Kings and Castles and Thomas Cahill at the Coolidge

It’s not that THOMAS CAHILL writes the Reader’s Digest version of history, but he does have the ability to cut through the doldrums of thesis speak and sprinkle in more than a few pop-culture comparisons. Mysteries of the Middle Ages: The Rise of Feminism, Science, and Art from the Cults of Catholic Europe offers an accessible journey through the development of early Roman Catholic thought. Scholarly without being stuffy is a tough line to draw — the book’s sweet color illustrations certainly help. Screw Medieval Times (the restaurant) — just grab a bloody leg of lamb and go hang out with Cahill at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline | 6 pm | $2 | 617.734.2501.