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Review
`Powerful, assured and epic . . . departs radically - and successfully - from tradition . . . brilliantly exposes Muslim strategies and motivations' --James McConnachie, Sunday Times
`A compelling narrative that resonates inescapably with contemporary events . . . A masterful conclusion' --Malise Ruthven, Observer
'Asbridge can't help but tell a ripping yarn, often breezily dramatic, whipping the narrative along' --The Times
'Exciting, stirring, moving, horrific and a whole lot of other things as well . . . this book gives us narrative history at its best' --Scotsman
`A dramatic and powerful look at both sides of the story . . . Our choice of the best recent books' --Sunday Times
'Compelling . . . Asbridge's narrative builds into a haunting and thought-provoking story [that] sheds light upon the present as well as the past' --Helen Castor, Guardian
'Stuffed with splendidly colourful anecdotes' --Sunday Times
'A glorious, appalling journey into a past age and a vicious metaphor for present woes' --The Times
'Asbridge has drawn on his extensive knowledge of the subject to write a wide-ranging history of the wars'
--BBC History Magazine
`A compelling narrative that resonates inescapably with contemporary events . . . A masterful conclusion' --Malise Ruthven, Observer
'Asbridge can't help but tell a ripping yarn, often breezily dramatic, whipping the narrative along' --The Times
'Exciting, stirring, moving, horrific and a whole lot of other things as well . . . this book gives us narrative history at its best' --Scotsman
`A dramatic and powerful look at both sides of the story . . . Our choice of the best recent books' --Sunday Times
'Compelling . . . Asbridge's narrative builds into a haunting and thought-provoking story [that] sheds light upon the present as well as the past' --Helen Castor, Guardian
'Stuffed with splendidly colourful anecdotes' --Sunday Times
'A glorious, appalling journey into a past age and a vicious metaphor for present woes' --The Times
'Asbridge has drawn on his extensive knowledge of the subject to write a wide-ranging history of the wars'
--BBC History Magazine
Product Description
In the eleventh century, a vast Christian army, summoned to holy war by the pope, rampaged through the Muslim world of the eastern Mediterranean, seizing possession of Jerusalem, a city revered by both faiths. Over the two hundred years that followed this First Crusade, Islam and the West fought for dominion of the Holy Land, clashing in a succession of chillingly brutal wars, both firm in the belief that they were at God's work. For the first time, this book tells the story of this epic struggle from the perspective of both Christians and Muslims, reconstructing the experiences and attitudes of those on either side of the conflict. Mixing pulsing narrative and piercing insight, it exposes the full horror, passion and barbaric grandeur of the crusading era. One of the world's foremost authorities on the subject, Thomas Asbridge offers a vivid and penetrating history of the crusades, setting a new standard for modern scholarship. Drawing upon painstaking original research and an intimate knowledge of the Near East, he uncovers what drove Muslims and Christians alike to embrace the ideals of jihad and crusade, revealing how these holy wars reshaped the medieval world and why they continue to echo in human memory to this day.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have to admit having had this book a while and I kept putting off reading it. Reasons: By an 'academic', quite a heavy read by the looks, and just a general worry that it would be too much to end the day with. But that was swiftly dispelled on getting into the first chapter.
Asbridge literally not only takes you on the crusades he then turns the tables and shows you the Islamic face of it all. You do see the two sides of the fight.
No spoilers here in this review, but certainly it opens up so many questions. Was it the desperation of an 11th Century Pope that really opened up the wound that today we face, that shows itself in so much terrorism and hate?
Just the fact that Jerusalem was a sacred place to Muslims as well as Christians was something new to me. The contrast of the slaughter carried out by the First Crusaders that was not repeated by the jihad leader, Saladin, many years later speaks volumes.
There is enough background into the politics, geography, battles and, yes, some gory details to make this an actually entertaining as well as educating and informative read.
Asbridge literally not only takes you on the crusades he then turns the tables and shows you the Islamic face of it all. You do see the two sides of the fight.
No spoilers here in this review, but certainly it opens up so many questions. Was it the desperation of an 11th Century Pope that really opened up the wound that today we face, that shows itself in so much terrorism and hate?
