Book Description

This comprehensive activity book and curriculum guide contains all you need to make history come alive for your child!

Don't just read about history—experience it! Colro a picture of a Viking warrior, make an edible oasis, create a Moorish ruler's turban and Aztec jewelry and more. Designed to turn the accompanying book The Story of the World: Volume 2: The Middle Ages into a complete history program, this Activity Book provides you with comprehension questions and answers, sample narrations, maps and geography activities, coloring pages, lists of additional readings in history and literature, and plenty of simple, hands-on activities&151;all designed for grades 1-4. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

How Fiona makes you love History if you want to or not.
Fiona Macdonald is famous for writing beutiful books about the past. She explains in a very friendly, clear and fascinating way how our ancestors lived. Children who dislike history and who think that the past is boring change their mind when they see the magnificintly illustrated books Fiona makes. This book pulls you into the Middle ages and gets you as close to the past as possible without a time-machine. On the first page you see a picture of a medieval town, people are working, there ia a market and there is more than enough to see. On several place throughout the city you find small questions like 'Would you be afraid of these soldiers?'. You see three scary looking soldiers playing a game on a tower. If you would like to know what game they are playing you can go to another page. It works almost as a internetsite with several links. The book is almost ineractive. The Chapters are clear and very beuatifyllt illustrated. The author tells us how life would be for people in the middle ages. You can follow 'a-day-in-the-life-of, you can see battles, castles, cities and farmers. It is a book that you will pick up again and again. Children will love it, it is very handy for making school projects. As always Fiona Macdonald has succeeded in making another brilliant book about the past. Bringing the past closer and educating the young. The Illustrators have done a perfect job, every single picture is a pleasure to look at. ... Read more

Book Description

Join the Binkertons, twins Josh and Emma and their little sister, Libby, as they head to the Good Times Travel Agency hoping to visit the next Olympic Games — but end up in ancient Greece instead!

Adventures in Ancient Greece is an exciting mix of adventure and historical information about life in Greece in the fifth century B.C. Kids will learn about the Greek gods, the birth of democracy, Greek home life — and much more. They’ll love the book’s contemporary comic-book look, while parents, teachers and librarians will admire the well-researched storyline and solid factual information. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Comic book style, a bit of sarcasm, son loved it
Another homeschooler recommended this book to us as one book to read for our study of Ancient Greece. When my 6 year-old son saw the cover he begged for me to read it immediately. He loved the book and is asking if there are others available (which there are because this is one in a series).

We had just finished "Growing up in Ancient Greece" by Chris Chelipi which I thought was a bit boring. "Adventures in Ancient Greece" duplicated the same information and included additional information. So if you are wondering if this comic book style book (less serious tone) is lacking in content, I can assure you that it is not.

The format of the book is comic book style with sidebars that read more like a regular text. The storyline is that a boy and his two sisters enter a time travel-travel agency and request to go to the next Olympic games in the future. By mistake they are transported to Ancient Greece. A boy gives them a tour of Athens and explains daily life in Ancient Greece. They experience daily living such as the role of women, slaves, and foreign visitors vs. men, voting, worship, parties, and common foods eaten. They also find themselves in the middle of a war that is called to a truce before casualties occur, at the Olympics, and finally on a warship that is engaged in a war before coming back home, magically. There is some sarcasm and some silliness. Some of the sarcasm borders on disrespect, such as when the boy gives them olives to eat, and proclaims they are the best in the world and the boy thinks, "this is a treat?" The girl is annoyed that women lead subservient lives and makes some sarcastic comments. I chose to skip over some of the silly and sarcastic comments. In the end I know my son learned important content from this book, which is the goal! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is a very good book!
My sons and I enjoyed this book. It is about Charlemagne, but written from the perspective of his eldest son, so it keeps their interest. This booked sparked us looking into Charlemagne in more detail, from the history books, so it was great.

