Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Synopsis
Intricate and meticulous illustrations bring history to life in this wide-ranging castle tour that covers both the majestic splendour of the great halls and the hardships of living in a feudal society - from the building of a castle to shopping in a medieval marketplace. A magnificent 8-page gatefold opens up to a cutaway view of the castle — both inside and out — and lets viewers get an up-close view of all the rooms and people going about their everyday tasks. Includes an illustrated glossary and index.
School Library Journal
Gr 3-9-An approachable, comprehensive, clearly illustrated overview of medieval European (and a few Near Eastern) castles. The book's strengths are its well-organized format and careful balance of text and illustrations. Steele touches on almost every facet of castle construction, inhabitants, celebrations, and rituals, as well as more mundane topics such as sanitation and the kitchen. He gives an excellent, yet simple description of the steps to becoming a knight, the correct way to behave at a banquet, and the roles of peasants. Full-color photographs of realia, period art reproductions, and drawings combine with highlighted or bold text to keep the eye flowing from one page to the next. A four-page foldout of a castle and its environs add distinction to the book. The glossary is well formatted, and an index and illustrated timeline of castles from A.D. 476-1453 make this title a sound choice for young researchers.-Joan Soulliere, Wenham Public Library, MA