Castle: Medieval Days and Knights (A Sabuda & Reinhart Pop-up Book)

Book Description

Over fifteen intricate pop-ups accompany Sabuda and Reinhart's fascinating text, which guides readers through the different aspects of life in a medieval castle. Readers will learn about knighting ceremonies, battles, and feasts. The true majesty of castles is fully realized when this book is opened to reveal a stunning 3-dimensional medieval world.

Customer Reviews:

What a wonderful book it is!!!!!!.......2007-10-04

My boy is 6 and he's so interested of castles and knights.
and this pop up book is so amazing book for kids.
My kid had a shouting whenever i read the next page
i recommand this book for boy agess 6 to 12.

Another intricate and exciting adventure.......2007-10-03

My son received this book for his 4th birthday and has been enjoying it at different levels over the past year. At first, he loved looking for the knights, admiring the intricate pop-ups, and listening to parts of the text about knights and their castles.

Now that he is 5, he is enjoying the book at a different level, spending longer moments discovering the surprises each page has to offer, and listening to the text with a greater attention to detail.

Of course, many of our grown-up guests enjoy looking at all of our Sabuda and Reinhart books as well. They are great fun and a true wonder!

Castle: Medieval Days and Knights.......2007-08-16

I am simply amazed that you can buy a high quality Sabuda pop-up book for such a reasonable price. These books are too nice for children who simply cannot appreciate the work that must have gone into creating them. Each one is a piece of art -- I just love them. I am convinced that eventually they will be too expensive to produce.

Buy 2, Use 1.......2007-07-14

Fascinating Pop-up book will spark the imagination of children and adults alike. Fun facts provide a glimpse into Medieval lives and are never dry. Kyle Olman came to our school and gave our 5th graders a demonstration on creating their own pop up knight, and happens to be an extremely kind and patient teacher as well as an incredible new author/artist!

Wonderful pop-up book!.......2007-07-11

Although this is clearly a book for older children and my son is only 16 months old, he already LOVES this book! (although secretly, I think my husband possibly enjoys it even more!) We've had it for 2 months now, and he still oohs and aahs as each page is turned (the boy, not the man!). His favorite is the interactive page in the middle where pulling on the arrowed tabs bring "life" to all of the medieval workers doing their jobs. We keep the book on a high shelf out of his reach, to keep him from damaging it accidentally. He eagerly requests to see it several times a week. It's interesting to me how he's never treated the Sabuda & Reinhart pop-up books (we have 3 - "Sharks" and "Dinosaurs" are just as amazing, although very different, from this one) in the same rough manner as he does with his other "toddler" books. Somehow, he knew these books are not the same. Even at his young age, he knows he has to let Mommy or Daddy help him with the delicate pages, and he gets SO excited with all of the amazing "action"! Excellent! Wonderful gift for any child.

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Average customer rating:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)
History: Fiction or Science? Astronomical methods as applied to chronology. Ptolemy's Almagest. Chronology III
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Before the Pharaohs: Egypt's Mysterious Prehistory
They Cast No Shadows: A Collection of Essays on the Illuminati, Revisionist History, and Suppressed Technologies

ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Knights And Castles (Magic Tree House Research Guide, paper)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful book for kids of all ages
Terrific Reference for Middle Ages * Art * Theme!
Knights and Castles
Great for fans of the magic tree house!

Knights And Castles (Magic Tree House Research Guide, paper)
Will And Ma Osborne
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Rain Forests (Magic Tree House Research Guide)

ASIN: 0375802975
Release Date: 2000-08-01

Book Description

What was it like to wear armor? What was the food like in castles? This book explores what life was really like in medieval times.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful book for kids of all ages.......2000-12-26

This is a wonderful book for kids of all ages. The reference works in back to museums, internet sites and other books is well done. I recommend this book for any one who has children interested in Knights and Castles!

Terrific Reference for Middle Ages * Art * Theme!.......2000-10-13

I'm an artist and art teacher, and after discovering this book, I ordered copies for my middle school ART students! While it's an easy read for students of this age (5th through 7th grade), it's packed with understandable text and pictures. It's a great reference for the various art projects that my students are doing as part of our study of the Middle Ages, and the kids have really enjoyed it....

