Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: A Math Adventure

Product Description

Sir Cumference, his wife, Lady Di of Ameter, and their son, Radius, use geometry and problem-solving techniques to help King Author. 32 pages. 8 1/2" x 9 1/2". Ages 5-10.

Customer Reviews:

Geometry and Camelot.......2007-08-10

This 32 page children's book tells how Sir Cumference, his wife the Lady Di of Ameter, and their son Radius solve the problems of the king's table. King Arthur and his knights needed to have a council, but there was a problem with the table around which they met. It began as too long; after that was fixed, the table had too few sides, and other tables produced more objections. Geo of Metry makes tables in several shapes before a round table solves all the problems. The illustrations are great, with medieval pageantry and geometric explanations. A few other characters from Camelot appear, such as Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain.

This is a great book to introduce geometry to the young, making it fun and easy. Shapes and measurements are explained in the quest for the perfect council table for the king and his knights. When the round table is finally found to be the perfect shape, the king names certain measurements after Sir Cumference, Radius, and the Lady Di from Ameter. Very cute!

Led to instant recall of proper geometric terms.......2007-04-28

My kids (9 and 6) , who are homeschooled, loved this story and it resulted in them being able to instantly recall the proper names of geometric elements and classes (e.g., radius, circumference, obtuse, acute). This is probably due to the clever visual and contextual associations provided. We bought another book in the series right afterward with the same results. Plan to get them all.

Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: A Math Adventure.......2007-02-20

Very cute story and a nice way of using word play to describe geometric vocabulary. Great for an introduction to the concept and as a review for older children.

Great Way Of Sneaking In Math!.......2006-08-05

My daughter has always had a problem learning Math but reading this book (along with the others in this series) has helped her immensely! The books themselves are a bit young for her but the concepts in them (Pi, Geometry, etc) are explained in a way I think she needed.

I would recommend these to anyone who has a child with problems in math concepts.

Sir Cumference and the First Round Table.......2006-06-29

This little book appeared to be very clever and well illustrated, however the quality, colors and illustrations were not what I had expected.

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics)

Average customer rating:

Retold one time too many?
Best compilation
do you like a stories inside a greater story?
Everything you needed to know about King Arthur but were afraid to ask!
AWFUL ARTHUR!!!

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Puffin Classics)
Roger Lancelyn Green
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

Classics | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

Love & Romance | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0140366709

Customer Reviews:

Retold one time too many?.......2007-08-28

I had to overcome having read one too many retellings of these tales in reading this book.
I think the major flaw is taking the late middle ages Christian approach.
On the plus side the author pretty much sticks to the classic story lines and even puts in the Tristam legend
(his undoing here as the Cornwall Kingdom is where Arthur's mother conceived him, not a a place out of time ).
He changes Vivian to Nimue and calls magic the deceptions of Merlin and Morgan le Fay making everything as the Christians of later times would have it.

Best compilation.......2007-03-26

I have read many versions of the Arthurian legends, and revisited them again in three different books recently. Of those, this version was the best. It was compiled from several different sources, and manages to flesh out some of the legends of the lesser knights and Merlin the Enchanter more than many versions.

Despite being a Puffin Classics edition, it does not condescend to the reader, nor read as a diluted telling, as is so often the case in educational publishing. If you are looking for a clean, coherent telling of the Arthurian tales that won't require wading through archaic language, this is the version for you.

The paperback pricing is nice too.

do you like a stories inside a greater story?.......2006-08-24

The story King Arthur, which was written by Roger Lancelyn Green, is a truly exhilarating adventure set in the middle ages, and it contained many fascinating characters such as King Arthur, who was the king of Logres and who was one of the most important characters in the story; another character is Lancelot who was one of the best Knights of the round table and went on many quests, bringing much honor to Logres, and was quite important through out the book; another character would be Queen Morgana le Fay, she was not only a witch, but also the sister and nemesis of King Arthur, she often tried to capture or kill him and his knights, but in the end she makes peace with him; last but not least is Merlin, he is one of the best know characters, he is a wizard who saves King Arthur life twice, and foretells the future many a time; eventually he is buried alive by Lady Nimue until he is needed once again.

