Book Review: Self-Help from the Middle Ages
2nd August 2026
Jones begins with pride, superbia, which was and is considered the worst of the seven, then through envy, wrath, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust. The medieval terms for each one differ from what we use today, and had different connotations. For each one the author provides a personal example, then medieval discussions, illustrations, what was recommended by the church as ways to turn error into something helpful or outward-looking, and a conclusion. I admit, some of the descriptions and discussions made me twitch, because they struck a little too close to home. These are things we all struggle with, even if we are not all church members, let alone Roman Catholics. Who has not flown into a rage, often over something that would otherwise be a minor irritation? Who has not ignored other people’s opinions, or tried to stand out a little too much at some point, with the idea that we are better than the other person or people? Many of us have probably been unhappy about someone else’s success, perhaps not to the point of trying to damage or destroy it (medieval “envy.”)
I have this book on order from Amazon, on her recommendation. (If you haven’t read her Familiar Tales series of books, I weep for you.)