This is an amazing dossier on the peoples of the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. I recommend it for anyone who wants to know the heart and soul of that period in human history, from its genetic propensities to the superstitions that motivated the individuals who comprised it, all the way to the burst of edifying light on their dull gray minds. It is fast paced and enthralling from cover to cover, and Manchester ties it all together beautifully while making an impeccable case for Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe.