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

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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess

Average customer rating:

History comes to life
Amazing and pathetic all at once
Great for Classical Education
A GREAT READ
I really enjoyed this book

Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess
Richard Platt
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0763621641
Release Date: 2003-07-14

Book Description

"Not many, if any, children’s books on the Middle Ages and castles contain the wealth of information found in this fresh, appealing offering." - SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review)

What was it really like to live in a castle? Step back to the Middle Ages with CASTLE DIARY: THE JOURNAL OF TOBIAS BURGESS. Eleven-year-old Toby’s vivid diary entries offer an insider’s view of day-to-day castle life, including tips on etiquette (where do you spit at a feast?) and exciting descriptions of hunting, jousting, and harvesting. Complete with glossary, index, and detailed endnotes, this is a rich look at medieval life that informs as much as it entertains.

Customer Reviews:

History comes to life.......2007-02-11

This is an excellent reader for an upper level 2nd grader up to a mid level middle schooler. It makes the world of knights and castles come to life from the viewpoint of a young boy studying to be a squire in his uncle's castle. My son loved it and I found that he related well to the history text that described medieval life because of it. It is written at a read alone level and includes illustrations here and there to emphasize the story.

Amazing and pathetic all at once.......2005-03-14

Why do I say "amazing"?

Author Richard Platt writes a fictional diary for young readers based on ACADEMIC RESEARCH. The diary is a brilliant vehicle to make the facts fun, digestable, and memorable. Platt makes the history of a medieval castle come to life with vivid characters, action, and suspense.

Why do I say "pathetic"?

I'm a language arts teacher and therefore have some insight on the following scenario: If you ask a young reader to pick out a book, he'll inexorably choose junk like Animorphs or something by R.L. Stine, and adults are inclined to think, "Well, at least he's reading." Yeah, he's reading junk, and as he grows older he'll continue to read junk. I spent a weekend hunting down this incredible book, Castle Diary. Barnes & Noble didn't carry it, and only one of three Borders bookstores in town had it---and only one copy, at that. And yet they carry enough R.L. Stine, Animorphs, and other trash to sink a battleship. Pathetic.

Parents, expect a little more from your child's reading habits. Buy this book for starters.

Great for Classical Education.......2003-08-21

It's always a challenge to find elementary-level quality literature for earlier time periods, but this was perfect. The illustrations in this hardback edition are wonderful. My kids couldn't wait to read it each day. I recommend it highly to homeschoolers.

A GREAT READ.......2002-06-28

Castle Diary is a wonderful book about the Middle Ages. It is the diary of a young boy, Tobias Burgess, who spends a year as a page in a castle. He hopes to later become a knight. Tobias has many fun adventures and enjoys the castle life. He gets to ride in a hunt and discovers a poacher near the castle. He is always getting into trouble, as he is not used to the castle rules. His punishments are very harsh. Tobias always keeps up with his journal, because he always wants to remember his experience. I loved this book because I learned so much about the Middle Ages, and the illustrations were absolutely wonderful!

I really enjoyed this book.......2001-02-08

An extremely descriptive book, both in text and illustrations. Each page is riddled with short passages (by day) and small illustrations to follow most passages. The text is exploding with vocabulary used by the people of the year 1285 (The Dark Ages). The illustrations are very detailed and descriptive. There are many double page illustrations that add a lot to the book. The detail, color, and facial expressions used in the illustrations catch an observer's eye and force their eyes to wander throughout the illustration to acquire all the information it has to give. Illustrations include the layout of the castle, as well as the inside of many rooms. The text is broken up into easy to read and find sections and a glossary and index is included to aid the reader. At the end is a great section titled "Toby's World". This is a small section that goes into good detail about weapons, armor, houses, castles, and titles of the day. An informative short novel that could be enjoyed by children age 9 to 99. It can be used as a reference, an enjoyable reader, or as an addition to a Dark Ages discussion or curriculum.

Average customer rating:

Exelent buy
Too good!
excellent worse on the castle and its purpose
Superior
extremely informative and well-layed out

The Medieval Castle (Classic History)
Philip Warner
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0141390700

Book Description

The influence of the castle, both on the course of history and on the lives of the people who lived in them, has never been fully explored-until now. This fascinating book examines the evolution of the medieval castle, from the rigid social structure of its society to the types of weapons, training, and tactics employed during wartime. Above all, The Medieval Castle is a book about the daily life-from clothes and food to recreation and customs-and the people who made their homes inside a military fortress.

