Charlemagne father of a continent alessandro barbero 37 out of 5 stars 10 paperback 2217 charlemagne the formation of a european identity rosamond mckitterick 40 out of 5 stars 8 paperback 2557 charlemagne matthias becher 46 out of 5 stars 9 paperback 1800. Charlemagne is the most interesting historical person for me his era marks the end of the dark ages and the rebirth of europe the salvation of the roman church from domination by byzantium and the end of the germanic and celtic tribal wanderings that upended the continent for millennia. The most important study of charlemagne in a generation this biography by distinguished medievalist alessandro barbero illuminates both the man and the world in which he lived charles the great charlemagne reigned from ad 768 to ad 814. Charlemagne father of a continent alessandro barbero university of california press sep 10 2004 history 426 pages 5 reviews the most important study of charlemagne in a generation this biography by distinguished medievalist alessandro barbero illuminates both the man and the world in which he lived charles the great charlemagne . Charlemagne father of a continent review john d hosler the journal of military history volume 70 number 2 april 2006 pp 490 492 review charlemagnes wars against the lombards and the pagans saxons muslims and avars and are quite informative and well suited for a historical biogra