Men of Iron

by Howard Pyle

Book Overview

Master storyteller Howard Pyle at his best, incorporating fascinating historical information about life in a medieval castle, knighthood, and chivalry into the fast-moving and entertaining story of young Myles Falworth's fight to restore his family's rights and good name.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804900930
• ISBN13: 9780804900935
• Release Date: January 1979
• Publisher: Airmont Pub Co
• Weight: 0.41 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.0" x 0.8" x 4.0"
• Age Range: 11 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 6 and higher

Customer Reviews

Medieval chivalry

This was an excellent book about a youth named Myles Falworth, the son of a wrongfully exiled blind Lord. The book is about Myles quest to restore his family's honor and safety. It follows well the customs of medieval England, emphasizing bravery and honor, courage and mercy. It is an inspiring tale, and few young readers would not be able to learn a thing or two about life from Myles. I have to dissent, however, from a previous reviewer who said that this was Pyle's best book. While this was a great book, I far preferred his Adventures of Robin Hood and His Merry Men, and also his Arthurian books. This book lacks much of the old english (or at least Pyle's rendition of it) which his other books have, and I greatly missed it. Also, there were less of his splendid drawing in this book than in his others. I highly recommend checking into his other books if you liked this on. Overall grade: A

Book review

Book Report" Men of Iron" is a story of Myles Falworth who went on a quest of training for knighthood. Once a knight, he must win back his father life and honor.The book has no weakness, for it was very well written and told. Although some people might have think the dialogue a turn off. The dialogue was written in old English. It was difficult to understand at first, but after a while you tend to pick up the language. Nevertheless, the old English conversation is an essential part of the book, for the story took place in the fifteenth-century.The book has many strengths. One strength is that the author did a good job of creating the medieval age atmosphere through extremely descriptive details. Another strength is the story itself. The story is very interesting and exciting. Myle's first joust ever was exciting, but the last battle is the book most exciting chapter. The author did a good job of building the tension and the stake, that when the last battle was over, I was satisfied with the ending.I recommend this book to all young adult and teens, because it has great themes such as courage, loyalty, steadfastness, and generosity. The book is exciting and inspiring; in the end, you would feel satisfy and want for more, but don't take my words for it, find out for yourself.

Has been a classic for many years

Myles was only eight when a knight in black armor rode into his father's castle with murder in mind: it was an event which would change his life, bring disgrace to his family, and foster his own training for knighthood so that he might challenge the king's own champion. This story of 15th century England has been a classic for many years and the Dover edition appears unabridged, republishing a Harper 1892 classic.

One of the great boys' books (maybe for some girls too!)

My mother gave me this book when I was a young boy; her brother had liked it when HE was a young boy. This story of a young squire from a dishonored noble family in 15th century England, who survives hard training to become a knight, then seeks to restore his family's good name and his blinded father's rights, effortlessly teaches lessons of honor, loyalty, friendship, courage and other virtues -- as well as the softening and gentling influence of love. It also teaches, by presenting what is to a certain extent a realistic and detailed picture of life in a great medieval castle, of knightly training, and of tournaments and single combat in those times. The climax is exciting and not sugar-coated. It's not particularly a book for a kid who is not already a good reader, because the language is old-fashioned, from a more literate time (book was first published around 1900, and the spoken dialogue is to a large degree authentic 15th century speech), but for an imaginative child who has some interest in knights in shining armor, it's a true classic. I don't know about girls, but many boys would probably identify with the young hero while reading the book -- I remember that I did!