A world
...rocious sexual behaviors, even in public. What was even more shocking was the lack of obedience and regard for God among the church itself, including the nuns, monks, and even the priests themselves. Another example of the church’s corruption was the belief that it was always right. So many deaths were the result of heresy. If not deaths, then unusual punishments, such as pilgrimages were specified. The corruption within the church effected many. Ghastly behaviors were viewed as everyday practices among the common people. The corruption of the church eventually led to many revolts, reformers, and even humanists. Many examples could be distinguished throughout the book of how the church began and continued to deteriorate, especially in the beginning of “The Shattering”. His last, but not least, point of his book was the accomplishments and hardships of sailors, especially Magellan’s. This point was adequately covered in “One Man Alone”. Manchester cites many examples of how hard it was for the sailors to go abroad on a journey. Lack of advanced tools, funds, food, detailed maps, advanced shipbuilding skills all contributed to their hardships. Still, many sailors were able to fulfill their journey. The most important journey mentioned in Manchester’s book was no doubt the circumnavigation of Magellan. Though unknown to Magellan, he had also discovered the strait of Magellan and, even more of importance, Magellan had unwillingly proved that the world indeed does revolve. However, many other sailors, though not as heroic as Magellan, had also completed satisfying journeys. Some examples include Leif Erikson, Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama. I think the author’s intended audience was aimed more towards the older generation, around the ages of thirty to forty. However, I think many high school and college students would appreciate Manchester’s work. His intended purpose, to shed light into the world of the Medieval Ages and the Renaissance, was carried out well. After reading his book, my knowledge on this topic was much broader. Though many different themes can be found in his book, I think Manchester mainly focuses on the years following the downfall of the Roman Empire as his theme. He harshly states the many many faults of this era between 450 and 1450. Manchester shows the changing of society from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance in a very vivid and enlightening manner throughout his book. Though he mainly spotlights on the bad things of the Western Civilization, Manchester still manages to point out many accomplishments of many great idols such as Leonardo Da Vinci. He emphasizes how new ideas were always contested by the ones in supreme authority…the Catholic Church in Rome. Manchester also points out the struggle against this supreme authority and the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church until the Protestant Reformation. All in all, I think his theme, the Western Civilization, was carried out well thought, organized, and perceptively. Manchester’s thesis and major points, numerous, were effectively communicated. A reader could easily grasp the entirety of his book as a whole and apart. All of his major points blend together to create an incredible statement about the life during the Medieval Ages, Renaissance Ages, and the life in between. I agree with Manchester’s point of vie...