Knights and Castles.......2000-08-14

Mary Pope Osborne does it again!

Our Family loves the Magic Tree House series. They hit us on many levels. Our youngest loves to be read to, our next just hit chapter books, our oldest is beyond this intro. level chapter books - but loves this series & reads the books over and over.

I am delighted to introduce reasearch ideas in such a non-threatening, inviting manner to my children. Learning and reading is so fun; and this concept sheds new light for a young audience. Not only will this help after reading the MTH series, it will add a new dimension when going on field trips, museums, the library, the internet, etc. I am going to share this book with our elementary school.

Ms. Osborne and her husband take the opportunity to be thorough, while simplifying for young minds - and the illustrations keep a young reader's attention.

Bravo! Keep 'em coming.

Great for fans of the magic tree house!.......2000-08-11

My 4-year-old son and I have been reading the Magic Tree House series for nearly half his life; they are among his favorite books (in fact, when given an opportunity at a book sale at day camp this summer, he opted to buy the next book in the series rather than the Pokemon cards that all his friends were buying!). When I showed him the Knights and Castles Research Guide, he was thrilled! We started reading it right away, and he found it fascinating. Especially appealing are the illustrations, much more numerous and detailed than those in the regular series. My only (very minor) disappointment is that it would have been even more wonderful if these books in this Research Guide series had been presented as if they were the actual books that Jack and Annie found in the treehouse (complete with the quotations that appear in the Tree House books), rather than ones they put together from "research" after their visits.

Average customer rating:

Amazing....
Introduction to Medieval Fortifications
The best place to start to learn about castle life
A Great Resource
just the facts m'lady

Life in a Medieval Castle
Joseph Gies , and Frances Gies
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

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Life in a Medieval City
Life in a Medieval Village
Life in Medieval Times
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Castles: Their Construction and History (Dover Books on Architecture)

ASIN: 006090674X

Book Description

"The authors allow medieval man and woman to speak for themselves through selections from past journals, songs, even account books."--Time

Customer Reviews:

Amazing...........2006-11-27

I know that some people like to say that the works of the Gies are dry. Try reading 500 pages of Peter Brown. Now THAT'S dry. It's hard to make history terribly informative and yet accurrate and interesting. The Gies are very clear and personally I found it extremely interesting. It was the only book (out of 7) that I was required to ready for my class on Medieval Europe that I found interesting (and actually read all of!). It is not a novel, so be forwarned. If that's what you want, you WILL be dissappointed, but it is an excellent HISTORY book.

Introduction to Medieval Fortifications.......2006-08-17

I have enjoyed reading other books by Frances & Joseph Gies, this one in particular is one of my favorites. For those seeking an introduction to the military, economic, and cultural signifigance of the castle in Medieval Europe, this is your best choice. Inside you will find a description of a castle's typical staff & personnel, the living conditions of those residing there (better than most would assume), the daily and yearly routine of business in the castle and its lands (mainly agricultural), and the most vital role as a military post for regional defense. The training of the Knight is covered well (Read "The Knight in History" by the same authors). In general, the focus is on castles in Britain, probably the most heavily fortified nation in Europe, after Germany, or maybe France, in terms of quantity of castles. Within you will also find many interesting illustrations: photos of historic sites, and Medieval illumination.

The best place to start to learn about castle life.......2005-05-29

This book is absolutely the best place to start if you want to learn about medieval castles. It explains in very accessable prose how medieval castles came to be, how they evolved, the roles they served in medieval society, what they were like at their zenith, how military strategy through the middle ages centered around the castle, and how their relevance declined with the changes in technology and the political scene that came with the late medieval period. The Gieses give the reader a very clear picture of what life was like for the people whose lives centered in or around the castle, from the nobility at the top down through the staff needed to keep the castle running to the villagers at the bottom. In particular, it shows the various functions that the castle staff needed to serve in order to keep things running smoothly, and the duties of those responsible for those functions, from chamberlains, chaplains, seneschals and stewards down to pantlers, haywards and reeves. In many cases, the best things are the historical anecdotes used to show a particular aspect of castle life, from the manner in which meals were served to the ways provisions were acquired in an era where money was by no means a common exchange, and how matters of jurisdiction often overlapped in problematic ways (a lord might have jurisdiction over a castle but not over the forest surrounding it which belonged to the king). This is not what I would call the definitive text on all aspects of castle lore, but it is probably the single best place to start to get a clear and detailed education on, as the title indicates, "life in a medieval castle."

