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295th out of 558 books
—
492 voters
Men of Iron
by
Howard Pyle
1891. Illustrated by the author. Pyle is best known for the children's books that he wrote and illustrated. It is from his famous Book of Pirates that our present-day concept of pirates has come. School children still read his Men of Iron, The Story of King Arthur and his Knights, The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, and many other tales. In Men of Iron young Myles Falworth...more
Paperback, 372 pages
Published
July 1st 2004
by Kessinger Publishing
(first published 1891)
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This is the the coming of age story of Myles Falworth, the son of a nobleman who supported the wrong king, making the new King Henry IV royally annoyed and sending the family into hiding until Myles grew up enough to become a squire and then a knight, and then a seasoned warrior who could challenge the family's chief enemy, the Earl of Alban. Myles supporters includes Henry IV's son, Prince Hal, with a brief digression into the disagreements of father and son from an interesting perspective. Alo...more
This novel was the basis of the Hollywood movie, "The Black Shield of Falworth," starring Tony Curtis, and Janet Leigh. It depicts the struggle of young Myles Falworth to learn the truth about his family's disgrace in mediaeval England during the reign of Henry IV, and his training as first a squire and later as a knight to prepare him to avenge his father's honor and restore the family name of Falworth on the roster of English chivalry.
The movie version heightens the story's drama by adding a s...more
The movie version heightens the story's drama by adding a s...more
After his family is forced to leave their home, Myles Falworth is sent to live with Earl Mackworth. He proves himself to be a leader as he continually leads the other squires in revolts against the bachelors who demand service from them. Mackworth takes a special interest in young Myles, providing him with all the training needed to become a knight. Through his adventures and follies, Myles grows into a courageous young man who is not afraid to stand up to even the best knight. When he learns he...more
Mar 03, 2008
Jen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of historical fiction
Shelves:
young-adult-classroom
This book tells the story of Myles Falworth, a young boy who must restore honor to his family name after an evil knight's vile plot cast Myles's father from the king's favor.
My English teacher read this book aloud to our class in 8th grade, and I couldn't wait until her class every day so I could hear more. I re-read it recently from an "adult" perspective, and I still love it just as much as I did then. There's something about a knight in shining armor that never loses its appeal!
My English teacher read this book aloud to our class in 8th grade, and I couldn't wait until her class every day so I could hear more. I re-read it recently from an "adult" perspective, and I still love it just as much as I did then. There's something about a knight in shining armor that never loses its appeal!
Men of Iron is a historical fiction novel set in the middle period of the Hundred Years War (during the reign of Henry IV) and follows the early life of Myles Falworth. Myles has the misfortune to be the son of a close confidant of King Richard II and as such, when Henry IV came to power, his father's enemy, the future Earl of Alban didn't have to work hard to get him branded an outlaw and traitor and have his lands seized. With this setback, Myles is forced onto the hard track to knighthood in...more
This classic novel of knights in shining armour, British Kings, and jousting is really great literature. I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if I could. Don't get me wrong, this is isn't a thrill a minute. It is actually quite slow and methodical. But, I learned a lot about how people became knights and what they were required to do, and I enjoyed a coming-of-age adventure story at the same time.
Myles Falworth is a boy of 16 when he is sent to a nearby castle learn how to become a knight. I didn't like him...more
Myles Falworth is a boy of 16 when he is sent to a nearby castle learn how to become a knight. I didn't like him...more
Myles Falworth and his family have been exiled since he was a child, so he was raised in a small town rather than the castle of his birth. At sixteen, he is sent to the household of the Earl of Mackworth to serve as a squire. There he is taught the knightly arts and gets into more than his fair share of boyish scrapes and battles. It is only when he is grown to full manhood that he is told the truth of his father's banishment and outlawry. He learns that his family has a powerful enemy and that...more
I read this book as a boy and loved it. In reading it again, I realized just how much this book must have informed my sense of chivalry and desire to do right in the face of opposition. The moral lessons woven through the story are in plain sight to me now; that they are so readily apparent is charming to me, not at all annoying.
The story is engaging despite being rather straightforward, the language is fun, and I particularly enjoyed the contrast of the young hero's wholesome simplicity with th...more
The story is engaging despite being rather straightforward, the language is fun, and I particularly enjoyed the contrast of the young hero's wholesome simplicity with th...more
Old-time YA lit.
Myles Farworth, a young boy in medieval times, has a chance to train as a knight. He grows in maturity, courage as he trains under the Earl of Mackworth, bildingsroman-style. He learns that his virtuous by disgraced father is still alive, and that he has a chance to set things right, rooting out a treacherous adviser close the the king, and challenging the most powerful knight in the land.
