The awful gloom of a Norman dungeon, the majestic power of a great keep, the sweep of battlements - castles have the power to fascinate and to exercise our imagination of history in a way few buildings can. Europe is rich in the ruins of castles, from small towerhouses to massive structures the size of a small city, but across the world are further wonderful examples of man's ingenuity to build fortifications for protection or conquest. Castles and Fortifications From Around the World takes the reader on a global trip through history and examines why and how castles were built in different regions, how they were used, and, in many cases, how they were destroyed in warfare. Through the use of evocative photographs, reconstructions, and locating maps, this encyclopedic guide brings the past to life and is a must for every ruin-hunter.