The Medieval Castle (Building History Series) (Hardcover)

~ Don Nardo (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 6-10--A well-written, thorough study of the medieval European castle as a fortification and as a miniature community. Nardo discusses the evolution of castles, their structure, design, usage, and the architectural and engineering influences of the Greeks and Romans. Excerpts from works by classical and medieval scholars and historians are used as primary sources to describe the construction of fortifications, offensive/defensive methods used in battle, and general living conditions inside and outside the castle walls. Black-and-white diagrams, drawings, and reproductions are effectively used to further inform readers about castle life in both everyday situations and during a siege. An overall bland appearance is the only drawback to this fascinating history. Fiona Macdonald's A Medieval Castle (Peter Bedrick, 1990) provides a good complement and a colorful introduction with its eye-catching illustrations and cut-aways. However, Nardo's book is a useful addition for any library needing in-depth sources.

Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, OR

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Describes how medieval castles were built and examines the daily lives of those inhabiting them.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Greenhaven Press (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560064307
• ISBN-13: 978-1560064305
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #725,976 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Overview, September 8, 2002

By	BeachReader (Delaware) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I have been fascinated with castles since visiting Edinburgh Castle in Scotland a few years ago. Thie book is an excellent resource for someone who wants an overview of the history of this kind of structure. I was surprised that it is a YA book--I think it is good for all ages...and if, in fact, it was intended for children, the black and white drawings and photos were not very exciting.

The author delves into the following topics in five chapters: how ancient forts and siege inspired medieval builders, the development of medieval castles, planning and building the outer defenses of the castles, a castle's inner living spaces, and castles under siege and in ruins.

The book begins with a two-page timeline containing the important dates in the building of medieval castles, covering a period of thousands of years.

I especially enjoyed the section about life in a castle and how the residents lived and worked there....very interesting.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great start for learning about the History of castles!!!, November 12, 2001

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

This is a great start for someone who wants to learn about castles without getting bogged down in some esoteric, dry book.

THE MEDIEVAL CASTLES is only about 80 pages and includes illustrations of castles from ancient to medieval times and then closes with reasons for why such structures became obsolete.

Contents include: (1) How castles came about and why; (2) ancient influenes on medieval castles; (3) how they developed and why during the medieval period (includes medieval leaders who were behind this such as William the Conqueror, etc.); (4) feudalism and how it came about and why; (5) the Crusades and how middle eastern influences, (6) particular tool diagrams to build castles; (7) particular diagrams of siege weaponry used on castles; (8) living in a medieval castle; why is was more comfortable than Historians originally believed; and (9) the demise of the castle.

Overall, a great and quick read!