Medieval Technology and Social Change
Medieval Technology and Social Change
Lynn White
Patrick Collison
Patrick Collison labeled this book "substantially above average."
Sam Altman
Really is great. - Sam Altman
Paul Graham
The most fabulous book. - Paul Graham
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3
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Medieval Technology and Social Change

Medieval Technology and Social Change

Lynn White
By
Lynn White
3.8
38
ratings on Goodreads

In "Medieval Technology and Social Change," Lynn White masterfully unravels the intricate tapestry of how technological advancements irrevocably transformed medieval European societies. With a keen eye for detail and a profound understanding of historical dynamics, White explores the seismic shifts brought about by innovations ranging from the humble plow to the formidable stirrup. These inventions did more than just enhance agricultural and military efficiency; they catalyzed a profound restructuring of social orders, heralding the decline of feudalism and paving the way for the emergence of the modern industrial landscape. White delves deep into the heart of medieval innovation, demonstrating how the advent of machinery and tools not only revolutionized the economy but also reshaped the very fabric of life. The introduction of heavy cavalry changed the nature of warfare, turning conflicts into devastating engagements with far-reaching consequences. Meanwhile, peaceful inventions such as watermills and reapers quietly sowed the seeds of industrialization, challenging traditional labor practices and setting the stage for a new world. Through "Medieval Technology and Social Change," readers are invited on a fascinating journey to discover how the ripples of technological innovation can transform civilizations, steering the course of human history in unexpected directions.

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Released
1962
1 Jan
Length
224
Pages

3

recommendations

recommendation

Really is great. - Sam Altman
Patrick Collison labeled this book "substantially above average."
The most fabulous book. - Paul Graham
However, even if the Benedictine missionaries had worked a bit faster in extinguishing horse-burials, and had thus deprived us of the spade’s testimony of the arrival of the stirrup in Germanic lands, we could have discovered by other means that it must have reached the Franks in the early eighth century. At that moment the verbsinsilireanddesilire, formerly used for getting on and off horses, began to be replaced byscandere equosanddescendere,' showing that leaping was replaced by stepping when one mounted or dismounted. But a more explicit indication of the drastic shift from infantry to the new mode of mounted shock combat is the complete change in Frankish weapons which took place at that time.
— Lynn White, Medieval Technology and Social Change

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