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Defending Your Castle: Build Catapults, Crossbows, Moats, Bulletproof Shields, and More Defensive Devices to Fend Off the Invading Hordes
A man’s home is his castle, or so the saying goes, but could it withstand an attack by Attila and the Huns, Ragnar and the Vikings, Alexander and the Greeks, Genghis Khan and the Mongols, or Tamerlane and the Tartars? Backyard Ballistics author William Gurstelle poses this fascinating question to modern-day garage warriors and shows them how to build an arsenal of ancient artillery and fortifications aimed at withstanding these invading hordes. Each chapter introduces a new bad actor in the history of warfare, details his conquests, and features weapons and fortifications to defend against him and his minions. Clear step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and photographs show how to build a dozen projects, including “Da Vinci’s Catapult,” “Carpini’s Crossbow,” a “Crusader-Proof Moat,” “Alexander’s Tortoise,” and the “Cheval-de-frise.” With a strong emphasis on safety, the book also gives tips on troubleshooting, explains the physics behind many of the projects, and shows where to buy the materials. By the time they’ve reached the last page, at-home defenders everywhere will have succeeded in creating a fully fortified home.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 7, 2015
An enthralling book for anyone who's interested in reading about hordes, which I was. Complete with exhaustive instructions on how to build moats, security doors, Alexander's battering ram and DaVinci's catapult, copies of this book should be left lying around wherever there are tools and interesting people; Jimbo & Ben, I'm looking in your direction(s). Either a lark or a crucial document, depending upon your plans.
January 6, 2018
Lots of interesting, though not necessarily practical, projects in this book. I did enjoy the history lessons of the groups that defended against some of the most notorious conquerors of the past. We don't often hear about the "losses" of some of these great armies or the victories of the "little guys."
January 8, 2015
Oh, man. Love it. This book checks so many boxes: history nerd, check. Zombie apocalypse paranoia, check. Building ridiculous contraptions, check. Snort-your-coffee humor, check. Next project: building the hourglass watch tower. (And making smoke bombs, natch.)
March 20, 2015
Why would a guy who reviews horror, sci-fi, and fantasy review a book about home defenses? The answer should be obvious, and I can sum it up for you in two words: zombie apocalypse. That’s right. When the living dead rise and seek to feast upon your flesh, what better way to ward them off than with a catapult? And if THE WALKING DEAD has taught us anything, it’s that crossbows are better than guns because arrows are easier to replace than bullets. So why not build your own? Author and engineer William Gurstelle enlightens and entertains with the informative and fun book, DEFENDING YOUR CASTLE, a guide to fortifying your home for the ages. Chocked full of pictures and diagrams (including instructions and how-tos), this is one book every DIY aficionado will want to own.
I have to tell you: this book is an absolute joy to read. It is witty and insightful, and yet crammed to the hilt with information. I daresay it is a refreshing perspective on what could otherwise be dull, textbook like data. And while it doesn't technically discuss zombies or any other end-of-the-world scenario, the information contained within would be invaluable in the event of such an occurrence.
DEFENDING YOUR CASTLE is written well and presents a slew of information in an easy-to-understand format. The illustrations and pictures are precise and informative, eye-catching images that spice up the text in a variety of ways. The instructions are crisp and clear, but they are also presented with specific warnings and cautions; these are included to help not only the average handyman, but even the most veteran of builders. The result is a top-notch guide in which every homeowner should invest.
I particularly like how each chapter pertains to a different and unique ‘threat’. For example, one is devoted to the Huns, another to the vikings, a third to the Mongols, and so on. These groups attacking a modern-day house are somewhat humorous in concept, however they form the basis for which these designs are founded. They also help show the reader why a particular defense might be necessary.
In addition to defensive plans (for items such as moats, walls, watchtowers, and shields), the book offers several offensive option plans as well, for things mentioned above, such as catapults and crossbows. This diversity allows you to choose what methodology to plan for when mapping out the goals for your home.
DEFENDING YOUR CASTLE is a major win for me, and I recommend it to every person concerned about home protection. Whether you are a doomsday prepper, a zombie apocalypse defender, or even just an average citizen, this is one guide you will want to add to your library immediately; it might just save your life in addition to changing it. The book is available now in a variety of formats.