A Great Resource.......2005-03-31

Life in a Medieval Castle takes a broad look at all aspects of castle life and their role in the Western European social system between the 11th and 16th centuries. Most of the examples are English and Norman Castles. Overall I'd give this book 3.5 stars and recommend it to anyone interested in a easy general overview of castles and their structural and social evolution throughout the middle ages. For someone more interested in the military and siege aspects of castles this book may not contain as much info as you'd like. I'm keeping this one for my personal collection.

just the facts m'lady.......2003-12-19

The authors do an excellent job describing, in great detail, the ins and outs of of life in a midieval castle. So, it would be of great use to someone doing a research report for some odd reason on the subject. Otherwise, I found the book unfit for casual reading because its nothing but factoid after factoid, presented without a hint of personality. Basically reads like an owners manual. I was expecting more with a subject this fascinating.

The History of Castles: Fortifications Around the World

Average customer rating:

Castles for the Layperson
Excellent!!!
An absolute must for the medieval castle hunter.

The History of Castles: Fortifications Around the World
Christopher Gravett
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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Castles: England + Scotland + Wales + Ireland
The Medieval Castle (Classic History)

ASIN: 1585744352

Book Description

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

Customer Reviews:

Castles for the Layperson.......2007-05-31

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.

Excellent!!!.......2003-01-26

I love anything having to do with history and this book is so far the best which I own on castles & fortifications. It's filled with great info & pics/illustrations! I haven't read through the whole thing yet because the pictures are to distracting. I found my self just flipping through the book and staring at all of the cool pics. This book is a definite recommendation! Well worth your time

An absolute must for the medieval castle hunter........2002-01-13

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.

The Medieval Fortress: Castles, Forts and Walled Cities of the Middle Ages

Average customer rating:

Total Information - Great Line Art - Very Krunchy
A Good General Overview but......
Great study of medieval castles
Medieval Fortress by Kaufmann
Just get it - you will not regret!

The Medieval Fortress: Castles, Forts and Walled Cities of the Middle Ages
H. W. Kaufmann , J. E. Kaufmann , and Robert M. Jurga
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306813580
Release Date: 2004-04-13

Book Description

The castles of the Medieval world continue to interest readers, both as architectural wonders and because of their dramatic role in world history. The general public is largely unaware of just how many castles survive today or over how wide an area of Europe and the Middle East they are to be found.

Fortifications specialists J.E. and H.W. Kaufmann and technical artist Robert Jurga (authors of the acclaimed Fortress Europe: European Fortifications of World War II) have once again combined European sources and personal observations to present a unique portrait of military architecture. They reveal how the medieval fortress combined both Roman and barbarian features, with some influences from as far away as China. Detailed coverage is given to castles in the British Isles, France, Germany, Moorish Spain, and as far east as Poland and Russia, as well as Muslim and Crusader castles in the Middle East.

The Medieval Fortress covers the origin and evolution of the castles and other walled defenses, their major components, and the reasons for their eventual decline, which was not solely due to the introduction of gunpowder. Also receiving extensive coverage are the weapons and equipment of garrisons and besieging troops. Over 100 photographs and 400 extraordinarily detailed technical drawings accompany the main text, which also takes an in-depth look at representative castles of each major type.