King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table was a collection different quest within one larger story, mainly telling the history or King Arthur and how the knights of the round table came to be, and there many legends; the majority of the book was sort of like the exposition, it was getting us accustomed to the characters and the vibe of the story so that the reader could get understand the end of the book when they searched for "The Quest of the Holy Grail" and the "Final Battle" which are the two main conflicts. This book is so good, because anyone can take something away from this book, R.L. Green's stories all have a theme to them whether it is about jealousy, integrity, kindness, forgiveness, or honor, the lesson of chivalry is always stressed, and there is always something for the reader to relate to making the book overall very satisfying.

Everything you needed to know about King Arthur but were afraid to ask!.......2006-07-07

This was the first King Arthur book I ever had. In more recent years I've read Le Morte D'Arthur, the Mabinogion, Bulfinch's Age of Chivalry, and a hundred other collections, some for children and some for adults. This is still the best-written, most comprehensive version I've found.

It tends to read a little like King Arthur's Greatest Hits--no bad thing, really. The story of Geraint and Enid is in there from the Mabinogion, Germanic legends are plundered to discover a bride for Sir Perceval, and Gawain fans will be pleased to know that his spotless character has been restored. He even gets to find the Grail!

There are many other children's collections out there, but none of them as comprehensive as this. As for the old classics, they can be hard to get and, like Mallory's , do unforgivable violence to favourite characters and then spend half the book on the story of Tristan and Iseult.

AWFUL ARTHUR!!!.......2006-04-19

This book was the worst!!! I usually enjoy reading books, but I didn't enjoy one little microscopic segment of this book!!! It was really hard to understand, and it felt like that all Roger Lancelyn Green cared about was death!! I mean really in one chapter I counted that 12 people died!!! In one single chapter!!!!!

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Classic Literature With Classical Music. Junior Classics)

Average customer rating:

Intellectual classic for the whole family
Very cool to listen to!
Very entertaining
Great fun
Great for a family car trip

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Classic Literature With Classical Music. Junior Classics)
Benedict Flynn
Manufacturer: Naxos Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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

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

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

General | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
Similar Items:

Accessories:

GPX C3948BI Ultra-Slim CD Player with 40-Second Anti-Shock Protection and Car Kit

ASIN: 9626341386
Release Date: 1997-10-07

Customer Reviews:

Intellectual classic for the whole family.......2007-09-01

The whole family is hooked on this. The classical music that accompanies it is compelling. You think you are there.

Very cool to listen to!.......2007-05-16

Sean Bean does an awesome job on this production. His range of voices and dialects are amazing. Very eerie in the parts that are supposed to be.

Very entertaining.......2007-03-09

It's hard to take such a well known tale and still make it fun to listen to, but Sean Bean's voice and cadences kept me listening to the end.

Great fun.......2007-01-04

We like to listen to audiobooks on long car rides. This one was very well done. Our two children (6&8) loved it.

Great for a family car trip.......2007-01-03

Sean Bean does a wonderful job reading. The classic story kept the kids and parents spellbound during a family road trip.

Knights of the Tele-Round Table: 3rd Millennium Leadership Insights for Every Executive-Especially Those Who Must Manage from Afar

Average customer rating:

Knights of the Tele-Round Table: 3rd Millennium Leadership Insights for Every Executive-Especially Those Who Must Manage from Afar
Jaclyn Kostner
Manufacturer: Warner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Workplace | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Decision-Making & Problem Solving | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Leadership | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0446518794

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Little Golden Book)

Average customer rating:

Kids should read this - a 8 year olds review
Very good reading
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Little Golde
Great Book!
A thoroughly entertaining retelling of the classic legends

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Little Golden Book)
Emma Gelders-Sterne , and Barbara Lindsay
Manufacturer: Golden Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 030710432X
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Amazon.com

No kid should have to grow up without a healthy helping of King Arthur and his noble knights (to better understand Monty Python later in life, if nothing else), and this stunningly illustrated, faithfully recounted collection has few equals.

Originally published in 1962, the handsome reprint includes the same illustrations that made the original so compelling: the late Swedish artist Gustaf Tenggren (also responsible for the bestselling kids' book of all time) captures these stories' bravado and high adventure with majestic, almost theatrically composed paintings, many of which stretch dramatically over two pages. Tenggren's credits also include the original concept art for Disney's Snow White and Pinocchio, and you'll find that same posed, classical style here. (Although be warned that, like the Arthurian legends themselves, things can get a little messy, whether it's Lancelot's sword splitting Meliagrance's helmet in half or the giant Taulurd getting his arm chopped off by Sir Tor.)

