Making of Europe

Definitely a nontraditional look at Europe and colonization. I've long known and felt that modern Europe came out of the Medieval period, but I hadn't thought where Europe's penchant for colonization came from. This examination of a distinctly European identity that spread chiefly from Western Europe is intriguing. At times I feel he conflates the argument a little too much in order the use the4 word colonization in there, but I can't argue with his overall thesis.

I was particularly fascinated by his examination of the roots of European racism, and how it came to be. At first, I was wary since he stated that it began as people all of the same skin colors, but he changed my mind. It's sad to see how the gradual emergence of ethnic racism based on being German vs Slav, or English vs Irish, but there it is. While he doesn't spend too much time on racism based on skin color, it's not hard to make the leap after reading his book.

Overall, an excellent book on the Middle Ages, and, as the book states, how Europe became Europe.