Jamie Kreiner Book order

A revelatory account of how Christian monks identified distraction as a fundamental challenge—and how their efforts to defeat it can inform ours, more than a millennium later

The book delves into early medieval life through the pivotal role of pigs in agriculture and culture across regions from North Africa to the British Isles. Jamie Kreiner investigates how pigs influenced ecological systems, economic practices, and philosophical thought, highlighting their impact on human identity and community structures. By utilizing a blend of textual, visual, and archaeological evidence, she reveals the intricate relationships between humans and pigs, ultimately illustrating how these animals became a profound symbol of Christianity by the end of the early Middle Ages.

This book explains how Christianity influenced the government, how religion was flexible, and how literature became one of the most influential forces in early medieval Gaul. Its picture of post-Roman Europe as a philosophical, collaborative and experimental society will both attract and surprise fans of 'barbarian' and early Christian history.

Exploring the transformative power of storytelling, this book delves into how influential narratives reshaped the political landscape of early medieval society. It examines the interplay between these stories and their impact on governance, social structures, and cultural norms, highlighting the role of narrative in influencing public perception and political dynamics.