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Medieval Technology and Social Change First Edition

by Lynn White Jr. (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 76 ratings
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This study examines the role of technological innovation during the rise of social groups in the Middle Ages
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  1. ISBN-10
    9780195002669
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0195002669
  3. Edition
    First Edition
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    December 31, 1966
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    5.3 x 0.45 x 7.95 inches
  8. Print length
    224 pages
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In Medieval Technology and Social Change, Lynn White considers the effects of technological innovation on the societies of medieval Europe: the slow collapse of feudalism with the development of machines and tools that introduced factories in place of cottage industries, and the development of the manorial system with the introduction of new kinds of plows and new methods of crop rotation. One invention of particular import, writes White, was the stirrup, which in turn introduced heavy, long-range cavalry to the medieval battlefield. The development thus escalated small-scale conflict to "shock combat." Cannons and flamethrowers followed, as did more peaceful inventions, such as watermills and reapers.

Review

"Excellent."--Louis P. Towles, Central Wesleyan College

"The most stimulating book of the century on the history of technology...a positive delight."--Isis

"At once an advance in the study of medieval technology and also the best introduction to the subject for the serious general reader."--The Economist

"Still essential reading for students of Medieval studies. A must for those interested in Medieval technology and its impact on the development of western society."--Cecile-Marie Sastre, Flagler College

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0195002660
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 31, 1966
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780195002669
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0195002669
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.3 x 0.45 x 7.95 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 76 ratings

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Lynn White Jr.

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4.3 out of 5 stars
76 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Ken Wyatt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Occasionally hard to read, translations would have been nice.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This was an absolutely fascinating document, that I can not recommend enough.

    Covering technological advances such as the progression of plow technology, the invention of the stirrup and the town clock-tower, while connecting them all to absolutely radical changes in social outlook, conceptions of property limits and even (in the case of the stirrup) an argument for why it may be the advance that allowed for Feudalism, and in so doing, could be said to have caused it.

    I couldn't put this book down, and have since reread it multiple times to refresh my memory.

    The book is extensively referenced. And I mean EXTENSIVELY. Though a once or twice off case, I can't help chuckling at the memory of a page wherein the references (and elaborations on points) took up more space than the main text. If you have any inkling to follow up any single point in the text, you have immediate access to a plethora of titles to follow up. It really is something special.

    The book also publishes all quotes in their original language, which is greatly appreciated, but also somewhat troublesome, as absolutely no translation is offered in either the main text, or the reference section down the bottom of the page. A translation for those of us that don't speak 4 languages (yet) would have been a nice feature.

    Anybody interested in politics, history, sociology or technology should read this book. I have nothing but glowing praise for it.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • John D. Cofield
    4.0 out of 5 stars Old But Not Out of Date
    Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2002
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Medieval Technology and Social Change was published in 1962. It is the production of a professor and it bears many of the characteristics of such works: huge numbers of footnotes, further Notes at the end (comprising about a third of the total book), and an extremely scholarly tone. Fortunately Professor White writes much better than many academics, and the book contains a number of interesting speculations about the effect of Europe of the technological changes which took place in the Middle Ages.
    The book concentrates almost completely on Europe, so that you will have to look elsewhere for technological changes in the rest of the world, but what is here is fascinating. There is speculation on the role of the stirrup in revolutionizing warfare and feudalism, an examination of the effects of the three field system on the health of the medieval Europeans, and some intriquing hypotheses on the development of various power sources and machine designs. Worthwhile, particularly in combination with a broader work such as Technology in World Civilization by Arnold Pacey.
    26 people found this helpful
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  • M S
    5.0 out of 5 stars A truly excellent overview of the impact of technology on politics
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    First class research. Very engaging. Very eye-opening. A must read
    2 people found this helpful
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  • sbergeon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Medieval Technology and Social Change
    Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    One of the best history books ever written.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Connecticut Gardener
    3.0 out of 5 stars Outdated and difficult to read, but well worth the trouble
    Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Outdated, hard to read, contains many citations not in English with no translation, but the material is fascinating. The writer was not writing for the layperson, but this may be the easiest-to-come-by source of these ideas and facts. It has been worth the struggle, and I am happy with the purchase.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars happy with this book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I love this book! I had to read it for my history class and I loved is so much I am reading it again :).
    3 people found this helpful
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  • 1skaut1
    4.0 out of 5 stars Ok
    Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Thanks
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  • Tatiana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you for your service!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Medieval Technology and Social Change of Lynn White is a distinguished book. I am happy to have it in my library.
    Thank you for your service!
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Pierluigi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classico della letteratura scientifica
    Reviewed in Italy on November 9, 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Un classico della letteratura scientifica sulla tecnica e tecnologia del Medioevo.
    L'autrice giustamente ricorda Marc Bloch, ponendosi con questo testo in continuità con le teorie del primo e sviluppando in maniera generale e documentata grandi tematiche della tecnica medievale come la forza e la potenza dei risorse naturali quali il vento e l'acqua.
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  • Amazon カスタマー
    4.0 out of 5 stars 西欧中世の技術発達を概観できる
    Reviewed in Japan on September 1, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    数年前より西欧中世社会の発展に興味を持ち、技術と生産活動の関係について論じる本を探していた。日本語訳もあったが高価であるため、いっそのこと英語原本を読むことにして正解だった。私自身が機械屋でもあり英語技術文献を読みなれていることもあったが、幾つかのKey Wordsさえ調べれば、ホワイト氏の文章はとても明快なので理解しやすかった。
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  • Jonathan Brun
    5.0 out of 5 stars Man made master
    Reviewed in Canada on October 15, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Fascinating, fascinating.