Customer Reviews:

Total Information - Great Line Art - Very Krunchy.......2004-11-18

This book starts from the first few pages with an in depth study of the fortified positions of the middle ages - i.e. castles, keeps, etc. Despite a level of detail that may be too in depth for a beginner, the book itself provides a very readable style and is absolutely full of useful information (krunchy bits) for authors or others wishing to make an in depth study of medieval fortifications (ATTENTION GAMERS!). It has hundreds of high quality, albeit sometimes confusing, line art portraits that show each and every aspect of castle or its related cousins (where is #67 again - its sometimes like Where is Waldo finding the numbers referenced in the subtext). The book also has a great deal of information regarding siege techniques and the weapons used therein - and this information is fantastic in its level of detail and the included line art! The included photos are all in B&W, and some are rather grainy, but by far, they all serve the purpose they were intended to - they show the true grandeur of the castle as it was.

Within the text, the authors do have a habit of referencing other authors, which, if your looking for more on the subject, is good. However, by page 80, they have referenced at least 30 other authors and works (is that not what the bibliography is for).

Outside of this one complaint, the book is absolutely invaluable to anyone interested in the subject!

NOTE: This review references the soft-cover red front edition of the book, which I could not find the link for on Amazon (it may be an out of print edition or not, I am not sure - however, the TOC of the this edition appears identical to mine, so I am assuming that the contents have only been repackaged for the HB binding).

A Good General Overview but.............2004-11-17

On the whole, I found this book to quite informative with many detailed descriptions of medieval European castles and cities. On some specific castles the data can be fairly general. I found this to be most obvious on castles that I have been fortunate enough to visit in the past and purchase a guide brochure or booklet from which I naturally compared the data.
I found the section on eastern European fortifications and their developement over the centuries to be very interesting as this was a subject I previously knew very little about.
But I do have one major 'gripe' or dissatisfaction with the book. The detailed and extensive floor plans provided throughout the book all suffer from some serious 'under labelling'. For example, a specific castle floor plan might have 20 itemised (numbered) points or features of interest on it. But when one refers to the "legend' or 'key' to find out what a certain feature is, it becomes painfully obvious that not all 20 features are actually clarified or described in the key. This is a fault that is not isolated and is unfortunately prevalent on the vast majority of floor plans in the book.
I'm not sure whether this problem is peculiar to the published edition I purchased or is in fact inherent throughout the whole published run. In any case it appears to be a large oversite in the 'quality control' department of the book's publication process. Other than these faults, I thought this book to be a good 'read'.

Great study of medieval castles.......2004-06-01

If you've been looking for a complete book on medieval castles, you have found the book for you. Although it touches lightly on such on such areas as medieval food, hygene, and battles, the bulk of this book is an in-depth study of castles. The writing is a bit dry, but very informative, covering fortresses from England, France, Itally, and even eastern Europe. I doubt there is much about castles unsaid in this book.

Medieval Fortress by Kaufmann.......2003-09-30

This is an excellent work. It would be perfect for a student
project with a focus on Middle Ages building designs. The author
provides detailed engineering specifications for castles, forts,
a motte and rising towers. The engineering statics implications
are explained in the detailed design process. The work covers
action implementalities; such as, the ram, siege and cannon.
The author spends a portion of the book explaining how
war objects were constructed during the Middle Age period.

In addition, he concludes that an increase in wall size
necessarily means weakening the overall superstructure.
Some time is spent explaining the model diet for the period
which consisted of wheat, barley, oats and fish. This work
will help readers understand the building requirements
for structures created during the Middle Ages. The book would
be valuable for historians, art buffs, architects, engineers
and a wide constituency of other readers.

Just get it - you will not regret!.......2002-03-26

It does not matter if you all ready are a "fort-geek" or some one, who just want a book on the topic: This book will for sure please you.

