Architecture: castles Books

140 products


  • Samurai Castles: History / Architecture /

    Tuttle Publishing Samurai Castles: History / Architecture /

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisJapan's ancient castles provide deep insights into the country's compelling military history. Discover the secrets of Japan's feudal past by exploring the most famous castles of the Samurai era. The enormous stone walls, multi-level towers, and sophisticated defense systems are not simply impressive fortresses, but spectacular works of Japanese architecture, constructed without the use of steel or modern equipment. These monumental structures fulfilled a need for protection without sacrificing aesthetic values. Understanding the cultural contexts of these Samurai castles helps create a better understanding of Japanese culture today. In this fascinating Japanese castle book you will discover the rich history and creators of well-known castles such as Himeji, Osaka, and Nijo that you would otherwise need to travel to Japan to experience in person. Chronicling the story of each castle individually conveys a greater understanding of how and why they were built, and identifies their singular features for historians, architecture aficionados, world travelers, and Japanophiles alike. With over two hundred colour images, numerous diagrams, maps, and detailed descriptions, Samurai Castles is the most comprehensive Japanese history book on this intriguing topic.Trade Review"In her new book Samurai Castles, author Dr. Jennifer Mitchelhill and photographer David Green spent over three years documenting 24 of Japan's samurai-era castles. The idea? To understand the aesthetic details, cultural values and historic happenings surrounding these architectural marvels." --CNN Travel"With great beauty, this book uncovers the great function of these epic buildings and how they worked. The book is highly visual, packed with maps and photos which are a testament to Japanese design and building." -- Martial Arts & Action Movies blog "…focuses on some of the country's best castles and the stories behind them." --GaijinPot.com

    5 in stock

    £14.44

  • Hauntings

    Transworld Hauntings

    15 in stock

    Book Synopsis'' Haunted is a wonderful book: part history, part rumination on life, and, of course a haunting book about ghosts .... beautifully written, fascinating, deeply moving and thought-provoking.'' - James Holland''A proper page-turner .... A fascinating tangle of witches and mermaids, drowned fishers and dead warriors, ghostly planes and spectral horses .'' - Christopher Somerville, author of Ships of Heaven''One of the most enjoyable books on the paranormal I''ve read. Neil Oliver creates a bucket list of places to visit, perfect for both paranormal investigators and history buffs alike.'' - Nick Tyler, author of Haunted Yorkshire.......................................................................................................................................................................For longer than recorded history there have been tales of spirits and of places where our hackles rise and our skin turns col

    15 in stock

    £10.44

  • Castles of the World: From Ancient Citadels to

    Amber Books Ltd Castles of the World: From Ancient Citadels to

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisRobust, romantic and imposing, castles capture our imagination when we were children and continue to hold interest throughout our lives. From Europe to Haiti, from India to Japan, Castles of the World explores forts, strongholds, towers and citadels from the ancient world up to the 20th century. Entries range from well-known examples such as Corfe Castle in England, the crusader stronghold of Krak des Chevaliers in Syria and the romantic palace of Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, to lesser-known curiosities such as the Genoese Fortress in the Crimea, Rudkhan Castle in Iran and Morro Castle in Havana. Arranged chronologically, each entry includes a striking colour photograph and expert text briefly telling the story of the castle’s history. Built, rebuilt and expanded many times, castles often don’t just tell us about one period in history, but about many different times. They offer us layers of history – and sometimes mystery, too. With 200 outstanding colour photographs, Castles of the World is a beautiful examination of worlds gone by.Table of ContentsContents: Introduction Ancient Times to 700 CE Rayen Citadel, Iran David’s Citadel, Jerusalem, Israel Arg-E Bam, Iran Gongsanseong Castle, South Korea Samuil’s Fortress, Ohrid, Macedonia Citadel, Berat, Albania Durrës Castle, Albania Al-Ukhaidir Fortress, Iraq Early Medieval Period: 700–1200 Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales Château de Chillon, Lake Geneva Mehrangarh, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India Rayen Castle, Iran Qasr Kharana, Jordan Blagaj Fort, Bosnia & Herzegovina Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria Rabati Castle, Akhaltsikhe, Georgia Alcazar Castle, Segovia, Spain Blagai Castle, Bosnia Herzegovina Rudkhan Castle, Iran Burg Gussing, Austria Elz Castle, Germany Edinburgh Castle, Scotland Guaita Fortress, San Marino Leeds Castle, Kent, England Krak des Chevaliers, Syria Trim Castle, Ireland Nafpaktos Castle, Greece Heidelberg Castle, Germany Bran Castle, Romania Conwy Castle, Wales Windsor Castle, England Spiš Castle, Slovakia Peyrepertuse, France Late Medieval Period: 1200–1500 Alcázar of Seville, Spain La Alhambra, Granada, Spain Ananuri, Georgia Belogradchik Fortress, Bulgaria Bodiam Castle, England Castle Stalker, Scotland Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland Karlstein Castle, Czech Republic Bač Fortress, Serbia Koluvere Castle, Estonia Khotyn Fortress, Chernivtsi Oblast, Ukraine Malbork Castle, Poland Soroca Fort, Moldova Donegal Castle, Republic of Ireland Royal Fort, Lahore, Pakistan Early Modern Period: 1500–1750 Marmaris Castle, Turkey Osaka Castle, Japan Camber Castle, Rye, East Sussex, England Chateau de Chambord, France Egskov Castle, Denmark Morro Castle, Havana, Cuba Red Fort, India Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Colombia Castle of Good Hope, South Africa Four Metal Cross, Ghana Modern Era: 1750 to the Present Citadelle Henry Christophe, Haiti Neuschwanstein, Bavaria, Germany Hohenschwangau, Bavaria, Germany Hohenzollern Castle, Germany Bojnice Castle, Slovakia Palacio Da Pena, Sintra, Portugal Vajdahunyad Castle, Hungary Pena Palace, Portugal Maunsell Forts, English Channel Watchtower, Gull Bay, Channel Islands

    15 in stock

    £17.99

  • Measly Middle Ages newspaper edition

    Scholastic Measly Middle Ages newspaper edition

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisAll the foul facts about the Measly Middle Ages are ready to uncover, including why chickens had their bottoms shaved, a genuine jester's joke and what ten-year-old treacle was used for. These bestselling titles are sure to be a huge hit with yet another generation of Terry Deary fans.

