Book Review

This is a book review of Medieval Warfare: A History by Maurice Keen. Thesis: How these works contribute to the development of heavy calvary warfare in the Middle Ages and the social, technological, economic changes that enabled that form of warfare. Guidelines: A Speculum-style book review is a concise, scholarly critique published in Speculum: A Journal of Medieval Studies. It prioritizes a clear description of the author’s method, purpose, and argument, followed by a fair, rigorous assessment of the work’s strengths, weaknesses, and contribution to the field. Key Characteristics and Requirements: Focus: Must be original, not based on other reviews or publisher content, and focused on works within the medieval period (c. 5001500). Structure: Introduction: Identifies the book’s thesis and scholarly context. Body: Analyzes the author’s methodology, use of primary sources, and strength of arguments, often highlighting specific chapters. Conclusion: Evaluates the work’s overall contribution to medieval studies (e.g., literature, history, art). Tone & Style: Academic, objective, and critical but constructive. It avoids overly personal or informal language. Formatting: No footnotes, charts, or illustrations are allowed in the review itself. Language: Adheres to American spelling and punctuation guidelines (e.g., “color,” not “colour”).