"The Medieval Fortress" is a nice big (app. 11" x 8.5" or 28,5 x 22 cm), 319p. book, which covers the development of fortified places through out Europe and North-Africa from the early to the late middle ages - when the forts had their glory.
The book is built up of five main chapters. The First deals with the elements of a fortification; the Second deals in general with the different kind of fortifications in different parts of Europe (Islamic, Byzantine, Frankish, British, Norse, Slavic and Magyar (Hungarian)); the Third does the same, but with emphasis on the emerging castle; the Fourth chapter introduces gunpowder and the decline of the high castle walls through the description of several sieges (Constantinople, Rhodes, and siege of fortifications during the Reconquista); Chapter Five goes in depth with some selected fortifications in Europe: Some of the more famous ones and some more obscure. The reader is guided through fortifications/castles in Great Britain, Ireland, France, Low Countries, Switzerland, Holy Roman Empire, Scandinavia, Central Europe (present day Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovenia) Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Eastern Mediterranean, Italy, Spain&Portugal, and North Africa. The appendixes gives the names of some more important builders and architects and their titles in different languages (French, Portugese, Spanish, Duch, Sweedish, and Russian), a chronology of important sieges from 623 (Constantinople) to 1529 (Vienna), a history of medival artillery and a glossary.
There are endless amounts of B/W pictures alongside with even more B/W line drawings and plans of forts, just like on the front cover of the book.

This book is a very good buy!

Book Description

Illus. in black-and-white. Jack and Annie travel back in time to medieval England for an adventure inside a storybook castle, from feasting hall to dreadful dungeon.

Customer Reviews:

The Knight at Dawn.......2007-05-03

This book was fantastic. Jack and Annie went back to when knights were around. They walked around a castle. They fell in a moat and the knight saved them.

I learned some interesting facts. The knights wore armor when they traveled long and dangerous distances. A helmet could weigh up to 40 pounds. I learned that drawbridges crossed moats. Moats helped protect the castle from enemies.

I would recommend this book for three reasons. One reason is you can learn lots of stuff about knights and castles. Another reason is because Jack and Annie can go back in time and have an adventure. A third reason because Jack was protecting his sister Annie when they fell in the moat.

The Knight at Dawn is an interesting book about two kids.

A Book Review From a Spiritridge Third Grader.......2007-03-27

Do you want to read a book that's really mysterious? Well, the book Magic Tree House #2 is the book! Do you wish that your tree house could take you wherever you want to go? Well, Jack and Annie have a tree house like that. Once they got to the creepy castle, with a knight. When they got there they got shocked because they got caught by a knight. You have to find out what happens next.

What I really like about the book is when Jack and Annie ride on the knight's horse.

I would recommend this book to people who like Magic Tree House books.

The kinght at dawn.......2007-01-19

I liked this book. It had a lot of exciting parts.It was interesting and funny. I liked the characters Jack and Annie. They went back to the time of Knights and found a castle. The character Jack reminded me of a friend I know. Jack try's to take care of his little sister Annie and my friend likes to take care of the little kids too.
By Brian of Stockbridge Central School

MY BOY LOVES READING.......2007-01-07

My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!

Kad.......2006-12-21

I think The Knight at Dawn is a great book. People who like knights, castles and adventure would really like this book a lot. The main characters' names are Jack, a ten-year-old boy and Annie, a seven old girl. Jack and Annie are brother and sister in the book. The Magic Tree House stories are about Jack and Annie going back in time to different time periods in every book. My favorite part of the book is when they got put in jail. They escape and got out of the castle and go home.
I recommend this book for people who like adventure stories.
By Matthew

Knights & Castles: 50 Hands-On Activities to Experience the Middle Ages (Kaleidoscope Kids)

Average customer rating:

the extremes tell it all
Read the all reviews first!
Lots to do!
Anti-Christian Zealotry at its worst
Excellent for Modern-Day Thought and Practice

Knights & Castles: 50 Hands-On Activities to Experience the Middle Ages (Kaleidoscope Kids)
Avery Hart , and Paul Mantell
Manufacturer: Williamson Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Crafts & Hobbies | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Europe | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Medieval | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Civilization & Culture | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books
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Hands-On-History: Middle Ages: 20 Enchanting Art Projects and Other Creative Activities That Illuminate and Enrich Your Study of the Middle Ages