A great book!
This book tells you a lot about Charlemagne, but it is great for children because it is from a young boy's point of view. The young boy happens to be Charlemagne's son. It is well written and it gets the facts of history well in your mind without having to study! Its very interesting and I recommend everyone to read it! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Catherine Daly-Weir has done an excellent job of presenting a general and yet fairly complete introduction to Heraldry. The illustrations are beautiful and attractive. Obviusly written for the younger reader, adults will enjoy just as well. If you are working on a club/class project and need to creat a Coat of Arms, this book and Rosemary Chorzempa's "Design Your Own Coat of Arms" are all you need! You will have no trouble creating your own Coat of Arms expecially with the plastic stencil which is included in the book. A must have!

The stencil alone is worth the price!
This book is written for a younger audience than, say Rosemary Chorzempa's Design Your Own Coat of Arms. While there might not be as much information included, what is included is presented very well. There are full-color drawings that will appeal to kids (and adults, for that matter!) and the explanations are clear and understandable. But truly the best thing about the book is the stencil. It includes many of the common images found on historical Coat of Arms. More importantly, the stencil is made from plastic, so it will withstand many tracings. Many times a stencil included with a book is made of heavy-duty paper or cardstock, but those just don't hold up to repeated use. This stencil is made of see-through green-tinted plastic, so it is easy to see exactly where to place the image you are tracing.

Wonderful educational book
This is a wonderful educational book, where the child can actually create his/her own coat of arms using the stencils in the back. The illustrations are also vibrant and beautiful! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Historical info for kids
This is a history book that describes the lives of knights in the Middle Ages. The book describes how boys could become knights, what the rules of the code of honor for knights were, and what battles between knights were like. The book introduces a lot of factual material and vocabulary, but there is no plot or story line. At the end of the book, there is a short section describing some famous knights and their dragons. Personally, I found the book a bit dry, but kids who are fascinated with swords and armor may show some interest in it. The book has about 900 words.

Knights in Shining Armor
As an heraldic artist for over 40 years and with grandchildren becoming interested in ALL things, I found this book very helpful in passing on my interests. It has helped them to become intrigued with the Knights of the Roundtable and their play now includes slaying dragons and rescuing fair maidens.They also have started asking about the various insignia in all my books on heraldry.

The illustrations brought to life the costumes and customs of the era. The story was written simply so that any young child could readily understand what the author was saying.

Thanks to Gail Gibbons for such an interesting way for children to learn. ... Read more

Book Description

Text and detailed drawings follow the planning and construction of a magnificent Gothic cathedral in the imaginary French town of Chutreaux during the thirteenth century. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A fascinating way to learn more about architecture
I began reading David Macaulay's books when I was about eight or nine years old. But his style is so addictive, it's really ideal for all ages. In addition to "Cathedral," he has similar books entitled "Castle," "Pyramid," "City" and more.

"Cathedral" introduces a fictional 12th century French village named Chutreaux, whose church was destroyed when it was struck by lightning. The citizens decide to have a new one built, which will be the largest, tallest and widest in the world. And this is where the story begins.

Like Macaulay's other books, it describes in great detail the process involved in the planning and construction of such a structure. In addition to the informative, entertaining text, nearly every page is filled with massive, detailed illustrations. Although the town and cathedral of Chutreaux is fictional, it is typical of its respective time.

Reading this book, you will find yourself immersed in the lives of Chutreaux's citizens, not to mention trying to grasp the enormity of the construction project (since it takes nearly a century to complete, those who started the project will not live to see it finished).

All of Macaulay's books in this series are fascinating. But this is my favorite.