I have to tell you: this book is an absolute joy to read. It is witty and insightful, and yet crammed to the hilt with information. I daresay it is a refreshing perspective on what could otherwise be dull, textbook like data. And while it doesn't technically discuss zombies or any other end-of-the-world scenario, the information contained within would be invaluable in the event of such an occurrence.
DEFENDING YOUR CASTLE is written well and presents a slew of information in an easy-to-understand format. The illustrations and pictures are precise and informative, eye-catching images that spice up the text in a variety of ways. The instructions are crisp and clear, but they are also presented with specific warnings and cautions; these are included to help not only the average handyman, but even the most veteran of builders. The result is a top-notch guide in which every homeowner should invest.
I particularly like how each chapter pertains to a different and unique ‘threat’. For example, one is devoted to the Huns, another to the vikings, a third to the Mongols, and so on. These groups attacking a modern-day house are somewhat humorous in concept, however they form the basis for which these designs are founded. They also help show the reader why a particular defense might be necessary.
In addition to defensive plans (for items such as moats, walls, watchtowers, and shields), the book offers several offensive option plans as well, for things mentioned above, such as catapults and crossbows. This diversity allows you to choose what methodology to plan for when mapping out the goals for your home.
DEFENDING YOUR CASTLE is a major win for me, and I recommend it to every person concerned about home protection. Whether you are a doomsday prepper, a zombie apocalypse defender, or even just an average citizen, this is one guide you will want to add to your library immediately; it might just save your life in addition to changing it. The book is available now in a variety of formats.
January 8, 2015
I didn't love this book, but it isn't because it is bad. I feel that it was misleading in how it was advertised. I own three other William Gurstelle books (Backyard Ballistics, The Art of the Catapult, & The Practical Pyromaniac) and have looked at all of his others. The three I own are project books and that certainly how this one is written and appears, but unfortunately its focus is on devices that are not only impractical [because no one really needs a potato or carbide cannon, but they are fun to build] but also nearly impossible [moat and steel door]. There are also several times where he really stretched his theme of protecting your home from ancient invading hordes to include applications that weren't relevant or devices that you would protect against rather than build.
Gurstelle has always focused on the science and where appropriate the history behind the devices, but in this book his focus is really on the military history and not on the projects. He may not be a historian and I'm sure that such a book would not do as well as his project books, but there is a still a community of fans that would read it and a new audience he might be able to tap into. Instead this book does a poor job or seaming the two together. I wish I knew whose fault that was because I could very well see it being a problem on the publishing side of things.
In the end this book is not his best, but it is still good and I still list his books as my favorite project and demo books.
Gurstelle has always focused on the science and where appropriate the history behind the devices, but in this book his focus is really on the military history and not on the projects. He may not be a historian and I'm sure that such a book would not do as well as his project books, but there is a still a community of fans that would read it and a new audience he might be able to tap into. Instead this book does a poor job or seaming the two together. I wish I knew whose fault that was because I could very well see it being a problem on the publishing side of things.
In the end this book is not his best, but it is still good and I still list his books as my favorite project and demo books.
August 6, 2021
This is kind of a wish-book for kids like the Dudes (and probably some paranoid adults).
Each chapter gives you an overview of how some famous warrior of history attacked or defended a castle, fort, or city. Then the author gives you real instructions for how you could build things like a palisade wall or an armored castle door using modern tools and supplies that you could buy at the hardware store. There's even a Kevlar backpack shield!
Of course, the Dudes don't have money, and our parents don't let us use power tools. Besides that, we better hope that Teresa and her soccer team don't acquire any siege engines. But a kid can dream. The history parts are really cool, and the diagrams and plans are bound to give you ideas. I advise reading it on the beach, so you can try out some of the ideas on your sand castle!
Each chapter gives you an overview of how some famous warrior of history attacked or defended a castle, fort, or city. Then the author gives you real instructions for how you could build things like a palisade wall or an armored castle door using modern tools and supplies that you could buy at the hardware store. There's even a Kevlar backpack shield!
Of course, the Dudes don't have money, and our parents don't let us use power tools. Besides that, we better hope that Teresa and her soccer team don't acquire any siege engines. But a kid can dream. The history parts are really cool, and the diagrams and plans are bound to give you ideas. I advise reading it on the beach, so you can try out some of the ideas on your sand castle!
