We do live in abnormal times.  Life expectancy has increased from 46 years in 1900 to 78 years in industrialized countries.  We now have indoor plumbing, central heating, running water and electricity.  We have a reasonable expectation that our children will live to adulthood and our wives will not die in childbirth.  Three times before the age of 25 I had severe illnesses that in pre-antibiotic days would have resulted in my death or, best case, an extended period of convalescence.  Oh, and let's not forget painless dentistry and bifocals.

If the author would like to return to the glory days of 1348 or 1618 in Europe, she should build a time machine and have at it.  Our age, like all ages, has its challenges but personally, I can't think of a better time to be alive.