Runciman examines the revival of the Frankish kingdom at the time of the Third Crusade until its collapse a century later. The various themes of the book include: Christiandom, the replacement of the cultured Ayubites by the less sympathetic Mameluks as leader of the Muslem world, and the coming of the Mongols. He includes a chapter on architecture and the arts, and an epilogue on the last manifestations of the Crusading spirit.
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'I do not know when, in recent years, I have read a book which so enlarged my knowledge of and interest in a period of history … It sets before us one of the formidable moral and romantic epics of our time, with scholarship and imagination worthy of it.' The Times Literary Supplement
'The three volumes ring with battle trumpets and drums, glitter with the splendor of noble parades, and are replete with true stories of bravery and cowardliness, rash daring and wily intrigue … To the specialist [Runciman] offers a wealth of new interpretations … To the layman, he tenders romance and suspense at nearly every page.' The Yale Review
' … the best scholarly survey of the subject by a single author. It will always remain the first considerable work of its kind in the English language.' The English Historical Review
'One of the grand historical monuments of the twentieth century … Written with imagination and based on immense scholarship, [the volumes] are filled with true stories of rash daring and wily intrigue as the flower of Western knighthood assaults the infidel East for God, gold and glory.' Washington Post Book World --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
'The three volumes ring with battle trumpets and drums, glitter with the splendor of noble parades, and are replete with true stories of bravery and cowardliness, rash daring and wily intrigue … To the specialist [Runciman] offers a wealth of new interpretations … To the layman, he tenders romance and suspense at nearly every page.' The Yale Review
' … the best scholarly survey of the subject by a single author. It will always remain the first considerable work of its kind in the English language.' The English Historical Review
'One of the grand historical monuments of the twentieth century … Written with imagination and based on immense scholarship, [the volumes] are filled with true stories of rash daring and wily intrigue as the flower of Western knighthood assaults the infidel East for God, gold and glory.' Washington Post Book World --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Sir Steven Runciman's three volume A History of the Crusades, one of the great classics of English historical writing, is now being reissued.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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
By A Customer
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.
... Read more ›12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Brian Moore
Format:Paperback
Like the other reviewers, I didn't find this entirely painless as, particularly at the beginning, the names and places come thick and fast and can be a little overwhelming. But it was definitely worth persevering with. Runciman's style may be academic but it's a far cry from the 1950's history books most of us were subjected to at school - local colour and asides keep you interested, quite apart from the epic scale of the story he tells. Although I'll probably wait a few months before starting the second volume, I definitely intend to read on.
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Meph
Format:Paperback
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 Riley-Smith. Runciman views the Crusades as the last of the 'Barbarian Invasions' and his work often reads more like a threnody for the declining Byzantine Empire than a self-consciously 'objective' account of events. For a more up-to-date (though drier) general history, you would be better off reading Christopher Tyerman's new 'God's War.'
However, it is still more than possible to read and enjoy 'A History of the Crusades' for what it is - an epic account of three hundred years of history, and an energetic demolition of the view (sadly still prevalent in some circles) that the Crusades were bold and heroic, or somehow 'defensive' in nature. Although some of the analytical material is somewhat dated, the book is eminently readable and exciting, and is in my opinion still the best general introduction to the subject. Enormously influential in its day and still of relevance.
However, it is still more than possible to read and enjoy 'A History of the Crusades' for what it is - an epic account of three hundred years of history, and an energetic demolition of the view (sadly still prevalent in some circles) that the Crusades were bold and heroic, or somehow 'defensive' in nature. Although some of the analytical material is somewhat dated, the book is eminently readable and exciting, and is in my opinion still the best general introduction to the subject. Enormously influential in its day and still of relevance.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 9 Jun 2011 by Stephen Cooper
3.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 20 Sep 2010 by J. C. J. Hanmer
5.0 out of 5 stars
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
5.0 out of 5 stars
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
4.0 out of 5 stars
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
5.0 out of 5 stars
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
5.0 out of 5 stars
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
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Read (All Three Volumes)
I have read all three volumes of Runciman's History of the Crusades. I highly recommend these to anyone interested in the subject. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2007 by demdike
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Read
Steve Runciman's first volume is a good read. It stays very factual. Rarely does his own opinion obscure the facts. Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2006 by A. P. Story
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
Like all historians, an entirely objective view is impossible. Runciman saw the crusades from a Greek perspective as he was primarily a Byzantine historian, and he mourned over the... Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2006
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