Customer Reviews:

Exelent buy.......2007-03-08

This is a great book. Easy to read. Covering most aspects of castle life. I would highly recomend it, and may purchase it again (it will make an exelent gift for friends that are intrested in either history or castles).

Too good!.......2003-04-30

I loved this book! It describes the vastness of medieval life and castles, covering so much ground. Besides that, Warner has a wonderful way with words and gives his experienced opinion on many matters, and can't help but agree with him fully. As a writer of medieval fantasy, this book has helped me so much! I will keep it as a permanent reference while I continue exploring the mysteries of the medieval world and write down what I can't see for myself.

excellent worse on the castle and its purpose.......2002-10-17

Philip Warner was lecturer at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, England and is the author of a numerous of books.
In this work, he gives you the need for the Castle, why it came into being, how it developed. He show the strict structure of the Castle society - inside and out, the lives of the people running it and those serving in it, even down to what they are and worse. He even cover medieval recreation!!

He breathes live into the subject, giving a fresh new look instead of tired impressions.

Excellent work for people wish to see Castle life as it was or for Writers of Historical works.

Highly recommended.

Superior.......2000-10-01

This beautifully illustrated book explains how and why castles were built in the middle ages and why they were such a dominant influence on medieval life, especially in times of war. Philip Warner recreates a complete picture of daily life in a medieval castle: how peasants and nobles lived; how men fought in tournaments and trained for combat; how castles were sited, designed, managed, attacked and defended; and what the the people who lived in them ate, drank, and wore. This book will also go a long ways toward breaking up some of the preconceived notions that people have about castles. One learns that the castle was not primarily a refuge. The object of the castle wasn't to retreat from conflict, but to control it. The Medieval castle was a dynamic integral part of medieval society and Philip Warner does brilliant work in showing this. Whether you're a medieval history buff or just a curious layman read this book. It will take a little effort to find it, but it's worth the time.

extremely informative and well-layed out.......2000-05-21

If you only read two books on castles, make it Gies' Life in a Medieval Castle and this one. The two books are very similar in layout and readablity, but Warner's is a bit more detailed and in depth. It also has very nice illustrations. As much as I love Francis Gies' book, I think this one just edges it out.

Behind the Castle Gate: From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance

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Behind the Castle Gate: From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
Matthew Johnson
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0415261007

Book Description

Combining innovative scholarship with fascinating narratives, Behind the Castle Gate uncovers a people's history of medieval English castles. We see how the transformation of the castle, in design and function, reflected the changing identities of its occupants from the medieval to the renaissance eras.

Schools and Masters of Fencing: From the Middle Ages to the Eighteenth Century

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Dated, but yet to be surpassed
A MUST HAVE FOR FENCERS
Flawed; but a classic none the less...

Schools and Masters of Fencing: From the Middle Ages to the Eighteenth Century
Egerton Castle
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486428265

Book Description

The standard reference on historical swordsmanship since its 1885 publication. The author traces fencing from its roots in the unschooled brawling of the Middle Ages to its latter-day precision and refinement, focusing primarily on the 16th-century development of the rapier and its popularity in Renaissance Italy. 150 black-and-white illustration.

Customer Reviews:

Dated, but yet to be surpassed.......2005-07-13

Although this history of fencing is over a century old, and some of its conclusions are deeply flawed, it is still the most complete and accurate book on the subject. Castle's dismissal of early works on swordsmanship as "The rough untutored fighting of the Middle Ages" is unfortunate. I defy anyone to examine Sigmund Ringeck's Fechtbuch (as translated and interpreted by Christian Tobler in Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship) or the anonymous Manuscript I.33 from 1300 (translated by Jeff Forgeng in The Medieval Art of Swordsmanship and analysed by myself and Paul Wagner in Medieval Sword and Shield)and conclude that medieval fencing lacked system and sophistication.

Also unfortunate is Castle's evident belief that the history of fencing is a process of steady improvement to the perfection of fencing in his day. It was a good thing for Castle and his contemporaries that they never had to face the trained killers of the middle ages and see their "rough untutored" fighting for themselves.

But, quaint 19th century notions of superiority aside, in his description of the fencing masters of the 16th-18th centuries, Castle is unsurpassed. He possessed the rare ability to separate observation from opinion. So, while his opinions may be...interesting, his observations, unsullied by opinion are for the most part accurate. He examined about a hundred different fencing masters and their systems in analyses that are sometimes deep and sometimes quite superficial.

Other authors have attempted to write histories of fencing, but none have managed to separate their observations of the old masters from their personal opinions. Hence none are as useful as Castle. As old and as dated as this work is, it still deserves a place on the shelf of anyone interested in the history of swordsmanship.