ASIN: 1885593171

Customer Reviews:

the extremes tell it all.......2007-10-17

Notice the extremes of the reviews. On one side, "KelleyG" gives it 5 stars and complains about "obvious religious zealots who feel they have a right to shove their beliefs down the throats of everyone else in this country", and 4 Christians give the book 1 star for its anti-Christian themes and statements. They're both right. The book does nice activities, but its strong point is the background info provided for each activity. I value how it asks us to think about living life in the Middle Ages, like how heavy armour would feel, living without modern technology, and how short life spans lowered the marriage age. I can do an activity AND present questions that help my child relate to the Middle Ages. But, the anti-Christian perspective is flawed to the point of giving an inaccurate perception of the Middle Ages. Pointing out the failures of the church is valuable and needed. Ignoring the contributions of the church is historically inaccurate. For example, nearly every expert credits the church as being the only source of learning and scholarship during the Middle Ages. The handwritten manuscripts of the monks preserved great texts, both Christian and secular, that would have been lost forever. This vital fact is one of many that the authors ignore. Notice that "manuscript" is nowhere in the index, but "minds, open vs. closed" is an index entry. I appreciate that the book is more than just page after page of activity in that it provides historical and philosophical points. I really like it, and will use it. But, as a Christian, in the end, as I am using it with my child, I'll also be able to use it as an example of how bias distorts historical accuracy. We'll be able to talk about whether the church-bashing passages are really true, why somebody would write thus, and what is a more accurate position to take. I am absolutely not afraid to point out the failings of the church. I just wish the authors had been willing to consider the valuable contributions, also. If the church defined much of the Middle Ages, then the distortion is inexcusable.

I own the book, I like it, but I'll call it what it is--biased historical perspective--and educate my kids accordingly when we read those passages.

Read the all reviews first!.......2007-05-05

I was really disappointed by this book. It's very anti-Christian, anti-European, anti-Middle Ages, even. Avery Hart is warping history to suit a politicly correct agenda. I hoped to at least get a few craft ideas, but those were unoriginal and not well done. The "make your own code of honor" craft for example didn't even give an example of what a medieval code of honor might have been like. The book, in my opinion at least, is a big waste.

Lots to do!.......2007-02-13

Make sure you're ready to take on craft projects when you get this book, you'll be inspired to build castles and family crests!

Anti-Christian Zealotry at its worst.......2006-07-04

Apparently Christianity is at the root of all evil and the cause of most misfortune that occurred in the middle ages. If it weren't for those darned Christians, it seems the world would be a much better place. St. Frances of Assis was ok, (he loved animals), but all the rest of the Christians were closed-minded, violent and supersititous. I wasn't aware that the church wouldn't let people read because it might confuse them and that many people became monks because they didn't want to go to war.

I wish I had read all the reviews before purchasing this item, and I have definitely learned my lesson. I would never allow my children to read this trash.

Excellent for Modern-Day Thought and Practice.......2005-11-21

Ignore the obvious religious zealots who feel they have a right to shove their beliefs down the throats of everyone else in this country and the world in general: there is absolutely nothing wrong with a child learning about the realities of the middle ages, which was an era heavily influenced by the Catholic church. An adult subject matter, albeit an opportunity for quality parenting, this era was dominated by the church and many superstitious and malinformed beliefs we hold true today stem from this era of intolerance and brutality against human kind and religious freedom.

This book is a wonderful and refreshing guide to learning about the middle ages, and offers a perspective on the era which allows children to ask questions and open their minds to the possibilities of the belief systems of other people and families. Children asking their parents questions based upon moral ground and religious belief is extremely healthy, and it offers up an opportunity for parents to parent their children the way they decide to parent their children. This is especially true if your family happens NOT to be Christian, as non-Christians in this era were treated rather harshly (i.e. the Crusades of Christians against Muslims and Jews).

The activities are creative and allow children to begin an inquisitive mindset geared toward futher want of learning about the middle ages. In general, this is a fine place to start and it opens a pathway for learning more about the era. There are other books available with better and more indepth activities, however this book offers a balanced introduction to the times. Combine this with whatever religious classes or teachings your family traditions, and further the lessons with trips to museums to view tactile and artistic representations of the people of the middle ages, along with writings from poets and authors of the times for an even-keeled and well-balanced cirriculum.

Castle : Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections

Average customer rating:

Fabulous
The Great Book
Educational and Fun!
Great for adults, too!
Cross-Sections Castle is an Awesome Book!

