Customer Reviews
Love Stephen Biesty! 
2007-12-29
I know it's a kids book, but I bought if for myself. I love cross-sections because I can take in all the little details. I am obsessed with the medieval times and this book is wonderfully accurate and entertaining. Well done!
The Great Book 2002-06-14
This book is one of the best castle books I have. It is very detailed and informitive yet is great for children because of the colorful illustations. The layout is very good-starts in the front of the castle, moves throught the inner parts of the castle and eventually ends in the back. Though some picture are a little bit graphic, thats how medieval times were. I think if your looking for a castle book that is not to broad or in-depth than look no further than here.
Educational and Fun! 2001-10-30
Just seeing a castle from the outside, hardly does it justice. I mean, the things going on in this castle...you just can never imagine.
The Introduction shows the basics of the outside of the castle walls and roofing. Then the next section focuses on defense and siege. Who knew that sometimes castle commanders found uses for their trebuchets and provided the watching ladies with a preciesion bombardment of roses.
The Garrison section shows how the Feudal system worked and where they kept the treasure chests.
The Treadmill in the Building the Castle Section is not exactly one you might think of now. Children will enjoy this section, it has so many peope at work all over the castle.
The Trades and Skills section shows people making pottery. There are candle makers, carpenters, plumbers, tailors and even a Hermit cell where the hermit could study and be religious, even if they didn't agree with the church.
Living like a Lord and Food and Feasting, now those pages are quite good. Rules like: "Do not pick your teeth at the table with a knife," sounds like a good one to me.
Entertainment, livestock and produce, weapons and punishment are also covered.
Very informative and entertaining. You might also enjoy: DK Pockets Castles book, ISBN 0789420473 for even more information. With these two books, you about have castles covered!
~The Rebecca Review
Great for adults, too! 2001-04-16
Although this book is marketed as a children's book, I highly recommend it for adults as well. As someone who is just becoming interested in medieval culture and castles, this was a great starting place for me.
Each two-page spread is dedicated to a different subject (castle structure, jobs, entertainment, weapons, etc.). I learned a lot about life in and around the castle in a very short time by reading all the little notes that pointed out all the different aspects of what was going on in the picture.
This will be a great help to me when I construct the miniature castle that I plan to make. It's also just a lot of fun to read!
Cross-Sections Castle is an Awesome Book! 2001-03-06
This is an exceptional book that is intended for children aged 9 to 12, but is fascinating even for adult readers. You get to see and learn about a fully functional castle in it's heyday. A grand medieval castle is divided into it's many different subsections. Each part of the castle is shown and described in great detail. Its inhabitants, from the Royalty and their residential area, to the toiling peasants and craftsmen, to the military with their weaponry and defenses, are included. There is also a "Where's Waldo" type "Find the Spy" hidden in each cross section. While the squeamish may have some objection to the miniscule amount of material depicting the treatment of captured enemies, and some potty humor involving the functioning of the castle lavatory, I suggest it's a good opportunity for discussion as it really only enhances the thoroughness of the material. It is a good educational resource and a fun book to "read".
Cross-Sections Castle is an Awesome Book 2001-03-06
Carry out the King's secret mission and learn of medieval life at the same time.
excellent introduction to castles 2001-02-13
I first got this book from the library when I was in sixth grade. It was not only usefull for a paper on castles, It was extremely fascinating. I am now in my teens and still enjoy the subject. Reading books like this sparks an interest in children, as they grow older they want to learn more on such a subject and will move on to read more in depth books. I think that this book, along with Macauly's classic work, are the best books in this area for sparking an interest in the subject of castles, be it history, architechture, or modelling. To the woman who found the illustrations shocking, I say that there is much more graphic violence on TV or in movies. You shouldn't have burned the book either, no piece of literature, no matter how shocking or controversial should be burned. Remember American troops have fought to keep this world free of facism.
Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Castle 2000-07-10
This is really a wonderful book about castles. I'd easily placeit with David Macauley's classic "Castles." What reallymakes this book is its wonderful cross-section illustrations of castles which make the architecture of the castle easily accessible to the reader, child or adult. As castle model builder, this book was a "god-send." I have used the many illustrations and comment to make blueprints for my castle reproductions...the ultimate compliment to this book came from my nephews (4 & 5yo) who ask their uncle every visit to pull down this book and read about castles!
Heather Idoni Doesn't Know What She Is Talking About! 2000-05-29
I think this book is so awsome. It has helped me do a number of reports and lots of research about castles. Heather Idoni who wrote the bad report of this book is one of those people who has the right opinion on society but not the right opinion one to solve it. Or otherwise, oppresive!
"Gruesome" details can be traumatizing to a child... 
2000-05-25
Detail! Well, hold onto your stomach. My 9 year oldbrought the book to me and pointed out some things he didn't think heever wanted to see again. Small details that may otherwise be overlooked by a parent! Biesty has included illustrations of torture, including a gruesome depiction of someone being drawn and quartered. NOT for our family --- we took great pleasure in watching this title burn in our woodstove. My son felt partially vindicated by this "old-fashioned" book burning. Was this necessary, Mr. Biesty?
