CAXTON'S CHALLENGE

Here is a fictionalized account of William Caxton, the printer who introduced modern printing methods to fifteenth century England. Essentially it is an account of the opposition he encountered from the traditional scribes who resented this more efficient means of reproduction, of his desire to publish Mallory's works and prove that the author of Morte d'Artur could not have been a man whose name could fairly be discredited, of his conflict with smugglers and unruly customs men who made every effort to prevent his receipt of supplies necessary to his trade. Cynthia Harnett has embellished her story with a retinue of young people--some villains devoted to subduing Caxton, some loyal advocates, and has given her novel not only the atmospheric flavor of the times, but to a large extent integrated a significant personal history with the crucial political, social and literary events of the late fifteenth century. Recommended to home and school libraries as a well researched, meaningful, and entertaining book.