Fiefs and Vassals is a book that will change our view of the medieval world. Offering a fundamental challenge to orthodox conceptions of feudalism, Susan Reynolds argues that the concepts of fiefs and vassalage that have been central to the understanding of medieval society for hundreds of years are in fact based on a misunderstanding of the primary sources.
Reynolds demonstrates convincingly that the ideas of fiefs and vassalage as currently understood, far from being the central structural elements of medieval social and economic relations, are a conceptual lens through which historians...

This wide-ranging and perceptive book focuses on the collective values and activities of lay society over several centuries, from trade guilds and manor courts to the development of parliaments and the rule of feudal monarchs. It offers a new approach to the history of medieval Europe. The second edition of this important study incorporates a substantial new introduction, which amplifies the arguments of the original edition and takes account of recent research.

Transform your team during crises and establish an enthusiastic and strategic culture

In an approach similar to the way a doctor reads a chart and runs tests to diagnosis an illness, Prescription for Lasting Success offers a practical system for solving problems in an organization. Leaders can get back on track and increase their effectiveness in spite of significant change. Readers learn to diagnose the 4 Ps: purpose, passion, planning, and people. Using the 4 Ps model, the book gives practical suggestions to help teams, businesses, and associations increase their...