The Public Scholar with David Perry

In 'Sacred Plunder,' David M. Perry explores Venice's central role in the Fourth Crusade and the material, cultural, and political consequences that followed the sack of Constantinople. The book analyzes how looted sacred objects and wealth reshaped Venetian identity, institutions, and international standing. Combining archival research with interpretive analysis, Perry traces the long-term impacts of crusader plunder on Mediterranean networks and Venice's rise. The work situates Venetian actions within broader debates about sanctity, profit, and memory in medieval Christianity. It is an example of Perry's detailed archival scholarship and contributions to medieval studies.

In 'The Bright Ages', Matthew Gabriele and David M. Perry offer a nuanced view of the Middle Ages, challenging stereotypes by showcasing the complexity and humanity of the period. The book spans ten centuries, exploring events like the Fall of Rome, the Crusades, and the Black Death, while also highlighting the contributions of influential figures such as Hildegard of Bingen and the power of queens.

Oathbreakers is the dramatic history of the brutal, turbulent time of the Carolingian Civil War. Medieval historians David M. Perry and Matthew Gabriele illuminate what happens when a once unshakeable political and cultural order breaks down and long suppressed tensions flare into deadly violence. Drawn from rich primary sources, the book features a wide cast of characters and is packed with dramatic twists and turns, rivaling the greatest fictional epics. It explores the consequences of disagreeing on facts and reality, the sacredness of royal oaths, and the bloody conflicts that shaped the trajectory of medieval Europe.

David M. Perry's The Public Scholar provides practical, workshop-tested advice for academics seeking to write for public audiences. Drawing on his experience as a medieval historian turned freelance writer and columnist, Perry lays out pitching strategies, essay craft, navigating pay and social media, and different public-writing formats. The book emphasizes moving quickly in response to news, accepting the loss of control that public work entails, and expanding the scope of topics writers feel qualified to address. It targets the 'hidden curriculum' absent from graduate training and aims to make public scholarship approachable and sustainable. The handbook balances concrete how-to steps with reflection on the social value of informed public commentary.