Medieval World - Softcover

Smith (Ch, Miranda; Steele, Philip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0753460467 ISBN 13: 9780753460467

Publisher: Kingfisher, 2006

Synopsis

Thundering hooves, shining armor, and magnificent fortresses . . . the medieval age still fascinates young readers. Heraldry, knights, castles, battles, hawking and hunting, sieges, and holy wars -- The Medieval World by Philip Steele takes readers back through the centuries to medieval times. Fans of the chivalrous age will learn how a young page trained for knighthood, what it was like to ride into battle, how a castle was equipped for a siege, and much, much more.

About this title

Review:

Children's Literature
Think of the Middle Ages and you are sure to picture magnificent castles, fabulous feasts and knights in shining armor. These are just the highlights of a source that is rich with descriptive details and colorful illustrations. The early medieval world was based on a feudal system, which was an exchange of services and obligations. Knights were expected to follow a strict code of honor and went through rigorous training. Often they wore surcoats painted with badges over armor for identification and later these badges were known as "coats-of-arms." The book features armor, weapons, battles, tournaments and battling beasts. Castles were strongholds and in some areas entire walled towns grew up around them. Readers will learn how they were constructed, how they vary and about many special features. Although castle life was probably colorful, it certainly was not comfortable3/4they were often cold, damp and dark. But on special occasions, the people looked forward to a magnificent feast, which might begin at ten in the morning and last for several hours. This excellent source is loaded with interesting information. Also included are a timeline, glossary, index and thumbnail sketches of famous knights and knaves. 2000, Kingfisher, $12.95. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Laura Hummel
Children's Literature
The knight on the cover comes galloping directly toward the reader with sword and shield in hand. Behind him, a fierce battle rages with knights in full armor. This heavily illustrated book credits no less than twenty-five individual artists and includes reproductions of medieval paintings and tapestries. Woodcut illustrations, cut-away cross-sections of buildings, and busy full-color scenes of life in the medieval period fill the pages of this book. Every illustration or photograph has a detailed caption. The illustration showing the fortification of a castle also describes a specific battle staged at that castle. The text has many references to specific places, people, and events of the time. The book is divided into five main chapters, plus a reference section, each with many subdivisions. The "Age of Chivalry" chapter discusses the medieval world, the crisis in Christendom, the knight's code, becoming a knight, the knightly orders, and heraldry. The "Fortress Homes" chapter discusses building a castle, finding clues to the past, a castle town, the gates and walls, and the market days. The "Castle Life" chapter talks about the food and drink, the kitchen, the great hall, the home life, keeping clean and healthy, keeping in fashion, the chapel, hunting and hawking, and the tournament. The "Ready for Battle" chapter discusses the armor used by knights, the deadly weapons, the battling beasts, the open battle, the capture and ransom, being besieged, being under attack, the end of a siege, the fields of conflict, the holy wars, riding east, and the killing fields. The fifth chapter, "The End of an Age," talks about other knights and tales of chivalry. The last chapter, entitled"Reference Section," deals with castles in history, knights and knaves, and knights in fiction. The back matter also contains an index and an illustrated glossary.
School Library Journal
Gr 5-8-Slim, chronological titles that focus on the periods from the Ice Age to the 1500s. Each volume is broken down into regions of the world and includes clear discussions ofjewelry, textile production, hair care, grooming, hygiene, and a warrior's battle dress. The garments of both men and women and different classes are addressed, as is the impact of climate, geography, charismatic leaders, and significant historical events on costume. Details such as the development of clothing and accessories in the ancient world are particularly interesting, as the use of tools and materials became increasingly more sophisticated. Colorful reproductions, drawings (some labeled), photographs of artifacts, and informative sidebars are used effectively to emphasize points and help create visual images. The arrangement of the volumes works best for students studying a certain period; it may prove cumbersome for those researching one place over a longer period of time. "A Fashionable History of-" series (Heinemann Library) offers similar information but within a shorter time frame and with a focus on Western dress. Librarians looking to beef up their collections in this area will find these titles to be useful and engaging.-Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature 
This excellent source is loaded with interesting information. School Library Journal
Librarians looking to beef up their collections in this area will find these titles to be useful and engaging.
Children's Literature
This excellent source is loaded with interesting information. School Library Journal
Librarians looking to beef up their collections in this area will find these titles to be useful and engaging.
This excellent source is loaded with interesting information.

Librarians looking to beef up their collections in this area will find these titles to be useful and engaging.

This excellent source is loaded with interesting information. "Children's Literature "

Librarians looking to beef up their collections in this area will find these titles to be useful and engaging. "School Library Journal ""

This excellent source is loaded with interesting information. Children's Literature

Librarians looking to beef up their collections in this area will find these titles to be useful and engaging. School Library Journal

"

About the Author:

Philip Steele has a passion for writing about history. He is a well-known author of more than one hundred children's books, including Castles, Pirates, Knights, The Best Book of Mummies, The World of Pirates, and The World of Castles. He was a student of medieval French and German literature, and has visited castles in England, France, Germany, Spain, and Poland. He has travelled to the Valley of the Kings and other sites of Ancient Egypt, and has met mummies face to face in the Cairo Museum. Philip now lives near Beaumaris and the other great castles of North Wales.

About this edition

• Publisher: Kingfisher
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0753460467
• ISBN 13: 9780753460467
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 95