Tenggren's illustrations are clearly the star of the show, but the collection also features excellent text from Emma Gelders Sterne (who was pretty noble herself, as a civil rights and women's suffrage activist), with the help of her daughter Barbara Lindsay. Perhaps realizing that these tales sometimes require affection and patience to fully appreciate, they never shirk from occasionally challenging but satisfying period language, from damsel's "wimples" to "churls in armor." (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes

Book Description

Wizards and knights! Queens and quests! The tales of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table are legendary favorites whose appeal transcends time. This gorgeously illustrated collection–unavailable for decades–combines the work of renowned illustrator Gustaf Tenggren with captivating storytelling, and reignites the magic of
an age long ago and far away.

Customer Reviews:

Kids should read this - a 8 year olds review.......2005-10-02

I think all kids 7 and up should read this book because it is a real history book. And they should read it because everybody should get a turn reading stuff they haven't read before. I would describe this book as a moral for listening to other people. This book was really sad because all the kings and queens died. I think there should never be wars. It was a really exciting book because I got to learn something.

Very good reading.......2005-08-15

My daughter and I who were not entirely familiar with the legend of King Arthur, enjoyed this book very much. Although it is a quick overview of Arthur's exploits as well as the adventures of the knights of the round table, it is nontheless captivating. Easy to read and nicely illustrated.

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (Little Golde.......2004-11-17

Being that this is a Little Golden Book and the reading level was listed as 4-8, I assumed that this book would be appropriate for my seven-year-old nephew. However, this book is clearly designed for an older child, both in themes and reading level. Now, I am out my shipping money, and I doubt I'll be ordering from Amazon anytime soon.

Great Book!.......2002-12-21

I first read this around 1967, when I was 10 years old. I remember it quite fondly. It felt very real, read very smoothly, and the pictures were amazing, if a little gory. I strongly recommend this book for young readers. I'm completely impartial, too. My mother and grandmother were the co-authors! :)

A thoroughly entertaining retelling of the classic legends.......2002-12-12

Superbly illustrated by Gustaff Tenggren, and collaboratively retold by Emma Gelders Stern and Barbara Lindsay, King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table is an informative and thoroughly entertaining retelling of the classic legends of King Arthur and Camelot for young adult readers. Filled with museum quality, stylized full-color artwork, King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table presents the whole course of King Arthur's life, and those of his allies and enemies, in skillfully narrated, straightforward prose immediately accessible to young people of intermediate reading skill and above. King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is enthusiastically recommended for personal, school, and community library Mythology & Folklore collections.

The Sword and the Circle: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

Average customer rating:

Not Free SF Reader
A favorite legend
the Sword and the circle
Old flappy's bucket o' reveiw
Analysis

The Sword and the Circle: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
Rosemary Sutcliff
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

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

Love & Romance | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0140371494

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Sutcliff here tells the story of the young Arthur Pendragon, and how he
comes to be king of Britain, in the manner of the Sword in the Stone.

The structure of this book is slightly different, as far as each
chapter focusing on one particular character of Arthur's circle.

A favorite legend.......2006-10-24

Rosemary Sutliff acknowledges in the preface of the book that this story really is a myth, albeit a myth built around a real person. Many of the stories connected with King Arthur are retold here.

Read as a myth, the book is enjoyable. I could not enjoy it very much due to the prevalence of magical occurences. I know these are crucial to the story, and it is all very celtic, but the magic did bother me. Also that several cases of immorality were treated lightly, for example, between Guenever and Lancelot.

the Sword and the circle .......2006-08-30

The sword and the circle

The sword and the circle is about a young knight that finds out he is the true king of Brittan when he pulls a magical sword out of a enchanted stone in the capitol of Britons church
His name was Aurther and he was loved by most of his people, his aunt thought that her son should be the rightful heir and she tried throughout the first years of Aurther kingship to take the throne
When Aurther marries the beautiful Guinevere he comes into the possession of the round table, a table that has magical powers and has places set for each night that is worthy of king Aurther court
The tale of king Aurther is full of magic, mystery, and adventure.