Chapeau Monsieur David Macaulay!
We bought two copies of this book. One for us, and one as a present for appreciation month of our pastor. We may even buy one more for a Christmas present! The author did not bind the book to the Catholic religion. It can be read an enjoyed by everybody. I read this book for the first time in 1988 and I always felt it was very detailed and as close to the truth as possible. Being (born) French and raised in France I lived by this type of cathedrals all my life. The writer was able to keep the mood of the medieval times as well as keeping it enjoyable and modern enough that even our American children (11 and 13 year old) love this book. People who have visited European (French) cathedrals can feel even more in this book the effort accomplished during the construction of a cathedral by medieval people. This book is good for children and for adults. This book is better understood if you traveled in France. From Provence in the South of France to the beaches of Bretagne you will find cathedrals that can fit the description of the building process described in this book. Great family entertainment but it is also a very good introduction to medieval buildings! Chapeau Monsieur David Macaulay! from A French expatriated now American citizen :O) living in Gurley Alabama Webmaster of the Gurley Community & Town History web site

A wonderful introduction to architecture and the Middle Ages
Having just finished a great book called "Great Cathedrals", filled with 400 pages of jaw-dropping photographs, I kept wondering how in the world they could have built such marvelous edifices with rudimentary implements over 800 years ago. David Macaulay's "Cathedral" is a book ostensibly written for children but which will fascinate readers of all ages. In scarcely 80 pages, Macaulay takes us back in time to the year 1252 in the fictional French village of Chutreaux where the people decide to build the "longest, widest, highest and most beautiful cathedral in all of France" for the glory of God. Macaulay's text is minimal, but his exquisite black and white line drawings say it all: the step-by-step stages in the building's construction, the craftsmen and the tools they used, and the dedication that kept this project going for 80 years until its completion. We feel a sense of awe at the dedication of the original architects and craftsmen and builders who knew that they would be long dead before the cathedral was finally finished. Macaulay's glossary at the end of the book helps us to understand the major elements of the Gothic cathedral, and his cross-sections and diagrams provide clear illustration of just how the cathedral rose from its foundations. At the end of this volume, we share the awe and pride the townspeople felt at having shared a goal for over 80 years and making it a reality. Macaulay's "Cathedral" is a marvelous creation in more ways than one.

not only for children
It is indeed a book that can be read easily in a couple of hours. However, if you read "between the drawings", if I may say so, you will discover a very deep knowledge of structural design. In fact, I had the chance to read first John Fitchen's The Construction of Gothic Cathedrals, and I can assure that I enjoyed Mr. Macaulay's work much more. Perhaps "Cathedral. The Story of Its Construction" falls short in words and should have been beefed up with more text. Still, I recommend this book. It is hard to find another book with drawings so detailed showing perhaps the most accurate construction means used by the medieval builders, from the very beginning of the construction of these espiritual and community gothic buildings to the end.

Great introduction to how cathedrals were built
Having seen a number of European cathedrals, it is mind boggling to try to imagine how they were constructed by medieval people. This book uses beautifully detailed pen and ink drawings to show how it was done. The book goes step-by-step through the over 80 year process by which successive generations of the local citizens built a fictious French cathedral. All of the key aspects of the procedure are depicted, including designing the structure, obtaining materials, digging the foundation, building walls and flying buttresses for a ceiling over 100 feet high, casting and hoisting bells, and creating huge stained glass windows. This book is really not for children under about 10 years old--although people assume it is because it is illustrated and has text which can be read in under one hour. Given the complexity of the topic, it was just much easier to describe the process using drawings. If you are interested in how cathedrals were built, this is a great introduction. ... Read more

Book Description

New Look! Relaunched with new jackets and 8 pages of new text!

Here is a spectacular and informative guide to the life and times of the medieval knight and his followers. Superb color photographs of everything from suits of armor to the lord and lady of the manor in full costume offer a unique "eyewitness" view into the lives of medieval people at peace and during wartime.See a horse's armor, medieval siege engines, how armor is made, how a castle is attacked and defended, how a knight put on his armor and the weapons of a Japanese samurai. Learn the rules of jousts and tournaments, the language of heraldry, how the sections of a suit of armor were joined together, how a falconer trained his hawk and why the Crusades were important. Discover who treated the wounded on a medieval battlefield, how knights hunted for deer, the way the first guns worked and how a knight recruited his followers, and much, much more! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Got out of knights
It was pretty good, but it was kind of showing out of the knight period. They wrote a lot about castles and it was titled knights. This bothered me. I really liked how it showed what a knight has as his duty.

