Traitors' Gate: And Other Doorways to the Past

"Take a walk in time by passing through remarkable entrances of kings, saints and slaves." Many doors have an astonishingly rich history. Over the centuries, Traitors' Gate, the notorious entry into the Tower of London, has been a gateway into a fortress, a royal palace and even a prison. The glorious and sometimes blighted history of doorways colorfully unfolds in profiles that richly tell the story of each history-rich portal. Other famous doorways featured include: The magnificent portal of al-Khazneh, carved into the side of a cliff in southern Jordan The entrance to Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu, where 16th-century students entered to study underworld-famous scholars The door of the Castel Sant'Angelo, through which people fled to safety before invaders sacked Rome Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, where men, women and children stumbled out the door and onto slave ships bound forthe Americas Meridian Gate in Beijing's Forbidden City -- palace, government headquarters and tourist center The Kremlin's gold-encrusted entry, where subjects nervously waited for the infamous Ivan the Terrible The T-shaped doorway of the Cliff Palace in the southwestern United States, rediscovered by a cowboy in the late 19th century. Filled with fascinating facts and surprising stories, and accented by a superb selection of photographs, Traitors' Gate is an irresistible doorway to the past.

About the Author :
Claire Earner is the author of "Super Crocs and Monster Wings." She is an editor, short-story writer, and non-fiction author who lives in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Review :
The many photographs are nicely reproduced, and Eamer's text is always solid and sometimes soars.--Ilene Cooper"Booklist" (12/15/2008) These intriguing stories describe eight unusual entryways--all at UNESCO World Heritage Sites--and are pervaded by the theme of "who walked through these doors." Included are: the Pharaoh's Treasury of Al-Khameh in Jordan, Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome, Spruce Tree House in Colorado, Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu, Traitors' Gate in the Tower of London, the Holy Antechamber in Moscow, the slave traders' Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, and the Meridian Gate in the Forbidden City in Beijing. Each account tells of the site's original purpose, its use through history, and the stories of those who passed through its featured door. Excellent color photos depict the scenes well, but the book would benefit from maps and floor plans to help with understanding the locations and layouts of these structures. Nevertheless, the author's clear, readable style will stimulate curiosity about these buildings and their truly remarkable entrances.--Jeffrey A. French, formerly at Willoughby-Eastlake"School Library Journal" (02/01/2009) This is a fascinating book for a specific reader. It examines 8 unusual doors from archaeological, physical and cultural aspects. It explores who walked through this door and why. Doors are magical for their many aspects and what they can do. They swing both ways and can separate or join, as well as separate one way of life from another.... There are numerous photographs of each door, plus sidebars, small illustrations, and floor plans. It is well illustrated and these help to give the feel of each door... It is very well done.--June Young"INFOLINK" (06/30/2009) This unusual book looks at the doorways that lead into eight sites around the world. It is a non-fiction history book, but it sometimes sounds like a fictional telling. The author has used the doorways as a focal point to the introduction of the site. The introduction itself explores some the mystics of doorways. All eight of the places are part of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. The places in the book are generally not among those that students would come across in the usual course of study. Places such as the Spruce Tree House in Colorado or Al-Khazneh in Petra will give students a look at locations that are interesting and unusual. The photography is spectacular and plentiful. Included are some drawings.... The reading list is divided by chapters, which is great for this type of book. A selected bibliography includes books, magazines, and web sites. It was good to see sources from a variety of media. The index is a lengthy one.--Kathy Fulginiti"INFOLINK" (09/23/2009) This is a beautiful book with colourful architectural images and a fascinating historical narrative that is easy to read. I highly recommend it. This is a beautiful book with colourful architectural images and a fascinating historical narrative that is easy to read. I highly recommend it. Intriguing stories...excellent color photos. The author's clear, readable style will stimulate curiosity about these buildings and their truly remarkable entrances.--Jeffrey A. French, formerly at Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH"School Library Journal" (02/01/2009) It is well illustrated and these help to give the feel of each door... It is very well done. Recommended.--June Young"INFOLINK" (06/30/2009) Will give students a look at locations that are interesting and unusual. The photography is spectacular and plentiful.--Kathy Fulginiti"INFOLINK" (09/23/2009)