Hinges of history

Beginning with the Black Death, this volume of the author's history of Europe discusses how the innovations and explorations of the Renaissance era and the events of the Reformation changed the Western world to an extent that would not occur again until the twentieth century.

Explores how the rebirth of scholarship, art, literature, philosophy, and science that took place in the Middle Ages created the foundations of modern Western civilization.

Studies the role of the Jews in the development of Western civilization, and credits the ancient Jewish people with setting the course for the way humanity thinks and feels even in the late twentieth century.

How Irish scholars preserved Greek and Roman classics, Jewish and Christian writings, and other writings that might have been lost when the Roman Empire collapsed.

Explores the legacy, both good and bad, of the ancient Greeks, discussing how their achievements, traditions, art, literature, philosophy, language, sciences, and modes of thinking helped shape the Western world.