The Power of Peasants: Economics and Politics of Farming in Medieval Germany 2-vol. set paperback

A history of civilization from the perspective of farmers. When farmers were victorious in their fight for greater freedom, whole civilizations advanced; when they were defeated, societies stagnated and collapsed. But winning access to land, liberty, and prosperity required bitter struggles by farmers against the masters of society who, to maximize their own wealth and power, sought to reduce the producers to poverty and servitude. Looking at history from the perspective of the farmers and other working people allows us to understand why history took the course it did and better prepares us for battles that lie ahead.

A “review of civilization's events through the perspective of farmers…a powerful survey that does far more than recap common knowledge…surprisingly accessible, delightfully enlightening reading…. The often-startling, eye-opening, thought-provoking contentions are exceptional and hard-hitting…very highly recommended; ideally to a much wider audience than its scholarship, size, and subject would seem to indicate” D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“Dees’ book is an important contribution. Whether or not the reader agrees with the approach,... there are too few writers that are prepared to challenge prevailing historical orthodoxies. Dees certainly does that, taking on historians, scientists, economists and political theorists in an often engaging and informed way. Most importantly, his book celebrates the struggles of ordinary people of the past, to inform those of the present.” — Martin Empson, Agricultural History Review

“Your agrarian and cultural-historical study is not only of fundamental importance for the circumstances in Memmingen and its surroundings, but through comparison with other European countries extremely exciting to read…. Your analysis, rich in detail, will acquire a very special meaning next year (500th anniversary of the 1525 Peasant War)…. A comprehensive appendix with chronology, money, weights and measures, and much more makes your study an important reference work…. We hope that your book will become known to a wide audience and find many interested readers.” Günter Steiner, Official councilor in the Augsburg State Archives