In search of Chester's medieval castle
589223
While looking for a source to cite I came across a preview of this book, several pages long, and enjoyed reading it very much.
We learn about the early history of the castle from 11th C motte and bailey through the replacement of timber by stone. The castle was built over two periods so the great hall was in different places at different times, and we learn the part it played in daily life. The chapel of St Mary de Castro, keep - which was changed from square to round at the end of 12th C -  and various rooms, features and defences inside what was essentially a garrison town. We also learn about some of the nobles who lived there; the seventh Earl was a Crusader.
I particularly like the account of how a castle was attacked and taken via a newly built garderobe, a fire dated to 1302 causing damage, and bringing us relatively to modern times with a gun platform from 18th C.

The author quotes from sources such as Frank Simpson's 1925 work on the castle and the pages are frequently illustrated to show people and buildings.
I have no doubt the rest of the book is written to a similar standard, with good attention to detail.
This is an unbiased review.
536040
Redwall is a legend about a young mouse named Matthias that wants to become a warrior like his hero Martin the Warrior.  Then a dark cloud of evil comes over his fair home at Redwall Abbey.  That cloud is a rat named  Cluny the Scourge.  When Matthias hears of this evil he goes in search of  the sword that had once belonged to the mighty Martin the Warrior.  Will he  find the sword in time to stop the evil Cluny?  Or will Cluny take over  this once peaceful Abbey?  To find out read Redwall.  This book is a  definite "must read" book.  The veiwpoints of Redwall and Cluny's  hoard gives you a better understanding of what is going on in the book.
3970707
very scholarly but very readable!!  I have visited many of the castles and ruins described in this volume and found it renewed memories and enhanced my knowledge.  As an aside--this volume was shipped promptly and arrived well ahead of the expected delivery date.
1851298
The story was a little too sad for me. I am very interested in visiting the castle the book described.
2723556
For the genealogist/historian interested in English history, this book provides a look at a little-known (at least to me) resource, the parish chest, which potentially (should it survive fire, invasion, riots and pestilence) holds birth, baptism, death, titles, and such tidbits as 'records of touching for the king's evil.'  There are thousands of parishes across England, and potentially thousands of parish chests.  Even finding the chest should provide an adventure and a story worth telling.  This is a great enrichment to the history/story of English villages and towns, families and kin, and all the fascinating minutiae of life in earlier times.
190818
Disappointed that most of the building photos are not identified.  I was looking for history of that area and it is mostly photos of old buildings.
2178144
I like to read older books, so having read three of Paul Johnson's more recent works, "A Quest for God", "A History of the American People" and "Napoleon", I decided to seek out some of his earlier work.  I have always been interested in the Middle Ages, so this work seemed a natural fit to satisfy my interests.  Half of this book is filled with very interesting photos and drawings that give a feel for the time period.
  This book will not cover every aspect of King Edward III's life.  It is more than an overview, but it also never attempts to be a chronicle of
a year by year account of this king's fifty year reign.  So what do you get by reading this book?  You are able to understand how and why Edward started the Hundred Years War with France.  There is detailed attention paid to the manner in which the war was fought, with the objective not quite being in conquering France but proving that England could muster the will to occupy much of France.  Time and space is devoted to Edward's son, the Black Prince as well as the social changes that were occurring in England at this time as well.  A few unexpected surprises for me were the sections describing Edward's naval battles and the Black Prince's incursions into Spain, previously I had not learned of these events.
  I would have liked to see more focus given to the impact of the Black Plague in England and some mention of Edward's attempt to seduce the Countess of Salisbury, which is not mentioned at all.  One wonders what has been learned about Edward III since this book was written in 1974, but that is a problem that can be easily overcome by additional reading. There could have been more maps in the book, but there is one excellent map about 50 pages into the book that you can flip back to.
 If you are a fan of Johnson's writings, this book will not disappoint, but if you are new to Johnson, I preferred his much longer, more detailed, "A History of the American People".
289367
I live in Randolph County and it was interesting to see some of the old buildings. Wish I could find out what is located on those spots now so I could put it into perspective of where I live.
2391043
This book explores events that occurred in the middle ages (a girl walled up alive) with a twist that she and the people involved have been reincarnated in present day England and come together again to relive the events of the past.  Although the idea of walling up someone seems gruesome, it was not uncommon practice several hundred years ago and the story is partially based in fact in that a young pregnant woman had been found to have been walled up alive and later discovered when the castle was redesigned for new inhabitants in more recent times.  An interesting look at crime and punishment in the medieval ages.
3610346
This an excellent book for learning about medieval warfare. Colour maps
of famous battles are plentiful as well as detailed line drawings of military
clothing, armour and weapons. There are chapters on knights, foot soldiers
and 'missle troops' (mostly archers).