The ancient language was surprisingly accessible, and this was a great little adventure stor...more
Myles Farworth, a young boy in medieval times, has a chance to train as a knight. He grows in maturity, courage as he trains under the Earl of Mackworth, bildingsroman-style. He learns that his virtuous by disgraced father is still alive, and that he has a chance to set things right, rooting out a treacherous adviser close the the king, and challenging the most powerful knight in the land.
The ancient language was surprisingly accessible, and this was a great little adventure stor...more
My husband and I read this book together. It was a public domain ebook. I had never read a Howard Pyle book before. He has a distinct style that you don't see much these days. The plot was average and the characters were ok. There were several times that we were driven to know what would happen, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to read another of his books again.
Slow to get to any particular point, but interesting enough in getting there. Praised a manhood founded on the laws of chivalry, but also raised up pride to the level of a virtue. The villans were utter dogs, and the hero could be beaten down, but could never lose. The only mentions of Christianity were of a Romish bend, sliding by the end into prayers to Mary.
A good read! I was pleasantly surprised because it was written over a hundred years ago. In the older books often the style is hard to read. Not so here. The author masterfully takes the reader through the hero'spassages of life. The grammar and punctuation were good. There were not so many editing marks so as to make the book hard to read.
Knights and squires, tournaments and jousting - Pyle handles his subject with ease, adding authenticity with his use of Old English words and phrases. I especially appreciate the skill with which he paces the story, unhurried, taking time to build the tale, and never overdoing the description. He makes it look easy.
The story of two teens in medieval England as they grow into manhood and become knights. Great story, and well drawn characters. I loved this book as a kid and enjoyed it just as much as an adult. Much better than Pyles Adventures of Robin Hood which is honestly, a struggle to read.
Juvenile classic about 15th century English knights. The young hero is strong, brave, handsome, and annoyingly unwilling to compromise.I enjoyed the book as a period piece and an influence of its time.
You really need to read the unabridged edition. There is another one that was watered down to be easier to understand. Don't read that one!
This would make a great movie. It reminds me of a cross between A Knights Tale (movie) and The Hedge Knight (book).
This would make a great movie. It reminds me of a cross between A Knights Tale (movie) and The Hedge Knight (book).
Hard to put this into 'stars'. Written, and better suited, for the younger minds of impressionable boys with a good 'ole' style 'righteous' vs. 'wicked' with heroes. For adults, just be young again.
It is always nice to read/listen to an young reader's book once in a while. I love stories of pages and knights. Fiction or nonfiction. A nice book which to return to earlier years.
Aug 14, 2012
Brian Moon
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction,
for-the-kiddos
Wonderful. Loaned to me by my favorite 10 year-old. Starts a bit slow but quickly becomes a page-turner. Reminds me of the older books I read when younger. Looking forward to recommending it to my kids.
This is a classic tale of a boy becoming a man, this time in the age of chivalry. Since it was written over a hundred years ago, some of the expressions are old. It is heavy on detail.
This was a Club selection, and way outside what I choose for myself. But, I'm glad I stuck with it...for one of our members, this was her all time favorite 'childhood' book.
A wonderful coming-of-age story for young and old alike! I enjoyed this one tremendously. Thank you, Dear Bettie, for the Howard Pyle recommendation.
A great classic. Timeless and still appeals after all these years. If you can find this book and enjoy historical fiction, then give it a go.
A fun easy read of a young boy becoming a knight and avenging his father's exile. The old language of the text was fun to read, lots of thou, hast, doth, methinks, and the like.
I dearly loved this when I read this when I was in 3rd or 4th grade, but it didn't hold up 25 or so years later.
Was a pretty awesome book that had all types of mixed emotions and drama. Was a very intresting an d intriguing book
What an amazing little book. It stands the test of time, as I read it ages ago, and still think it terrific.
This is a really old book that was published in 1891. It was published by Harper and Brothers Publishers before it became Harper Collins Publishers. It is in Elizabethan English and takes place in the 1400s. It has been pretty good so far, a little hard to follow at some parts. This is about a boy called Myles Falworth. He becomes a squire at a place called Devlen. He finds out that his father's friend, the Earl at the castle, is trying to kill him. But Myles is restrained, by the night who's su...more
Pyle reminds me that the telling of the story is as important as the story itself.
This is a great story for middle school or junior high boys. Lots of sword fighting and adventure.
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Howard Pyle was an American illustrator and author, primarily of books for young people.
During 1894 he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University), and after 1900 he founded his own school of art and illustration named the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. The term Brandywine School was later applied to the illustration artists an...more
More about Howard Pyle...
During 1894 he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University), and after 1900 he founded his own school of art and illustration named the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. The term Brandywine School was later applied to the illustration artists an...more
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Nov 24, 2010 05:15am