Powers and Thrones

Powers and thrones is a thousand-year adventure that moves from the ruins of Rome, sacked by barbarians in AD410, to the first contacts between the old and the new worlds in the late fifteenth century. During these eleven centuries the roots of Western culture were put down: great European nationalities were formed; systems of law and governance were codified; Christian Churches became powerful institutions; and art, architecture, philosophy and science went through periods of massive, revolutionary change.

This is a book written about – and for – an age of profound change. It asks the biggest questions about the world both then and now. Where did we come from? What made us? Where do we go from here?

My Review

Ever heard the terms: Barbarians, Byzantines, Franks, Mamluks, Mongols and wondered who they were? When they lived? What did they do? How they interacted with each other? Then this is the book for you.

Starting with the Romans in AD410 the book takes us through several stages of world history up to and including the Protestant Reformation which the author divides into four parts.

The extent of the Roman Empire

Part 1 – AD410 – AD750 with the Romans, Barbarians, Byzantines, Arabs

Part 2 – AD750 – AD1215 with the Franks, Monks, Knights, Crusaders

Part 3 – AD1215 – AD1347 with Mongols, Merchants, Scholars, Builders

Part 4 – AD1348 – AD1527 with Survivors, Renewers, Navigators, Protestants

Although the book does have a focus on the West, it does discuss the Middle East and Far East because of the interactions of those in the West with the Arabs, Persians and Mongols for example.

Whilst the book is an overview of these periods it does go into quite some detail in places, introducing the reader to various people and and periods of history that will allow them to explore further. For an introduction to world history it’s a really good book and not at all dry. Very accessible.