Castles (Single Subject References)
Grade 3-9?An approachable, comprehensive, clearly illustrated overview of medieval European (and a few Near Eastern) castles. The book's strengths are its well-organized format and careful balance of text and illustrations. Steele touches on almost every facet of castle construction, inhabitants, celebrations, and rituals, as well as more mundane topics such as sanitation and the kitchen. He gives an excellent, yet simple description of the steps to becoming a knight, the correct way to behave at a banquet, and the roles of peasants. Full-color photographs of realia, period art reproductions, and drawings combine with highlighted or bold text to keep the eye flowing from one page to the next. A four-page foldout of a castle and its environs add distinction to the book. The glossary is well formatted, and an index and illustrated timeline of castles from A.D. 476-1453 make this title a sound choice for young researchers.?Joan Soulliere, Wenham Public Library, MACopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.