| Space Ghost | 27 Jul 2008 8:23 p.m. PST |
Can anyone recommend a good first read for someone just getting interested in the Crusades? Thanks in advance! TheGhost |
aecurtis  | 27 Jul 2008 8:49 p.m. PST |
The Oxford Illustrated History of the Crusades, by Jonathan Riley-Smith, is pretty accessible, and is not expensive in paperback. Riley-Smith's more academic work is good, too; but he's done a couple of concise histories of the Crusades, as well. Sir Steven Runciman's "A History of the Crusades" and "The First Crusade" are also recommended. Youngsters these days don't care so much for Runciman, but those of us who cut our teeth on his work as undergraduates a generation or more ago still respect him. Allen |
Perris0707  | 27 Jul 2008 9:09 p.m. PST |
I still read Harold Lamb's book The Crusades (paperback version). It never gets old!!! |
| coopman | 28 Jul 2008 2:18 a.m. PST |
"The Cross & the Crescent" by Malcolm Billings. |
| Paul Y | 28 Jul 2008 4:23 a.m. PST |
'Dungeon, Fire and Sword – A History of the Templar Knights' (by John Robinson), is also a great read. Cheers
Paul. |
| warwell | 28 Jul 2008 4:42 a.m. PST |
I second Dungeon, Fire and Sword. Even though it is nominally about the Templars, it does a great job laying out the whole background of the Crusades. |
| aecurtis | 28 Jul 2008 4:51 a.m. PST |
And doing the research for it led John Robinson to become a Freemason (a good thing)! Allen |
| Twisted Metal | 28 Jul 2008 4:53 a.m. PST |
I really enjoyed Robert Payne's "The Crusades: A History" – it really brought the whole period to life for me. |
| jgibbons | 28 Jul 2008 6:30 a.m. PST |
I second Cross & Crescent and would also thought the History Channel documentary was good… James |
| rddfxx | 28 Jul 2008 6:49 a.m. PST |
Runciman is tops on my list, but Warriors of God by James Reston is a good first read on the subject, although limited to Richard, Saladin and the 3rd Crusade (it will familiarize you with all of the tired cliches, but it is well written and will prepare you for more rigorous studies). Try Victory in the East by John France for a good treatment of the 1st Crusade. |
| rampantlion | 28 Jul 2008 7:33 a.m. PST |
I second Harold Lamb's book as well. |
| Quintus Icilius | 28 Jul 2008 8:03 a.m. PST |
For a non-western pespective on the subject, try Amin Maalouf's 'The Crusades Through Araba Eyes', which is an interesting read. And I second what's been said about Runciman, whom I've always found very readable. |
| Lukash | 28 Jul 2008 10:47 a.m. PST |
Runicman is hard to find, I've found. :) I have the first book, but the second and third are evasive. I'm buying new, by the way. |
| AonghusONia | 28 Jul 2008 3:16 p.m. PST |
A while back I borrowed Antony Bridge's The crusades on audio book from m library & listed to in in the car on my way to work. I thought it was a pretty good overview. |
| Space Ghost | 28 Jul 2008 7:28 p.m. PST |
Everyone, thank you all so much for the responses. I got a lot more than I thought I would. Gotta love TMP for history book recommendations! I'm off to Amazon.com to browse! TheGhost |
| shurite7 | 29 Jul 2008 4:48 a.m. PST |
There is another book out there that is informative but very dry reading – God's War by Christopher Tyreman. Robert Payne's – (IIRCE) The Dream and the Tomb is easy reading for a beginner. Thomas Madsen has some fairly nice material as well as Johnathan Riley-smith. However, I don't particularly care for Riley's Oxford Illustrated History of the Crusades. Lukash, You can find all of Runciman's books at your local Barnes & Noble store. If they don't have it they can order it and they will not charge you for shipping. Although, you proabaly find it on Amazon or e-Bay for a cheaper price. C |
| Lukash | 29 Jul 2008 5:26 a.m. PST |
I've tried ordering them, but they seem to be out of print at the moment. Thanks anyway! I do appreciate it. |
| shurite7 | 29 Jul 2008 7:58 a.m. PST |
Barnes & Noble can sell them used via online. Here is the link;
link Amazon probably has the better deal and here is the link;
link
Numbers 6,7, & 8 good luck Chris |
onmilitarymatters  | 07 Aug 2008 11:52 a.m. PST |
For a book which just might replace Runciman: Christopher Tyerman, GOD'S WAR: A New History of the Crusades. Likely to replace Runciman's work as the standard on this subject; covers the Crusades in Spain, the Baltic and the Latin East, biblio, index.1 vol, 1040 pgs 2006 US, HARVARD PRESS NEW-dj $35.00 USD Item: 1-85270 Color "uniform" photos of medieval book illustrations in the middle. And we also carry Runciman's book: 2-76880 Runciman, Steven FIRST CRUSADE, THE as above1 vol, 208 pgs 2005 LONDON, CAMBRIDGE UNIV NEW-pb $16.00 USD and 1-25680 Oldenbourg, Zoe CRUSADES, THE A thorough analysis of the Crusades in a narrativestyle, b/w illust, maps, notes, biblio, index.1 vol, 672 pgs 1998 LONDON, WEIDENFELD
NEW-dj ……$50.00 We also have various Ospreys, and others. Goto our web page and type in Crusades in the search engine. All in stock. Dennis from OMM
onmilitarymatters.com |