The captions usually indicate when the image was made; nineteenth
centuries engravings and paintings are not that accurate. Even
contemporary images reflect who commissioned them, the
kings and nobles who are most prominent in medieval manuscripts.

The text shows that the book was written from a depth of knowledge.
The vital role of the peasant levies is described. Most histories
emphasise the role of the knights and archers 'while a mob of miserable
peasant infantry cower nearby'. Military camps, the effects of on
agriculture and the purpose of tournaments are also covered.

A whole chapter is devoted to siege warfare and the improvements
to castle defences. Battles are only the first step of an occupation; it was more important to
capture towns and castles.

An essential book for those writing or reading historical novels as well
as high school or first year university students of history.
1152737
Good information about the City of David and the true temple location down the hill from the old Roman fort walls.  The fort wall people call the wailing wall is up the hill from Davids temple on the thrashing floor and near gihon spring.
3962691
A very interesting way to learn about medieval life in England. skillfully written. i got the hardcover edition. a thick good book for a rainy day (or, weekend)
1160438
Wonderful read osprey at its best! Wonderful cut away colored drawings, good narrative history of sieges during the period cover and a solid thesis as to why Castles evolved in the period. The author does a wonderful job in explaining the donjon (or keep) castle design and how the concentric castle eclipsed the simple one main tower of the donjon. IF your looking for a good book on castles this is it.

My only complaint is that the second part should actually come first since it does chronologically and talks about Normandy (the origin of the design). Still I can't fault this book because of it since it does not effect the content in any way.

A must have for castle fans.
3699406
A summary of the review on StrategyPage. Com:

'In Besieged Rhodes, military historian DeVries and museum curator Smith, previously the authors of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Medieval-Military-Technology-Second-Edition/dp/1442604972/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Medieval Military Technology, Second Edition</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Medieval-Weapons-An-Illustrated-History-of-Their-Impact/dp/1851095268/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Medieval Weapons: An Illustrated History of Their Impact</a>, again  join forces, this time to retell the story of the long defense of Rhodes by the Knights Hospitaler against the Ottomans, who failed to take the island fortress in 1480, after which there followed a long uneasy peace, and a renewed and very successful siege in 1522. The authors draw upon many sources, including, documents, letters, and personal narratives, and make excellent use of physical evidence as well, with an analysis of the defenses, the siege works, and the weaponry, plus a look at the principal leaders, and supported by numerous illustrations. The events are firmly placed within earlier history of the Knights and the larger theater of European-Mediterranean politics. Despite a surprising lack of maps (some of the illustrations help), Besieged Rhodes is not only a very good account of these critical events, but also provides a good look at the evolution of siege craft in the period.'

For the full review, see StrategyPage. Com
420264
A wonderful book full of rich history, architectural detail, and great photos.  Considering the fragility and uncertain futures of some of these bridges this book is a real treasure.
4892080
This one is not as good as the first I thought.  It seemed to speed through the end.  I enjoyed the insight into the people who lived and visited the Castle.  I just think too many years were forced into too small a space
2824370
My son was doing a project on the Welsh Castles of Edward I. This book was the right book for understanding the Welsh conflicts that led King Edward to establish his castles.  The book came in plenty of time to be useful, and it arrived in good condition.  Thank you for having this in stock.