Men of Iron

If Howard Pyle were a corporation, he could have declared some extra dividends simply on the basis of my perfervid consumption of any of his works which I could find "yesterday, when I was young". This rousing tale of young Mile's Falworth's quest for knighthood and his rightful place in society is a classic of what was once called "improving fiction for boys", meaning, despite the odd phrasing, that the boys would be improved by the fiction (the fictionb was already good). It doesn't really matter that much of the grit of medievsal life is swept aside in the narrative: the historical info which IS vouchsafed put the "YA" historical fiction of our day to shame.

Men of Iron is the coming-of-age story of Myles Falworth, son of a nobleman deemed traitor to King Henry IV. Sent to the Earl of Mackworth at Devlon castle to enter service as a squire-at-arms, Myles soon proves his noble character and strength, despite his family's shame. Through years of perseverance, courage, and learning from foolish mistakes, Myles is given the opportunity to restore his family's name. This story is filled with lessons of virtue and swashbuckling scenes of combat. The reader walks over 10 years in the shoes of Myles, learning his lessons along the way.

This is beautifully written book, but the dialogue reflects speech from the 15th century. Once you're used to it, the book has a beautiful cadence and flow. Only a show more very strong 4th reader should tackle this book, but it would make a wonderful read-aloud with family. show less

My favorite story of knights in shining armour. This is the story of a young man who must earn his station in life. His ability to do this is complicated by politics, physical hardship and love. A great description of the process and levels of becoming a knight, as well as some of the complexities of Medeival England.

A long, long time ago...grammar school, I believe, we were told that it is generally considered bad form to attempt to write in accented dialog. The exception was if you were very, very good.

Howard Pyle is not very good.

I'm pretty sure he made up a bunch of his own words by adding -eth at the end of nearly every verb in character dialog. This was distracting to no end. The story, set in medieval times and focusing on squires and the knights they serve, was completely lost in this lame attempt at contemporary dialog.

I like reading Shakespeare. Pyle is no Shakespeare. Instead of period flavor, the result is complete frustration.

I like this book quite a bit. It's not as great as Pyle's Robin Hood (the best!) or his fantastic Book of Pirates, but still good fun. A young lad comes of age in the 14th century, becoming a great knight along the way. Includes some fine plates with Pyle's illustrations, black-and-white except for the frontispiece.

I enjoy the language - that's why my wife bought it for me. e.g., "haply thou has forgot it, but I have not." and "I do now crave thy gracious leave that I may serve the lady as her true knight." However, the style is apish, blatantly formulaic and fawning.

Pyle wrote this book in 1891 about the ascendence of Myles Falworth from boyhood in an 'attainted' former Earldom to acclaimed knight and reclaimer of the family estate. The storyline does not carry the reader through the book.

See the 1954 movie adaptation, The Black Shield of Falworth, starring Tony Curtis and his wife Janet Leigh.

Enjoyable YA adventure, set at the height of the age of chivalry, but written with the stong moral force (and occasional moralizing) of the Victorian era.