Knights (Single Subject References) [Hardcover]

Philip Steele (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Single Subject References

From the battlefields of Flanders, to the banquet halls of the great English manor houses, this gloriously appointed book offers page after page of splendorous illustration and information. Everything a young person could want to know about knights is included: shields, scutcheons, jousts, castles, sieges, chivalry and fearless steeds, all depicted in a colorful abundance of detailed battlescapes, scenarios and maps. Topics include the knight's place in feudal society, how he trained for war, his code of honor, heraldry and armor, and famous battles; knights' popular companions including the various types of horses -- chargers, palfreys, hackneys -- and other animals such as mastiffs and carrier pigeons that accompanied them on campaigns; knights in other cultures -- Sioux braves and Polish lancers in the West to Japanese samurai in the East -- and the knight of medieval romances and today's blockbuster films. The knight in shining armor may have disappeared from the battlefield, but rides on in an ageless fascination shared by children and people of all ages. Includes an illustrated glossary and index.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Philip Steele has a passion for writing about history. He is a well-known author of more than one hundred children's books, including Castles, Pirates, Knights, The Best Book of Mummies, The World of Pirates, and The World of Castles. He was a student of medieval French and German literature, and has visited castles in England, France, Germany, Spain, and Poland. He has travelled to the Valley of the Kings and other sites of Ancient Egypt, and has met mummies face to face in the Cairo Museum. Philip now lives near Beaumaris and the other great castles of North Wales.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 63 pages
• Publisher: Kingfisher (September 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753451549
• ISBN-13: 978-0753451540
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,346 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Children's Books > History > Medieval

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knights-A Great and Beautiful Book, April 5, 2002

By 

Eileen Topping (MI-United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knights (Single Subject References) (Hardcover)

This book is the best! I have never given five stars to a book before, but wish I could rate this one at ten stars. Knights is a gorgeous book chock full of interesting data about knights from all over the world and their weaponry, coat of arms, armor, and the age of chivalry over a thousand year span, as well as bits about what life was like for common folk, in an easy to read and reference format. The back of the book details real (past) knights and fictitious knights from well know stories by name. A glossary is also included. This is one book, even if you're not into the subject, you will love. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

5.0 out of 5 stars Dont' be fooled, this is a good reference book., October 16, 2011

By 

Grigor Fedan (Ninole, Hawaii, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Knights (Single Subject References) (Hardcover)

This book appears to be a children's book, but in actuality is quite a good source of information about the Middle Ages for terminology, weapons, how people lived, how castles were built. Did you know what a first born's medallion was like? How about a bastard's? How did people go to the bathroom?

Well, it's all in this book.

While writing my historical novel, I had it prominently displayed on my desk, on top of the 20- or so books I was constantly reading about the Templars or the middle ages. Invariably, one of my friends or relatives would go on by, sneer and ask me if I had taken up children's literature, but when they opened up the book, they would usually borrow it for a while.