Old flappy's bucket o' reveiw.......2006-06-07

The Sword and the Circle by Rosemary Sutcliff is a very interesting book. It is about a boy named Arthur Pendragon, son of both Utha Pendragon and Igraine Pendragon. He starts off as a foster boy in Britain in the medieval times. He has no idea that he is heritage to the throne of Great Britain. Until one day his foster brother (who is a knight) is ready to partake in a tournament but Arthur forgot his sword at home. Not being able to get in, Arthur decides to take a sword out of a stone as easily as if it went out of a sheath. (He has no idea that pulling the sword out would make him the King of Britain.) Then he finds himself king at the age of sixteen. Arthur wants evil to leave his lands, so he asks knights to take up quests. Can a single man do the deed? This book offers a certain quality, which is hard to find in books that make the readers feel as if they are part of all of the action. It's fast pace makes it almost never boring. I would recommend this to anyone with an active imagination and a somewhat sense of maturity. This book is a little bit graphic so it should be for ages 10-14 and if you are a girl this may not be for you, unless you are used to graphic violence.

Analysis.......2006-04-26

The Sword and the Circle by Rosemary Sutcliff is a story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. There are many variations of this story. Sutcliff keeps her story very traditional. Her book includes stories of all the major Knights of the tales, from Sir Lancelot to Tristan and Iseult. This is a good book, because each chapter has its own tale and it follows the original story very closely
Each chapter has its own unique part of the story. As a chapter ends and another begins, it is as if one story finishes and another starts. Each chapter has a separate climax of its own as well as one for the entire book. This keeps it interesting, because there are no long, boring low points to the story. Usually, the chapter is about a certain person, like a Knight or maiden, who takes on some kind of significant adventure. Although there is a distinct separation between chapters, Sutcliff does a great job in putting them all together to make a bigger story as well.
This story, basically, takes the original and makes it easier and more interesting to read. Other authors try to make the story there own, but Sutcliff just makes improvements to the original. Also, The Sword and the Circle doesn't lean the story towards a certain character or theme, but tells the whole tale.
This book was very enjoyable and it is recommended to people of all ages. Sutcliff did a terrific job of putting all the stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table all together in one story, and also showing the significance of them individually as well.

Knights of the Round Table (A Stepping Stone Book)

Average customer rating:

Kid tested, mother approved
Awful writing, terrible grammar, bad for children
Perfect for reading to a younger child
Textbook example of how NOT to write sentences
Knights of the round Table

Knights of the Round Table (A Stepping Stone Book)
Gwen Gross
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

Royalty | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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

Princesses | Obsessions | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literature & Fiction | Large Print | Formats | Books

Romance | Large Print | Formats | Books

Children's Books | Large Print | Formats | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Romance Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0394875796
Release Date: 1985-10-12

Book Description

imagine a mythic kingdom in England of wizards and witches, fire-breathing dragons, and dreadful giants. Who can rule this magical land? Who can overcome the powers of evil? It is the destiny of King Arthur and his noble knights, who protect and serve the people of Camelot. A perfect introduction to the Arthurian legends.

Customer Reviews:

Kid tested, mother approved.......2005-06-30

This book was one of three Bullseye Classics we bought for my son's second grade English class. He picked this one up as soon as the box arrived and had it read within an hour. He loved the stories and was able to re-tell them to his little sister. I hadn't heard the stories about "Big Hands" or "What do women want?" This collection really got his imagination going and he wants to read more about King Arthur.

To tell you the truth, I didn't notice the problems with sentence structure, etc...I was enjoying the stories too much.

Awful writing, terrible grammar, bad for children.......2003-10-01

In addition to the ham-handed telling of the story, the writing in these Bullseye books is just terrible. Half-sentences. Written like this. Or this. Part of the value of such books is that young readers will learn to read "chapter books." But the English and grammar in these books is so abysmal as to render them useless for this task. I was very disappointed.

Perfect for reading to a younger child.......2003-02-03

I agree that this is not the finest book written on King Arthur, but it is one that can be read aloud, and easily enhanced by a grandmother anxious to read these legends to a second grader---- finding something appropriate for a young listener has not been easy!

Textbook example of how NOT to write sentences.......2002-08-20

It is hard to believe a book this poorly written could make past the editors! There were so many run-on and incomplete sentences I had trouble reading it to my daughter. I can only imagine what my second grade daughter went through reading on her own. We will keep this book if only to serve as an example of how NOT to construct sentences. There is a year's worth of grammar exercises in this book.

Knights of the round Table.......2001-11-02

I think this is a very good story because its placed in history. I like when the giant takes off his head. You should get this book for your child.

