Rating: 
Summary: Readable and Interesting
Review: This book is highly recommended for those who want a quick overview of the transition between what we call the Medieval Ages and the Renaissance. While sometimes its organization leaves one wondering about the overall theme, it does cover important points concerning the role of the papacy and the Reformation. A good start for those who want a short introduction on these subjects.While Manchester's interpretation of events can be questioned, that is different than to say the facts are in error. For example, Norman Cantor in the 1993 first edition of "The Civilization of the Middle Ages, A Completely Revised and Expanded Edition of Medieval History" suffered from serious errors of facts. On page 123 he stated "It took the Arabs.... seven centuries to take Constantinople." Anyone remotely familiar with the history of that event would have known it was the Ottoman Turks who conquered the city. As if that was not enough, on page 479 he went on to state that Marco Polo was Florentine! While later versions corrected these mistakes, the point is those mistakes never seemed to get mentioned as a problem by the initial reviewers! Thus, while Manchester's wandering may leave you agitated or enlightened, it should not be dismissed. A great read that expands one's insights and makes one want to learn more about those times.
Rating:
Summary: Mavelous review of the medieval excesses
Review: A wonderful, engaging, coherent look at a remarkably confusing period. Manchester makes it come alive, provides continuity to seemingly chaos and describes it all in terms vivid enough to last life time. His descriptions of the major players and the times they lived kept me entralled. A must.
Rating:
Summary: the most entertaining history book you will ever read
Review: This book is absolutely marvelous. While others may criticize Manchester for not being 'scholarly' and sticking to movements and the generalities of medieval Europe, I say "Thank you!" We didn't read this to be taught "and this king begat this king who begat this. . ." and all that rubbish. We didn't read it to memorize "and this is the year which is considered the beginning of the --- period in . . ." We don't care. We read it because we wanted to know some of the more interesting tidbits that one of the most fascinating periods in human history has to offer us. Thats what makes history intresting! Not the dates of certain reigns of certain monarchs, but what those monarchs actually did that our World History books back in tenth grade failed to mention, being deemed inappropriate for 15 year olds. I encountered this book in an AP European History course, and of the 17 members of the class, I can't name a one that regretted taking time out of the summer before their senior year to read this book. Intresting books like this are what inspired me to become a history major, and I have no clue as to why anyone would want to go into History if all it was was boring dissertations and thesises having solely to do with what generally happened when. Without facets of history like the ones presented in this book, no one in there right mind would ever give a second thougt to the subject. Also, I myself am a Catholic but have the good sense to recognize the shortcomings of past leaders and their practices. To say that A World Lit Only by Fire is unfairly Anti-Catholic for airing some of the dirty laundry of Renaissance popes is comparable to saying that Schindler's List is unfairly Anti-German for presenting them in an unfavorable light.
Rating: 
Summary: easy reading, entertaining, information questionable
Review: although i am not one to read historical nonfiction frequently, manchester's discriptive language (almost too discriptive) encaptures the reader. divided into three sections: the medieval mind (dark ages reflected ignorance, brutality, and prmitiveness prevailed in europe for several centuries) the shattering (characterization of the hypocritical papacy during the high middle ages and early renaissance. he supplements this corruption with illustrative occurences of seduction and lust) one man alone (ferdinand magellan as the epitamy of heroism and exploration, as he circumnavigated the earth he western civilization from "a world lit only by fire"). a good read; though, how much is true?
Rating: 
Summary: Chock-full of incorrect or misleading information
Review: The only thing decent about this book is the treatment of Ferdinand Magellan-- but then, I understand the book is an expansion of an article on Magellan that Manchester wrote earlier. He should have stuck with the article, or written a book just on Magellan. Generally, the book is full of historical views that are outdated, discredited, or just plain without any basis in fact at all. The history of the period has been lumped together into one giant chaotic mass, with little attempt to show change over time. It appears that his main sources for his research were children's history books written before 1950 and Victorian "historical" porno novels. It was an enjoyable read, in the sense that such novels as "Princess Daisy" are enjoyable, but it is worthless and misleading as a source of actual historical information. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS ONE!
Rating:
Summary: What Borgia Pope?
Review: The history of the mind and cultural evolution is oft passed over, but Manchester tells quite a lucid (and sometimes lurid) tale here. His stories of the Renaissance Vatican are certainly the bits always passed over in Catechism. The last section of the book, about Magellan's circumnavigation, is brilliant enough to be awe-inspiring. I have given this book as a gift on more than one occasion and will continue to do so.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost completely unorganized.
Review: He has some useful information but the way it is conveyed is completely unorganized. Jumps around from popes to maglelon.
Rating:
Summary: History for people who hate dates.
Review: In spite of some of the nit-pickers who fret about Manchester's generalizations, this book is for people who really like living, breathing characterizations of the ages and people who shaped the events of their time. Contrary to one reader's comment, this is not an anti-Catholic book. The Church has its sordid side in days past, but Manchester demonstrates that its positive strenghts and values survived some of the abuses of its leaders. I have recommened this book to many people including members of the clergy. Everyone has commented that they took some valuable knowledge away from it.
Rating:
Summary: ENTERTAINING BUT HARDLY SCHOLARSHIP
Review: I HAVE READ MOST OF MANCHESTER'S WORKS AND FOUND THIS ONE TO ENTERTAINING READING BUT HARDLY SCHOLARLY. THE SEX LIVES OF POPES, CARDINALS AND NUNS WOULD MAKE A GOOD PLAYBOY SHORT. IN FACT AT TIMES THE BOOK SEEMS LIKE AN ANTI CATHOLIC POLEMIC. IF YOU NEED TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE ERA GO BACK TO HUIZINGA AND TAKE A TRIP TO FLORENCE. IF YOU WANT A BOOK TO TAKE ON VACATION THIS ONES OK
Rating:
Summary: A book to devour; a book to send you back to the bookstore.
Review: Manchester makes the age come alive. Half-way through the book, I reported to my 80 year old mother who had just finished her re-read of Dante and was ready for a new "read." She obtained it and finished it before I did! Loved it. Looking over some of the reviews here by the 'scholars' I am reminded of the definition of an expert: An "X" in mathmatics is an unknown factor and a "spurt" is a drip under pressure. Perhaps scholarly experts do not wish to read about how out of touch those in power really may be. Read this book!
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