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Historical The Usborne Book of Castles designed by Ian McNee, Andrea Slane, and Stephen Wright $14.95 / Usborne / 2002 This is one of those rare works that has something for both children and adults alike, as well as manages to be both decorative and functional, combining beautiful illustrations with meticulously researched information about castles, and the people who built them. The authors first give a brief mention of the wooden forts of Dark Ages Britain to show why nobles began building castles in stone. (Those wooden castles which were not burned by invaders rotted in the rainy British weather). They also offer a page on Japanese castles and include a lovely shot of Neuschwanstein, the stunning palace built in 1869 by King Ludwig II ("Mad Ludwig") of Bavaria. But for the most part, the authors wisely concentrate on the castles built during medieval Europe. Within this volume we find information on the benefits of round towers vs. square ones (sappers could not undermine a corner and collapse the wall while archers atop round towers had a better range of fire). Discover how the clever Empress Matilda escaped a siege in the snowy winter of 1142. (She dressed in white and fled across the frozen moat). Also learn why castle-building went into decline after the 15th century. (The Black Plague and the rise of nationalism had more to do with this than early cannons.) We also see the intimate details of life in and around a castle. Lords and villeins alike get their share of attention, with photographs and drawings that depict everything from the chapel to the great hall to the outbuildings and servants' quarters. The front cover claims that the book is "internet linked," yet to use those links one must first go to Usborne-quicklinks.com, type in "Book of Castles," and then type in the page number. This is an awful lot of keystrokes. Rather, Usborne should consider setting up a domain for each of their books, or otherwise organize their web site so it is easier to use. There are also times when the text becomes difficult to read against the lavishly illustrated backgrounds. Still, this is a well-done book, which will provide hours of entertainment and education. Even if you think you know everything about castles, chances are that this children's book will teach you something new. —Kevin Filan

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