[ZDP]≡ [PDF] CAXTON'S CHALLENGE Cynthia Harnett 9789997483157 Books

CAXTON'S CHALLENGE Cynthia Harnett 9789997483157 Books

Download As PDF : CAXTON'S CHALLENGE Cynthia Harnett 9789997483157 Books

CAXTON'S CHALLENGE Cynthia Harnett 9789997483157 Books

A marvellous historical novel for readers from ten upwards.

At the end of the fifteenth century, England is not a quiet place. The Wars of the Roses are barely over--Henry Tudor is beginning to prepare for what was to culminate in the Battle of Bosworth of Shakespearean renown. International trade--and smuggling--is taking off. And, perhaps most importantly, William Caxton is opening a print shop in Westminster.

This causes much concern among the established scriveners--people who earn a living by penning books and documents. The printing press, to them, is a competitor that has to be suppressed at any cost.

Bendy Goodrich, twelve years old, is from a family of scriveners. But while his brothers want to stop Caxton's work at all costs, his father has different plans. Will Caxton be able to complete his greatest project, a printed volume of the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table?

The author's historical knowledge is profound. Students of English history and literature will meet a number of familiar names on her pages (Caxton, of course, but also Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, Malory, Edward IV, Henry VII), and if it is difficult even for a trained historian to distinguish where fact ends and fiction begins in this remarkable book, youing readers will be drawn into a great political and intellectual adventure: how it all could have been--how printing could have come to England, how one of the most beautiful Arthurian narratives could have been written and published, and how Henry Tudor could have secured his success.

The story is sixty years old; it certainly has stood the test of time. May this hymn to printing and reading be reprinted and reread for many decades to come.


Tags : CAXTON'S CHALLENGE [Cynthia Harnett] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Fictionalized account of William Caxton's difficulties when he began to print in 15th century London as experience by his young apprentice. Pen and ink illustrations by the author.,Cynthia Harnett,CAXTON'S CHALLENGE,The World Publishing Company,9997483154

CAXTON'S CHALLENGE Cynthia Harnett 9789997483157 Books Reviews

A marvellous historical novel for readers from ten upwards.

At the end of the fifteenth century, England is not a quiet place. The Wars of the Roses are barely over--Henry Tudor is beginning to prepare for what was to culminate in the Battle of Bosworth of Shakespearean renown. International trade--and smuggling--is taking off. And, perhaps most importantly, William Caxton is opening a print shop in Westminster.

This causes much concern among the established scriveners--people who earn a living by penning books and documents. The printing press, to them, is a competitor that has to be suppressed at any cost.

Bendy Goodrich, twelve years old, is from a family of scriveners. But while his brothers want to stop Caxton's work at all costs, his father has different plans. Will Caxton be able to complete his greatest project, a printed volume of the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table?

The author's historical knowledge is profound. Students of English history and literature will meet a number of familiar names on her pages (Caxton, of course, but also Wynkyn de Worde, Pynson, Malory, Edward IV, Henry VII), and if it is difficult even for a trained historian to distinguish where fact ends and fiction begins in this remarkable book, youing readers will be drawn into a great political and intellectual adventure how it all could have been--how printing could have come to England, how one of the most beautiful Arthurian narratives could have been written and published, and how Henry Tudor could have secured his success.

The story is sixty years old; it certainly has stood the test of time. May this hymn to printing and reading be reprinted and reread for many decades to come.