The King Arthur Companion: The Legendary World of Camelot and the Round Table

Average customer rating:

The King Arthur Companion: The Legendary World of Camelot and the Round Table
Phyllis Ann Karr
Manufacturer: Reston Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

English (All) | Dictionaries & Thesauruses | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

From Scythia to Camelot: A Radical Reassessment of the Legends of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and the Holy Grail (Arthurian Characters and Themes)

Average customer rating:

Horrible history, funny to read
Hello New Archeological Evidence; Goodbye Bias
A "Radical Reassessment" Reassessed.
A good read with a lot of depth
From Etymology to Conjecture: Laughable Research of Arthurian Lore

From Scythia to Camelot: A Radical Reassessment of the Legends of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and the Holy Grail (Arthurian Characters and Themes)
C. Scott Littleton , and Linda A. Malcor
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Medieval | World | History | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Medieval | Classics | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Fairy Tales | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Folklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0815335660

Book Description

Includes 19 maps.

Customer Reviews:

Horrible history, funny to read.......2007-08-08

I am a student of medieval history, and in fact am working on a research paper right now to determine if there was any kind of cultural influence on the Scots/northern British. I must say that this theory is the most ridiculous I've ever seen. In relation to cavalry, Malcor and Littleton completely ignore the fact that the Celts, Romans and Germans had cavalry, in most places before any contact was made with Sarmatians. Effective battle tactics are much more likely to be adopted than foreign legends. This alone negates their theory.

I emailed Dr. Malcor when I began my research because of the difficulty in finding information on the Sarmatians specifically; most of it was on the Scythians. She replied with the name Sulimirski, who I've read since and his own research contradicts hers. She sent one additional tidbit. There is a genetic study being conducted on families in Scotland, along the Hadrian's Wall area, and in NE Ireland. This study has found genetic markers unique to Eastern Asian and Scandinavian peoples. Malcor emphasizes the Eastern Asian connection, and pushes the idea that it is from the Sarmatians. However, any person even casually familiar with British/Irish history know 1.that Scandinavians settled, raped and raided in Scotland and Ireland both for centuries. A few thousand Sarmatians will not make that kind of difference. 2.The frequent movement between Scotland, Britain and Ireland, with settlements and marriage. Centuries of settlement and marriage will make a larger impact than a few foreign imports. These are more compelling facts than the Sarmatian theory.

Last, although Melcor and Littleton choose to emphasize the work of Sulimirski, they neglect to mention that of the 5,500 Sarmatian cavalry troops sent to the Hadrian's Wall area, and this is the only place they were sent by Marcus Aurelius, he acknowledges that 5000 of them are unaccounted for. The little settlement at Ribchester they make so much of was a typical veterans settlement, which would have only had 500-1000 veterans. The others disappeared from both history and Roman records. Most likely they were killed in combat or deserted.

The other assertion they had was that the Sarmatian/Alan cavalry was the inspiration and direct ancestor for the well-known medieval "knight in shining armor". The question I asked myself the entire time was "why did it take more than 1000 years for this kind of knight to develop in Europe?" It seems obvious that if both tribes had the kind of influence in Britain and Gaul that Melcor and Littleton insist on, the prototypical knight would have developed much sooner.

The shoddy research and manipulation of facts were very funny to read. If you want a good joke, by all means read this book. But if you want historical fact or plausible theory, leave it strictly alone.

Hello New Archeological Evidence; Goodbye Bias.......2007-06-14

An inconvenient truth indeed. On par with scholars like Dr. Frye of Harvard and John Curtis the Curator of British Museum, Prof. Littleton too has given us a new, modern view of these tales and the influence of Sarmatians (North Iranian tribes) on the Anglo-Saxon mythology.

The book is based on new, shocking archeological evidence left behind by Sarmatians and their Scythian cousins, based on the writings on cave-like walls traced back all the way to northern Iran.

Anyone who questions these findings is like when the church executed Galileo for saying, "the earth is round, not flat", or the Christian right questioning evolution and Darwin: hard-evidence and logic speaks for itself, and Prof. Littleton (of Scottish background himself) is recognised as one of the leading Arthurian scholars of his time.

A "Radical Reassessment" Reassessed........2006-11-10

Recommended only for revisionist historians.

Littleton and Malcor purport to prove that just about all--yes, all--Arthurian legends stem from the ancient horse cultures of central Asia. What they deliver is something less. Riddled by unflagged opinions and "presonal communication" masquerading as scholarly sources, this book does provide exhaustive analysis fo many Arthurian tales.

As a goad to further discussion and research, this book works. As "one of the most significant scholarly works on any subject in the humanities written during this century", as the cover blurb claims, it fails.

