- Actors: Terry Jones, Anthony Smee, Steve Purbrick, Marcello Walton, Robin Sebastian
- Directors: Alan Ereira, David Wallace
- Writers: Terry Jones, Alan Ereira
- Producers: Alan Ereira, David Wallace, Laurence Rees
- Classification: Exempt
- Studio: BBC
- VHS Release Date: 24 Jan 2000
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CQ9G
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,301 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Co-writer and presenter of Crusades, Terry Jones has a solid academic background in medieval history, but he's also an ex-Python, which makes for an entertaining combination of erudition and wit in this four-part BBC series. Instead of the usual parade of talking heads, Crusades employs actors in costume, actors pretending to be mosaics, and some nifty computer animation to enliven proceedings--although nothing compares to the animation of the presenter himself, whose enthusiasm is repeatedly demonstrated, whether in his interview with the descendant of a divinely inspired goose or in his game attempt to walk across the desert in full armour. Jones tackles the Byzantine (pardon the pun) complexities of 11th- and 12th-century European and Middle-Eastern history with a confident lightness, for example when describing the knightly conflict over the apparently pacifist teaching of Jesus ("Knights had no teddy-bears, no wonder they lashed out in a crisis") or the recruiting methods for the first crusade (shown as a propaganda newsreel).
Refreshingly, he is also at pains to redress the historical imbalance by presenting the Crusades from the Arabic perspective, too, devoting lengthy but always enthralling exposition to the origin of the Islamic Jihad, and travelling across the Middle East to do so. Indeed, Jones enables us to view the shocking depredations of the crusaders through the eyes of the highly civilised, highly sophisticated Arabs whose lands were invaded by (literally) hordes of boorish, illiterate, savage, murderous Western barbarians who believed themselves to be on a mission from God to kill (and sometimes even eat) every pagan in the Holy Land (and rather a lot of Eastern Christians along the way, too). Fascinating and entertaining, if only all history could be made this much fun. For those who want to read more, there is a companion book of the series. --Mark Walker
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great introduction,
By
This review is from: Crusades (BBC Books) (Paperback)
As others have said this is a great introduction to the topic. You'll learn all about folks you've heard of like Saladin and Richard the Lion Heart but also some who perhaps you haven't such as Nur el Din or Tancred.The book is a quick and easy read written in a light style but still information dense. You learn a lot in a short time and if you're interest is piqued then you know what you need to know to find out more. As long as long as you don't mind the sometimes humorous approach taken by the authors it easily earns its 4 stars.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fine introduction to a fascinating part of history,
By
This review is from: Crusades (BBC Books) (Paperback)
A great beginners guide to the Crusades. Whilst the book is a few years old now I purchased it again recently to give to someone who has never studied the Crusades or even had a basic knowledge. Jones and Ereira have a lovely prose style that makes it suitable for non-academics of all ages. If Crusades are still on the history syllabuses I would recommend this for students.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book,
This review is from: Crusades (BBC Books) (Paperback)
I watched the BBC series of this book so it was a no brainer in buying it.Its an excellent read and inter-laced with Terry Jones dry wit and humour. Get a copy and see what your descendants got up to in the name of God!
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