Interest your children in REAL history
DK eyewitness books are some of the greatest non-fiction books around. The distinctive white background and high-quality photography gives this book an edge over any other nonfiction picture book. And -- these pictures are real! They're beautiful museum-quality photos of all things related to knights, accompanied by informative captions and text.

Learn about medieval life, knights, armor, etc. If you know someone (young or old) who is fascinated by medieval times and knights, then you must introduce them to this book!

Captured his interest for days! He keeps going back to it.
My 10 year old son is fascinated with all things midevil. This book shows the armor, weopons, and lifestyle of knights. The photos are excellent and the copy is interesting. Your child may need a little help with some of the vocabulary.

Not the best.
Boring, boring, boring. This book wasn't good. It had anlmost no imfo. I didn't like this book.

For grown-ups AND kids alike
I own several books from the Eyewitness Series and I am imprssed with them all. Why weren't these used as textbooks when I was in elementary school :)

The pictures are quite vivid and there is so much content inside the book. You WILL come away with a greater knowledge and better appreciation of history of knighthood! ... Read more

Book Description

Silk has long been considered a symbol of wealth and luxury. But thousands of years ago, the production of silk cloth was one of China's most prized secrets. So how did silk become one of the most sought-after materials in the world?

With lavish illustrations and a highly informative text, The Silk Route traces the early history of the silk trade-from the mulberry groves of China to the marketplace in Byzantium-and explores how two of the world's greatest empires were brought together, forever opening the channels of commerce between East and West.

Reviews (6)

There are better choices.
I found this book sadly lacking in substance and quality activities. Spend your money on Days of Knights and Damsels by Carlson.

An Anti-Church Guide to the Middle Ages
This book has many interesting arts & craft ideas which kids find fun. However, one must endure numerous unsympathetic interpretations of the times which present the Church and Christians in general as ignorant and superstitious people. For example, the book states that Joan of Ark "heard voices in her head that helped her do battle and led her to victory." Such a statement would lead one to believe that she was really schizophrenic and not a saint of the Church. There are simply too many examples of this kind of smug, retrospective arrogance towards Christians of the past to list in this review. In every chapter, Christians are painted as stupid, blood thirsty, narrow-minded, etc. Their anti-Church bias is just too blatant to overlook.
One would be better off checking out Martha Stewart's kid magazine for craft ideas and pick up a less biased history book to read to children. Any Christian educator will want to avoid this book.

Fantastic Read
This book is an excellent tool to use. The projects: Build your own castle & catapult was LOVED by my 9 & 7 yr olds. The information was in a way that kids could read & understand it all. Very useful for all.

At last an activity book that says for ages 6-12 & means it!
As a homeschooling parent, I am always on the lookout for interesting and fun learning resources. This book was not a disappointment for our family. The activities truly range in age ability and interest from 6-12. So while a six year old fashions her knight helmet (one of the activities included), her older brother might discuss or write his opinion in response to one of the several interesting discussion topics sprinkled throughout the book. And many of the activities are enjoyable for kids of all ages, including adults. The norm with kid activity books is to state they are for kids ages 6-12, while in reality, they are geared more towards kids in the 6-9 age range. This book is full of fun activities, interesting information, and food for thought for learners of all ages! Can't wait to bake and paint the bread!

Brings you Back in Time
This book really makes you feel like you are in Europe during the Middle Ages. Although a little of the book is for younger children, most of it is appropriat for all ages. All of the crafts are well explained. The only fault I find is that the books explaination of chess is off. Other then that, it is very worth while. ... Read more

Book Description

What was it like to wear armor? What was the food like in castles? This book explores what life was really like in medieval times. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Wonderful book for kids of all ages
This is a wonderful book for kids of all ages. The reference works in back to museums, internet sites and other books is well done. I recommend this book for any one who has children interested in Knights and Castles!

