The period between 770 and 880 experienced an explosion of words signalling the documentary reawakening of Western civilization; this anthology offers a plentiful and engaging selection of primary source documents from that vibrant era.

Among the material new to this second edition are Rimbert's Life of Anskar, with its detailed account of the Carolingian missionary contact with Scandinavia, Ratramnus's study of the dog-headed men, the monk Bernard's Journey to Jerusalem, new specimens of popular beliefs, Audradus Modicus's complete Book of Revelations, and new maps and illustrations.