Choice Review

Medieval historian Bailey (Iowa State Univ.) begins with the story of a plastic icon of St. Joseph (patron saint of homes and home life) his aunt gave him to help sell his house. Superstitions abound in the modern world, and although today they are seen as, well, silly, this reviewer also patted the head of the bronze bust of his college library's major benefactor upon entering. Medieval conceptions of superstition were quite different. Medieval authorities were very concerned about how rituals intended as pious devotion could lead to heresy if wrongly performed or understood, and in the 14th and 15th centuries, superstition was a deadly serious issue. As Bailey elegantly points out, church authorities used superstition to promote proper religious devotion, and understanding these actions and beliefs is vital to understanding medieval culture and society. Basing his book upon a close reading of the primary sources, Bailey clearly explains the importance of superstition among the elite and in common practice during the late Middle Ages and explains how authorities sought to create a coherent theory of superstition to better control society. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. J. M. B. Porter Butler University