Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #185779 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

From Library Journal
Gravett (Bosworth 1485), an internationally recognized medieval expert and chief curator at Her Majesty's Tower of London, has put together a spectacular volume filled with breathtaking photography and fascinating history surrounding the building and lives of castles. Tackling the subject on a massive and global scale, Gravett explores castles in Europe, Russia, and the Middle East, as well as other fortifications in India, China, Japan, and Central and South America, and forts in the United States. He shows castles as symbols of power and places built for defense, administration, and the dispensation of justice. He also discusses religious battles and siege warfare. The book contains 200 beautiful color photographs, 30 reconstructions, 70 detailed maps, and an excellent index and table of contents. Although it makes for a handy traveling companion, this book also belongs in history and architecture collections. Recommended for all libraries. Melinda Stivers Leach, Precision Editorial Svcs., Wondervu, CO
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover
Christopher Gravett has given us a fascinating look into how castles were built around the world, and why, in this major book. Floor plans and construction details of many castles are included, along with the stories of military campaigns waged to lay siege to and destroy them. For students or history and architecture this is a landmark book. Includes 200 full-color photographs, 30 recontructions, glossary, and 70 detailed maps.

Customer Reviews

An absolute must for the medieval castle hunter.
This book is great tour guide to many of the most fascinating castles and fortifications in many parts of the world. The many full color photographs and detailed fascinating and clearing written text shows why and how castles were built in different regions. Covers why and how they were used, construction details, and in some cases, how they were destroyed in battle.
Some castles are described in detail with floor plans, designs, color pictures, construction details and castle history.
The many detailed photographs and illustrations present to the reader the various reasons for building a castle and how castles and other fortifications were constructed and used in different parts of the world.
I found this book to be of great help in understanding the design and construction details of medieval castles. While not detailed enough for one to build a castle from this book, it could be a good starting point for those of us that are builders.
Includes almost 200 full-color photographs, 30 recontructions, glossary, and 70 detailed maps.

Castles for the Layperson
As a result of visits to several castles in Britain and Europe, I have become interested in the way that castles evolved over the centuries. In particular I like to know the reasons for the inclusion of certain features.
There are many books available about castles, but this is the one that best suits my needs. The first chapter deals with the early beginnings of fortifications, which involved only building walls around towns. Subsequent chapters give information on historical advances in design of castles, country by country, covering Britain and the European continent. There are even a few pages on Japanese fortresses, South American fortifications and North American forts.
The production is classy, being printed on quality paper with appropriate and plentiful coloured illustrations. It is large enough to allow sufficient detail for the interested amateur, but is still not too big and heavy to hold comfortably while seated in your favourite armchair.

Excellent!!!
I love anything having to do with history and this book is so far the best which I own on castles & fortifications. It's filled with great info & pics/illustrations! I haven't read through the whole thing yet because the pictures are to distracting. I found my self just flipping through the book and staring at all of the cool pics. This book is a definite recommendation! Well worth your time