*"[A] superb and necessary book. This provocative assessment from a lifetime of scholarship might help us to place ourselves, not just territorially, but in that other precious element of history: time. " The Guardian *"A book that never fails to be informative, readable and provocative. Le Goff.

In this ground-breaking book, the great French historian Jacques Le Goff tells the story of the key events and ideas that shaped the Middle Ages. His overview ranges widely, from the Fall of Rome to the Discovery of the Americas, and from Ireland to the Black Sea.

In clear, concise language, the author presents his personal view of the importance of the Middle Ages and its lasting legacy to Europe. He contends that it was in the Middle Ages that many of the institutions and beliefs we consider to be “European” were defined and developed for the first time: ideas about a common Christian society, public spaces, courtship, and marriage.

The Birth of Europe presents the historical facts and events that shaped the period, but also the formation of attitudes and concepts of a European “dream”. The Middle Ages manifested the combination of diversity and unity present in Europe today: the mixing of populations, West-East and North-South oppositions, but above all the unifying role of culture.

The book is an ideal introduction to the medieval world for students, as well as anyone interested in how “Europe” was born.

In this ground-breaking new study,Jacques Le Goff, arguably the leading medievalist of his generation, presents his view of the primacy of the Middle Ages in the development of European history.

• "[A] superb and necessary book. This provocative assessment from a lifetime of scholarship might help us to place ourselves, not just territorially, but in that other precious element of history: time."
  —The Guardian
• "A book that never fails to be informative, readable and provocative. Le Goff... has been the bravest and best of champions for medieval history. This book... is in every sense an inspiration."
  —BBC History Magazine
• Praised by prominent figures in Europe and history including: Rt Hon Christopher Patten, CH, Former Member of the European Commission, and Neil Kinnock, Vice-President, European Commission.