Order of the Argent Bear
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Order of the Argent Bear |
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I have always thought that the Anchorage Library system is the finest found in a city of this size, and that it outshines many library systems found in much larger communities stateside. Still, I was surprised at the extent of its collection of books related to Chivalry and Knighthood. Books by Barber, Keen and Barker are central to any modern collection on Chivalry. Other books including those on chivalric orders and Burgundian knighthood are important resources if your particular interests run in those directions. And, taken as a whole, the collection of books available at the library represents an impressive resource. I had worked hard to put a couple of these books in my own collection, not knowing they were free for the reading right here in town. You can save time and money, and build quite an expertise in the topic just from what's there - books just waiting for an interested reader. Michael Truffa
At the end of this book, I have added a few odds-n-ends notes on the Anchorage Library system (with some help from my wife, Kerri Canepa, and friend, Nancy Clark, who both work there) - If you haven't made much use of the Library, you might browse those notes. The most important note, however, is to talk to the staff for pointers or help. I still learn new things about how to find information, and they have always been very happy to help. Thanks for numerous technical corrections and additions go also to Dan Fleming, a librarian at the Loussac Library.
Each book is listed as follows: Title; Author Call Number; at: Location [Description and Comments]
Title, Date, and Author are as they say. Call Number is where the book is shelved. The location lists which branches carry the book. See the Odds-n-Ends section for notes on Call Numbers and Branches. Description and Comments gives my take on the book - you may find that you have a different opinion, but I've done my best to help you find which books suit both your interests and your reading temperament.
Post Script A few people have asked for a suggested reading list or list of 'my favorites'. I hesitate to do so because any list would have to be even more subjective than the already included comments. However, if you are new to the study, or relatively new, a few notes may help you along. These notes were written with the non-scholar in mind; experienced students and obsessive readers should interpret these notes accordingly. I would begin with a general, well-illustrated book like Andrea Hopkins' or Edge and Paddock's Arms & Armor of the Medieval Knight. The second book is, unfortunately, not in the Library's collection but is commonly available and is inexpensive. Both of these books cover a wide area, are fun to read, and are very well illustrated. Don't ever let comments about 'picture books' put you off - illustrations are vital to gaining an understanding of most topics and for historical studies there is no replacement (except to see the originals) for pictures of arms, armor and period artwork. From there it depends on what you've got in mind. If you want to be a knowledgeable SCA period tourney fighter you might go straight to Barber and Barker's Tournaments. If your interests are 11th or 12th century, Duby's William the Marshal and if it's 15th century, no matter what region, Vale's War and Chivalry. If you're not messing around, go straight to the books in the next paragraph. For serious study Keen's Chivalry and Barber's The Knight and Chivalry are fundamental. While I wouldn't start cold with these books, once you're even passingly comfortable with the information and general history like that found in Hopkin's Knights, you'll be more than ready to tackle one of these. And once you've read either of these books, you won't need my suggestions on where to go next. Each of the books in the library's collection will have something to offer you - a fun bit of history, some new detail, some contrasting interpretation of events to deepen your understanding or some new illustration to add color to your mental image of the times. Browse through them all as you can and find the ones that 'speak' to you - the books where words and meaning leap out and draw you back in. And when you find books you like, check their bibliographies. Many of these books have extensive book listings of their own and some of those have comments on the books as well.
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Take me back HOME Comments or questions should be mailed to truffa@alaska.net , please include the words 'Argent Bear' in the subject line. |