Reader be warned, Littleton and Malcor do not examine the various theories of who or whether there was a historic Arthur. They are content to accept the work of others there. What they do is discuss the origin of the stories.

They should have reviewed J. R. R. Tolkien's "On Fairy Tales" ("The Tolkien Reader", Del Ray, 1966). While not denying, because he felt it strongly himself, "the desire to unravel the intricately knotted and ramified history of the branches of the Tree of Tales", Professor Tolkienb quotes with approval, "We must be satisfied with the soup that is set before us, and not desire to see the bones of the ox out of which it has been boiled." Despite his decades as Professor of Anglo-Saxon [philology] at Oxford, Tolkien humbly acknowledged himself too "unlearned" to deal with the "questions of origins."

Littleton and Malcor suffer from no such humility, but then their book hardly reflects the high standards of scholarship Tolkien probably sought.

Recommended only for the serious student of Arthuriana. For all I can tell, Littleton and Malcor's theory may be correct, but their methodology and documentation clouds rather than supports their scholarship.

A good read with a lot of depth.......2005-06-19

I appreciate the authors of this book shedding light on the commonly unaccepted belief that Arthur was actually a Roman battle commander. Contrary to come reviewers comments, this book was thoroughly researched and presented exceptionally well. To say Lucious Artorius wasn't alive during the accepted time of Arthur or all the Knights had Celtic or Gallic names is to fall into the trap of historians protecting what they were tought, regardless of the facts at hand...... it's sort of like saying Senator McArthy was wrong about communist spies even after the Venona Project was declassified. You won't here those types of things because historians defend their positions regardless of indisputable facts. There is no accepted time frame for Arthur, every historian and scholor is stumped to when it comes to hard facts about him. As far as why the names are all celtic and gallic, when legends and languages evolve, people twist them to make them their own. Languages, pronunciations, spellings, they all change, and get passed down..... if you were a british soldier would want to hear heroic tales of Sir Slobadon or heroic tales of Sir Tristan to inspire you for battle?

All in all this book was a great read, as long as you go into with an open mind that nobody really knows a hard fact about Arthur. The theories are backed up, believable, and presented well.... I think this book has more evidence and depth than any other book about the legend of arthur, and if more people would open up their minds and stop defending the status quo of what we think is history, could lead to the end of the mystery as to who King Arthur really was.

From Etymology to Conjecture: Laughable Research of Arthurian Lore.......2005-04-21

Linda Malcor's book on King Arthur seeks to not only break the mythological perceptions of the romanticized Arthur but also seeks to part with the main schools of thought on this subject by presenting a revolutionary theory that Arthur was a Scythian warrior serving as a Roman auxiliary cavalry leader in Britain at the end of the Western Roman Empire. Don't be fooled by the propositions in this book as the scientific methods presented are based almost entirely on etymology allowing for no more than conjecture as to the conclusions they claim to support.

Most historians agree that Arthur was a Celt-Roman leader in Britain who lived during the collapse of the Western Roman Empire c.450-475 A.D. and, that he led a military/political movement to fight off the increasing migrations of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, that were coming to Britain from modern-day Denmark and northern Germany. Contrary to the book's claims Lucius Artorius is not a possible candidate, as evidence strongly indicates that he was alive under the reigns of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus c. 180 A.D.: that's 270 years before the accepted time frame for King Arthur. Primarily through flawed etymology and conjecture, the book claims that the Holy Grail, The Lady of the Lake, etc. are undoubtedly the product of Sarmatian culture and evidence of such culture in Britain. These premises are entirely the product of conjecture and refer to no physical evidence to support the conclusions that are made. The Holy Grail is a Christian symbol that had been around for 450 years in the Roman Empire and such symbols were introduced to Britain and Ireland by evangelists such as St. Patrick. Dragons, The Green Knight, Merlin, The Lady of the Lake, and Excalibur, are all stronger evidence of known Celtic/Druidic symbolism and rites than anything else. The book therefore fails to conclusively show how the Sarmatian culture was a necessary precondition for such symbolism in England during the Dark Ages or that Arthurian myths have anything to do with Sarmatian culture specifically. Another point the authors fail to properly explain is, if members of Arthur's entourage were Sarmatian, why do they all have Celtic/Roman/Germanic names such as Artorius, Ulfius, Galahad, Tristan, Gawayne, Uther, Vortigern, Morgana, Mordred, etc., etc., etc.? All of the characters in Arthurian myth have Celtic, Roman, or Germanic names: not Sarmatian ones. Also, whereas there is good indication of Sarmatian influence in Poland, Russia, and Eastern Europe, in the adoption of their unique cavalry tactics and armor (Sarmatians wore wings as part of their cavalry armor) by the indigenous populations, it interesting to note that no evidence of such armor or weapons has been found in England. Finally, most of the Arthurian myths come from Wales and southern England, not Scotland or Northern England where the book claims Arthur was the most active: presumably there's a reason for that. It is also important to note that most of the Celtic revival and geopolitical expansion at that time was focused in southern Britain and Brittany in northern France as evidenced by multiple Celtic settlements and forts: not Northern England.