Castle : Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections
Stephen Biesty
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Architecture | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Europe | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Medieval | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

How Things Work | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Look Inside Science Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1564584674

Book Description

Carry out the King's secret mission and learn of medieval life at the same time.

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous.......2007-04-16

I spent hours reading and re-reading this when I was younger--age 7 to probably 15! It's fascinating, and between the amazingly rendered (and often very funny) illustrations and the accessible, interesting text, it would keep me coming back. Great for any kid... (and probably a good way to manipulate him or her into being interested in learning about history)... I also had his cross-section of Man o' War, and they were both great.

The Great Book.......2002-06-14

This book is one of the best castle books I have. It is very detailed and informitive yet is great for children because of the colorful illustations. The layout is very good-starts in the front of the castle, moves throught the inner parts of the castle and eventually ends in the back. Though some picture are a little bit graphic, thats how medieval times were. I think if your looking for a castle book that is not to broad or in-depth than look no further than here.

Educational and Fun!.......2001-10-30

Just seeing a castle from the outside, hardly does it justice. I mean, the things going on in this castle...you just can never imagine.

The Introduction shows the basics of the outside of the castle walls and roofing. Then the next section focuses on defense and siege. Who knew that sometimes castle commanders found uses for their trebuchets and provided the watching ladies with a preciesion bombardment of roses.

The Garrison section shows how the Feudal system worked and where they kept the treasure chests.

The Treadmill in the Building the Castle Section is not exactly one you might think of now. Children will enjoy this section, it has so many peope at work all over the castle.

The Trades and Skills section shows people making pottery. There are candle makers, carpenters, plumbers, tailors and even a Hermit cell where the hermit could study and be religious, even if they didn't agree with the church.

Living like a Lord and Food and Feasting, now those pages are quite good. Rules like: "Do not pick your teeth at the table with a knife," sounds like a good one to me.

Entertainment, livestock and produce, weapons and punishment are also covered.

Very informative and entertaining. You might also enjoy: DK Pockets Castles book, ISBN 0789420473 for even more information. With these two books, you about have castles covered!

~The Rebecca Review

Great for adults, too!.......2001-04-16

Although this book is marketed as a children's book, I highly recommend it for adults as well. As someone who is just becoming interested in medieval culture and castles, this was a great starting place for me.

Each two-page spread is dedicated to a different subject (castle structure, jobs, entertainment, weapons, etc.). I learned a lot about life in and around the castle in a very short time by reading all the little notes that pointed out all the different aspects of what was going on in the picture.

This will be a great help to me when I construct the miniature castle that I plan to make. It's also just a lot of fun to read!

Cross-Sections Castle is an Awesome Book!.......2001-03-06

This is an exceptional book that is intended for children aged 9 to 12, but is fascinating even for adult readers. You get to see and learn about a fully functional castle in it's heyday. A grand medieval castle is divided into it's many different subsections. Each part of the castle is shown and described in great detail. Its inhabitants, from the Royalty and their residential area, to the toiling peasants and craftsmen, to the military with their weaponry and defenses, are included. There is also a "Where's Waldo" type "Find the Spy" hidden in each cross section. While the squeamish may have some objection to the miniscule amount of material depicting the treatment of captured enemies, and some potty humor involving the functioning of the castle lavatory, I suggest it's a good opportunity for discussion as it really only enhances the thoroughness of the material. It is a good educational resource and a fun book to "read".

Cathedrals and Castles: Building in the Middle Ages

Average customer rating:

A very enjoyable read

Cathedrals and Castles: Building in the Middle Ages
Alain Erlande-Brandenburg
Manufacturer: Harry N. Abrams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Medieval | World | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0810928124

Customer Reviews:

A very enjoyable read.......2000-05-15

I recommend this book to anyone interested in the middle ages and/or architecture, it provides the reader with good background information on the construction process and its history. Numerous first hand accounts are presented, along with a great number of color illustrations to guide the reader and liven the work up, usually a couple per page. It also includes a long reference section in the back of different primary documents for further study. The only downside is that it is only an introductory guide, so it does not delve too specifically into the construction process. It does, however, provide a great backdrop for further learning, and was very entertaining the whole way through.

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