    15 in stock

    £6.99

  • A Guide to the Medieval Castles of England

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd A Guide to the Medieval Castles of England

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisSpread across the medieval kingdom of England in a network of often formidable strongholds, castles, like cathedrals, are defining landmarks of their age, dominating their settings, in many cases even to this day. By representing an essential aspect of our history and heritage, the interpretation of which is constantly being revised, they demonstrate the value of Malcolm Hislop's compact, authoritative and well illustrated new guide to English castles.The gazetteer includes an astonishing variety of types, sizes and designs. Individual entries bring out the salient points of interest including historical context, building history and architectural character. The defensive and domestic purposes of these remarkable buildings are explained, as is the way in which their layout and role developed over the course of hundreds of years, from the predominantly earth and timber fortresses of the Normans to the complex stone castles of the later Middle Ages, many of which can be visited today.His

    Out of stock

    £23.80

  • Maginot Line: History and Guide

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd Maginot Line: History and Guide

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisEssential reading for the student of twentieth century fortification. Beautifully produced, well written, well illustrated and above all, the ideal reference book for its subject. Fortress Study Group This combined history and guide to the Maginot Line is essential reading and reference for anyone interested in fortifications, especially those of the 20th century and Second World War. Military Times This is a useful piece of work, combining a detailed history and a guide to the line. My own mental image for the line turned out to owe rather more to French wartime propaganda than to reality. This was a valuable read. historyofwar.org The Maginot Line, the complex system of strongpoints constructed between the world wars by the French to protect against attack from Germany, is one of the most famous, extensive and controversial defensive schemes in all military history. It stretched from Belgium to Switzerland, and from Switzerland to the Mediterranean, and it represented the most advanced and ambitious system of static defences of its time.Much of this historic line with its fortresses, artillery positions, tank traps, blockhouses, concrete bunkers has survived and can be visited today. This invaluable handbook, which has been written and compiled by the experts in the field, is a guide to the history of the line and its major sites.

    Out of stock

    £16.14

  • Castles of the World

    Amber Books Ltd Castles of the World

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisFrom the Highlands of Scotland to the plains of northern India, Castles of the World is a beautiful examination of past worlds viewed through strongholds that continue to enrich the modern landscape. They evoke an imagined age of aristocratic warriors and noble aspirations. Presented in a handy, pocket-sized format, arranged chronologically and illustrated with more than 200 colour photographs, Castles of the World examines more than 150 fortifications from across the world, from Cathar castles and Alpine schlösser to Norman keeps and Samurai strongholds. Discover how the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland was destroyed during the Jacobite rebellion of 1719; learn about Turkey’s Marmaris Castle, built in 1522 by Suleiman the Magnificent to support his attack on neighbouring Rhodes; and explore the Mughal-constructed Red Fort in Delhi, home of Muslim rulers from 1648 until 1803, and today a symbol of Indian nationalism.Table of ContentsIntroduction Ancient Forts Maiden Castle, near Dorchester, Dorset, England Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India Masada, Judea, Israel Euryalus, near Syracuse, Sicily, Italy Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi, Homs Governorate, Syria Early Medieval Castles Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales Château de Chillon, Lake Geneva, Switzerland Mehrangarh, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India Rayen Castle, Iran Bam Citadel, Iran Berat Citadel, Albania Alcazar Castle, Segovia, Spain Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria Blagai Castle, Bosnia Herzegovina Rabati Castle, Georgia Warwick Castle, England Corfe Castle, England Rudkhan Castle, Iran Kantara Castle, Cyprus Burg Gussing, Austria Elz Castle, Trier, Germany Edinburgh Castle, Scotland Guaita Fortress, San Marino Leeds Castle, Kent, England Crusader's citadel, Island of Pharaohs, Egypt 1100s Krak des Chevaliers, Syria Trim Castle, Ireland Nafpaktos Castle, Greece Heidelberg Castle, Germany Bran Castle, Romania Conwy Castle, Wales La Iruela, Cazoria, Spain Late Medieval Genoese Fortress, Sudak, Crimea, Ukraine Beersel Castle, Belgium Belogradchik Fortress, Bulgaria Bodiam Castle, England Castle Stalker, Scotland Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland Karlstein Castle, Czech Republic Koluvere Castle, Estonia Malbork Castle, Poland Olavinlinna, Finland Early Modern Castles and Palaces Château de Pierrefonds, Oise, France Osaka Castle, Japan Camber Castle, Rye, East Sussex, England Chateau de Chambord, France Egskov Castle, Denmark Morro Castle, Havana, Cuba Red Fort, India Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Colombia Castle of Good Hope, South Africa Four Metal Cross, Ghana Romantic Palaces and Modern Strongholds Citadelle Henry Christophe, Haiti Neuschwanstein, Bavaria, Germany Hohenschwangau, Bavaria, Germany Hohenzollern Castle, Germamy Bojnice Castle, Slovakia Palacio Da Pena, Sintra, Portugal Vajdahunyad Castle, Hungary Watchtower, Gull Bay, Torteval, Guernsey, Channel Islands Maunsell Forts, English Channel

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • Pillboxes of Britain and Ireland

    The History Press Pillboxes of Britain and Ireland

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThe pillboxes of Britain and Ireland are among the most important military structures employed in the history of the defence of these islands. This work presents the first thorough study and classification of pillboxes and related structures, including selection posts, Seagull and concrete trenches, gun-houses and turrets, battle headquarters and spigot-mortar emplacements. The author traces the use of small, free-standing defence structures from ancient times to the present, placing the pillbox within a historical continuum and identifying its course of development. The work also presents a typology of British and Irish pillboxes through a catalogue of known types and individual examples, and examines their tactical employment in the landscape.

