"Not only an engrossing read about the distant past, both informative and entertaining, but also a profoundly thought-provoking view of our not-really-so-‘new’ present . . . All medieval history is here, beautifully narrated . . . The vision takes in whole imperial landscapes but also makes room for intimate portraits of key individuals, and even some poems."—Wall Street Journal"A lively history . . . [Jones] has managed to touch every major topic. As each piece of the puzzle is placed into position, the modern world gradually comes into view . . .Powers and Thronesprovides the reader with a framework for understanding a complicated subject, and it tells the story of an essential era of world history with skill and style."—The New York TimesTheNew York Timesbestselling author returns with an epic history of the medieval world—a rich and complicated reappraisal of an era whose legacy...