Archers, Alchemists, and 98 Other Medieval Jobs You Might Have Loved or Loathed (Jobs in History) [Hardcover]

Priscilla Galloway (Author), Martha Newbigging (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 2003 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Jobs in History

A fascinating guide to strange-but-true jobs.

If you could go back in time to the Middle Ages, what do you think you would be? A bold knight? A Princess? A Cardinal? In reality, most people did jobs we can barely imagine today. Barbers cut off beards...and sickly limbs; illuminators painstakingly decorated books with gold and silver for their rich lords; gong farmers cleaned out latrines and sorted through the excrement for dropped treasure, like pennies or buttons!

This fascinating and original guide presents 100 careers, described with historical accuracy and the author's renowned wit. Sidebars expound on intriguing elements of medieval life, including the Bayeux Tapestry, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, medieval cosmetics, and torture techniques! This book is richly detailed with humorous illustrations that invite exploration and discovery.

Key Features

• Unique look at life in the Middle Ages
• Introduction, timeline, additional resources provide added value

(200401)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. Galloway introduces medieval Europe from 1000 to 1500 not by recounting dates, wars, and rulers but by discussing the occupations available in the society. Ten thematic chapters cover categories such as "Bread and Butter Jobs," "Religious Jobs," "Castle Jobs," "Dirty Jobs," and "Law and Order Jobs." After discussing how society was organized and how life differed during the Middle Ages, she focuses on individual occupations in segments that range from one to three paragraphs. Options available to women are considered in the introduction and sometimes mentioned again within the descriptions of individual jobs. Sidebars broaden the treatment with information on specific issues. The jaunty, cartoonlike ink drawings, brightened with color washes, heighten the informal, upbeat tone of the informative text. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Packed with fascinating detail... this book is a real eye-opener that kids will love. (Krys Stefansky Virginian-Pilot 20040113)

One to dip into again and again for a chuckle or a revelation. (Alison Chadsey Victoria Times Colonist 20040118)

Clear, chatty language... an appealing book... A terrific supplement to Middle Ages units. (Anne Chapman School Library Journal 200401)

An anything-but-dull look at that time period... filled with cool cartoon-style illustrations and interesting sidebars. (Marcia Borucki Chicago Tribune 20030930)

Brings the middle ages to life... accurate information presented with humor and wit. (Elizabeth Shaffer BC Parent 200403)

The jaunty, cartoonlike ink drawings, brightened with color washes, heighten the informal, upbeat tone of the informative text. (Carolyn Phelan Booklist / RBB 20031031)

Witty, charming and packed with information... enjoyable read... will teach readers of any age much about Medieval culture. (Lucy Schall VOYA )

An enjoyable read... a useful reference book with many potential applications for role-playing, creative writing, and other research projects. (Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books )

Priscilla Galloway and her illustrator, Martha Newbigging, have done an exceptional job with this book. (Ian Stewart Canadian Materials )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Annick Press (September 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550378112
• ISBN-13: 978-1550378115
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,034,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book for Medieval History!, September 13, 2010

By 

homeschooler (Indianapolis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Archers, Alchemists, and 98 Other Medieval Jobs You Might Have Loved or Loathed (Jobs in History) (Paperback)

This is a real gem. It wasn't in my original stash of medieval books, but now I consider this as a must have. It has a great summary in the beginning about the basic facts of medieval history in Europe (including a timeline) and explains why most history books fall short of giving us the big picture. I love how the jobs are categorized in a logical manner, and I further appreciate that it includes a very thorough index. Whether reading bits of this book in order, or whether referring to it while reading literature like Canterbury Tales, Robin Hood, etc., this has a plethora of valuable information presented in a witty and interesting way. I really believe this book can go far in extending students' understanding and appreciation of history (and modern times!). I will be collecting any other books in this series that I can find!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, August 10, 2009

By 

S. Wheeler (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Archers, Alchemists, and 98 Other Medieval Jobs You Might Have Loved or Loathed (Jobs in History) (Hardcover)

This is a great book! It makes understanding the middle ages, the people, the lives of the peasantry and others much easier for children. Excellent information in a simple, even silly (all the better!) style. Highly recommended for a basic understanding of medieval roles -- even for grown-ups.

0 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Jobs in Mideival Times, June 9, 2009

By 

Joseph Adams "brother" (Superior, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Archers, Alchemists, and 98 Other Medieval Jobs You Might Have Loved or Loathed (Jobs in History) (Paperback)

The Middle Ages lasted 1,00 years, from 450 A.D. to 1450. There wasn't one big country any more, just a bunch of little ones. King John signed the Magna Carta, covering the first Crusade. The Black Death lasted from 1348 to 1350. In 1492 Columbas discovered America. Paesants worked on farms. The church consisted of a Pope, cardinals, bishops, friars, chaplains, monks and nuns. A page was a messenger at age 7, while at 14 they could become a squire; if they were poor they remained a squire their whole life. Knights ruled lands and administered justice. Witch hunters accused people of devil worship. It is a good book.