The Wisdom of the Middle Ages

This engaging survey of important works from late antiquity to the beginning of the Renaissance reveals the depth of thought and the diversity of expression that characterized the Middle Ages. Michael Kellogg demonstrates that medieval thought owes far more to ancient philosophy than is generally supposed; that poets of this era were as sophisticated and nuanced as their ancient counterparts; and that writers of this time anticipated most of the lines of inquiry that gave rise to the Renaissance.

The author examines philosophical treatises, memoirs, letters, tales, romances, and epics, documenting the unique array of evolving concerns that drove the medieval search for wisdom. Among the authors and works discussed are Augustine's Confessions; Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy; Beowulf; the writings of Abelard and Heloise, Francis of Assisi, and Thomas Aquinas; the Song of Roland; the Arthurian romances of Chretien de Troyes; Dante's Divine Comedy; and the tales of Boccaccio and Chaucer.

Written for the lay reader, this lively overview of a flourishing era, often devalued in our time as a benighted period of history, will bring a new appreciation to the many accomplishments of the Middle Ages.

“On The Greek Search for Wisdom : "A wonderfully accessible introduction to the Greeks, one that eloquently reminds us why these works stand at the fountainhead of the Western tradition." --FRANCIS FUKUYAMA Stanford University, author of The Origins of Political Order MORE PRAISE FOR THE WORK OF MICHAEL K. KELLOGG: On The Roman Search for Wisdom : "Towards his aim of countering the conventional belief that Roman intellectual thought pales in comparison to that of the Greeks, Kellogg makes substantial progress; it's a well-organized, accessible work that will serve as both introduction and lodestar to these elements of classical wisdom, philosophy, and history." -- Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW "Michael Kellogg's abundantly informative new book fills in a great gap in most educated people's historical and cultural knowledge--ancient Rome. For the past 150 years, the intellectual passion for classical Greek civilization led to a marginalization of the vast contributions of Rome, which not only served as the filter for Greek wisdom to later generations but also transformed and expanded it to create what we now call Western civilization. Kellogg introduces us to the immortals of Roman culture--Virgil, Cicero, Lucretius, Seneca, Horace, Plutarch, and others. The Roman Search for Wisdom is a superb introduction to 'the grandeur that was Rome.'" --DANA GIOIA, poet and former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts " The Roman Search for Wisdom offers the general reader an ambitious survey of the richness of Roman thought. Ranging from the slapstick comedies of Plautus to the acerbic irony of Tacitus's political history to the intensely introspective reflections of Marcus Aurelius, Kellogg mines the greatest works of Roman literature, philosophy, and history to draw lessons about the deep and enduring challenges of human existence. This book will engage readers at a very personal level about the ends of their own lives." --RICHARD SALLER, professor of Roman history, Stanford University On Three Questions We Never Stop Asking : "In this elegant volume, Michael Kellogg distills the wisdom of the most important Western philosophers. Whether you are familiar with these ideas, or are encountering them for the first time here, you will profit from Kellogg's original synthesis." --HOWARD GARDNER, Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Author of Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences”

""This is a clear, competent summary of the history of the European Middle Ages, and the era's great works of literature, theology and philosophy."--Shelf Awareness for Readers"From Beowulf to Dante and Chaucer, and from Augustine to St. Francis and Thomas Aquinas, this book provides an elegantly written introduction to the classics of the Middle Ages. The intertwining of history with the analysis of literary and philosophical/theological works crisscrosses modern disciplinary boundaries, illuminating the so-called Dark Ages for all readers. Kellogg's sensitive and informed readings serve those who are new to these important works and provide valuable insights to those for whom they are old friends."--Eileen C. Sweeney, professor of philosophy, Boston College, and author of Anselm of Canterbury and the Desire for the Word"With grace and confidence, Kellogg takes the reader on a journey through some of the best literature and philosophical writings of the Middle Ages. Kellogg makes a firm argument that this period in European history should be seen as an era in which human aspiration, achievement, and curiosity flourished. His sensitive and scholarly readings of writers from Augustine to Chaucer make his case in an accessible and convincing way. What is particularly impressive about The Wisdom of the Middle Ages is Kellogg's ability to convey the complex ideas of writers in the Middle Ages in thoughtful and clear prose. This engaging book will surely inspire readers to discover the original texts for themselves."--Emily A. Winkler, DPhil, research fellow and lecturer in early medieval history, University of Oxford"What is your source for the history of ideas? There are many histories of philosophy and histories of science, but they are too narrow. Who has the learning, insight, writing skill, and breadth to encompass so huge a topic as the ideas that define an age? For the previous generation, the standard was set by John Herman Randall Jr. Randall's successor in our day is Michael K. Kellogg. His The Wisdom of the Middle Ages is engaging, incisive, authoritative, and amazingly comprehensive. Whether you are looking for the ideal text for a course, or just a great read, this book is enthusiastically recommended." --Keith M. Parsons, professor of philosophy, University of Houston-Clear Lake, and author of It Started with Copernicus

Michael K. Kellogg is the author of The Roman Search for Wisdom, The Greek Search for Wisdom, and Three Questions We Never Stop Asking. Educated at Stanford and Oxford in philosophy and at Harvard Law School, he is a founding and managing partner at Kellogg, Huber, Hansen, Todd, Evans & Figel, PLLC.

This engaging survey of important works from late antiquity to the beginning of the Renaissance reveals the depth of thought and the diversity of expression that characterized the Middle Ages. Michael Kellogg demonstrates that medieval thought owes far more to ancient philosophy than is generally supposed; that poets of this era were as sophisticated and nuanced as their ancient counterparts; and that writers of this time anticipated most of the lines of inquiry that gave rise to the Renaissance. The author examines philosophical treatises, memoirs, letters, tales, romances, and epics, documenting the unique array of evolving concerns that drove the medieval search for wisdom. Among the authors and works discussed are Augustine's Confessions; Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy; Beowulf; the writings of Abelard and Heloise, Francis of Assisi, and Thomas Aquinas; the Song of Roland; the Arthurian romances of Chretien de Troyes; Dante's Divine Comedy; and the tales of Boccaccio and Chaucer. Written for the lay reader, this lively overview of a flourishing era, often devalued in our time as a benighted period of history, will bring a new appreciation to the many accomplishments of the Middle Ages.

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