Klik op een omslag om naar Google Boeken te gaan.
Bezig met laden... The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry: by Christine de Pizandoor Christine de Pizan
Bezig met laden...
Meld je aan bij LibraryThing om erachter te komen of je dit boek goed zult vinden. Op dit moment geen Discussie gesprekken over dit boek. geen besprekingen | voeg een bespreking toe
It is unexpected in any era to find a woman writing a book on the art of warfare, but in the fifteenth century it was unbelievable. Not surprisingly, therefore, Christine de Pizan's The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry, written around 1410, has often been regarded with disdain. Many have assumed that Christine was simply copying or pilfering earlier military manuals. But, as Sumner Willard and Charity Cannon Willard show in this faithful English translation, The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry contains much that is original to Christine. As a military manual it tells us a great deal about the strategy, tactics, and technology of medieval warfare and is one of our most important sources for early gunpowder weapon technology. It also includes a fascinating discussion of Just War. Since the end of the fifteenth century, The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry has been available primarily through Antoine Vérard's imprint of 1488 or William Caxton's 1489 translation, The Book of the Order of Chivalry. Vérard even suggested that the work was his own translation of the Roman writer Vegetius, making no mention of Christine 's name. Caxton attributed the work to Christine, but it is impossible to identify the manuscript he used for his translation. Moreoever, both translations are inaccurate. The Willards correct these inaccuracies in a clear and easy-to-read translation, which they supplement with notes and an introduction that will greatly benefit students, scholars, and enthusiasts alike. Publication of this work should change our perception both of medieval warfare and of Christine de Pizan. Geen bibliotheekbeschrijvingen gevonden. |
Actuele discussiesGeenPopulaire omslagen
Google Books — Bezig met laden... GenresDewey Decimale Classificatie (DDC)355.02Social sciences Public Administration, Military Science Military Science WarLC-classificatieWaarderingGemiddelde:
Ben jij dit?Word een LibraryThing Auteur. |
Much is made that a book containing strategic warfare during the Middle Ages was written by a woman. Today, not such a big deal, but at the time groundbreaking and unusual. It seem to me that Ms. Pizan just loved writting and was very prolific with it. After one gets into this work a bit, one sees that it probably was not a mammoth effort on her part to produce this book.
The book begins a little dryly but should be held in the context that you are exploring the mindset of someone who lived over 600 years ago, which in itself, lends itself valuable to the study of that period's mindset.
She then begins to recount various strategems and tactics used by the Ancients and Romans during their respective campaigns and battles. By far the most interesting and readable part of the book.
The latter half of the book I found tedious as she imparts upon the reader an imaginary discussion she has with Honore Bonet, the author of The Tree of Battles. If you have read The Tree of Battles, they prepare to read some of it again. It is nearly verbatum and covers no new ground.
I gave this book 3 starts for historical ambiance value and overall counsel. ( )