The Archaeology of Weapons: Arms and Armour from Prehistory to the Age of Chivalry (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) [Paperback]

R. Ewart Oakeshott (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor | Publication Date: October 18, 1996

Tremendously detailed and thorough account of premodern weapons of war — from the prehistoric Bronze and Iron Ages and the breakup of the Roman Empire, to the Viking era and the Age of Chivalry. Profusely illustrated with a host of armor and weapons: daggers, longbows, crossbows, helmets, swords, shields, spears and more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Arms and armor from prehistory to the age of chivalry are covered in this detailed analysis of medieval arms development. More than 30 centuries are studied here, but the tone is lively and light, using evidence of arms found during excavations and descriptions in literature and art to lend insight into early warfare. The Archaeology of Weapons is good for high school study or for leisure browsers. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (October 18, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486292886
• ISBN-13: 978-0486292885
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #491,072 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy Reading Doesn't Mean Light on Research, May 27, 1998

By 

Holly Ingraham "ailurophile" (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Archaeology of Weapons: Arms and Armour from Prehistory to the Age of Chivalry (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) (Paperback)

I was actually prepared to take a negative view of this book, but Oakeshott's relaxed but enthusiastic and well-informed book won me over. This subject is obviously the love of his intellectual life, and he has compiled a wonderful study of the development of swords, often being able to match those in art to surviving bits, and the rest of weaponry by the by. He discusses techniques of use with good sense and practical experiments. Also, he is one of the few authors to mention that the Vikings were adept at riding and fighting, by his choice of quotes, and explaining the term Riddaraskap.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice, but confussing, April 13, 2001

By 

Lazou Maria Virginia (Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Archaeology of Weapons: Arms and Armour from Prehistory to the Age of Chivalry (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) (Paperback)

I found that this book serves the purpose I bought it for to its best. However, the author seems to wander off at times, following his line of thought towards other directions from those he's pursuing, fact which can become tiring. Also, if you're looking for illustrations this book is definitely not for you. The content is very interesting and detailed, and he covers many subjects, although he says his main interest is the Medieval Era. I recommend it, but it would be best if read in conjunction with another book with more illustrations and less historical fact.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dark Ages Made Clearer, June 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Archaeology of Weapons: Arms and Armour from Prehistory to the Age of Chivalry (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) (Paperback)

Ewart Oakeshott is one of those rarest of wonders, a historian who captures the imagination and holds one's attention. Critics have said that as an authority on swords he is not a god. Of course not! Like any decent scholar, he names his sources so that his facts can be taken in context and noted along with other reference works. It is just this accessibility and the down-to-earth quality of his prose that has endeared him to history buffs, weapons enthusiasts and the average reader alike for decades. It has been nearly twenty years since I first picked up "Dark Age Warrior" and his engaging style speaks to us as clearly as ever.