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Analysis Of Matthew Johnson 's ' The Strengths And Weaknesses

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Moreover, Matthew Johnson effectively challenges conventional views of castles and underscores the complexity of such structures by using a variety of credible sources and evidence. He successfully supports his thesis by covering all his bases and acknowledging different viewpoints. Johnson’s analytical methodology helps defend his notion as by examining other academics works he is able to offer greater insight and provide new conclusions; “I have discussed what I view as a series of ruptures in other books […].” Johnson principally presents the strengths and weaknesses of other academics to make up the bulk of the book. He criticizes those with distinctive and limited views and by presenting their weaknesses he is able to further support his thesis. For example, by highlighting the problems associated with the constricted military view such as using our modern preconceptions to defend what the intent of the builder at the time was, only aids Johnson’s notion that castles cannot be one thing or another but rather more complex. One cannot use their own bias of what was intended or the thought process in order to defend their statement. Another instance where Johnson offers his own inquiry to add dimension and illustrate the intricate nature of castles is in the subheading Ripples from Italy. The author touches on the point that France is often the contender for parallels in late medieval Europe however, that this on its own cannot produce a critical examination of past

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