- Hardcover
- Publisher: The Folio Society (1995)
- ASIN: B00161P0HK
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,172,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As an earlier reviewer has noted, this is a book essentially intended for genuine historians, and is thus a little dry for interested laymen like myself. However, if you're willing to make the effort, what you get is definitely worthwhile. The first part of the book is an attempt to summarise the road to the crusades from the early history of Europe and the Middle East and the founding of Islam. Whilst this is interesting, it is also, of necessity, somewhat rushed, which is the book's major weakness. Thereafter, we are treated to a meticulously sourced and detailed history that occasionally gets a little arch, but isn't afraid to make a few speculations about the character and state of mind of the various protagonists. A difficult and academic read, then, but if you're interested in the Crusades, this classic should be a first port of call.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a detailed account of the beginning of the Crusading movement, giving you a well researched and interesting description of the events and characters of the First Crusade, like the infamous Tancred and the quixotic Walter Sans-Avoir.
The first section of the book gives you an overview of the wars between Islam and the Byzantine Empire. It also deals with the origin of pilgrimages, which can be difficult to follow considering the constant flow of events, names and dates. Yet when it comes to describe the First Crusade, Runciman's book becomes an adventure. This (and its two follow-ups) are must reads for anyone interested in the Crusades.
Runciman actually intended this series as a three volume set for other historians and academics, but his prose is so brilliant and lucid it can be easily read by the layman, give or take a few words.
All in all this is definately worth getting, and very rewarding if you stick too it. Highly recommended.
The first section of the book gives you an overview of the wars between Islam and the Byzantine Empire. It also deals with the origin of pilgrimages, which can be difficult to follow considering the constant flow of events, names and dates. Yet when it comes to describe the First Crusade, Runciman's book becomes an adventure. This (and its two follow-ups) are must reads for anyone interested in the Crusades.
Runciman actually intended this series as a three volume set for other historians and academics, but his prose is so brilliant and lucid it can be easily read by the layman, give or take a few words.
All in all this is definately worth getting, and very rewarding if you stick too it. Highly recommended.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After the somewhat tiresome feuds and intrigues of volume 2, this book picks up the momentum again and sees the story through to (and beyond) the final destruction of the Frankish Kingdom of Jerusalem. It's actually the best of the three, and the stuff you're most interested in is probably here: Richard the Lionheart's heroics and Saladin's enlightened behaviour in the Third Crusade; the disgraceful sack of Constantinople by the Fourth; the strange expeditions against Egypt of the Fifth and Sixth. After a couple of interesting, but strictly irrelevant, digressions about the empire of Genghis Khan the narrative returns to Palestine and the desperate, futile last defence of Outremer.
Whilst it's obviously true that Runciman writes from a European perspective, no-one could find fault with his objectivity: he impartially awards both praise and blame where they are due, and if anything his sympathies are obviously with the hapless Byzantine Empire rather than the Crusaders (he believes there has been 'no greater crime against humanity' than the attack on Constantinople; a claim rather undermined by his own description of Genghis Khan's campaigns). As a set these books are an outstanding example of history as literature, and blessed relief from postmodern witterings and the cartoon-strip of TV history alike. The crusading movement was distinguished by appalling savagery and stupidity, yet there is also enough self-sacrificing courage to demonstrate that this was an age at once more generous and more intense than our own.
It is a definite injustice to say these volumes are remotely academic in tone or outlook. What they are, is detailed: there are a lot of names and situations to keep track of. They assume a degree of knowledge of the historical and cultural background (which is probably reasonable); and also a quite localised acquaintance with medieval Levantine geography (which is possibly not). If the latter is a fault, it's compounded by a dearth of the clear maps which are essential in any work about military campaigns. That aside: brilliant.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
SUPERB NARRATIVE
This is fantastic narrative history; but a word of warning is in order.
When Sir Steven Runciman wrote his three-volume history of the Crusades in the 1950s, his focus... Read more
When Sir Steven Runciman wrote his three-volume history of the Crusades in the 1950s, his focus... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Stephen Cooper
Timeless classic
If you are interested in the Crusades, this series of books is a must have. It is not often that a book with so many details and quotes can be fun to read at the same time.
Published 18 months ago by Stelios Kazakos
A HISTORY OF THE CRUSADES
Volume 1 was in reasonable condition but volume 2 was in good condition Of course Professor Runciman absolute expert on the crusades and probably includes the only full biography... Read more
Published 20 months ago by J. C. J. Hanmer
Outstanding and still peerless
This is an exquisitely written book (or set of books). I strongly disagree with the reviewers who have said that the books are difficult to read for a layman. Read more
Published on 28 Dec 2009 by M. Berenblut
Unsurpassable
Unsurpassable as a history of the crusades. Sir Steven Runciman, possibly one of the greatest historians we have ever seen, learnt to read a huge number of languages - not just... Read more
Published on 12 May 2009 by E. L. Wisty
magisterial
First off, it is important to note that Runciman's work (now over 50 years old) has by and large been superseded by more recent scholarship - in particular that of Jonathan... Read more
Published on 18 Dec 2007 by Meph
Better than Lord of the Rings!
The final volume of this epic trilogy recounts the final days of the Kingdom of Jerusalem (of whose capital is now Acre). Read more
Published on 27 May 2007 by Mr. K. A. Ahmed
As engrossing as the first volume.
This volume sees the arrival of the second crusade, political intrigues amongst the future generations. The rise of Sulahuddin and the collapse of the Frankish Kingdoms. Read more
Published on 12 May 2007 by Mr. K. A. Ahmed
A Truly Epic Account of the Crusades
Apart from the long lists of names that come thick and fast, this is an excellent account of the Crusades. Read more
Published on 25 April 2007 by Mr. K. A. Ahmed
Best books
of the plethora of books i have read in all subjects, i have the best memories of these. Especially the first 2 books because they are not only vividly factual but also very... Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2007 by Weisi Guo
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