Revelations: The Medieval World (Henry Holt Reference Book) Harpur, James and Hallam, Elizabeth M.

Shedding new light on life during the Middle Ages, this lively history combines an informative text and full-color artwork--including five six-page gatefolds--that reveal the design and workings of a cathedral, a castle, a monastery, and more. BOMC.

YA?This survey of the years from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Age of Exploration in England, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy is not only highly readable, but is also a work of art. From the lucid description of the history of these mysterious years through the coverage of specific aspects of medieval life, the book provides thoroughly enchanting material on almost every page. Four major sections cover castles, nobles, and knights; urban decline and the prosperity that resulted from increased commerce in the 11th century; the 80 cathedrals and 500 churches built between 1050-1400; and endemic warfare. Gatefolds show structures or towns in the present day (e.g., Dover Castle, Cologne Cathedral, Florence, Constantinople) as well as detailed drawings of their medieval counterparts. Sidebars, extensive captions, and useful maps appear throughout. Pleasing borders and icons offer information on such topics as craft guilds, courtly love, El Cid, and St. Francis of Assisi. A useful volume for answering students' never-ending questions on the middle ages, as well as one that will encourage browsing and might even inspire further study.?Susan H. Woodcock, King's Park Library, Burke, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.