Fun history of medieval England
344599
Having only taken history survey courses, I realized I couldn't tell one English monarch from another; so I bought Foundations.  Ackroyd does an admirable job, starting with prehistory like Stonehenge and ending with Henry VII.  Though he had a few themes he reiterated throughout the book, this is definitely not a textbook but rather a narrative.  The chapters relating the necessarily chronological tale are interspersed with many short chapters about the lives of ordinary folk along with anecdotes and occasional passages from the letters of a man who represents the middleclass of the era.  It's both entertaining and informative with suggestions for further reading as endnotes organized by chapter.  There are three sections of illustrations, many quite colorful, along with an index at the end.  Oddly, no maps of medieval England are included, nor are there many likenesses of the various kings.  Ackroyd does include references to the literature of the day along with a few children's rhymes and their origins.  Discussion of architecture and the design and construction of villages abound; the later part of Foundation depicts the rather bizarre history of Oxford and Cambridge as well as academic institutions at all levels.  Overall, the reader gets a glimpse of life as it was like in the middle ages while learning fairly detailed accounts of each king in a wonderful format for those who don't want to take a class or read a textbook.
159334
We had a lot of fun studying the Middle Ages, and this Guide and the text it accomanies were part of the reason. The Famous Men series introduces children to history through biographies of key people in the era being studied. The Guide helps the teacher take children deeper and provides helpful lists of additional resources, both for the instructor and the students. Lots of good ideas. Lots of good titles, most of which we were able to find in the library. (One of our favorites was Days of Knights & Damsels by Laurie Carlson, with fun activities and tasty recipes.) As with other Greenleaf Guides, this one is a bit more effective with older children, but can be adapted for the younger set. It worked for our family; I recommend it for yours!
1831821
Enjoyed reading this book, which goes from William the Conqueror to modern-day England, with the history centered on the New Forest and the families that lived there over the centuries. The characters are fictional but the facts provided are real. I read The Forest in advance of a trip to the Dorset area and it has enhanced the anticipation and given me ideas for places that I really want to see.
4933
This was a great book on the Middle ages. Starr did his research for this one, and it showed in the book. I'm sure murder and mayhem happened quite a bit during medieval times. Death was more taken for granted, and less than a shock than it often is now. Between plagues, accidents, lack of food or health care...life was usually short and hard. It's amazing that lives were still lived, children were born, people were most definitely closer to the God, and even art was accomplished. I think if most of us were thrust back in that time period, we die from discouragement and desperation.

The history in this tale actually made up a significant part of the reason I gave this four stars. I love history with anything. I use history in all my science classes to make the science more applicable and memorable. Good history in a mystery like this keeps my attention. I appreciate the research the author does. A young man who is not the inheritor of his father's estate, Hugh de Singleton, decides to become a surgeon. He starts his practice in Oxford, but comes to the attention of a local lord, who asks him to become involved when the skeleton of a woman is found in the castle's cess pit. First thing, is to find out who is missing from where. In a day, when forensics has not even been thought of yet, Hugh must use his powers of observation and deduction to figure out what ends up being not just one murder, but several.

This is a highly enjoyable, and 'safe' book. What I mean by safe, is there isn't bad language in this book, or a lot of sex. I personally don't enjoy either of those in books all the time. If there is too much of either, I'm liable to put the book away. If that makes me a prude, so be it. I just choose not to clog up my mind with unnecessary crap.

If that's your preference this looks like the series for you. Like I said, great history, good mystery makes for a fun mix.
3223513
I found this work to be both informative and entertaining. The book is well researched and comprehesively presented. I assigned it to my incoming APEuropean History class, mostly fifteen year-olds, and they were able to understand, retain and recall the information. Also they enjoyed the book and did not complain! I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in Medieval History, or teachers who want to give their students a background of English Medieval History.
2632734
I waited a long time before I could get my hands on a copy of this wonderful history of home and family life in England. It is a great backdrop to many of the authors' wonderful historical novels, and includes many great illustrations. Lots of little interesting bits of info about the state of being a female from the 12th century up to the the late 1970's. I was not dissapointed.
4164995
I was surprised when I started reading this book (college medieval history class)  It's not dry and boring like they used to be when I was going to HS. (like 15 years ago)  It gives a little chapter related story in the front of each chapter and they're interesting to read on their own.  It also has some grammatical errors interspersed here and there throughout the book, which I find incredibly amusing and that just makes the read that much better IMO.
1551841
This was a challenge read for me but well worth the extra time spent on it.  The author has command of the English language and is quite the loquacious writer.  I felt it was not a simple story with a hero, but a time in history which incorporates the different peoples of England with church, nobles and the peasantry.  The author has been fastidious in his research for the time period in which the story takes place and in the end of the book has listed notes of his historic information and footnotes.  This is a story of Chivalry so it includes Knights, battles and historic characters as well as the famous legendary Robin Hood.  I also found some humor along the way.  The author also has many phrases in Latin and French and I really learned some history in the process of reading.  I was highly entertained.
1080221
A good snapshot based on England's middle ages. Would differ form France and rest or Europe.. this is something to consider for those really interested in history. But still a good reference; sintetic, good rythm.
4706224
Very good reading.  Gave me a glimpse of the 13th/14th century life in England.
3854120
Good medieval mystery. Historical characters are accurately depicted.
2337955
My children (whom I homeschool) and we loved this book. It was entertaining, with some a frisson of mystery to it. We learned a great deal about the way people lived and made their way in the world in the medieval ages. Typical texts tell the stories of the wealthy and important, but this book shines a light on how the regular folk--people like you and me--lived within and outside of the system. My sons have recommended this title for next year's book club.
3375364
Fun book - history through a tasty dessert :) The illustrations are beautiful and researched well for historical accuracy. I love the rhythm of the text AND the illustrations.
3173468
Recently I heard about the book Stuff & Nonsense by Ian Baillie. I learned something of it and immediately ordered a copy.

ISBN 9 781784 559236.

It kept me fully occupied every evening enjoying not only the clever verse but also reminders of some history I had forgotten. My wifes curiosity was aroused not infrequently on hearing my chuckles and laughter. It is a history of the Kings and Queens of England from a different perspective and could nay should be necessary reading for those at school. The supporting notes are most helpful and enable the reader to differentiate fact from anecdote. The books light-hearted approach to history makes it easy reading and easy to absorb facts. I hope Ian Baillie commits more such things to printed verse.

John K Corner (author),
Melbourne,
Australia.
752697
It's hard to express how valuable of a resource this is for truly understanding medieval England. Rather than focusing on boring historical passages, Mortimer focuses on the things we all wonder about, and which are useful if you're writing medieval European-style fantasy fiction: what you ate in the Middle Ages, what diseases and treatment you often endured, how you traveled, where you stayed on your travels, what you wore, what politics and jokes and interaction with the various social classes, what people were like, and what the landscape of England was like.

Besides being informative, the book is enjoyable to read. It's written in second person and present tense, as if you were a traveler to the 14th Century and are being narrated through your experiences. I love this book and can't recommend it enough!
348275
Enjoy reading about that time period (mid 1400 England) . The author notes fact from fiction. I look forward to  her next book.
1994347
We have all enjoyed this book, it gives abrief history English Monarchs, from1066 to today that is short and very understanable.  Well written , able to appeal to all.  Good read, and full of history, if it is your frist trip the London.