    Out of stock

    £21.25

  • Medieval Castles Shire Archaeology No 83

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Medieval Castles Shire Archaeology No 83

    10 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    10 in stock

    £6.74

  • The Magnificent Castle of Culzean and the Kennedy

    Edinburgh University Press The Magnificent Castle of Culzean and the Kennedy

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisExplore Culzean Castle with this book!Culzean Castle on the Ayrshire coast is the most visited property of the National Trust for Scotland. This lavishly illustrated book tells the whole history of the castle. Michael Moss has carried out extensive research, drawing on estate records, original plans and family correspondence to create a major new history of the castle and a fascinating account of the running of a Scottish country estate. With new pictures, many of them in colour, and an accessible style, this is essential reading for anyone interested in Scottish history and Scottish architecture.Built in the late sixteenth century above a network of caves, the castle became a centre for smuggling during the eighteenth century. Sir Thomas Kennedy, 9th Earl of Cassillis, went on an extended grand tour in the 1750s and returned full of ideas as to how to improve his vast estates and home. His brother and heir commissioned Robert Adam to create his masterpiece and became bankrupt as a result. The estatTrade ReviewA fascinating study ... well illustrated by numerous reproductions of paintings, watercolors, lithographs, engravings, architectural plans and photographs... Moss has presented an entertaining, well-researched and composed book. -- J. Craig Stirling Scotia A fascinating study ... well illustrated by numerous reproductions of paintings, watercolors, lithographs, engravings, architectural plans and photographs... Moss has presented an entertaining, well-researched and composed book.

    1 in stock

    £27.90

  • Castles of Wales

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd Castles of Wales

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisFrom blood-soaked heroes to long-lost legends, despotic pirates to wailing hags, _Castles of Wales_ offers a fresh investigation into many of its fascinating fortresses.

    7 in stock

    £25.00

  • Crackin Castles

    Scholastic Crackin Castles

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisFrom Tintagel Castle in Cornwall to Skibo Castle in the Scottishhighlands, Horrible Histories: Crackin' Castles covers the historyof Britain from the time of the Romans to the London Blitz. Filledwith adventure, danger, magic, sieges, treachery, spies, revengeand much more besides - all in a new Horrible Histories newspaperstyle!

    2 in stock

    £6.99

  • The English Castle

    Yale University Press The English Castle

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisFrom coast to coast, the English landscape is still richly studded with castles both great and small. This is a riveting architectural study that sets this legion of buildings in historical context, tracing their development from the Norman Conquest in 1066 through the civil wars of the 1640s.Trade ReviewWinner of the Large Format Illustrated Book of the Year Award for the 2011 Spear's Book Awards, in association with City Private Bank -- Large Format Illustrated Book of the Year Award * Spear's Book Awards / City Private Bank *“Impressive . . . a grand narrative . . . [with] a splendid selection of color photographs . . . Definitive.”—David R. Conn, Library Journal -- David R. Conn * Library Journal *“[This] book is not only handsome, but reassuringly substantial . . . informed and thoughtful . . . lavishly illustrated . . . [and] fascinating.”—Stephen Brumwell, Wall Street Journal -- Stephen Brumwell * Wall Street Journal *". . . this new volume by Goodall will be an indispensable reference and should be added to every library collection. It is a gorgeously produced book . . . written throughout in an accessible style. . . . Essential."—L. Nees, Choice -- L. Nees * Choice *“This is the best kind of art and architecture book.”—Wall Street Journal (selection as a best nonfiction book of 2011) * Wall Street Journal *Shortlisted for the William M. B. Berger Prize for British Art History, as given by the Berger Collection Educational Trust and The British Art Journal -- Willam M. B. Berger Prize * Berger Collection Educational Trust and The British Art Journal *“One could not ask for a better guide . . . Goodall is a fine, efficient storyteller. He deftly creates scene after scene in English political and castle history.”—Daniel Taylor, Books and Culture -- Daniel Taylor * Books and Culture * Winner of the 2013 Historians of British Art Book Prize in the Pre-1800 category, given by the Historians of British Art. -- 2013 Historians of British Art Book Prize in the Pre-1800 category * Historians of British Art *

    15 in stock

    £54.00

  • Life in a Medieval Castle

    HarperCollins Publishers Inc Life in a Medieval Castle

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisSome particular books I found useful for A Game of Thrones and its sequels deserve mention... Life in a Medieval Castle and Life in a Medieval City, both by Joseph and Frances Gies. —George R.R. Martin, author of the series A Song of Ice and FireMedieval history comes alive in Joseph and Frances Gies''s Life in a Medieval Castle, used as a research resource by George R. R. Martin in creating the world of Game of Thrones.Newly reissued for the first time in decades, Life in a Medieval Castle is the bestselling classic that has introduced countless readers to the wonders of the Middle Ages. Focusing on a castle called Chepstow on the border between England and Wales, acclaimed Medievalists Joseph and Frances Gies offer an exquisite portrait of what day-to-day life was actually like during the era, and of the key role the castle played. The Gieses write eloquently about the many people whose lives revolved around the castle, from the lord and lady to the commoners of the surrounding village. We discover what lords and serfs alike would have worn, eaten, and done for leisure; the songs sung; and the codes of sexual conduct that maintained order. We learn of the essential role of honor in medieval culture, the initiation process undertaken by knights, and how castles attempted to keep the constant threats of outside violence at bay.Exhaustively researched and as engaging as any novel, Life in a Medieval Castle is the definitive text for anyone wishing to learn more about this fascinating era.Trade Review"Some particular books I found useful for A Game of Thrones and its sequels deserve mention. ... Life in a Medieval Castle and Life in a Medieval City, both by Joseph and Frances Gies." -- George R.R. Martin, author of the A Song of Ice and Fire series "The Gieses succeed in making a remote and unfamiliar world accessible." -- Kirkus Reviews "The authors allow medieval man and woman to speak for themselves through selections from past journals, songs, even account books." -- Time

