Devastated by the civil wars of the 17th century or by the neglect and deliberate destruction of their owners who saw them as archaic and barbaric; the vast majority of Scottish baronial castles built between 1250 and 1450 survive as little more than skeletal ruins. These reminders of Scotland's past have captured the imaginations of romantics; artists; writers and tourists since the late 18th century. Often set in spectacular surroundings; on cliff-tops; islands; and gorges; their ruined grandeur evokes a medieval world of sieges; banquets and murders; and provides a rare physical link with the Anglo-Scottish wars of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace. This book examines the three periods of castle building in the years 1250-1450: the years of peace in the late 13th century; the six decades of war with the English when the castles became key centers for garrisons and government; and the post-war era of castle building and reconstruction. Covering castles in the Isles; the Lowlands and the Highlands; and featuring some of the most striking examples of the art; such as Caelaverock and Bothwell this book presents the story of these monuments in an accessible and highly-illustrated format.
#275831 in Books imusti 2012-11-20 2012-11-20Original language:HebrewPDF # 1 9.46 x 1.09 x 6.31l; 1.38 #File Name: 1844679462304 pagesVerso
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Historical insightsBy catprincessJust an incredible book. Mr. Sand is an excellent writer and it is a joy to read his prose. He does not make blanket statements without backing them up with scholarly facts. This is like a follow-up to his first book;" The invention of the Jewish people". IT really opens up the mind and helps in seeing this part of the world in a different light. All his books should be required reading in academia with respects to world history.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Truth about IsraelBy David MarleySolomon Sand begins this book with a description of his service during the six day war in 1967. He was traumatised by the ruthless way in which his comrades treated Arab prisoners and civilians during that conflict; which lasted more than six days of course. One may say that it has never really ended. As a historian at the University of Tel Aviv Sand has made I an intensive study of the mythology of Zionism and how the state of Israel has used this mythology to justify the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the land. This book is a worthy sequel to his 'The Invention of the Jewish People' and thoroughly recommended.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy zeeInformative!
