Both authoritative and attractive, this is a most welcome study. One may resist or qualify the thesis and still be greatly edified by this cornucopia of facts and insights... Many apt illustrations and abundant, instructive documentation enhance the text. CHOICE Monasticism is often seen as a central driving force of the medieval world - `a specific spiritual ideal and aim of perfection implemented as a lifestyle' - which had a considerable impact on society as a whole. This challenging book reexamines this view, looking at how monastic ideals and practices interacted with the world outside the monastery walls. Professor Milis believes that, because monastic records predominate, there is a serious risk that the monks' role may have been overemphasised. From this base he sets out to examine what effect monasticism really had on ordinary people, and argues that because monasticism denied the intrinsic value of earthly life, instead placing emphasis on the transcendental afterlife, it was almost ineffective as a force for social change. LUDO J.R. MILISis Professor of Cultural and Religious History of the Middle Ages at the University of Ghent.