    3 in stock

    £10.44

  • Story of TheTower of London

    Merrell Publishers Ltd Story of TheTower of London

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis book reveals the fascinating stories, dramatic events and colorful characters that make up the Tower of London's remarkably long and varied history. Written from a social perspective, it presents a fresh appraisal of this world-famous site and sets it apart from any other available book. It offers a comprehensive history of the fortress, from its Roman origins right up to the present day. With over 200 color illustrations and a comprehensive and chronological narrative divided into thematic chapters, it conveys brilliantly the many and varied stories which make up the Tower's history - from the menagerie and royal mint to the roll call of its famous prisoners. The story of the Tower of London is, in many respects, the story of England. When building work began on the fortress, the capital was little more than a small town with no more than 10,000 inhabitants. Almost 1,000 years later, the fortress still stands as a symbol of royal power, pomp and ceremony, tradition, heritage, military might, treachery and torture. Its myriad roles are reflected in the complex series of buildings that make up this formidable, magnificent fortress - an iconic site that still attracts millions of visitors from across the world each year.

    15 in stock

    £18.95

  • The Medieval Castles of Wales

    University of Wales Press The Medieval Castles of Wales

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThis book provides the visitor to the castles of Wales with a history and description of the main castles open to the public. There is an easy-to-understand outline of how castles developed, as well as features that give more detail of the different parts of a castle, such as keeps and gatehouses.Table of ContentsThe North West Aberlleiniog motte, Llangoed, Anglesey Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey Caernarfon Castle and town walls, Caernarfonshire Castell Prysor, Merioneth Castell y Bere, Merioneth Conwy Castle and town walls, Caernarfonshire Cricieth Castle, Caernarfonshire Deganwy Castle, Caernarfonshire Dolbadarn Castle, Caernarfonshire Dolwyddelan Castle, Caernarfonshire Harlech Castle, Merioneth Tomen y Mur, Merioneth The North-East Caergwrle or Hope Castle, Flintshire Castell Dinas Bran, Denbighshire Chirk Castle, Denbighshire Denbigh Castle and town walls, Denbighshire Ewloe Castle, Flintshire Flint Castle, Flintshire Holt Castle, Denbighshire Rhuddlan Castle, Flintshire Sycharth, Denbighshire Tomen y Rhodwydd, Denbighshire Central Aberystwyth Castle, Cardiganshire Dolforwyn Castle, Montgomeryshire Montgomery Castle, Montgomeryshire New Radnor, Radnorshire Painscastle, Radnorshire Powis Castle, Montgomeryshire Presteigne (The Warden), Radnorshire Tinboeth, Radnorshire The South-West Carew Castle, Pembrokeshire Carmarthen Castle, Carmarthenshire Carreg Cennen Castle, Carmarthenshire Cilgerran Castle, Pembrokeshire Dinefwr Castle, Carmarthenshire Dryslwyn Castle, Carmarthenshire Haverfordwest Castle, Pembrokeshire Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthenshire Laugharne Castle, Carmarthenshire Llandovery Castle, Carmarthenshire Llansteffan Castle, Carmarthenshire Llawhaden Castle, Pembrokeshire Manorbier Castle, Pembrokeshire Narberth Castle, Pembrokeshire Newcastle Emlyn Castle, Carmarthenshire Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire St Clears Castle (Banc y Beili), Carmarthenshire Tenby Castle and town walls, Pembrokeshire Wiston Castle, Pembrokeshire The South-East Abergavenny Castle, Monmouthshire Barry Castle, Glamorgan Bridgend (Newcastle), Glamorgan Bronllys Castle, Breconshire Builth Castle, Breconshire Caerleon Castle, Monmouthshire Caerphilly Castle, Glamorgan Caerwent motte, Monmouthshire Caldicot Castle, Monmouthshire Cardiff Castle, Glamorgan Castell Coch, Glamorgan Castell Dinas (Bwlchyddinas), Breconshire Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire Coity Castle, Glamorgan Crickhowell Castle, Breconshire Grosmont Castle, Monmouthshire Kenfig Castle, Glamorgan Llanblethian Castle Llandaff, Bishop's Palace, Cardiff, Glamorgan Loughor Castle, Glamorgan Monmouth Castle, Monmouthshire Monnow Bridge and Gate, Monmouthshire Morlais Castle, Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan Neath Castle, Glamorgan Newcastle, Bridgend Newport Castle, Monmouthshire Ogmore Castle, Glamorgan Oystermouth Castle, Glamorgan Penlle'r Castell, Glamorgan Pennard Castle, Glamorgan Raglan Castle, Monmouthshire St Quentin's Castle, Llanblethian, Glamorgan Skenfrith Castle, Monmouthshire Swansea Castle, Glamorgan The Three Castles - Grosmont, Skenfrith and White Grosmont Skenfrith Castle White Trellech, castle motte, Monmouthshire Tretower Castle and Court, Breconshire Twmbarlwm, castle motte, Risca, Monmouthshire Usk Castle, Monmouthshire Weobley Castle, Glamorgan White Castle,Monmouthshire

    Out of stock

    £12.34

  • The English Castles Story

    The History Press Ltd The English Castles Story

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    1 in stock

    £9.49

  • English Castles

    HarperCollins Publishers English Castles

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe perfect stocking filler for lovers of English Castles.A handy guide to England's most dramatic castles and strongholds, many of which are open to visitors. Includes an eight-page map section showing the locations of castles covered in the book.Features historical background and architectural details for each of the castles, accompanied by beautiful colour photographs. The book covers the major sites of Windsor, Warwick and Leeds Castle, as well as lesser known fortresses scattered across the country.Includes details on the property's custodianship, whether cared for by the National Trust, English Heritage or another body, a description of the gardens where relevant, location, website and phone number.A concise guide to English castles in an accessible format.Of interest to English, local and architectural historians, as well as international visitors to England.

