In the original dust jacket. Red cloth binding with gilt title on the spine and front board.

We provide an in-depth photographic presentation of this item to stimulate your feeling and touch. More traditional book descriptions are immediately available.

• Note: This book carries a £5.00 discount to those that subscribe to the F.B.A. mailing list

A quality copy, please view the photographs. For some time I’ve been looking for a title like this that locates and illustrates the finest remaining castles across Europe, I can now safely say that this is it. I enjoy touring around European historical sites in a campervan, but until now my discovery of castles (aside from a few well known ones) has been largely down to pot luck, or following signposts like the “Dongeon” one in France. There doesn’t appear to be anything across the Channel that relates to our excellent National Trust or English Heritage (get yourself organised EU !), so consequently it’s hard to pre-plan a tour. Funny enough there are several guides relating to historical sites from pre-history through to the Roman Empire and even including specialist subjects like the Bastide towns of the 100 years war, so these subjects are not a problem for the modern day traveler.

This book not only covers virtually all of the finest remaining castles of Europe today, but it’s “medieval” tag is actually wider ranging as fortresses from Charlemagne to the Rennaissance are included. The book is very big and heavy (well what do you expect with all that stonework?), and profusely illustrated (some in colour) with both photos of the structure today and engravings and the like from history showing what it once looked like. As well as being heavily illustrated the book is also heavy on information so make sure you know exactly what went on at the structure you are looking at and by who and why it was built, plus of course any actions of note relating to it’s history. Also covered quite well are medieval weapons and tactics – especially relating to castles of course.

It would take several holidays just to visit the photographed castles alone, and you can probably rest assured that these are the very best on offer throughout Europe, including Eastern Europe. You’ll struggle to find any other title like it, and buying this would be a much better idea than buying general guides for each country as many historical attractions are omitted from such guides. Worth every penny.