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The First Crusade: A New History (Hardcover)

by Thomas Asbridge (Author) "Weathered by a thousand years of human history, Christian attitudes to violence had undergone an incremental but drastic transformation ..." (more)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Free Press (1 Mar 2004)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0743220838
  • ISBN-13: 978-0743220835
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 837,501 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #69 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Conflict

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Review

The first crusaders 900 years ago were anything but the dashing knights on white chargers who put infidels to the sword. Rather, they were an emaciated lot who went into battle riding oxen and donkeys, and who drank horses' blood for sustenance. Asbridge's book is less about the demolition of myths, however, than about the motivation of those who set out to dictate the benefits of Christianity over Islam. As the book shows, many were at first surprised when Pope Urban II urged them to forget the Bible's pacifist message and to go on a bloodthirsty mission of vengeance against Muslims. But the Pope's word being infallible, they set off full of idealism and a belief that their crusade would earn them a place in Paradise. The book is strongly character-oriented and is written at the sort of lively pace you might expect from a novel rather than a history book. This is really gripping and entertaining reading, casting light on a clash of cultures that resounds through the centuries to this day. (Kirkus UK)


Professor Akbar S. Ahmed

'Lucid and provocative'
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Weathered by a thousand years of human history, Christian attitudes to violence had undergone an incremental but drastic transformation. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding account of the first crusade, 6 Aug 2007
By Antonio Moncayo (Zaragoza) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)      
This review is from: The First Crusade: A New History (Paperback)
I was looking for a book about the first crusade, and after reading a few reviews I decided to buy this one.
This should satisfy students for A and O levels and also general public.
I found it very easy to read.

From the point of view of Christianity versus Islam this book is as unbiased as it can be and is very unlikely to offend any readers.

The first part of the book deals with the build up to the crusade and the information regarding the causes of the conflict is particularly well researched and interesting.

The siege of Antioch is by far the best part of the book, is a pity that there few books written about that episode, and gives a good insight about the hardship endured by the crusaders.

The only thing I did not like about this book was the format and I feel more maps would have been useful
Overall this is the best pocket book written about the subject .
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A resounding triumph!, 5 Nov 2006
By possiblejersey (Wales) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)      
This review is from: The First Crusade: A New History (Paperback)
A wonderful work of popular history. Clear flowing prose that was a delight to read. The cartographer also deserves a mention here - lovely hand-drawn maps! If you are a fan of history and want an introduction to the First Crusade you could do a lot worse than reading this book. I'll certainly be keeping my eye on this author.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, 24 April 2004
By A Customer
A first class example of a professional historian writing for theintelligent general reader. The book wears its learning lightly butAsbridge is obviously the master of his subject, and the book reallybenefits from the fact that the author has himself covered a lot of thecrusade route on foot. The sieges and battles are well described but thereal achievement here is bringing the characters to life and explaininghow this amazing event set the tone for so much of what informs our worldtoday. Recommended!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
History is such a difficult subject to deal with. Too many books provide a colourful tale that lacks historical accuracy, or end up being too dense, being penetrable only by... Read more
Published 14 days ago by R. Fernandes

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading
This book has been my bible for crusading studies. Not only is it highly entertaining and accessible to crusade novices but discusses historiography in enough depth for it to be... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Jade L. Moore

1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly researched,fiction not a fact
I disliked this book because this is a work of fiction not of fact.The Crusades were the reaction on Islam agression.Mr.Thomas Asbridge didnt research history at all for this book.
Published 18 months ago by A. Solman

5.0 out of 5 stars *insert positive hyperbole*
A fine read for the fanatics of the Medieval period and a deliciously written aperitif for those new to the era. Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2007 by Hoddy

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely brilliant
This is an amazing read, even if you don't take much interest in history, this way this book is written makes it an amazing story. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2007 by Mr. Paul John Mcnamara

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable and gripping
A tremendously readable account of a period of history about which I knew little beforehand. The author's lifelong love of his subject is evident and he is able to take an... Read more
Published on 18 Dec 2006 by John Hopper

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Writing at its Best
Almost a thousand years ago the Christians of Western Europe were called to arms by their leaders to fight a Holy War. Read more
Published on 17 Jul 2006 by J. Chippindale

5.0 out of 5 stars A really accessible account of the first crusade.
Most people have an idea of the crusades that will be changed by this book. This first crusade was unlike the later crusades that give us our visions of noble ideals and heroic... Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2006 by Ian Davis

4.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic read!
This book provides a lucid, readable and enthralling account of the First Crusade. Asbridge begins by building a detailed account of the medieval Christian mindset, motivations &... Read more
Published on 18 April 2006 by Mr. M. O. Ajose

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding storytelling, accurate history
This is one of those books that make you love history.
Asbridge tells a captivating story giving out all the details that a true historian should put into the narrative, but... Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2005 by nuraghe

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