Book World

Pop History Mysteries for the Middle Aged

Thomas Cahill writes popular history. It's easy to read, even fun to read. His prejudices sometimes get in the way. His tone is sometimes too conversational; yet he knows how to spin a yarn and hold the reader's attention. He's a pretty good historian. He's an excellent storyteller. This new book on the Middle Ages looks lovely. I'm The Husband and I'm interested. I think that The Wife will like it. Maybe it'll make a good Christmas gift. I mean, it's no Peloponnesian War and Cahill is no Thucydides, but not everyone can be.