Reseña de Booklist

The ingredients of medieval warfare--armor, warhorses, small arms, the siege, archers, knights--are discussed and pictured in this highly illustrated popular history. A companion atlas, Renaissance to Revolution, 1492-1792, is to be published this month. The main purpose of the atlas is to trace the development of warfare from Charlemagne through the War of the Roses. Discussion is divided into four major sections: "The Crucible of Europe," (742-1016), "Western Europe in the Eleventh to the Thirteenth Centuries," "Expanding Europe: The Crusades," and "Europe Divided: The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries." A brief section is devoted to the theory and practice of medieval warfare, offering brief information on fortresses, gunpowder, laws of war, chivalry, mercenaries, etc. There is a glossary, a bibliography of recommended secondary sources, a chronology (limited to events covered in the atlas), and an index. The strength of the work is its illustrations. Maps are used to good effect to show political boundaries, cities, placement of armies, invasion routes, and marches. Three-and four-color drawings are used to show battle positions and troop movement during battle. These are quite helpful and relate to the text. Every map has a key explaining colors and symbols. Some of the many attractive photographs of paintings, engravings, and tapestries are too pale. This historical atlas will appeal to young adults and lay adults and should be placed in the general circulating collection of high-school and public libraries. Not an essential purchase for larger academic and public libraries. (Reviewed June 1 & 15, 1996)