King Arthur: Dark Age Warrior and Mythic Hero (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School - An attractive introduction to the Arthurian legend. Matthews begins by identifying possible candidates who might have inspired the earliest stories during the sixth century. He shares the meager information known about each man and discusses the reliability of the sources that recorded his exploits. As Matthews traces the development of the legend through the Middle Ages, he shows how the deeds of the Dark Age heroes could have been blended with old Celtic myths into the emerging tales of Arthur and Camelot. Moving through the centuries, the author follows the legends as they pass, embroidered and enriched, through the hands of Geoffrey of Monmouth, Chretien de Troyes, Sir Thomas Mallory, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and others. Paintings, woodcuts, illuminated manuscripts, tapestries, mosaics, and stained glass show how artists from the 12th century to the present have portrayed the king and his court. Photographs of places in England, Wales, and Scotland associated with events in the legends are also included. Men and women of the court (with brief annotations on the most significant) are listed. - Kathy Tewell, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table have captured the world's imagination since medieval times. The tales of King Arthur are rooted in history, but over the years the facts have become shrouded in myth and mystery. In this beautifully illustrated book Arthurian expert John Matthews explores the legends that have grown around the king and uncovers the mysteries of Arthur's Britain. The numerous characters surrounding King Arthur are introduced and the facts behind the epic saga are revealed.
•Contains 120 color and black-and-white images
•Covers Merlin, Guenevere, Lancelot, the Holy Grail, and all the mythic search for characters

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Gramercy (August 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517224445
• ISBN-13: 978-0517224441
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #687,250 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #64 in

  Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Mythology > Arthurian Legends

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book!, December 1, 2004

By	Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In this wonderful book, author John Matthews presents the reader with Britain's King Arthur in his many forms. Beginning with a history of the Dark Ages, and the early historical resources that mention King Arthur, the author moves through all of the Arthurian legends in their manifold forms. All of the characters you are familiar with are here, and some are presented in an entirely new light. For example, in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Vita Merlini, Merlin is presented as a prophet and wild man.

This is a great book! In a surprisingly small package, it contains a lot of information about King Arthur and the other characters of the stories, going well beyond the stories presented by Hollywood. Also, I must say that the many colorful pictures make this book a joy to read. So, if you are interested in King Arthur, then you really must get this book! I highly recommend it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Fun!, June 20, 2006

By	Renee (West Jordan, UT USA) - See all my reviews

I was expecting a very different book when I read this! Instead of long, boring text book, I found it fun to read as well as informative. I especially loved the pictures as I love art. The insight on not only King Arthur, but Merlin, Quenevere, and other legendary characters was very interesting. It was nice to read some new ideas about the orgin of King Arthur, however some of the opinions did seem a little recycled. Also included were examples of stories, and lots of citings from medival writers. If you are looking for a good read about King Arthur I highly recommend this. It is fun to read, and also very informing, as well as visually entertaining!

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a REally Fun and Educational Read, October 7, 2004

By	djhexane (Ohio, USofA) - See all my reviews

If you like to read about Arthurian legend and want to see the facts behind the myths, then this is a good book to turn to. It is filled with many written information historians have found as well as famous places during that time (Ie: Glastonbury and the place where they believe Camelot existed) And it is wonderfully illistrated too. Beautiful pictures of archiological findings and buildings and such. IT's such an astounding read as well as fun pictures to look at. Get this if you like that sort of thing.