Terrific Reference for Middle Ages * Art * Theme!
I'm an artist and art teacher, and after discovering this book, I ordered copies for my middle school ART students! While it's an easy read for students of this age (5th through 7th grade), it's packed with understandable text and pictures. It's a great reference for the various art projects that my students are doing as part of our study of the Middle Ages, and the kids have really enjoyed it....

Knights and Castles
Mary Pope Osborne does it again!

Our Family loves the Magic Tree House series. They hit us on many levels. Our youngest loves to be read to, our next just hit chapter books, our oldest is beyond this intro. level chapter books - but loves this series & reads the books over and over.

I am delighted to introduce reasearch ideas in such a non-threatening, inviting manner to my children. Learning and reading is so fun; and this concept sheds new light for a young audience. Not only will this help after reading the MTH series, it will add a new dimension when going on field trips, museums, the library, the internet, etc. I am going to share this book with our elementary school.

Ms. Osborne and her husband take the opportunity to be thorough, while simplifying for young minds - and the illustrations keep a young reader's attention.

Bravo! Keep 'em coming.

Great for fans of the magic tree house!
My 4-year-old son and I have been reading the Magic Tree House series for nearly half his life; they are among his favorite books (in fact, when given an opportunity at a book sale at day camp this summer, he opted to buy the next book in the series rather than the Pokemon cards that all his friends were buying!). When I showed him the Knights and Castles Research Guide, he was thrilled! We started reading it right away, and he found it fascinating. Especially appealing are the illustrations, much more numerous and detailed than those in the regular series. My only (very minor) disappointment is that it would have been even more wonderful if these books in this Research Guide series had been presented as if they were the actual books that Jack and Annie found in the treehouse (complete with the quotations that appear in the Tree House books), rather than ones they put together from "research" after their visits. ... Read more

Book Description

Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife to two kings, mother to two others, has been waiting in Heaven a long time -- eight centuries, more or less -- to be reunited with her second husband, Henry II of England. Finally, the day has come when Henry will be judged for admission. While Eleanor, never a patient woman in life or afterlife, waits, three people, each of whom was close to Eleanor during a time of her life, join her. Their reminiscences do far more than help distract Eleanor -- they also paint a rich portrait of an extraordinary woman who was front and center in a remarkable period in history and whose accomplishments have had an important influence on society through the ages. ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Magnificent intro to one of history's most powerful women
I first read this book at least 15 years ago and have never forgotten it. This book and The Daughter of Time launched my ongoing love affair with British history. After reading this book, I was so inspired that I dressed as Eleanor of Aquitaine for Halloween; I was shocked and astonished to discover that she was far from a household name and I spent my entire evening of trick-or-treating explaining my costume. If more books for children were as historically accurate and entertaining as is Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver, I think more people would have recognized and appreciated my costume. E.L. Konigsburg writes some of the best children's books I've ever read and they stand the test of time- I enjoy reading them now as much as I did then. By writing about an often ignored yet fascinating woman, Konisburg opened my eyes to a range of historical characters usually excluded in traditional history books. I highly recommend this book for any child, but especially for young girls who are looking for more female characters to shape their understanding of world history.

A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
"...Louis was too thickheaded to use this valuable tool, this queen, this restless beauty, this Eleanor." So begins the wonderful saga of the spirited Eleanor of Aquitaine, her husbands, sons and daughters. From her marriage with Louis of France to that of King Henry II of England, Eleanor shows through wit and compassion, abruptness and anger, readers learn the unforgettable story of this heroine, and exactly why she has earned her place in history. Told from the view points of Abbot Suger of St. Denis, the Matilda Empress, and King Henry's most faithful knight, William the Marshall, A Proud Taste for Charlotte and Miniver is not a book to be forgotten

Fantastic book about a prominent figure
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver is a wonderful book about the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. This book shows all stages of her life: her childhood in France, her first marriage to Louis VII, her second marriage to Henry II, every important stage of Eleanor's life.