    15 in stock

    £6.99

  • Bagatelle: A Princely Residence in Paris

    Editions Flammarion Bagatelle: A Princely Residence in Paris

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    1 in stock

    £52.00

  • A Pocket Guide to Irish Castles

    Gill A Pocket Guide to Irish Castles

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis book celebrates the most popular Irish castles, from the Norman fortress of Bunratty to the five-star splendour of Ashford, from medieval Malahide to dramatic Dunluce, as well as introducing you to some of Ireland's most famous castle owners such as Grace O'Malley (Rockfleet) and W.B. Yeats (Thoor Ballylea).

    1 in stock

    £6.99

  • Castles and Strongholds of Northumberland

    The History Press Ltd Castles and Strongholds of Northumberland

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    2 in stock

    £17.00

  • Castles Conquer the worlds most impressive

    Dorling Kindersley Ltd Castles Conquer the worlds most impressive

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisJourney across the world and throughout history to discover the world''s best and most unusual castles, and learn about their features, from the tallest turrets to the dingiest dungeons. Find out how castles have changed over time and what happened to the people who lived in them.A glimpse into the history of different castles around the world, the dramatic battles to conquer them, and the weapons that defended and defeated them.Travel through time and venture into the wonderful world of castles, from the extravagant châteaux of France, to the impenetrable fortresses of Japan.Find out why castles were built and witness some of the most famous sieges in history. Trek across the world to visit castles perched on perilous clifftops and exotic islands. Meet the medieval rulers who built the grandest castles and forts, and the modern tycoons who splashed out money trying to replicate them.Discover why the spiral staircases in castles always turned c

    5 in stock

    £15.29

  • The Great Tower of Dover Castle: History,

    Liverpool University Press The Great Tower of Dover Castle: History,

    Out of stock

    Book Synopsis

    Out of stock

    £41.32

  • Scottish Castles

    Boydell & Brewer Ltd Scottish Castles

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    1 in stock

    £25.00

  • A History and Guide to Scottish Castles

    Pen & Sword Books Ltd A History and Guide to Scottish Castles

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisA history and guide to Scottish castles.

    Out of stock

    £22.00

  • The Secret Explorers and the Haunted Castle

    Dorling Kindersley Ltd The Secret Explorers and the Haunted Castle

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisSJ King loves museums, libraries, and building machines from scrap. King can usually be found exploring - from investigating tiny bugs, to trekking up enormous mountains.

    3 in stock

    £6.99

  • Eltz Castle

    De Gruyter Eltz Castle

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisEltz Castle near Koblenz deeply impressed many visitors. The German art-historian Georg Dehio declared it 'the castle par exellence'. This book describes its history and takes readers through the interior of the castle as well as through the treasure vault. Victor Hugo was simply impressed by the castle: "High, mighty, suprising, sombre", he wrote in his diary after his visit and continued: "I have never seen anything like it." To the English travel writer Katharine Macquoid it was "a fairy-tale in stone." Eltz Castle with its 850-years history and its picturesque setting still is the quintessence of a castle today. This book describes the beginnings and the history of Eltz Castle. It takes the readers through the interior of the castle as well as through the treasure vault, describes in detail the pieces of furniture and artworks and gives a vivid picture of what life in this castle was like in the past centuries. The discovery of Eltz Castle as a tourist site in the 19th century is dealt with, as is the castle's significance in art and literature. Nearly one hundered colour illustrations complement the text.

