Although advances in hygiene, medicine, and cuisine, to name a few, have certainly advanced since ancient and medieval times, the Totally Gross History series gets down and dirty with some of the weirder d more disgusting des of early history. In contrast to these ancient civilizations, Europe in the Middle Ages wasn't particularly medically advanced, and Medieval Europe examines how this lack of scientific knowledge combined with filthy living conditions to create an environment where the Black Death thrived. Engaging anecdotes and glossy photos ntrary to the series title, nothing pictured is too disgusting ke this a highly readable series that is careful not to dramatize as it points out that many Western behaviors may seem gross to other cultures.