Stephen Hand
Author, Spada, Spada II,
Medieval Sword and Shield

A MUST HAVE FOR FENCERS.......2004-02-15

A REVIEW BY NICK EVANGELISTA:

This book is a must for all fencers. It is a font of fencing knowledge, and although much criticized by members of the modern historical fencing movement, it is nevertheless a valuable resource.

As the author of "The Art and Science of Fencing," "The Inner Game of Fencing," and "The Encyclopedia of the Sword," and the editor/publisher of FENCERS QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, I recommend this book highly.

Flawed; but a classic none the less..........2003-07-25

This is a very readable and enjoyable history of the evolution of the various "schools"(or philosophies)of self defence with the sword, expressed with a detailed look at their main proponents, the salon masters of years ago.

Castle's personal sketches of the masters are enlightening and full of anecdotal material. The accompanying illustrations are mostly reproductions of period wookcuts which are invaluable in themselves.

However, the poorly reproduced photographic addenda reveal that Castle was as much as a century off in his ability to identify and date sword types. This of course was not the purpose of his work.

Even given this small flaw, I wholeheartedly recommend this for the fencer or martial artist of any level who is interested in the roots of the art. We are fortunate that Mr Castle provided us with such a good, solid history.

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A love story

An amazing journey

WOW, Good Reading

Splendid!

A truly remarkable novel from start to finish!

Afton of Margate Castle (Theyn Chronicles, No 1)
Angela Elwell Hunt
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Troubadour's Quest (The Theyn Chronicles, Book 2)

Hartford (Keepers of the Ring Series, No 3)

The Emerald Isle (The Heirs of Cahira O'Connor #4)

Charles Towne (Keepers of the Ring Series, No 5)

Jamestown (Keepers of the Ring Series, No 2)

ASIN: 0842312226

Book Description

Beautiful, headstrong Afton is taken from her parents at an early age and raised in the castle, a companion to the earl's daughter. Schooled in the ways of kings and surrounded by splendor, Afton falls in love with the earl's son, Calhoun, her childhood protector. But Calhoun's mother, the Lady Endeline, has much different plans for him than marriage to a villein's daughter. Suddenly Afton's world is torn viciously apart. She is cast out of the castle, given to a man she fears and despises as a reward for his loyalty--an all to clear reminder that, for all her dreams, she is nothing but a villein. Now all she has left is a burning desire . . . for vengeance.

Customer Reviews:

A love story.......2005-01-01

This is a love story about Afton, a serf brought into the castle to be raised, and Calhoun, a son of the lord of the castle in training to be a knight. The story spans about 30 years, and goes through the various trials and tribulations that each face separately. I found that I could not put the book down, and that there was plenty of action. The book was extremely detailed, and included many historial aspects that I found interesting--the fight between Stephen and Matilda, for example. I would recommend this book.

An amazing journey.......2002-01-25

This book is an amazing journey into the life of Afton, a young vilein with many siblings. She is taken into the castle to be a companion to the earl's daughter. After falling in love with the earl's handsome young son, they marry her off to a cruel man. This is a remarkable story about one woman's determination for revenge...and all-consuming love for a brave young knight named Calhoun.

WOW, Good Reading.......2000-11-14

I see that "Afton of Margate" has been published again. No wonder, it is a fabulous read. This book has started me on reading just about everything she has written. I am now up to about 20 of her books. I love her hint of romance. You are drawn into her characters and into the period of time that she writes about. She writes about strong women. If you want a "never put it down book" this is the one!

Splendid!.......2000-08-15

One could write for hours on end praising the obviously thorough reasearch Ms. Hunt has put into this novel. the reader is ushered into the plot in a very rare manner -gently, without being "talked down to". Somehow, every term seems clear although one may not have been familiar with it before reading the story. This is a very special quality. Even more time could be passed gushing over how smoothly the plot flows and how real the characters seem. One actually feels a part of the story. But all this seems useless to cite. The novel is of such incomparable matter that one simply has to read it to believe it. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book!

A truly remarkable novel from start to finish!.......2000-07-19

Afton Of Margate Castle had me hooked from the beginning! I could not put it down once I started reading it! Every detail of the plot and characters creates an unbelievable storyline that brings the historical context of the Middle Ages to life. This novel reminded me of the essence of human nature and the constant faithfulness of God throughout history. It was truly a thought provoking and challenging story; one that forced me to reflect on my own life and times. I just discovered this series and I can't wait to read the rest of The Theyn Chronicles!

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