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The Monastic World

A 1,200-Year History

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The Monastic World

By: Andrew Jotischky
Narrated by: Michael Page
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About this listen

A major new history of medieval monasticism, from the fourth to the sixteenth century

From the late Roman Empire onwards, monasteries and convents were a common sight throughout Europe. But who were monasteries for? What kind of people founded and maintained them? And how did monasticism change over the thousand years or so of the Middle Ages?

Andrew Jotischky traces the history of monastic life from its origins in the fourth century to the sixteenth. He shows how religious houses sheltered the poor and elderly, cared for the sick, and educated the young. They were centers of intellectual life that owned property and exercised power but also gave rise to new developments in theology, music, and art.

This book brings together the Orthodox and western stories, as well as the experiences of women, to show the full picture of medieval monasticism for the first time. It is a fascinating, wide-ranging account that broadens our understanding of life in holy orders as never before.

©2024 Andrew Jotischky (P)2024 Tantor Media Christianity Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts Middle Ages

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I really want to love this because the subject matter is so interesting and the writing is lively and well structured. The problem is the narration. I'm sure Michael Page is a great performer on stage but his narrative style is painful to my ears. It's like he's constantly surprised by what he's reading, there is no variance in his rhythm and he swallows words to the point that it's difficult to hear what is being said. It is intensely grating to my ears and sounds almost robotic in it's cadence. Please, can we have alternative options!

Great text marred by narration

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Ruined monasteries have always made me wonder about their history and development, and this book answers those questions succinctly and often amusingly. A fascinating listen!

Excellent overview

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