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Review
"The verve and vigour of Eric Christiansen's study illuminates developments vital in the early history of Eastern Europe and brings to life a story that had epic dimensions"
--Maurice Keen
"For a one-volume history of the Northern Crusades, the reader has but one choice; this is it"
--William Urban in the American Historical Review
"A fine study of the Baltic conquest"
--Hans Eberhard Meyer in the English Historical Reivew
"Independent, erudite, lucid and witty ... a narrative that never flags"
--Christpher Tyerman
"A fascinating and elegant book"
--Geoffrey Wheatcroft in the London Review of Books
--Maurice Keen
"For a one-volume history of the Northern Crusades, the reader has but one choice; this is it"
--William Urban in the American Historical Review
"A fine study of the Baltic conquest"
--Hans Eberhard Meyer in the English Historical Reivew
"Independent, erudite, lucid and witty ... a narrative that never flags"
--Christpher Tyerman
"A fascinating and elegant book"
--Geoffrey Wheatcroft in the London Review of Books
Product Description
The 'Northern Crusades', inspired by the Pope's call for a Holy War, are less celebrated than those in the Middle East, but they were also more successful: vast new territories became and remain Christian, such as Finland, Estonia and Prussia. Newly revised in the light of the recent developments in Baltic and Northern medieval research, this authoritative overview provides a balanced and compelling account of a tumultuous era.
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First Sentence
This is where the great North Russian Plain stops. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
This is where the great North Russian Plain stops. Read the first page
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Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
59 of 63 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a very readable account of a subject largely inaccessible to the general reader. It covers the conquest and conversion of the pagan tribes of the Southern and Eastern Baltic Coasts from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century, the extension of German civilisation north-eastwards and the collision, and ultimate uneasy equilibrium between Latin and Orthodox Christianity in the area. The surprise of the book, for this reader at least, is the fact that the Dark Ages endured in this corner of Europe well into Medieval times, and that Paganism was still a vibrant force there almost until the period of the Renaissance. A significant strength of the book is the introductory section, which provides a fascinating overview of the peoples and cultures of the area at the opening of the period covered, and this is built upon in greater detail, when necessary in more detailed accounts of specific campaigns. The linkage to the overall Crusading ideal is well handled and though the transformation of the Teutonic Knights from a warrior order in Frankish Palestine to a frontier force skilled in forest, river and marshland warfare is a dominant theme, the roles of the Danes, Swedes and Russians, not to mention a host of Baltic tribes, receive equal attention. The mechanics of the warfare of the period, including the particular constraints imposed by climate and terrain, are well handled. In summary - a splendidly informative work that cast light on an obscure period that bred baleful myths with dire consequences in more recent times.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is probably unique historiographical monograph in English language. One volume history of Northern crusades is nice piece of historical scholarship but there are some difficulties when you start to read this book. I expected much more facts, explanation and general introduction in subject but I found author own views and selected problems. If you like to read something about Wendish crusade or about general political and military history of Scandinavian states in the age of Crusades you will probably be satisfied. But if you look for detailed military history (like Victory in the East: A Military History of the First Crusade for Middle East Crusader movement) or companion about Northern crusades The Routledge Companion to the Crusades (Routledge Companions)) you probably will be disappointing. It looks that need some years for scholarship of Northern crusades to bring some great historiographical works that we have about Crusedes in East. At the end Christiansen have done good job and give nice account of Northern crusades scholarship.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Crusades are for most educated Englishmen sited in the Holy Land so this book opens a totally unexpected area for this medieval movement. Having sailed round the Baltic in 2009 I found that the book explained so much of the background of countries that emerged from Russian dominance during the 20th century. I was able to gain a perspective on what I had seen. It is not a book for the faint hearted, it takes concentration and determination to finish reading it.The Northern Crusades
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very precise and thorough study
Don't let the volume of this book mislead you. Of the many books on history I've read "The Northern Crusades" is among the top ones on useful and interesting information per square... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Constantinus Lucius
Dull as ditch water
This book is a big disappointment as the writer promises much and offers glimpses on some fascinating aspects of the topic, but fails to deliver, mainly because he lacks the prose... Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2010 by Manzikert
Not as good as it seemed
Dry, confusing and, in the end, boring - a big disappointment. there is a fascinating book to be written about this subject, but this isn't it.
Published on 2 Sep 2003
Northern Crusades
Northern Crusades is excellant. I really do reccomend this book. It is very easy to read for a laymen such as myself, the author has a very engaging style that fits very well into... Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2002 by Mr. P. J. Mcquinn
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