From School Library Journal
Grade 5-10?The large format, numerous full-color illustrations, informative captions, and minimal text will make this title popular. Double-page topics include castle life, weapons, horses, jousting, hunting, ladies, etc. The discussion of armor is subdivided into more detailed subjects, each with its own double-page spread: leg defenses; the cuirass; arm defenses; gauntlets; and helmets. While the organization of material leaves something to be desired, the effective illustrations will intrigue interested readers. There is nothing really new here, but the book will serve as an attractive, informative addition to a subject always in demand.?Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Gr. 4^-6. Gravett introduces knights and medieval European civilization through a series of more specific topics such as castles, jousting, battles, sieges, crusades, chivalry, armor, and weapons. Each spread includes several attractive paintings illustrating knights in action as well as labeled and captioned details of their world, all attractively framed by narrow, decorated borders. The book follows the familiar British format for illustrated nonfiction, which consists of large pages with a double-page spread devoted to each topic, but this is both more informative and handsome than most. A large map shows "The Knight's World" of warfare, pilgrimage, and trade, extending from Bannockburn to Jerusalem and from Moscow to Tunis. A good addition to collections on medieval life, this book will be used for browsing as well as reports.
Carolyn Phelan
