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Reviews
The Journey Through Wales & The Description of Wales by Lewis Thorpe, Betty Radice, Gerald of Wales
danahuff's review against another edition
5.0
I relied heavily on this primary source material when writing my book (which is set in Wales). Part travelogue, part chronicle of the young men who go on the Crusades, and part adventure, Gerald of Wales' Journey Through Wales/Description of Wales is a great book for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating country.
susanna22's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
3.0
Read for an essay/module. A bit slow in parts but generally entertaining
vcmc's review against another edition
3.0
I find this book very difficult to evaluate or even express an opinion about. It's a glimpse into a Medieval mind- sometimes amazing because people don't seem to be any different now and sometimes mystifying because the world is so utterly different.
There is a great deal of superstition and religious musings. To a modern reader much of this seems ridiculous.
However, I'm glad I read most of it, except the final few chapters which comprise a character assassination of Welsh people of the times. I found this ludicrous and pointless. Imagine Jacob Rees-Mogg expressing his views on people who didn't go to Eton and you have a flavour of the 'description'.
There is a great deal of superstition and religious musings. To a modern reader much of this seems ridiculous.
However, I'm glad I read most of it, except the final few chapters which comprise a character assassination of Welsh people of the times. I found this ludicrous and pointless. Imagine Jacob Rees-Mogg expressing his views on people who didn't go to Eton and you have a flavour of the 'description'.
strath's review
5.0
Geraldus writes from his century but his prose scans well with readers of today. Insights into the people, superstitions, and landscapes of Medieval Wales abound. Writers from Goodrich, to Ashe, to Bernard Cornwell use 'The Description of Wales' as a key primary source to the life and times of the period.
Geraldus' book, to me, is essential reading for those interested in ancient Britain, the Medieval Catholic Church, even the Crusades. And, its vivid, readable prose and sense of wit and humor hold our attention.
Dive in. You will enjoy it.
Geraldus' book, to me, is essential reading for those interested in ancient Britain, the Medieval Catholic Church, even the Crusades. And, its vivid, readable prose and sense of wit and humor hold our attention.
Dive in. You will enjoy it.
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