My Quest for the Middle Ages

In this fascinating book, which takes the form of a series of edited interviews with noted journalist Jean-Maurice de Montremy, Jacques Le Goff offers us a synthesis of his work. In the course of these conversations he explains how he came to write his books and how an overall view of the civilisation of the Middle Ages gradually emerged; a civilisation which shaped 'western' culture both for better and for worse. Each conversation touches upon one of the major themes of his work and the book as a whole presents the reader with a fascinating attempt to recover, define, and understand the Middle Ages.

Jacques Le Goff belongs to a small number of scholars who, from an early age, have written so much, and whose writings have so profoundly influenced their field, that their names have acquired a mythical aura. On woders, in short, whether Le Goff might be dead. It is good, therefore, to see him in My Quest for the Middle Ages, engaged in lively conversation. Readable and fluent explorations, which are not encumbered with too much detail, yet are sufficiently specific to allow a worthwhile argument to emerge. I believe that is translated the volume could be presented and marketed not only to historians and advanced students, but to those interested in history more generally (and they are many these days) and those interested in French culture. -- Miri Rubin, Professor of Medieval and Early Modern History, Queen Mary, University of London A winning formula: there is considerable interest in the 'person' Le Goff among academics of all kinds, and his views on medieval history command attention everywhere, from the specialist historian to the interested general reader. -- Walter Simons, Associate Professor of History, Dartmouth College Jacques Le Goff belongs to a small number of scholars who, from an early age, have written so much, and whose writings have so profoundly influenced their field, that their names have acquired a mythical aura. On woders, in short, whether Le Goff might be dead. It is good, therefore, to see him in My Quest for the Middle Ages, engaged in lively conversation. Readable and fluent explorations, which are not encumbered with too much detail, yet are sufficiently specific to allow a worthwhile argument to emerge. I believe that is translated the volume could be presented and marketed not only to historians and advanced students, but to those interested in history more generally (and they are many these days) and those interested in French culture. A winning formula: there is considerable interest in the 'person' Le Goff among academics of all kinds, and his views on medieval history command attention everywhere, from the specialist historian to the interested general reader.

Jacques Le Goff is one of Europe's leading historians of the Middle Ages; author of many books and articles including Medieval Civilisation 400-1500 and Intellectuals in the Middle Ages.