Below the Salt [Mass Market Paperback]

thomas b. costain (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1963

paperback 1963 permabook edition. a vidid and violent tale of england and europe and the signing of the magna charta. by author of the silver chalice and the black rose.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 502 pages
• Publisher: permabook (1963)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001I7LR92
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,157,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great setting, Awsome Character Develpement, Well done., September 23, 1999

By 

rpiatt (Cranston, RI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Below the Salt (Hardcover)

My father left me this book when he passed away. Had I known my father had such good taste in books I would have asked what else he liked to read! I must admit, I read it more out of obligation than desire (my preferred genre is Fantasy) but boy-oh-boy was I in for a surprise. This has to be one of the best novels I've ever read. I'm not much of a history buff so this was my first novel set in an historical setting. The characters were superbly developed. I am sure I would know Richard, Tostig and Eleanor if I saw them walking down the street - as a matter of fact, I'd probably propose to Eleanor on the spot. On the historical side it was invigorating to have an entirely believable setting for the novel. The author clearly has masterful control over a wealth of knowledge concerning life in the Middle Ages. Mr. Costain not only writes authoritatively, but he almost brings you to the point of letting you `live' in Ireland / England during that period of time -- from a humble peasant's hovel to a King's castle, you'll know what life was all about. And the ending of the book has a unique twist to it that caught me totally off guard. I loved everything about this book save this single item: I finished it too fast. My recommendation is for a full five stars ... I'd prefer giving this book six stars if possible. Read it, you won't regret it.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The beginning of my love affair with the Middle Ages, February 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Below the Salt (Hardcover)

I first came across this book on my mother's bookshelf when I was about 12 years old. An inveterate bookworm, I started reading, and could not stop. I have read this book many times over the ensuing 27 years, most recently two weeks ago. The story is still riveting, and parts of it can still move me to tears. As a result of reading this book, I actually went to the field of Runnymede when I was a student in England in 1981. The bus driver was sure that, as an American, I'd be wanting the JFK memorial just over the hill, but I assured him that I was bound for Runnymede. It it lovely and empty and still, except for a small stone monument, erected by the American Bar Association, celebrating the Magna Carta as the beginning of real freedom for all men under law. Had I not read this book, I might never have made the effort to visit.

I enjoyed the characters immensely and, while I have over time read other books just as compelling, and with perhaps grittier writing, I still come back to this lovely, familiar tale for inspiration. Two weeks ago I reached for it because I was preparing a presentation (for a graduate class) about Eleanor of Aquitaine, and reading about her life stirred memories of this book.

If you can find it, read it!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just One of History's Mysteries, February 3, 2007

By 

Judy H. (Wichita, KS USA) - See all my reviews

England's King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine had many children, the most famous of whom were Richard the Lionheart and John "Lackland". Another son, Geoffrey, died before his parents, but left 2 children: Arthur and Eleanor. And thereby hangs this tale.

The historical record relates that after the death of Richard Lionheart, the evil John usurped the throne that should have gone to his older brother Geoffrey's son Arthur, and that to solidfy his claim, he murdered Arthur and swept Eleanor into a convent, where she was never to be seen or heard from again.

In this wonderful, imaginative book, the author keeps to most of the historical record, but asserts that after the death of her brother, Arthur, Eleanor was spirited away to safety by William the Marshal.

The story starts in the present day, and details the efforts of a descendent of Marshal to find the lineal descendent of Eleanor, who would be the de jure Queen of England. The story weaves back and forth between the present day and 13th century England, and is absolutely riveting.

If you like English history, and especially if you like what-if situations, this is a great book.