This book is on shakey grounds and based primarily on conjecture no different than if one were to conclude that the words 'dog' and 'dogma' are very similar and therefore many Old English words have Hindu origins so that the English must have been of Hindu origin or vis versa. Robert Graves had similar problems in his book "The Greek Myths" in which he tried to support his theory of pre-Mycenean Amazonian civilizations whose matriarchal goddesses such as Hera, Hecate, etc. simply incorporated into the patriarchal triad of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, by later Mycenean and Doric invaders. Graves wanted to show how words and names in the myths such as with Kronos or Theseus and the Minotaur reveal the practice of males being sacrificed and castrated by these matriarchies in their religious festivals. Although Malcor and Littleton actually have a contrasting culture to reference as opposed to Graves' mythical Amazons, the means to connect them is still limited to inconclusive etymology that is simply insufficient to scientifically support their theories. The inconclusive etymology presented in the book is a stronger indication of the lack of grounds than the strength of it. In addition to a strong absence of written sources, the book also suffers on the archeological level in that there are simply no artifacts or monuments to suggest Sarmatians had any significant presence or role in England during that time. This work is therefore more of an excercise in academic sophistry than anything else and bears little scientific weight. [...]

Average customer rating:

Anxious waiting fulfilled by this awesome book.
KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE: GERAINT Is A Captivating Read!
An interesting blend of traditional and modern chivalry tales.

Knights of the Round Table: Geraint
Gwen Rowley
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Arthurian | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

Gothic | Romance | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Romance Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

General | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0515142638

Book Description

Powerful warriors of nobility and honor, the Knights of the Round Table fought for king and country, rescued damsels, and went on dangerous quests. But true love may be the most perilous quest of all...

Sir Geraint is one of King Arthur's ablest knights but is considered impulsive by his father, the king of Cornwall. When he rashly marries Enid, a beautiful and mysterious swordswoman, Geraint's decision sparks questions about whether the love that's captured his heart so suddenly is a blessing-or a curse...

Used to the gentle ladies of Camelot, Geraint is at once infatuated with and suspicious of his bride, a strong and independent warrior woman, gifted with magic powers by the Lady of the Lake. Enid has come to Camelot to secretly learn the fighting techniques that may help her small, peaceful tribe resist a rumored invasion. When she realizes that Geraint may not trust her, Enid is torn between fierce loyalty to her people and a powerful love for her husband that no magic can cure.

Fearing that Enid has been deceiving him, Geraint takes her on a dangerous journey that will not only test her true feelings but determine whether the differences that attracted them will fuse into a real, long-lasting love-or tear them apart and ignite a senseless war between their two kingdoms...

Customer Reviews:

Anxious waiting fulfilled by this awesome book........2007-07-27

I had read the first book of Lancelot and was incredibly impressed only to find out that Geraint wasnt due out for a few months past then. so i waited patiently and finally got the book last week. I read it in under a day. i couldnt put the book down. the trouble between Geraint and Enid was magical yet just like any married couple. Extremely good read.

KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE: GERAINT Is A Captivating Read!.......2007-04-06

I have read or aspire to read everything in historical fiction concerning Arthurian or spin-off stories from this "legend." In this novel, Geraint and Enid are showcased as very like individuals with the exception that Enid has three magical gifts endowed upon her by The Lady of the Lake. These gifts are a beauty that men find endlessly appealing, the strength of ten men and the ability to cloak or camouflage herself from the eyes of those she does not wish to be seen by.

When Geraint meets his wife she is battling two ruffians. Impressed by Enid's skill and beauty he decides he must marry this woman as he will have her no other way. She is not to be trifled with, however, a few days later after the wedding he wonders if he made a rash decision. His father has always said he's too impetuous.

