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50th out of 602 books
—
708 voters
Castle
The word itself conjures up mystery, romance, intrigue, and grandeur. What could be more perfect for an author/illustrator who has continually stripped away the mystique of architectural structures that have long fascinated modern man? With typical zest and wry sense of humor punctuating his drawings, David Macaulay traces the step-by-step planning and construction of both...more
Hardcover, 80 pages
Published
September 28th 1977
by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
(first published January 1st 1977)
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Jun 11, 2008
booklady
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
any castle lover
I've always wanted to read this book and can't believe it's taken me so long. It can be read in a single, very enjoyable sitting. The artwork, text and research are first rate. My family watched and thoroughly enjoyed Macaulay's exceptional PBS special called Building Big where he teaches the architectural feats needed to construct big projects such as: bridges, tunnels, dams, domes and skyscrapers. If you've never seen it--it's sensational! So is the companion book...I digress.
So there's no exc...more
So there's no exc...more
How and why medieval castles were constructed, with intricate drawings showing details of castle construction, defenses,and life.
Recommended for ages 9-12. Approprate for ages 12-18, possibly younger children if they are already interested in castles.
I would not recommend this book as a first introduction to castles for young children. For that purpose, I highly recommend Castle, by Nicholas Harris and Peter Dennis. If, however, your older child knows about castles and is interested in learning...more
Recommended for ages 9-12. Approprate for ages 12-18, possibly younger children if they are already interested in castles.
I would not recommend this book as a first introduction to castles for young children. For that purpose, I highly recommend Castle, by Nicholas Harris and Peter Dennis. If, however, your older child knows about castles and is interested in learning...more
My 13 year old and I read this book together. He absolutely loved reading about the history and building of the castle. He has another larger DK book on Castles and as we read told me about his previous knowledge on the topic we were reading about and expanded our discussion. The images (drawings) being b/w are a perfect match so that details of the castle stand out. After reading this story, we watched the accompanying PBS special Castle by the same author. The movie is s a perfect tag-a-long g...more
I bought this book twenty years ago while in college because it was so well illustrated, and it did such a great job of answering questions I had about how castles were built and arranged. I haven't looked at it since, but save dit because I knew someday my kids would love it as much as I did.
Last year my 2nd grade son checked out a perfectly good book on castles from his school. He poured over the illustrations and read the captions, but he couldn't get answers to his questions: "Dad, what's a...more
Last year my 2nd grade son checked out a perfectly good book on castles from his school. He poured over the illustrations and read the captions, but he couldn't get answers to his questions: "Dad, what's a...more
Castle is a Caldecott Honor book (1978) and is recommended for students in grades 2 and up. This book explains the creation and construction of Lord Kevin’s castle. This is a progressionary tale and it explains the tools, materials, and workers used and needed to build the castle. Through this book, readers will see and experience the amount of time and methodical work put into the construction of a castle.
Readers will get to see and experience the amount of hard work that goes into the buildin...more
Readers will get to see and experience the amount of hard work that goes into the buildin...more
As a history/ historical-fiction lover of most things involving royalty; I have read many books with castle or palace scenes. These scenes tend to be taken for granted and are the “norm”. However, if you are seeking to expand your knowledge of the ins and outs of a castle built from the ground up; then look no further than David Macaulay’s “Castle”.