    Out of stock

    £8.50

  • Bunker

    Penguin Books Ltd Bunker

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020 ''An extraordinary achievement . . . gripping, grim and witty'' Robert MacFarlane ''Unputdown-able ... No book could be more timely'' Richard J Evans Today, the bunker has become the extreme expression of our greatest fears: from pandemics to climate change and nuclear war. And once you look, it doesn''t take long to start seeing bunkers everywhere. In Bunker, acclaimed urban explorer and cultural geographer Bradley Garrett explores the global and rapidly growing movement of ''prepping'' for social and environmental collapse, or ''Doomsday''. From the ''dread merchants'' hustling safe spaces in the American mid-West to eco-fortresses in Thailand, from geoscrapers to armoured mobile bunkers, Bunker is a brilliant, original and never less than deeply disturbing story from the frontlines of the way we live now: an illuminating reflection on our age of disquiet and Trade ReviewHow prescient and timely ... This is a tartly thoughtful work, by turns witty and philosophical, with an undercurrent of anger at the way we are governed and the commodification of existential fear. He writes pacily, bringing to vivid life a gallery of survivalist wingnuts, conmen and evangelists. -- Nick Curtis * Evening Standard *A kind of apocalyptic Super Size Me, in which the author force feeds himself a steady diet of paranoia, conspiracy, eschatology and end-times architecture. -- Chris Hall * The Guardian *This baseball-cap wearing academic is the world's leading expert on survivalists ... But he never expected Bunker to be so topical. -- Rachel Sylvester and Alice Thomson * The Times *Brilliant ... Bunker, self-evidently a work for our times, shimmers with a Ballardian imagery of disaster and melt-down. -- Ian Thomson * The Spectator *Bunker is a thoughtful study into the nature of paranoia and the people who try to profit from it - and it makes for a page-turning read. -- Nathan Brooker * Financial Times *A scary, unputdown-able account ... No book could be more timely as we stay in our own little bunkers to avoid infection, strip the supermarket shelves of loo paper, and squirrel away supplies of food to see us through the shortages that many fear will follow a no-deal Brexit. -- Richard J Evans * New Statesman *This study of bunker sites and the people preparing for the worst couldn't be better timed. -- Andrew Anthony * The Observer *Garrett's research has involved hanging out with millenarian fruitcakes, disaster profiteers and the uber-rich, not to mention tooled-up, swivel-eyed anarcho-libertarians from America to Australia ... His sense is that disaster gives us an opportunity to rethink how we live. What will we learn? -- Stuart Jeffries * The Guardian *This is a gripping and timely book about both the 'architecture of dread' and its multi-billion dollar industry, and what the growing appetite for bunkers reveals about the social conditions in which we live. * New Statesman *Garrett is a bright and buoyant guide and Bunker rattles briskly along ... A necessary read. * Literary Review *Bradley Garrett spent three years meeting doomsday preppers for his book Bunker ... If we work together, he thinks, there is no reason that a future global catastrophe has to become an apocalypse. Well, that's something. -- Luke Mintz * Sunday Telegraph *Bunker is an extraordinary achievement; a big-thinking, deep-diving, page-turning study of fear, privilege and apocalypse told through the space of the bunker. Garrett has written a gripping, grim, witty work of geography and ethnography, which he completed - with eerie timeliness - in the first weeks of the COVID pandemic. A book about prepping and prognostication, then, which had already foretold its own future. -- Robert MacFarlaneGarrett's book forces readers to reassess other assumptions about bunkers and those who own them. -- Jack Grove * Times Higher Education *There are many strands in this book ... [Garrett] brings sharp insight to a subject that no longer seems so remote or speculative. -- Mika Ross-Southall * Times Literary Supplement *A highly addictive book ... What makes Garrett's book fascinating is his portrayal of the balance between fringe thinking and the real world. -- Nick Smith * E&T Magazine *Bunker benefits from the mere fact of taking its protagonists seriously as humans and as members of society, rather than as outlandish characters. -- Julian Sayarer * openDemocracy *Garrett spent several years travelling the world, going down into bunkers and talking to their owners and tenants. His book is an incredible record of that journey, and also functions as a philosophical or psychological disquisition about space, about freedom, about survival. Bunker is an incredible read and will surely sell in quite enormous numbers, assuming the human race remains intact and can still read. -- Steve Braunias * New Zealand Herald *

    1 in stock

    £10.44

  • Britains Medieval Castles

    ABC-CLIO Britains Medieval Castles

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe widespread construction of castles in Britain began as soon as Duke William of Normandy set foot on the shores of England in 1066. This illustrated book presents a cultural and historical tour of Britain's medieval castles. It will interest students researching architecture, the Middle Ages, or military history, as well as general readers.Trade ReviewThis book is an overview of castles in the British Isles, almost exclusively in England and Wales, and is lucidly written by an unabashed amateur enthusiast. It seeks to be analytical, addressing offensive, defensive, and residential functions, and rightly emphasizing the sheer prestige of castles, subdividing chapters into topics such as gates, bridges, and towers. * Choice *The founder of Castles Unlimited, which promotes their appreciation and preservation, Hull has written two previous surveys of castles, but here she focuses not so much on particular castles as on features of castles built in Britain from the 11th to the 15th centuries. She explains how the architectural elements and construction techniques allowed the castles to serve simultaneously as offensive weapons, defensive strongholds, residences, and status symbols. Raglan Castle in Wales is her detailed case study. * Reference & Research Book News/Art Book News Annual 2007 *Table of ContentsIllustrations Acknowledgments Introduction: What Is a Castle? chapter 1 Castles as Offensive Weapons chapter 2 Castles as Defensive Strongholds chapter 3 Castles as Residences chapter 4 Castles as Status Symbols chapter 5 Raglan Castle: A Properly Fortified Military Residence chapter 6 What Is a Castle? Revisited Epilogue Notes Glossary Bibliography Index

    15 in stock

    £109.00

  • The Medieval Fortress

    Hachette Books The Medieval Fortress

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe great walled castles of the medieval world continue to fascinate the modern world. Today, the remains of medieval forts and walls throughout Europe are popular tourist sites. Unlike many other books on castles, The Medieval Fortress is unique in its comprehensive treatment of these architectural wonders from a military perspective. The Medieval Fortress includes an analysis of the origins and evolution of castles and other walled defences, a detailed description of their major components, and the reasons for their eventual decline. The authors, acclaimed fortification experts J.E. and H.W. Kaufmann, explain how the military strategies and weapons used in the Middle Ages led to many modifications of these structures. All of the representative types of castles and fortifications are discussed, from the British Isles, Ireland, France, Germany, Moorish Spain, Italy, as far east as Poland and Russia, as well as Muslim and Crusader castles in the Middle East. Over 200 photographs and 300 extraordinarily detailed technical drawings, plans, and sketches by Robert M. Jurga accompany and enrich the main text.

