How to Read Castles: A Crash Course in Understanding Fortifications

Superb littl book ...loads of illustrations very well done in sketch form. Very informative. If your interested in castles get it.

Arrived on time but very poorly packaged in a previously used jiffy bag. My address was handwritten on a scrappy piece of paper stuck to the packet and my name misspelt. The packet was split along one side and was fortunate not to lose the contents. Apart from all that, a good book, a good read.

This is a novel idea in castle publications, with the book divided into chapters on a variety of subjects, from the function of castles down to details such as stairways. Each of these chapters then looks in broad outline at examples that illustrate the author's point, the examples being taken from all over Europe, although there are more British than any other. It does what it sets out to do: that is, give a brief overview of the different subjects rather than dive into technical and/or academic arguments on them (although the author is well qualified to do this). It has been published in a handy, pocket- or handbag-size, making it easy to take around with one on a visit to a castle and use it as an on-the-spot reference. The illustrations vary: many are fine, line-drawings but the occasional smudgy reproduction of an old print is unwelcome and, once or twice, I was confused about what the illustration was meant to be depicting. A further criticism is that the main chapter headings are printed in such a light grey type that they are not always easy to read. None of these small points should deter castle enthusiasts from purchasing what is a useful, little handbook.

I write scenarios for RPGs and I've been looking for a good reference book on castles. This is it. It gives great detail on lots of examples with drawings and floorplans. It has chapters for towers, chapels, prisons, stairs and a whole load of other features. If you're a DM and looking for a book that helps with castle design then I would definitely recommend this.

Great Book

Take this with me when studying castle construction

Nice book, enough detail without being too heavy (not meant in the literal sense, but it's also not to heavy that way too).

a small book with lots of information

expllications claires et les châteaux phares en Europe sont traités. Exploitable pour mes cours d'histoire de l 'art et tourisme avec du vocabulaire précis

Great book!

A good overview over castle architecture. I know it's pocket size, but the font is so tiny that I have problems reading it.

La qualità dell'oggetto in se è ottima! A me piace il genere, quindi quello è soggettivo, ma per il resto, l'oggetto e la spedizione sono perfetti!

Nice handbook