Beginning of the Middle Ages offers a concise and accessible overview of the period from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE to the rise of Charlemagne in the 8th century. Church provides a clear and engaging narrative, exploring the political, social, and cultural transformations that marked this era. He traces the rise of the Germanic kingdoms, the spread of Christianity, and the emergence of the Papacy. Church also examines the challenges posed by barbarian invasions, the decline of urban life, and the rise of feudalism.