Let me be frank: “Castle” is an illustrated children’s book. However, rather than viewing this as a bedtime storybook for the loved child in your lif...more
Let me be frank: “Castle” is an illustrated children’s book. However, rather than viewing this as a bedtime storybook for the loved child in your lif...more
1 like · like · see review
An intereting historical account of 1283 and King Edward The First's attempt to acquire rule in Northwest Wales through the building of castles and towns. He attemted to persuade the local Lords to take on the expense. It's very interesting to read about the logistics of acquiring land, engineers, architects and builders as well as shiploads of building materials to make structures that kept the people free from military opposition. Detailed description of the layout and construction of castle a...more
David MacAulay is a name that has come up a lot in my world lately but somehow I missed him in my youth. This strikes me as humorous because I have always been a total geek about history, architecture, construction, castles, life as it was, etc. etc. So then I went to my boyfriend’s parents’ house and there it is sitting on the bedroom shelf and I had even forgotten my book. I love the illustrations. I could easily have seen me as a child sitting there with David MacAulay in one hand and Mitsuma...more
This book combines Macaulay's drawing skill with a well-developed narrative from the last 13th century. Beginning with King Edward I's plan to establish a fictional castle and town among the rebellious Welsh, the account spans the hiring of the master builder and tradesmen to its completion as a thriving community, eventually blending English and Welsh in the community. All the fortifications designed into the castle are put to the test in an assault by the Welsh. Macaulay delivers his drawings...more
Reading Rainbow: Rumpelstiltskin
This book is. so. detailed. Wow. The text is all one long story - no chapter breaks, no picture captions. I usually get really frustrated reading those ubiquitous DK (and DK style) books with text and pictures of various sizes randomly scattered around the page. But I gotta say, I was CRAVING a DK Castle book while reading this one for more than an hour last night. I did NOT want to learn that much, but Bea wanted to keep reading it. My husband loved this book tho...more
This book is. so. detailed. Wow. The text is all one long story - no chapter breaks, no picture captions. I usually get really frustrated reading those ubiquitous DK (and DK style) books with text and pictures of various sizes randomly scattered around the page. But I gotta say, I was CRAVING a DK Castle book while reading this one for more than an hour last night. I did NOT want to learn that much, but Bea wanted to keep reading it. My husband loved this book tho...more
1 like · like · see review
A detailed look at the construction of a castle and a town. When both are complete their defenses are put to the test when they are attacked. Black and white illustrations visually present the process, the tools and the people involved in the construction. Drawings are so careful they almost resemble blueprints. A long book, no doubt, but one that answered every question I thought up while I read and had me in a state of fascination from start to finish. Great nonfiction read for kids who are in...more
I reread this book after nearly ten years; it remains a brilliant educational and entertaining book. Macaulay once more uses his plot device of describing a fictional edifice, this being a kind of Platonic ideal of the Crusader-era medieval castle, framed within proper historical conflict of England’s conquest of Wales in the Thirteenth Century. We see the castle itself, the city walls, and a thriving town rise from it’s foundations in these pages with delightful and realistic illustrations. You...more
The four star rating is really more a result of sentiment and my absolute love of the artwork. The history lesson is very watered down, and, as an adult, I have to wonder why Macaulay did not choose to more fully explore the castles built in an effort to conquer Wales. There seems to have been the chance to go from the fiction castle (which could be detailed as he saw fit) to the real castles (where there is less than complete historical information).
While I normally decry the ubiquitous picture/caption books like the DK Eyewitness books, I must say that in comparison to their "Castle" title, this one doesn't give as much information. It follows the construction of a particular fictional castle (but is based on a real castle). The line drawings are nice, but there's not as much history on the evolution of castle architecture, which is really what we were looking for.
I absolutely adore this series ( Pyramid, Cathedral, Mill, etc.) I had the opportunity to meet the author at a benefit hosted at the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania around 1987 or so, he's amazing.
This book, and the companion video, give incredible insight into the mammoth human effort, gargantuan investment, and astonishing technical knowledge that went into building the monuments we still tour in awe today. McCauley balances technical information with accessible characters, creating...more
This book, and the companion video, give incredible insight into the mammoth human effort, gargantuan investment, and astonishing technical knowledge that went into building the monuments we still tour in awe today. McCauley balances technical information with accessible characters, creating...more
2.5
There was a problem with this book. Two problems. The first, and most significant, is it's quasi-non-fiction. The book reflects the castle building of a fictional feudal lord, using non-fiction procedures. I would have appreciated it far more if it was completely non-fiction. It felt incomplete.
