DK Eyewitness Books: Castle: Discover the Mysteries of the Medieval Castle and See What Life Was Like for Tho

Be an eyewitness to the exciting world of the medieval castle, from the dramatic methods used to defend and attack castles to what life was really like for the people living inside its mighty battlements. Here is a spectacular and informative guide to the castles of the Middle Ages and the lives of the people who lived in them. Superb, full-color photographs of castles around the world, plus specially built models, offer a unique and revealing "eyewitness" view of medieval life, from a castle's construction to its destruction in a siege. See a medieval lavatory, a giant crossbow on wheels, how prisoners were kept secure in dungeons, a herald in full regalia, and castles used by Crusaders in Syria and samurai warriors in Japan. Learn how castles got their water during a siege, how besiegers tunneled under castle walls, how the Normans built castles in a hurry, how the first guns worked, why round towers were better than square ones, and what a castellan's job entailed. Discover how enemies climbed castle walls, what was on the menu at a typical banquet, why many castles had resident carpenters and metalworkers, why Crusader castles were so well built, and much, much more.

The most trusted nonfiction series on the market, Eyewitness Books provide an in-depth, comprehensive look at their subjects with a unique integration of words and pictures.

DK's classic look at the history and structure of castles, now reissued with a CD and wall chart!

Children's Literature

Crisp photographs of art and artifacts from Europe's Middle Ages highlight "Eyewitness Book" overviews of the feudal system from a castle's construction and life. The two-page "displays" are annotated views that include, the manor's lady and lord, Crusaders, and Japan's samurai; in the second, French, Spanish, German, and Japanese fortress homes, medieval livestock-quite different from today's, and carpenters' and cooks' equipment. Knight's a perfect companion book offers descriptions of the warriors, their fighting techniques and flexible fashions- from functional chain mail to decorative body armor.

Presents an illustrated depiction of life during medieval times, covering different cultures and architectural and sociological aspects, including discussion of metalwork, textiles, armaments, and other details of the period. Includes wall chart and clip-art CD Looks behind fortress walls to explore how they were built to house hundreds of people and animals, the important rooms, the people who lived in them, and what castle life was like