The History of Castles: Fortifications Around the World [Hardcover]

Christopher Gravett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

The perfect tour guide to the world's most fascinating castles and strongholds.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Gravett (Bosworth 1485), an internationally recognized medieval expert and chief curator at Her Majesty's Tower of London, has put together a spectacular volume filled with breathtaking photography and fascinating history surrounding the building and lives of castles. Tackling the subject on a massive and global scale, Gravett explores castles in Europe, Russia, and the Middle East, as well as other fortifications in India, China, Japan, and Central and South America, and forts in the United States. He shows castles as symbols of power and places built for defense, administration, and the dispensation of justice. He also discusses religious battles and siege warfare. The book contains 200 beautiful color photographs, 30 reconstructions, 70 detailed maps, and an excellent index and table of contents. Although it makes for a handy traveling companion, this book also belongs in history and architecture collections. Recommended for all libraries. Melinda Stivers Leach, Precision Editorial Svcs., Wondervu, CO
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover

Christopher Gravett has given us a fascinating look into how castles were built around the world, and why, in this major book. Floor plans and construction details of many castles are included, along with the stories of military campaigns waged to lay siege to and destroy them. For students or history and architecture this is a landmark book. Includes 200 full-color photographs, 30 recontructions, glossary, and 70 detailed maps.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585744352
• ISBN-13: 978-1585744350
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #521,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must for the medieval castle hunter., January 12, 2002

By 

Edward Sedelmeier - See all my reviews

This review is from: The History of Castles: Fortifications Around the World (Hardcover)

This book is great tour guide to many of the most fascinating castles and fortifications in many parts of the world. The many full color photographs and detailed fascinating and clearing written text shows why and how castles were built in different regions. Covers why and how they were used, construction details, and in some cases, how they were destroyed in battle.
Some castles are described in detail with floor plans, designs, color pictures, construction details and castle history.
The many detailed photographs and illustrations present to the reader the various reasons for building a castle and how castles and other fortifications were constructed and used in different parts of the world.
I found this book to be of great help in understanding the design and construction details of medieval castles. While not detailed enough for one to build a castle from this book, it could be a good starting point for those of us that are builders.
Includes almost 200 full-color photographs, 30 recontructions, glossary, and 70 detailed maps.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Castles for the Layperson, May 30, 2007

By 

P. Lane (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The History of Castles: Fortifications Around the World (Hardcover)

As a result of visits to several castles in Britain and Europe, I have become interested in the way that castles evolved over the centuries. In particular I like to know the reasons for the inclusion of certain features.
There are many books available about castles, but this is the one that best suits my needs. The first chapter deals with the early beginnings of fortifications, which involved only building walls around towns. Subsequent chapters give information on historical advances in design of castles, country by country, covering Britain and the European continent. There are even a few pages on Japanese fortresses, South American fortifications and North American forts.
The production is classy, being printed on quality paper with appropriate and plentiful coloured illustrations. It is large enough to allow sufficient detail for the interested amateur, but is still not too big and heavy to hold comfortably while seated in your favourite armchair.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great photos, average prose, January 11, 2009

By 

Will (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The History of Castles: Fortifications Around the World (Hardcover)

I should say that this review is more of a request for the author to improve the book, which would make it outstanding. In its current state, it is merely acceptable.

The photos are great and the coverage of different countries and styles excellent. However, the descriptions are oftentimes boring listing of dates, there are very few anecdotes if any, and the disucussion of different castles is incoherent and inconsistent. Almost every page has a description of a castle without a corresponding picture. Not all castles have a plan. The plans themselves do not follow a consistent style throughout the book. There is no sense of unity or progression in the book. You could practically jump into any page and not miss any of the discussion.

In general, this is recommended as a coffee table book or for browsing the photos. If you are looking for an actual history of castles and fortification, then you will be disappointed.