Defending Your Castle

Product Description

Your home is your castle, but could it withstand an attack by Attila and the Huns, Ragnar and the Vikings, Alexander and the Greeks, Genghis Khan and the Mongols, or Tamerlane and the Tartars? Engineer William Gurstelle, author of the bestselling Backyard Ballistics, poses this fascinating question to modern-day garage warriors and shows how to build an arsenal of ancient artillery and fortifications aimed at withstanding these invading hordes. Each chapter introduces new bad actors in the history of warfare, details their conquests, and features weapons and fortifications to defend against them-culminating, by the end of the book, in a fully fortified home. Clear step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and photographs explain how to build a dozen projects from table-top models of the Cheval-de-frise, Da Vinci's Catapult, and Alexander's Tortoise to the fullsize working Carpini's Crossbow, Hour-Glass Watchtower, and Palisade Wall. With a strong emphasis on safety, this book also gives tips on troubleshooting, explains the physics behind many of the projects, and shows where to find the best materials. It's sure to be an indispensible guide for at-home defenders everywhere.

Top Reviews

It's a history book.
by RSKrules (3 out of 5 stars)
October 6, 2017

I should have read a little more about this book before getting all excited and buying it. It's probably 2/3rds history, and at the end of each chapter there's a DIY weekend activity you can try. I was expecting a straightforward manual on home defense, but no luck.

That said, I'm sure my son will enjoy this book when he's older, so it went to the bookshelf to gather dust for the next ten years or so.
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This is a fun book for those who like to tinker
by Griffon (4 out of 5 stars)
October 23, 2014

This is a fun book for those who like to tinker. The projects involved require different skills and aptitudes, so there is something for everyone. It was slightly disappointing that some of the devices included were only tabletop models; although the cheval de fries pencil holder was charmingly unexpected.
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I love this book
by galli (4 out of 5 stars)
September 16, 2015

Wow, I love this book. Be warned though you will feel an urge to build a moat and wall around your house once your done reading this. The history inter cut with great projects you can use to defend your self. Now unfortunately some of the projects require a lot of work to scale up to size but other than that this is a great book if you love history or preparing for the end of the world
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Father in law approved, mother in law not.
by Ashley Jefferson (5 out of 5 stars)
January 26, 2018

Got this for my father in law who has everything. He seemed to like it when he opened it for Christmas and got a good chuckle. My mother in law on the other hand was not thrilled. Can't wait to see what he builds!
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This book is a lot of fun. I knew some of the military history
by Kindle Customer (4 out of 5 stars)
December 28, 2016

This book is a lot of fun. I knew some of the military history, but there was still some more to learn. But much more important that the military history was the how to. Some of the projects are so complex I would never consider them but some are doable and fun.
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Just good
by Konstantinos Pantazis (4 out of 5 stars)
July 19, 2019

Just good
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Helpful and Humorous
by Angus Laird (4 out of 5 stars)
June 26, 2014

The easy flow and style of this book make it a fun read. But, more importantly it is chock full of useful information on historically valuable tools and technology for defending your ground. I plan to experiment with a variety of these projects and do some innovating of my own. Others concerned about preparing for a less kind and gentle future may want to consider buying this book and doing the same thing!
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Defending [My] Castle
by TheWyzOldOwl (4 out of 5 stars)
March 6, 2015

In only one respect do I differ with the author about home defense: in a post-apocalyptic scenario and a lawless world, the person in that watchtower would be exposed to a probably-fatal rifle shot or crossbow bolt. Other than that, the book is well-written and in places, really entertaining.
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Love itt.
by Rudi Bennet (5 out of 5 stars)
February 5, 2017

Simple construction plans that anyone can do. The author is obviously an expert. Well researched.
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Five Stars
by Ross Leonard (5 out of 5 stars)
January 15, 2018

Very satisfied!

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