Eleanor and her fellow story-tellers Abbot Suger, Matilda-Empress, and William the Marshal are well-portrayed, as are the people who made an impact on Eleanor's life. Everything that happened to her is drawn in deftly to the story; you barely realise that you are actually waiting for Henry's judgement.

This is a great introduction to an important figure in French and English history. If you're looking for a light read or a brief glance into the time period Eleanor lived in, this is the perfect book. It is great for the youngest children to the most interested historian. This is a definitely something to check out as soon as you can!

A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
In 'A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver', a teen named Eleanor of Aquitaine is married to Prince Louis of France. They live happily until the crusade, where she disobeys her husband, now King, and is very unpleasant after that. So Eleanor leaves that marriage behind, and marries King Henry. She feels that she has never met a person so devious and sharp-witted like herself, and becomes very pleasurable around him. She gives birth to three sons and one daughter, but they all disagree with each other. And to make it worse, King Henry is becoming more and more angry at both his sons and Eleanor. SO she lives in Aquitaine. But what will he do to Eleanor? Read this book!

Im not sure that I liked this book, because it was pretty hard to follow. It was an interesting read, and I would reccomend it to people that like medieval tales, but NOT anything like science fiction, like me. Only if you like fantasy and are willing to cope with a broken-up story, from several characters' points of view. Read something else instead.

Amazing book
I love Eleanor very much. She was beautiful both inside and outside. She loved poetry, music, and art. She was strong and always fought bravely. She was a pioneer feminist.
I love the beautiful illustrations by E.L.Konigsburg, too. Great! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Hands On ways for Kids to Re-Live the Middle Ages
We're a homeschooling family who've just finished up studying the Middle Ages. We're always looking for resources, just like this one, that let the kids make things and pretend. To get a real taste (literally!) of the way things were a thousand years ago.

The thing my wife and I like about Knights and Damsels, is that the kids can take charge of their own projects with only a little supervision from Mom & Dad. What a timesaver for homeschool parents.

Also, although there are some obvious compromises in costume-making and food preparation, there's still enough there to give our kids the "look and feel" of more primitive times, from making butter from scratch, to various costumes, to games kids (and grownups) played in medieval times. I bet they remember more, too, as their studies continue and they get older. And when they have an opportunity to dig deeper into this era academically, I'm betting they'll be pretty motivated.

If you want your kids to be excited about history, this hands-on, low maintenance book may be your answer.

Huzzah (Hooray) for this excellent medieval activities guide
Our outreach education company does interactive historypresentations and medieval theme birthday parties and we areconstantly recommending this book to both educators and parents alike.We suggest it as a primer for activities and decorations to go along with our presentations. Simple yet fun, this book lays out, in easy to follow steps, how to design, build, and play with the suggestions provided. It includes costuming, props, games, recipes, accessories... for ages up to about 12. It is not a historical treatise (it shows how to make a mirror from cardboard and aluminum foil rather than burnished copper for example) but is a fun way to "get the feel" of the time, if a bit fanciful. This book is a delight for the harried parent or teacher. GregRobin Smith and Cymbric Early-Smith. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

These books got me hooked on History
I am really in the debt of Terry Deary. If it weren't for him and his wonderful "Horrible History" series, I would never have been introduced to history. I first read his work when I was only ten. Seven years later, I'm still enjoying his work. Yes, childish, but it is so much fun. I now want to teach, to make history fun to others. I wouldn't have known it possible if it weren't for Deary. Right next to my "Measly Middle Ages" and my "Woeful Second World War" is my John Keegen and William Manchester.

Onto "Measly Middle Ages". I really enjoy this book. Both irreverent and insightful at the same time, this book really shows the reader how horrible the middle ages actually were. I've read several works on the era, and this book nicely fills in the basic details, with out bogging it down with the details that us history dorks love. A great book for kids, a great book for people who both enjoy history and enjoy having fun.