    Recommended by Paul Graham.

    This book outlines key technological innovations in medieval europe that set the foundations for future innovation and the industrial revolution. The invention of the Stirrup allowed mounted soldiers to wield massive power and become a centaur - become one with the horse.

    The development of the iron plough completely changed our ability to till fields and grow more crops.

    Tri-field rotation of crops increased production substantially and also offered more diversity in crop growth and diet. It also helped grow legumes, which provied valuable proteins to the population. It also allowed oats to be grown for horses which further encouraged the use of horses

    The invention of the proper horse harness allowed us to capture 4 times more horesepower than before, also encouraging us to use horses more often and breed them.

    The use of horses over oxen increased ability to till land, transport goods, conduct warfare and so much more.

    The creation and use of windmills allowed many applications to be done and fundamentally changed social structure, where we now had to share windmill time along with sharing crop land due to the rotational behavior above. This changed human society and made us more collaborative and collective and less individualistic.

    Invention of the clock too!!

    The invention of the crank, the flywheel, escapements and various other innovations allowed the creation of many different machines to reduce manual labor and increase output dramatically.

    In short, these compounding inventions and developments opened humanity's eyes to what was possible and inverted our role from a species that was subject to the variations in nature to a species that could master the universe using our brains.

    As Roger Bacon said in 1226, "Ships may be made to move without oars or rowers, so that large vessels might be driven on the sea or on a river by a single man, and more swiftly than if they were strongly manned. Chariots can be built which can move without any draught animal at incalculable speed . . . flying machines might be made in the middle of which a man might sit, turning a certain mechanism whereby artfully built wings might beat the air, in the manner of a bird in flight. Another instrument could be made which, although small, will lift or lower weights of almost infinite greatness . . . Again, instruments might be made for walking in the sea, or in rivers, even to the very bottom, without bodily danger . . . and very many things of this sort might be made: bridges which cross rivers without pier or prop whatsoever, and unheard of machines and engines."
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  • Mrs. RM KLEPPMANN
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2012
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    White certainly refutes the idea of the Middle Ages being all darkness, ignorance and brutality. The technological developments during that period were stunning, but we normally do not appreciate them because they are the foundation of our world and we take them for granted.

    She explains the evidence for e.g. stirrups, horseshoes, the crank etc in its historical context e.g. early findings in China, which is helpful but more helpful (for me) is the aspect of social change. For example, the heavy plough was better than the scratch plough for most soil types north of the Alps, but it needed more power (oxen) which then necessitated more cooperation in a village but the result was a better harvest. Later, horses had their advantages (faster workers) and disadvantages (oat consumers).

    With this kind of explanation a lot of history makes eminent sense.

    Weaknesses:
    The footnotes take up far too much space - up to 1/3 of a page.
    White assumes that all her readers understand latin and doesn't translate any of the quotes which are presumably relevant.
    She also assumes that her readers already understand the construction of cranks, treadles etc. There is not a single drawing anywhere and the pictures showing engravings etc are tucked away at the back ... after the index.
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