Alexander and Pacht are simpley the best in Medieval scholorship. This book has been one of my favorites since a class in Manuscriopt Illumination. This book gives the basics with out being to large to digest. It provides fantastic illustrations and bibliography that should send even the most jaded art historian to their knees with gratitude. This book is good for hard core historians, lovers of illuminated pages, medieval history or art buffs and any one in love with line, color and decoration for the sake of decoration. Alexander and Pacht are clear knowledgeable writers who love to point out the details and side stories that make art and history so facinating to comb through. It is a pleasure to just turn the pages and study the art work. This book will give you a new appriciation of the "dark ages" and the legacy of art that was left for us.