Books like King Death by Colin Platt

Joseph Campbell explores mythology as the world’s song, discussing its relevance for modern life, faith, and culture with interviewer Bill Moyers in this engaging dialogue.

Joseph Campbell’s classic study of myth examines how recurring hero narratives shape human experience and inspire modern storytelling, from ancient folklore to contemporary cinema.

The Black Death is the name most commonly given to the pandemic of bubonic plague that ravaged the medieval world in the late 1340s. From Central Asia the plague swept through Europe, leaving millions of dead in its wake. Between a quarter and a third of Europe's population died. In England the population fell from nearly six million to just over three million. The Black Death was the greatest demographic disaster in European history. Sean Martin looks at the origins of the disease and traces its terrible march through Europe from the Italian cities to the far-flung corners of Scandinavia. He describes contemporary responses to the plague and makes clear how helpless was the medicine of the day in the face of it. He examines the renewed persecution of the Jews, blamed by many Christians for the spread of the disease, and highlights the bizarre attempts by such groups as the Flagellants to ward off what they saw as the wrath of God. His book is a vivid and dramatic account of one of the great catastrophes of history.

A concise exploration of the Black Death, tracing its origins, spread, and impact across fourteenth‑century England and Europe, and detailing the later scientific discoveries that identified and treated the plague.

Norman F. Cantor’s study examines the impact of the 1348-1350 bubonic plague on Europe’s population, social structures, and political landscape.

It has been said that the part of Medieval history which scholars find most challenging to elucidate is the emotional life of Medieval families. Indeed, it is an area that is surrounded by a sense of mystery and superstition. In The Rescue of the Innocents, Ronald Finucane seeks to examine this area by focusing on the influence of miracles on the lives of children during the Middle Ages. Finucane explores rampant reports of "miraculous" happenings, delving into the experiences of six hundred children who were rescued, cured, or resuscitated - it was thought - by the holy dead. He analyzes the impact that these wonders had on the families of the children, comparing the differences between experiences of families in the north and the south of Europe. The reactions of mothers in particular, in comparison to fathers and other kin, are studied for their distinctive quality. In addition, Finucane breaks with the traditions of Medieval historians and concentrates on only one type of source: hagiographical records.