Reading age for native speakers: Middle School students (8th grade)

Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose is a brilliant mystery set in a fictitious medieval monastery. The text is rich with literary, historical, and theoretical references that make it eminently re-readable. The Key makes each reading fuller and more meaningful by helping the interested reader not merely to read but also to understand Eco's masterful work. Inspired by pleas from friends and strangers, the authors, each trained in Classics, undertook to translate and explain the Latin phrases that pepper the story. They have produced an approachable, informative guide to the book and its setting--the middle ages. The Key includes an introduction to the book, the middle ages, Umberto Eco, and philosophical and literary theories; a useful chronology; and reference notes to historical people and events.

This book examines the place of the Middle Ages in modern popular culture, exploring the roots of the stereotypes that appear in films, on television and in the press. The book also asks whether "medieval" is indeed a useful category in terms of historical periodization. It investigates some of the particular challenges posed by medieval sources and the ways in which they have survived, and concludes with an exploration of the relevance of medieval history in today's world.
Thinking Medieval is targeted to an introductory academic audience, but it is so well written, easy to read and fascinating it would appeal to anyone with an interest in the Middle Ages. This is really a book about "medievalism" - the Middles Ages in popular culture and modern scholarship - which is extremely helpful in better understanding how to approach and read medieval history. Dr. Marcus Bull is a professor at Bristol University in England.

Вторым более новым учебничком (1923 года), то же оксфордское издание и те же авторы пишут уже следущую книжицу. На сей раз речь идет о Middle English Grammar. Этот исторический период является чем-то средним между староанглийским и модерн-английским. Очень интересна. Огромное колличество фактов, которое не даств Вам ни одно современное издание. Опять же описываются происхождения новых слов, влияние французского и славянских языков. Грамотно расписанна эволюция и становление грамматики.
A great book of the Oxford edition (1923) with grammar between old and middle English and reflecting to modern English from that time. A great number of facts that helps you to understand the modern language. It describes origin of new words, the influence of French and Slavic languages. Competent description of evolution and use of grammar.

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