    5 in stock

    £19.80

  • 60 Remarkable Buildings of the National Trust

    National Trust 60 Remarkable Buildings of the National Trust

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisDr Elizabeth Green is the National Trust's Senior National Curator for Wales and Architectural History. George Clarke is an architect, television presenter, campaigner and educator.Table of Contents• Introduction by George Clarke • Essay by Elizabeth Green • 60 REMARKABLE BUILDINGS • Glossary of terms • Index • Acknowledgements • Picture credits

    15 in stock

    £9.50

  • 60 o Adeiladau Rhyfeddol yr Ymddiriedolaeth

    National Trust 60 o Adeiladau Rhyfeddol yr Ymddiriedolaeth

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThis beautifully illustrated book tells the stories behind 60 remarkable buildings chosen from the many thousands at National Trust properties across England, Wales and Northern Ireland Spanning 900 years of history, this selection of 60 remarkable buildings in the care of the National Trust ranges from a 13th-century tithe barn in Oxfordshire to a 20th-century suburban semi in Liverpool; from a medieval guildhall in Suffolk to a Victorian lighthouse in Tyne and Wear; from an Arts and Crafts village in County Antrim to an atomic research facility in East Anglia. The book has an introduction by George Clarke and concludes with a useful illustrated glossary of terms and architectural features.Table of Contents• Introduction by George Clarke • Essay by Elizabeth Green • 60 REMARKABLE BUILDINGS • Glossary of terms • Index • Acknowledgements • Picture credits

    Out of stock

    £9.50

  • Windsor Ablaze The Windsor Castle Fire

    Lutterworth Press Windsor Ablaze The Windsor Castle Fire

    15 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    15 in stock

    £19.80

  • Castles and Colonists

    Manchester University Press Castles and Colonists

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThis book is the first to examine life in the leading province of Elizabeth I's nascent empire, an Ireland of colonizing English farmers and an imported Protestant elite living in fortified manors and medieval castles -- .Trade Review‘This is both a significant and an important volume…an account of his excavation of Kilcolman, [is] followed by his interesting thesis on how much Edmund Spenser’s Faerie Queene influenced vernacular architecture throughout Ireland and Britain.’ The Spenser Review, January 2013 -- .Table of ContentsEpigraphList of figuresPreface Acknowledgments1. Archaeology and empire2. Fortification3. Settlement4. Vernacular architecture5. Kilcolman Castle 6. Spenserian architecture7. Conclusions.Select bibliographyIndex

    Out of stock

    £76.50

  • British Castles Colouring Book

    The History Press Ltd British Castles Colouring Book

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisVisitors have been flocking to castles across the country for centuries to learn about their history and enjoy their splendour, and this collection of beautiful illustrations is a celebration of their unique appeal.

    Out of stock

    £11.69

  • Hadrians Wall From the Air

    The History Press Ltd Hadrians Wall From the Air

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisHadrian''s Wall is Britain''s premier and most visited Roman monument, and is now recognised as a World Heritage site. The archaeological remains are the best preserved and most intensely studied of their kind anywhere, and much has been written at academic and popular levels. Until now, however, there has not been a book on the substantial contribution made by aerial photography. The late Professor Jones spent 20 years taking aerial photographs of Hadrian''s Wall. Not only do they illustrate the history, development, topography and surviving remains of the Wall (both the military works and the remains of civilian occupation), but they give an entirely new perspective that cannot be appreciated at ground level. In chapters on the Stanegate frontier, the history and development of Hadrian''s Wall itself, the outposts and coastal defences, and an appendix detailing the anatomy of a Roman fort, along with a bibliography containing useful websites, the authors show a far more complex and f

    Out of stock

    £17.09

  • The Roman Shore Forts

    The History Press Ltd The Roman Shore Forts

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe eleven forts constructed by the Romans along the British coast between Branchester in Norfolk and Portchester in Hampshire have traditionally been referred to as the ''Forts of the Saxon Shore''. However, recent research suggests that these sites may have served as military ports rather then as a coherent defensive system to deter barbarian invaders. In this rounded study of the subject, Andrew Pearson draws on all the latest evidence available. After looking at the surviving monuments themselves, he describes how, in the third century AD, they came to be built and how they fitted into the overall Roman coastal system. He then goes on to examine the construction process itself, calculating the demand for raw materials, transport and manpower, and demonstrates how these requirements could have been met. Key to Dr. Pearson''s interpretation of the primary purpose of the forts is an assessment of the third-century coastline. The physical setting of each monument in relation to the sea

    1 in stock

    £21.25

  • The Construction of Hadrians Wall

    The History Press Ltd The Construction of Hadrians Wall

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisHadrian''s Wall was a small part of the thousands of miles of Roman frontiers, but presents the most magnificent spectacle. Its 90-mile length was conceived on a grand scale, with a stone wall 10 Roman feet thick and 15 high, and has been the subject of research for four centuries. There is, however, one aspect which has never been studied in detail: the practicalities of how it was actually built.This book examines every aspect of the work needed to construct the Wall, and analyses all the building operations including quarrying, stone dressing, transport and scaffolding. It is presented in a form accessible to the interested layman as well as to the student, and among other new conclusions throws light on the attitude of the Roman army to the work.

    1 in stock

    £15.29

  • Roman Forts in Britain

    The History Press Ltd Roman Forts in Britain

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisMore than a tenth of the Roman army''s total strength was stationed in Britain. Focusing on the auxiliary forts that were occupied from the second century onwards, this work looks at: the plans and functions of forts; the everyday life of officers and men; what the study of finds tells us about supply systems; and more.

    Out of stock

    £21.25

  • Cadbury Castle

    The History Press Ltd Cadbury Castle

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisThis book traces the conditions for the development of the Iron Age hillfort at Cadbury Castle, the violent suppression of its population in the first century AD and its major refortification in the post-Roman period. Using the evidence from both the famous Alcock excavations of the 1960s as well as new evidence from the extensive survey of the surrounding landscape carried out by the South Cadbury Environs Project, this is the first book to deal with a hillfort within its landscape environment. The results are startling, and include some significant departures in interpretation from earlier studies of hillforts such as Danebury and Maiden Castle. This is essential reading for anyone interested in Cadbury Castle and in hillforts generally.

