Book excerpt: The essays collected in this volume (including one hitherto unpublished, one in a revised version, and others now provided with additional notes) examine the intellectual and cultural life of early medieval western Europe from a number of different perspectives. The author argues that Carolingian learning must be seen within the general context of the Dynasty's attempt to reform society along Christian lines, and not as a medieval renaissance or revival of classical culture. The efforts of Carolingian leaders and scholars often led to varied results - one of the hallmarks of intellectual and cultural life of the period. Several of the essays focus on prominent themes in 9th century intellectual history - the arts, Bible, education, the role of the Irish - while others shed new light major Carolingian figures such as John Scottus Eriugena, Martin Scottus, Haimo of Auxerre, and Hincmar of Laon. The centrality of the manuscript to the reconstruction of intellectual life of the period is a theme common to all the essays.