There are many secrets being withheld between them. Enid's is one of loyalty to her people and training them to be warriors who can successfully defend her tribe. While learning by watching other warriors at Camelot her husband discovers that she would much rather be in the practice yard than embroidering with the ladies. He wonders how much he doesn't know about her and begins to have serious doubts about her fitting in at Arthur's and his father's court, let alone becoming the eventual Queen of Cornwall.

His father sets Geraint out on a mission to meet the people of his domain with his new wife not just with the intention of introduction to their people but to enable Geraint to test her on the journey to determine if she can be trusted. Their adventure leads them into unexpected situations and people with their very lives at stake. Will they grow to finally trust each other with their secrets and work together or will their two kingdoms fight an unnecessary war?

I haven't found many novels that address these two figures in Arthurian times but the author pens a fine read that keeps you on the edge of your seat!

An interesting blend of traditional and modern chivalry tales........2007-04-01

Ever since I was able to discover that books had stories in them, and I turned into an omnivorous, compulsive reader, one genre that I never tired of was the world of Arthurian legend. It didn't matter if it was good or bad, I devoured them all, and when I ran out of fiction to read, I turned to the more scholarly works in the endless debate which is known as The Matter of Britain.

Author Gwen Rowley has taken one of the more obscure knights of King Arthur's Table, and made a new twist on the story. Sir Geraint, the son of the king of Cornwall, is journeying to the High King's court when he finds a woman battling off two marauding theives. He helps her, feeling that she's in need of immediate rescue, but can't help but be amazed at this woman who is beautiful, blond and looks to be able to stand quite well on her own, thank you.

Enid of the Donella tribe has more than several secrets to hide. In her tribe she is a warrior woman, dedicated to training the young men in the arts of war, and it is a duty that she loves, finding delight in swordplay. But now she is on her way to King Arthur's court to find a way to learn the ways of his calvary and knights so she can return and teach them to her people. To help her, the Lady of the Lake has given her three magical gifts -- beauty, strength, and invisibility -- to help her. The only catch is that she must renew the spells by the light of moon and in running water.

To complicate matters, they are both attracted to each other, especially Geraint. Known for his impulsive nature, he asks her to marry him, and then starts to woo her in earnest. Before they reach Camelot, Enid agrees, despite her misgivings, feeling that as Geraint's wife, she'll have an easier way to learn the knight's ways. Geraint, unfortunately, for them both, sees her only a maiden in distress, and thinks that she'll settle into a more ladylike lifestyle, than go off swinging a sword. Worst still, he lies about her family -- since she has told him nothing of her mission -- to the High King, and slowly, lie builds upon lie.

For Enid, the life of a lady is miserable -- she finds long skirts uncomfortable after her mannish clothing. She finds their chatter incomprehensible, and soon is slipping off to watch the knights. Seeing a boy being bullied, she goes to protect him, and soon her secret -- that she can fight just as well or better than the men -- is out, with humilitating results for Geraint.

Tension between the couple grows, with him thinking that Enid thinks he's coward, Enid hurt because he won't try to understand her, and both of them consumed with mistrust. When he suddenly decides to return to Cornwall, Enid finds herself in a truly difficult situation for a wife -- it seems that King Erbin is the one that is seeking to conquer her small tribe, and that she will have to choose between her vows and her love for Geraint.

I do have to say that I did find this blend of romance and Arthurian legend interesting. Gwen Rowley does deviate quite a bit from the traditional tale where Enid is insufferably proud and Geraint impossibly good, but she also creates two characters that are interesting of and for themselves.

Geraint is more than a guy in armor with battle and sex on the brain; he's able to turn a courtly phrase, and takes time to sooth Enid's fears. Enid, in her turn, is not the typical ninny to be found in romances -- she speaks her mind, has guts enough to stand up to Geraint in his more pigheaded moments, and stays very much a woman in her world. It's a refreshing change from most retellings of the Arthur legends, and manages to be a vibrant novel.

Rowley's writing style is brisk, and she doesn't waste much time having the characters sunk in self-pity. Both the action sequences and the romance are well handled, without too much silliness, and while the story does get a bit odd in places -- the entire bit involving kidnapping and the troll is a bit over the top -- it's still readable.

Rowley has written a previous book in the series, about Lancelot, and there is to be a sequel involving another knight, Gawain, some time in the future.

Four solid stars over all, with both the hero and heroine being interesting enough to keep the reader involved til the end.

Recommended.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books