    Out of stock

    £21.25

  • Dover Castle

    The History Press Ltd Dover Castle

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe towering fortress of Dover Castle has stood as the gateway to England for many centuries, an imposing and, to an enemy at least, threatening sight. But on the high white cliffs and overlooking the Channel, from where it was intended to protect the coastline against attacks from Europe, the castle has always played an important part in the defence of Britain. Today it is regularly invaded by thousands of visitors keen to explore this dramatic and historic building. The first important building on its hilltop site was an 80ft high flint lighthouse, the Pharos, built by the Romans on the site of an Iron-Age fort and possibly the oldest Roman building in the country. The clifftop was later home to an Anglo-Saxon fortress, and immediately after the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror's engineers spent eight years strengthening this key gateway to his new kingdom by building an earthwork castle on the site. This Norman motte' (mound) which supported the castle is today known as Castle Hill. At the heart of the modern site is the Great Keep, which was built for Henry II in the second half of the twelfth century and is the largest in England. In 1216 Price Louis, heir to the throne of France, besieged the castle during the reign of King John. Prince Louis was eventually defeated by Hugh de Burgh and retreated to France. Much later, Parliamentarians seized the castle during the Civil War in 1642 and it remained in Cromwell's hands until the Restoration, which ensured it remained intact, unlike many other castles in the country. In the Second World War, underground tunnels, first constructed in the Middle Ages and later extended during the Napoleonic Wars, were pressed into service again and used in a variety of roles. Dover Castle has undoubtedly played a major role in the defence of Britain since its earliest times, and here, Roy Humphreys describes the key role in this highly readable and well-illustrated book.

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • Hadrians Wall Archaeological Walking Guides

    The History Press Ltd Hadrians Wall Archaeological Walking Guides

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisAn expert on Roman frontier infrastructure, he has conducted extensive research of Hadrian’s Wall, and is the author of Hadrian's Coastal Route: Ravenglass to Bowness-on-Solway (also published by The History Press).

    2 in stock

    £17.00

  • The Scottish Castles Story

    The History Press Ltd The Scottish Castles Story

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe castle is an evocative structure, no matter its setting, and this is no truer than in Scotland, where the multitude of castles reflect the country's turbulent history: its many conflicts and skirmishes, whether against invaders from the north, the English to the south or between clans. Castle building reflected the dual needs to control a population and protect against rebellion and invaders. They have been the scenes for some of the most dramatic deeds in British history throughout war and political confl ict and, of course, without the strategic and psychological effect of castles the feudal system would have been impossible. In this well-researched and beautifully illustrated book, Marc Alexander explores the story of Scotland's castles, featuring many vivid tales from history and legend, and showcasing a wide range of its incredible wealth of castles.

    1 in stock

    £9.49

  • Fortress Britain

    The History Press Ltd Fortress Britain

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisFollowing the Armada, there was the bloodless invasion of 1688, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s march south, the remarkable American John Paul Jones’ attack on Whitehaven during the American War of Independence, the German occupation of the Channel Islands and – the great what if of British, perhaps world history – the threat of Operation Sealion.

    4 in stock

    £14.24

  • At Home with Royalty

    Schiffer Publishing Ltd At Home with Royalty

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisWho hasn't dreamed of spending a night in a castle? A heavenly bed, creaking floorboards, silk wallpaper, glittering chandeliers, expansive grounds, and, for good measure, discreet service, fulfilling wishes before you have said a word. Anyone looking for a bit of luxury treatment will find the perfect opportunity in one of Europe's many historic castles: numerous ones have been converted into excellent hotels, where guests are considered royalty. This book transports you to elegant lords' homes and extensive vineyards, offering a glimpse behind medieval walls and into baroque staterooms. Its pages are sumptuously filled with nearly 500 magnificent images, castle hotel-booking information, historical and cultural anecdotes, hotel gastronomy overviews, and more. Travel to historic country estates with walls that tell stories of times when these were homes for high nobility and where guests can still feel like royalty today.

    15 in stock

    £43.99

  • Toronto Architecture A City Guide

    McClelland & Stewart Inc. Toronto Architecture A City Guide

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisToronto has been hailed as “a city in the making” and “the city that works.” It’s an ongoing project: in recent years Canada’s largest city has experienced transformative, exciting change. But just what does contemporary Toronto look like? This authoritative architectural guide, newly updated and expanded, leads readers on 26 walking tours—revealing the evolution of the place from a quiet Georgian town to a dynamic global city. More than 1,000 designs are featured: from modest Victorian houses to shimmering downtown towers and cultural landmarks. Over 300 photographs, 29 maps, a description of architectural styles, a glossary of architectural terms, and indexes of architects and buildings pilot readers through Toronto’s diverse cityscape. New sections illustrate the swiftly changing face of Toronto’s waterfront and design highlights across the region. Originally written by architectural journalist Patricia McHugh and enhanced

    10 in stock

    £20.21

  • British Fortifications Through the Reign of

    McFarland & Co Inc British Fortifications Through the Reign of

    Out of stock

    Book Synopsis From the time the Romans first set foot on England''s shore in 55 B.C., the British Isles have faced a constant threat of foreign invasion. As a result, the landscapes of England, Scotland, and Ireland are dotted with ancient defensive fortifications as varied as their makers. Iron Age Celtic hill forts, Roman castra and Hadrian''s Wall, Anglo-Saxon dykes and Alfredian burhs, Norman mottes and stone-keeps, Edwardian castles, Irish tower houses--they all served to repel ancient intruders and many still stand as tangible relics of a remarkable past. This study chronicles the development of British fortifications from prehistoric times through the end of Richard III''s reign in 1485, providing the history of each type of structure, relevant examples, and information on weapons and siege warfare. More than 250 illustrations vividly detail each ediface''s construction and configuration.

    Out of stock

    £27.54

  • Castles and Fortified Cities of Medieval Europe

    McFarland & Company Castles and Fortified Cities of Medieval Europe

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisAn illustrated guide to the architecture of medieval fortifications, from the first castles to the fortified cities of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Detailed pen-and-ink drawings are accompanied by text describing the types of buildings, built-in defenses, and particular castles and cities.

    Out of stock

    £27.54

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