers. Highly recommended for all collections.-- Michael D. Cramer, Virginia Polytechnic & State Univ. Libs ., Blacksburg

Formats

  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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