A.P. EUROPEAN HISTORY - A WORLD LIT ONLY BY FIRE
Directions: Answer the following questions as you read A World Lit Only by Fire by William
Manchester. You do not have to use complete sentences. (1 point each)
Part I - The Medieval Mind (pp. 3 - 28)
1. Read the first eight pages and give examples of the violence of the age.
2. Who was the leading Christian writer/theologian of the time?
3. What was Henry IV's punishment for appointing bishops without the approval of the pope?
4. Give one example of why the pagan gods were still so appealing.
5. Briefly explain the origin of sainthood.
6. In what ways did Christianity embrace paganism?
7. Prior to the development of hereditary monarchy, who had to approve of each king prior to his coronation?
8. How much knowledge did the peasantry have of the Great Schism?
9. To what extent did the peasantry have a sense of time?
Part II The Shattering (Social Problems and Corruption in the Church, pp. 31 - 86)
10. Read the first six pages and give examples of how secular rulers used torture or execution.
11. Describe simony.
12. Give one example of how religious leaders used torture or execution from pp. 37-40.
13. What were "indulgences" and how did they work?
14. What is nepotism and how was it used by the popes? Give examples.
15. With what offense did Girolamo Savonarola charge Alexander VI?
16. What was the Holy Roman Empire?
17. Who was Jakob Fugger?
18. What could happen to a traveler during a famine?
19. Describe, in detail, Count Fulk's punishment for his crimes.
20. Describe one of the superstitions on page 61.
21. Give one example from page 64 of what could happen to travelers.
22. At what age could a girl legally marry? At what age could a boy legally marry?

23. By what method(s) did girls convince boys to marry them?
24. Who were the cleanest people in Europe and why were they so clean?
25. How did Alexander VI use his daughter, Lucezia, for political gain? (Hint: Think of annulment.)
26. Comment on pages 71-86.
Part III The Shattering (The Arts and Learning, pp. 86 - 131)
27. What was Copernicus's theory of the universe and how did the pope react to it?
28. Why were some people suspicious of Leonardo da Vinci?
29. What is the overall estimate for male and female illiteracy?
30. What were the three main disciplines taught at medieval universities?
31. What did Renaissance professors declare to be superior to the three traditional fields of study?
32. Who was the leading humanist of the time?
33. Why did Galileo and Pico displease the Church?
34. What was the title of Erasmus's first book and whom did he attack in it?
Part IV The Shattering (The Protestant Reformation, pp. 131 - 219)
35. Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses were, in part, a response to the selling of indulgences by whom?
36. According to Luther's father, since children were born wicked, it was virtuous for parents to do what?
37. Read pages 166-174. Why did the secular leaders (the members of the diet) support Luther?
38. What was the major issue that divided Protestants?
39. Read page 190 and describe Calvin's attitude toward criticism. Give examples.
40. Read page 191 and describe how much fun life was in Geneva. Give examples.
41. What did Henry use as justification for his annulment?
42. Why could the pope not grant him the annulment?
43. What kind of reputation did the Boleyn women have? Was it deserved?
44. What happened to Thomas More after he spoke out against Henry?

Part V One Man Alone (pp. 221 - 296)
Answer each of the following in a 6 – 8-sentence paragraph.
(3 points each)
1. Was Magellan the "mightiest explorer in history," as Manchester says he was, or was he a lunatic with god-like delusions who could not even finish the job he started? Give several examples to back up your position.
2. Who had the greatest impact on history - Luther or Magellan? Give several examples.
Critique (100 points)
Book critiques should concentrate on analysis and should be no more than one-third and no less than one-tenth summarization. What follows are some things you can include:
 What is your overall opinion of the book, and why?
 How effectively and in what ways does the theme of the book or argument of the author reflect what you already know?
 How well has the author achieved his aims? Are these aims supported or justified?
 Does the author seem fair and accurate? Is there any distortion, exaggeration, or diminishment of the material? Is the overall interpretation biased, subjective, slanted, or objective? Does the author try to look at both sides of the issue?
 Is the book interesting or boring? Why? Does the material presented raise your curiosity about the subject? Why?
 Is there enough information in the book? Is the subject treated thoroughly or summarily?
 Did you feel satisfied, disappointed, or puzzled by the book? Why?
 Is there anything distinctive or noteworthy about the book? (Give examples when possible.)
Length must be 2 - 3 Pages;
Double Spaced; Times New
Roman
A short, yet meaningful summary of the book
A meaningful critique of the book (show me that you can formulated opinions on historic events, and the author’s interpretations of these events)
Proper use of the English language
15 Points
20 Points
50 Points
15 Points
Total 100 Points
Due on August 28 th . Email as an attachment (Word is preferred) to mrdaley@jdaley.net or drop off at school (you can put it in my mail box). You may email questions any time during the summer.
This assignment will be posted on www.jdaley.net as a Word file.