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Self-Help From the Middle Ages

byPeter Jones

How to Live with the Seven Deadly Sins

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Embark on an extraordinary journey through the labyrinth of medieval wisdom and contemporary introspection with Self-Help From the Middle Ages.

This captivating book delves into the timeless human struggles of anger, sloth, lust, and more, drawing profound connections between the past and present. Through the eyes of a passionate scholar, readers are transported to the Middle Ages, exploring the lives of mystics, monks, and philosophers who grappled with the same emotions that challenge us today.

From the bustling archives of Paris to the serene forests of Siberia, the author’s adventures bring to life the rich tapestry of medieval Europe. With a blend of historical narrative, personal memoir, and philosophical inquiry, this book offers a unique perspective on how ancient teachings can illuminate our modern lives. Whether it’s the humility of Chaucer’s talk therapy or the fiery passion of Christine de Pizan’s Medusa, each chapter reveals the enduring power of medieval thought to inspire and transform.

Join this intellectual odyssey and discover how the lessons of the past can help us navigate the complexities of the present, turning our scars and failures into sources of strength and wisdom. Self-Help From the Middle Ages is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the timeless quest for meaning and connection.

From Lucifer's iridescent footwear, to supermarket shopping in Vladimir Putin's Siberia, this is a unique and delightful book: part personal memoir, part investigation of the very idea of sin, part magical mystery tour through some of the world's greater medieval book collections. I can think of nothing else quite like it. Written by an acknowledged expert, yet with the thrill of a treasure hunt, it blows the cobwebs off centuries in which, however virtuous those in pursuit of goodness, the Devil always had the best tunes.
Nick Vincent

About Peter Jones

Peter Jones received a PhD in Medieval History from New York University in 2014. He has taught for thirteen years at universities including University College London, NYU, the University of Toronto, and Complutense University of Madrid (where he is currently a Marie Curie fellow). For four years he taught at the School of Advanced Studies at the University of Tyumen in Siberia, where he was Chair of History. He has received research fellowships from the Warburg Institute, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the University of Notre Dame, and Brown University, as well as Marie Curie. His first book, Laughter & Power in the Twelfth Century was published by OUP in 2019.
Details
  • Imprint: Hutchinson Heinemann
  • ISBN: 9781529154863
  • Length: 352 pages
  • Price: £20.00
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