#BookReview: Castle Builders: Approaches to Castle Design and Construction in the Middle Ages by Malcolm James Baillie-Hislop

Synopsis: In Castle Builders, Malcolm Hislop looks at the hugely popular subject of castles from the unusual perspective of design and construction. In this general introduction to the subject, we discover something of the personalities behind their creation - the architects and craftsmen - and, furthermore, the techniques they employed, and how style and technology was disseminated. Castle Builders takes both a thematic and a chronological approach to the design and construction of castles, providing the reader with clear lines of development. Themes include earth, timber and stone construction techniques, the evolution of the great tower, the development of military engineering, the progression of domestic accommodation, and the degree to which aesthetics contributed to castle design.



Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 4 Stars
My Review:  If you've ever wondered how castles were made in the Middle Ages this is the perfect book to read. I found it very educational.  While it was very technical I found it easy to understand. The photographs and diagrams were a great addition as I found each of them interesting and they kept the book from being too technical or boring. I also loved that there was a helpful glossary at the end. 

Review

"Obviously the most concentrated period of castle building occurred shortly after the Norman invasion in 1066. Author Malcolm Hislop uncovers some fascinating facts about the people who designed and built the amazing fortresses that have survived to the present day."
Books Monthly 

"This encyclopaedic work provides a comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the Medieval Castle and is likely to become a standard reference work on the subject. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in both castles per se and the ‘Medieval era’ / ‘Middle Ages’ in general."
NZ Crown Mines 

"A look at the hugely popular subject of castles from the unusual perspective of design and construction. In this general introduction to the subject, we discover something of the personalities behind their creation - the architects and craftsmen - and, furthermore, the techniques they employed, and how style and technology was disseminated."
Exclusively British 

"There's no shortage of books on castles, many of them derivative or dull. This is neither...... The best book on castles for some time."
British Archaeology July/August 2017

Architectural details and military engineers are naturally in the foreground and castle communities in the background, but the execution is superb, the detail and the text accurate, incisive and navigable. The result is a volume that is going to be consulted rather than pushing debates in different directions, but it serves a very useful purpose, will stand the test of time, and fills a gap in the existing literature.
Medieval Archaeology

About the Author

Malcolm Hislop is a buildings archaeologist and author with a special interest in medieval buildings. His doctoral thesis was based around the career of the Durham master mason, John Lewyn, one of the most prolific castle builders of the fourteenth century, and he has continued to maintain a keen interest in the process of medieval building design and construction. He is the author of John Lewyn of Durham, How to Build a Cathedral and How to Read Castles. Born in Yorkshire, he now lives in north-east Wales.

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Posted in: 4 Stars, Adult, HeatherR, Non Fiction, Review