Barbarian law refers to a group of laws written in the 6th to early 9th centuries by people speaking a Germanic dialect who recorded their territorial laws for much of Europe. Oliver (English, Louisiana State U.) notes that these medieval laws, which were pretty civil except for treating women and the poor differently, raised issues that are still relevant. Drawing on legal, literary, and other evidence, she discusses the types and results of injuries inflicted in altercations; healing methods; redress and litigation process and procedures; and the historical roots of these laws. The volume includes maps, illustrations, tables, and charts of Wergild (compensation) tariffs in Germanic injury laws. Online appendices are available. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)