In "The Making of Europe," Robert Bartlett embarks on a sweeping journey back to the Middle Ages, challenging the conventional narrative of Europe as the cradle of colonial power. Instead, Bartlett unveils a Europe in the throes of its own formation, sculpted through relentless conquests and the colonization of its own sprawling landscape. With meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Bartlett reconstructs a world where borders were drawn and redrawn in blood, where cultural assimilation was a tool of expansion, and where the seeds of modern European identity were sown in the fertile soil of war and diplomacy. Bartlett's narrative is a riveting exploration of the forces that forged Europe from a patchwork of feudal states into a cohesive entity poised for global influence. Through vivid accounts of crusaders, conquerors, and kings, "The Making of Europe" delves into the complex processes of cultural integration and the relentless push of Christendom's frontiers. This book is not just the story of Europe's past; it is a profound inquiry into the nature of power, culture, and identity, offering invaluable insights into the historical dynamics that have shaped not only Europe but the world at large.