The second major issue is it was dry. Very dry. Sahara dry. Since they fictionalized the sovereign, why not make there a more enjoyable and binding story? I know that this book is a classic, and what...more
There was a problem with this book. Two problems. The first, and most significant, is it's quasi-non-fiction. The book reflects the castle building of a fictional feudal lord, using non-fiction procedures. I would have appreciated it far more if it was completely non-fiction. It felt incomplete.
The second major issue is it was dry. Very dry. Sahara dry. Since they fictionalized the sovereign, why not make there a more enjoyable and binding story? I know that this book is a classic, and what...more
This is a great introductory text not only to castles, but to the society and politics of medieval Europe. In describing the castle's construction, Macaulay also touches upon the civic and strategic reasons for said construction, presumably to arouse the reader's interest in other facets of medieval life. In my case at least, it worked.
Love the book! And the kids loved the PBS video that goes along with the book, also titled Castle.
The video has animation and was done in 1983. Some of the scenes in the video are violent, as they depict several wars and fights in early England.
But, it was a good video and the kids learned a lot from both the book and video.
The video has animation and was done in 1983. Some of the scenes in the video are violent, as they depict several wars and fights in early England.
But, it was a good video and the kids learned a lot from both the book and video.
Castle is another absolutely brilliant book by David Macaulay, in a niche that is truly his own. Educational and fun for both kids and adults, and superbly illustrated. Macaulay's books have been an inspiration and an influence on me as a children's book writer. Get the whole series; you won't be disappointed.
I can't find fault with the illustrations and I agree that they are Caldecott worthy (1978 honor). But I'm forced to say that this book will probably be a little tedious for all but the most enthusiastic fans of castles and architecture. It reads much more like a reference book than a story book.
A very simple and easy to follow book describing how castles were built. Macaulay does not give a historical name to this castle, but it is based on Edward I's Welsh castle fortifications. Hence, this imaginary castle was built ca. 1300. Written for kids, I still appreciate it in adulthood.
This guy is an artistic genius, as well as an historian. His drawings depicting the building of a castle are totally awesome, and the accompanying history really makes you feel as though you're going through the process of castle-building, step by step. Highly recommended for all reading ages!
I used to obsess over this boo when I was a kid. I'd get it out of the library every chance I got & then start scrawling out my own castle blueprints. Found it at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts gift shop on Sunday & couldn't pass up the opportunity to own nostalgia.
The nuts and bolts of how a Medieval town and its castle were built, told in dense text and fine line drawings. I remember spending hours with this book as a child, but never read the historical narrative until now. Caldecott honor, 1978.
This is a really great book for kids (and adults) who are interested in how castles were built. It goes through the whole process, from what tools and materials were used all the way to the finished castle. Really fun!
One of my favorite books of all time. I love the way that David Macaulay explains the entire process of the construction and running of the castle from the ground up. It has been an inspiration to me.
Research. Beautiful illustrations and a fictional but historically researched story salted in with the architectural and cultural information. Have it from the library, but might have to buy this one.
Found this in high school when I got started being a D&D Dungeon Master. It was highly influential for how I designed castles for the game. Cathedral and City were also in my collection.
This book is directed at 7th grade thur 12th grade. It is a fine depiction of military engineering and society in the 13th century
England and Wales. The art work is impressive.
England and Wales. The art work is impressive.
1978 Caldecott Honor
The story bored me from the start, so I skimmed it, but you can pretty much get the gist of it from the illustrations.
The story bored me from the start, so I skimmed it, but you can pretty much get the gist of it from the illustrations.
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David Macaulay, born in 1946, was eleven when his parents moved from England to Bloomfield, New Jersey. He found himself having to adjust from an idyllic English childhood to life in a fast paced American city. During this time he began to draw seriously, and after graduating from high school he enrolled in the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). After spending his fifth year at RISD in Rome on...more
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May 09, 2012 08:39am