Just the fact that Jerusalem was a sacred place to Muslims as well as Christians was something new to me. The contrast of the slaughter carried out by the First Crusaders that was not repeated by the jihad leader, Saladin, many years later speaks volumes.
There is enough background into the politics, geography, battles and, yes, some gory details to make this an actually entertaining as well as educating and informative read.
35 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Thomas Asbridge's book on the crusades was an absolutely incrediable read. I must tell you that since Ashbridge was an academic, I was afraid that this book would be unreadble; just a list of facts on top of another.
I was entirely mistaken. Asbridge wrote with such drama that it was hard to put the book down. I took it everywhere, and when i was determined to finish a chapter, and put the book down, I often found myself halfway through the new chapter and instead of doing my work. A superb book.
The best part was the character of the participants: pious Godrey, greedy Baldwin, sickly King Baldwin IV, awe-inspiring Saladin, courageous Richard the Lionheart, and decitiful Fredrick II. Great men, a great story, and a great storyteller. What more could be asked of a book? Asbridge deserves 5 stars all the way.
I was entirely mistaken. Asbridge wrote with such drama that it was hard to put the book down. I took it everywhere, and when i was determined to finish a chapter, and put the book down, I often found myself halfway through the new chapter and instead of doing my work. A superb book.
The best part was the character of the participants: pious Godrey, greedy Baldwin, sickly King Baldwin IV, awe-inspiring Saladin, courageous Richard the Lionheart, and decitiful Fredrick II. Great men, a great story, and a great storyteller. What more could be asked of a book? Asbridge deserves 5 stars all the way.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the first book I have read on the crusades and I have to say I was a little intimidated by it's length. As it turns out, there was no need to worry. Somehow Asbridge manages to pack in a remarkeable amount of detail spanning several centuries, without overwhelming the reader. The book is packed full of memorable details, - such as Saladin's troops sneaking supply ships into besieged Acre by placing pigs on deck, thereby tricking the crusaders into thinking that they were Christian ships - thrilling accounts of bloody battles, and fascinating big picture analysis of the religious and political motivations of the key players on both sides. The author has managed something that few other historians do: a comprehensive account of a complex period, which is still a joy and easy to read.
An excellent introduction. My only fear is that I may now struggle to find other books on the subject which match up.
An excellent introduction. My only fear is that I may now struggle to find other books on the subject which match up.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
This is an absolutely first-rate intro to the Crusades
This is a popular introduction to the Crusades that strikes a perfect balance between academic rigor and the expectations of a lay audience. Read more
Published 18 days ago by rob crawford
A real page-turner!
This is a very thick book, and upon reflection I feel that it would have been more readable in hardback rather than the paperback that I purchased; however the contents is... Read more
Published 28 days ago by Mrs. V. M. Leonard
Excellent present for Crusade mad friend
Bought this as a present for my friend who loves anything to do with this period in history. She is finding it fascinating and well researched. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Keen Amateur Builder
Fantastic
Thomas Asbridge has produced an incredible book which I have no doubt I will reference and re-read again and again. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Streetbard
A great read
This is a very informative and well researched book about a fascinating subject. I watched the first part of the TV series and was disappointed with the "dummed down " approach. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bozz
In the name of god.
The era of the crusades is roughly 1000 years in the past but still echoes daily
in our lives. Muslim/Christian relations especially after 9/11 are at an all time low. Read more
in our lives. Muslim/Christian relations especially after 9/11 are at an all time low. Read more
Published 4 months ago by duncan cameron
Great Book
Should be standard text for any History Student or any one interested in adding some seriouse scope and depth to their Crusade knowledge.
Published 5 months ago by J. A. John
Really excellent book for A Level History
Content of book was exactly what was required. It was well packaged and arrived in plenty of time to use for a History essay. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Neverstoplearning
True Crusade Scholarship
'The Crusades' spans the History of all the Crusades mounted by Christendom in the High Middle Ages that aimed to recover the Holy Land. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Angus Blakey
Opinions on history.
Thomas Asbridge has provided a compelling, easy to read,chronicle of almost 200 years of Crusades.
His attempts to portray both sides is not completely successful, due... Read more
His attempts to portray both sides is not completely successful, due... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mike Thompson
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