This short reader includes selections from Stouck's longer volume, Medieval Saints: A Reader, along with new material. It is designed to briefly introduce students to many of the most famous and representative saints of the age, and can be used to supplement other texts in a more general medieval history course.
A Short Reader of Medieval Saints is a useful primer for any course dealing with medieval theology or history. Moreover, it could also serve as a starting point for examining the significance of hagiography and fable that surround the lives of saints. Students will find it informative, accessible, and even occasionally entertaining, if not shocking; while instructors and professors will value the way it covers a larger swath of material without sacrificing too much in its size. Without reservation, Stouck's newest offering is worth a hearty look.