"Reduced Shakespeare Company" Does History
I came across Terry Deary completely by accident ~ in a gift shop in Scotland, shoved amongst other more "scholarly" hardcovers. As my graduate area of study is the Middle Ages, I was intrigued and bought the book on a whim ~ and haven't stopped buying Terry Deary's books since! Are the books chock-full of historical facts guaranteed to allow someone to walk away thinking they know everything about the Middle Ages, Greece, Rome, France, or any of Deary's other topics? No, of course not. Are the books a wonderfully entertaining (and illustrated!) way of addressing what can admittedly be a bit of a dry topic? Of course! I say any books that can make someone, young or old, become interested in history should be embraced fully. And, hey, I learn something new from every book I read, which is an added bonus! Further, I think these books definitely appeal to adults who have an interest or education in history ~ much as what "The Reduced Shakespeare Company" teaches us about Shakepeare is true about Deary's treatment of history: the better you know the original, the more funny and entertaining the condensed versions are.

A replacement for Harry Potter
This great, enchanting, and captivating series attracted me since i was a child. Not only is this an educating experience, this also provides information in a very enjoyable way. Attractive to the most intelligent minds, and interesting to every child, this makes a great gift and also a great reader.
It will make you smile and even laugh out loud as you read book after book. My only question is, why would they ever stop priting? I ask Scholastic to continue print so all who desire a book can recieve one. Thank you.

This is a great teaching tool
The Measly Middle Ages has made teaching 7th grade social studies a breeze! My students love the gross facts and the comics that make learning history fun. One of them paid it the highest compliment a 13 year old can, he kept it! Now I'm ordering two more and will keep a closer eye this set.

Cute but not astute
This book would not do for a young person who actually wants to learn some history, as the history aspect is done just a little too "lite". Here's a paragraph describing the Norman Conquest: "Bill the Conqueror was Norman leader in 1066. He said King Edward of England had promised him the English throne --King Harold said the same thing." [You see the problem there with the indefinite antecedent.] "It was a fight to the death for two tough fellers. The English must have hoped Harold would win because Big Bill was bloodthirsty..." The above is actually okay for the British teenagers for whom it was originally written, but a young American audience would be unlikely to deduce the basic facts of the Norman Conquest from the author's account. It is, however, funny, likely to hook a reluctant reader, and seems to have been enjoyed by the young people who reviewed it here. ... Read more

Book Description

New Look! Relaunched with new jackets and 8 pages of new text!

The Middle Ages ran from the end of the Dark Ages to the Renaissance in the 15th century.This collection of superb photographs brings vividly to life rural and town life during that era - including the life of a peasant "tied to the soil," the power of the Church, and the rise of trade guilds.Starting with a description of the feudal system that existed in much of Europe, the book features artifacts, costumes, furniture, and building to illustrate daily medieval life.Discover the hardships of life on the land, as well as the magnificent tournaments of the royal court.Learn how food was prepared and served at a great banquet.See the illuminated chronicles kept by scholarly monks, and how master craftworkers used their skills to decorate the great cathedrals.Packed with fascinating facts, Medieval Life is a unique and compelling introduction to the people and culture of the Middle Ages. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A visual introduction to life in Medieval times
I have enjoyed several of the Eyewitness Books, ("Like a mini-museum between the covers of a book" according to "The Los Angels Times Book Review"), and picked up this one because I was reading Michael Crichton's "Timeline." That particular novel involves time travel back to Medieval times, and while the book involves descriptions of clothing, castles and weaponry, and a few sketches, I was looking for something that would help visualization. So "Medieval Life" was a virtual gold mine in that respect.

Andrew Langley covers medieval Europe from life on a country manor to the crowded streets of a developing town. We see how peasant's dressed, how medieval beds were constructed, their cooking utensils, and how to build a cathedral. Langely pays as much attention to the work of stonemasons as he does to jousting knights and how to guild letters on manuscripts. In short, you get a little bit of everything. There are two dozen sections covering running a manor, holy orders, and medieval music. This certainly helped me visualize the daring and dastardly doings in Crichton's novel. There is something of a resurgence of interest in Medieval times, which unenlightened folks used to refer to as the Dark Ages (darn those Renaissance revisionists), and books like "Medieval Life" amply illustrate why this is the case.