September 28, 2020
I guess you could technically call this a prepper manual, provided you're willing to widen the definition a bit and keep your mind open for additional threats beyond government collapse or nuclear war. For instance, you never know when the Vikings are going to come sailing in their dragon-shaped ships. Or, if you don't live near the water, your McMansion still might catch the ravening eye of some marauding band of Tartars or Mongols coming on horseback down your cul-de-sac.
"Defending your Castle" is part layman's historical treatise, part tongue-in-cheek survival manual, and part practical guide for how to harden one's home and body (see the section on homemade Kevlar) against anyone who breaks into the place you call home, whether they gain unwanted egress via crowbar or battering ram.
In the past, whenever a doctor or some other professional has asked me how I prefer learning, I always circled the box that said "By Reading," and so the balance between text and hands-on examples of how to execute the devices in the book was a major plus for me. The intros to each section, which contained thumbnail sketches of the various great and evil men of the past, were wonderful little condensed histories of warfare (with an especial emphasis on the development of siege and counter-siege technology). But for those who prefer to spend less time cleaning the lenses of their glasses and more time in the garage with the arc welder, the history lessons and "counter-factual histories" leavening the work might be a nuisance. I had fun, though, and learned a bit. Recommended. With copious illustrations and photos throughout.
"Defending your Castle" is part layman's historical treatise, part tongue-in-cheek survival manual, and part practical guide for how to harden one's home and body (see the section on homemade Kevlar) against anyone who breaks into the place you call home, whether they gain unwanted egress via crowbar or battering ram.
In the past, whenever a doctor or some other professional has asked me how I prefer learning, I always circled the box that said "By Reading," and so the balance between text and hands-on examples of how to execute the devices in the book was a major plus for me. The intros to each section, which contained thumbnail sketches of the various great and evil men of the past, were wonderful little condensed histories of warfare (with an especial emphasis on the development of siege and counter-siege technology). But for those who prefer to spend less time cleaning the lenses of their glasses and more time in the garage with the arc welder, the history lessons and "counter-factual histories" leavening the work might be a nuisance. I had fun, though, and learned a bit. Recommended. With copious illustrations and photos throughout.
October 1, 2014
Well done and clever!
July 27, 2016
This is a fun book. I doubt anyone would make all of the projects but some of the projects look quite simple. I'd like to make the lookout tower and the two catapults at least.
September 7, 2018
I often didn't know whether to take this book seriously or not. On the one hand, it has a pretty tongue-in-cheek approach; on the other, there are seemingly serious instructions to get approval from your county before digging a moat around your house, and he really does tell you all the details for how to make crossbows, watch towers, and catapults. In the end, I decided he's not serious, but my incredulousness actually added to the experience. The book definitely has a unique approach and effect.
I read it for the history lessons, for ideas on how to incorporate defensive tactics into my writing and a better feel for how those worked. For that purpose, it was a quick, fun read with an interesting-bits-only approach to the history of warfare.
I read it for the history lessons, for ideas on how to incorporate defensive tactics into my writing and a better feel for how those worked. For that purpose, it was a quick, fun read with an interesting-bits-only approach to the history of warfare.
September 25, 2022
What an odd book!
Half lo-tech DIY for creating non-lethal weapons and absurd defenses.
Half history of warfare and siege.
Is there a Venn graph that overlaps amateur historians and amateur lo-tech DIY weekenders?
Really a two star book + 1 star for the bizarre attempt at a new format for a audience that just might not exist.
Half lo-tech DIY for creating non-lethal weapons and absurd defenses.
Half history of warfare and siege.
Is there a Venn graph that overlaps amateur historians and amateur lo-tech DIY weekenders?
Really a two star book + 1 star for the bizarre attempt at a new format for a audience that just might not exist.
May 8, 2020
I think some of the projects could be fun to do with my son when he's older, but most aren't really feasible... I mean, if I was going to pay to put in a steel door I'd rely on directions from somewhere else.
The history parts of the book were interesting, but light. Too light for what I want.
The history parts of the book were interesting, but light. Too light for what I want.
April 28, 2023
Ahora ya sé como debe ser nuestra casa si algún día acabamos viviendo en Texas.
El libro es interesante y desde el punto de vista histórico, es un gran material de divulgación.
El libro es interesante y desde el punto de vista histórico, es un gran material de divulgación.
January 4, 2025
This was a fun history lesson coupled with fun things to build with my son for the zombie apocalypse.
January 27, 2016
Pure fun read with some History about conquering hordes I enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews