28 pages • 56 minutes read
The Black Death
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
256
Book • Nonfiction
Europe • 14th century
1969
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Philip Ziegler's The Black Death chronicles the devastating 14th-century plague that decimated one-third of Europe's population, exploring its origins, rapid spread, and profound economic and societal impacts, particularly in England, with in-depth analysis and reflections on its lasting consequences. It contains antisemitic language and graphic descriptions of death.
Dark
Informative
Unnerving
Melancholic
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
1,829 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Philip Ziegler's The Black Death provides a detailed and accessible analysis of the 14th-century plague, filled with vivid historical anecdotes. While praised for its engaging narrative and thorough research, some critics note a lack of depth in economic analysis. Nonetheless, it remains a valuable resource on the topic.
Who Should Read The Black Death?
Readers who enjoy engaging, well-researched historical narratives will find Philip Ziegler's The Black Death captivating. Ideal for fans of Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror or John Kelly's The Great Mortality, this book is perfect for those interested in medieval history, epidemiology, or vivid storytelling of past pandemics.
1,829 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
256
Book • Nonfiction
Europe • 14th century
1969
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.