Limited info, but great pictures
DK eyewitness books are some of the greatest non-fiction books around. The distinctive white background and high-quality photography gives this book an edge over any other nonfiction picture book. And -- these pictures are real! They're beautiful museum-quality photos of all things related to medival times, accompanied by informative captions and text.

Learn about medieval life, from peasants to rich folks, their clothes, food, music, etc. The strength in this book lies in the photos, however, and this book isn't an exhaustive history of medieval times. Rather, it serves as a hook to interest people, and induce them to dig further, while giving them a bit more knowledge.

If you know someone (young or old) who is fascinated by medieval times, then you must introduce them to this book!

This book wasn't the greatest.
Knights, Castles, Medieval Life: Boring. I love Eyewitness books and I like a lot of the Water Eyewitness books, but Eyewitness books like Knights, Castles and Medieval Life just don't appeal to me. Eyewitness Medieval Life gets 1 star because in about 1 or 2 places in the book it is kind of intresting but other then that this book is very plain and boring.

Eyewitness Books are the BEST!
Knights, castles and medieval ways are vividly brought to life in this excellent book. Eyewitness books give you all the information you need in short text and captioned pictures...and they keep children's attention! ... Read more

Book Description

Forty years before the boy was born, a horde of bloodthirsty barbarians thundered out of the west and conquered his native land. They had succeeded because his people, ever at war with one another, had not fought together to defend their cities. In time the boy was destined to become the very leader that was needed, a man with the courage and vision to unite his people and face the most fearsome and brilliant warrior of the age.

The time was the twelfth century; the barbarian horde was the armies of the First Crusade; the great warrior was Richard the Lionhearted; and the leader was Saladin. This is more than the other side of a familiar Western story, the Crusades. It is the tale of an extraordinary man, remarkable for his generous and chivalrous ways, a warrior who longed for peace. Courageous in battle and merciful in victory, he would be revered even by his enemies as the "marvel of his time."

In her vibrant narrative and magnificently detailed illustrations inspired by the Islamic art of the time, Diane Stanley presents a hero whose compassion, piety, tolerance, and wisdom made him a model for his time -- and for ours.

Reviews (2)

Great Book
Great book, pretty good for kids. The book did overlook the fact that Saladin was also a physician and chemist (or alchemist as they used to be called back then). But over all a very good book.

Excellent introduction to a hero of Islam
This is a fine book for young readers who seek an introduction to a hero revered to this day in the Arab and Islamic world and highly respected by historians of the Crusades. Diane Stanley shows how compassionate Saladin was with his enemies even after tens of thousands of civilian Muslims were massacred in cold blood in Jerusalem by the Crusaders (who were fighting for the cross as directed by that era's Pope). His rise to power, struggle to unite Muslims of Greater Syria and Egypt, cunning military leadership and passion to liberate Jerusalem are well explained to the young audience. His adversaries (like King Richard) invovement in the Crusades are well covered, while illustrations that acompany the book are of high quality. Overall, a recommended book for those who would like to know about an enlightened Muslim leader and legend. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Eyewitness Viking
This provided all the information needed for a school report.

excellent book
This is an excellent source for basic information about the Vikings. It provides pictures of actual artifacts from the Viking Age, as well as photos of reenactors dressed in period clothing. A very informative book, for children and adults alike! ... Read more

Book Description

With her reluctant student, Arnold, the Friz slips through a mysterious trap door -- and ends up in the Middle Ages! There, they explore a medieval castle, meeting the people who live there and learning about everyday life within the castle walls. When the castle is threatened by invaders, Arnold and the Friz don chain mail to lead the defense. They repel the invaders just in the nick of time, then they joust and feast before returning to the 21st century. With their careful research and trademark wit, Cole and Degen introduce the many facets of medieval life. ... Read more