The Black Death: Natural and Human Disaster in Medieval Europe
New York Times Book ReviewAn engrossing study...Gottfried leaves us with a better understanding of how humans turned out to be at the mercy of changes in insect and rodent ecology.The Atlantic MonthlyIntriguing [description of] the social and economic effects of the plague, particularly its impact on the medical profession...Professor Gottfried describes the process in brisk and stimulating style.William H. McNeillNew York Review of BooksMarks a distinct intellectual advance...a powerful reminder of how drastically ecological balances can be upset...New England Journal of MedicineThe epidemiology of plague and its introduction into Europe, the details of its devastation of various regions, and the economic consequences of the pandemic...represents the scholarly consensus and is well told.The Boston Globe Book ReviewGottfried's own historical expertise serves him well in describing the broad tears, temporary patches, and eventual retailoring of the fabric of medieval life...Gottfried's examination of the Black Death can help us to understand ourselves as well as our darkest past.