DK Discoveries: Castle at War [Hardcover]

Andrew Langley (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: DK Discoveries

Witness the storming of a medieval fortress. Vivid storytelling brings the past to life. Exciting eyewitness accounts make you feel part of the action. A gatefold page opens out to show a panoramic view of the scene. Stunning photographs, call-out details, and exploded views help you piece together the story. DK brings history to life for young readers with dramatic eyewitness accounts in this unique nonfiction series. Each volume is packed with detailed and accurate information, featuring cross-sections, exploded views, pull-outs, and cutaways designed to illuminate each subject. Extraordinary and evocative storytelling combined with DK's unique visual presentation create an outstanding library of children's reference books.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-Using a fictional siege as a backdrop, Langley presents a good deal of information about medieval life. The inhabitants of a castle prepare for attack, endure the long weeks of siege, and then slowly recover from their ordeal. Each double-page spread describes a different aspect of the battle and presents supporting factual information, complete with full-color photos, illustrations, and period reproductions. Special focus is placed on the training, gear, and weapons of soldiers and knights, and the offensive and defensive strategies used during a siege. The history, evolution, and purposes of various types of castles are summarized. The lives and occupations of inhabitants within the castle and in the adjacent towns and lands are also described. Attention is also given to peacetime life in a castle community. The story format motivates readers to explore the factual sidebars, which clarify and extend concepts presented in the narrative. Although the illustrations in David Macaulay's Castle (Houghton, 1977) create more of a mood than those in this title, the two books are comparable in terms of appeal. A good choice for recreational reading and reports.
Megan McGuire, Lake View Elementary School, Madison, WI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN (September 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789434180
• ISBN-13: 978-0789434180
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #450,824 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Children's Books > History > Medieval

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superlative young adult picture book of castle under siege, March 22, 2001

By 

MISTER SJEM "sonofhotpie" (CALIF BAY AREA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: DK Discoveries: Castle at War (Hardcover)

This is a great book not only for young people who want to learn about castles and the medieval lifestyle but also adults who are first learning about the period.

It's one thing to read text but it's even better to see pictures which bring it to life.

In this picture book, we get information about the people who live in a castle, its defenses, a medieval feast, a hunting party, preparation of a siege and then each step showing how the siege and battles take place.

Invigorating to read. Also, check out THE WORLD OF THE MEDIEVAL KNIGHT by Christopher Graven (another illustrated book).

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Text and Illustrations, December 29, 2010

By 

Marco Antonio Abarca (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: DK Discoveries: Castle at War (Hardcover)

"Castle at War" follows the daily life of a medieval castle from a quiet beginning through a tumultuous siege and concludes with the return of peace. The book succeeds both in describing the complex social structure needed to run a castle as well in the intricacies of medieval siege warfare. The text will be of interest to both child and adult. However, what really makes this book great are the detailed illustrations of the talented British illustrator, Peter Dennis. He is one of the best historical illustrators working in the field today. His carefully rendered drawings fascinated both me and my eight year old son. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, good condition, October 6, 2010

By 

HHHH - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: DK Discoveries: Castle at War (Hardcover)

We bought this for my son, who is 8 years old. He LOVES this book. Wonderful illustrations and interesting content. He had checked it out from the library and didn't want to give it back. It is out of print, so we were happy to find several copies on line. This copy was a great price and in terrific condition.