"David Nicolle on the Crusades" Topic

I know of David Nicolle's work on many Ospreys, but I am wondering whether some of the Crusades buffs can advise on three recent 'proper' books he has written.

Fighting for the Faith
Crusder Warfare I – Byzantium, Western Europe etc
Crusader Warfare II – Muslims Mongols etc

I have picked through parts of them in my local shops, and they look quite good, but as I havn't yet gotten around to reading Runciman, I wanted a couple of opinions from those who know the period a bit more first.

Any such appreciated.

You've got to read Runciman. Even if he is a little pro-byzantine, he's a good story teller. He keeps it interesting and informative. He also seems to be able to put himself in the mindset of the people of the era. Which is important for a historian.

To me Nicolle seems a bit anti-crusader, but informative. I just don't get into the arms and armor that he dwells on so much.

Thanks Deucey.

Have you any opinion on W.B. Bartlett?

His stuff is surrounding the shelves holding Nicolle.

I can also recommend his Arms and Armour volumes. Big, but worth the read.

I have his Medieval Warfare Sourcebook: Christian Europe and its Neighbours, the one that covers the Middle East etc. It has tonnes of detail and pictures from period sources. I've found it quite useful. I'm hoping to pick up the first Sourcebook some day.

David S.

Firstly, I'm only interrested in the Crusades 1095 – 1150ish so you will get more out of the books if your interrest is more general. So my opinion:

I've got the last two books on your list. Considering the lack of books on early Crusader period warfare they are definately worth reading. As for value; 7 out of 10 – but most other books dealing with the nitty gritty of this period generally get less. If you are keen they are worth buying, but, if your interrest is passing get them from your library.

If you don't want to fork out for Nicolle's two vols, but want something for your shelves, get Smail's Crusading (possibly Crusader (?)) Warfare it covers the same ground in a single smaller volume more concisely but is does not cover the Byzantines (from memory) or Mongols.

James

olicanalad.blogspot.com

Whoops – I've just my glasses back on.

Runciman. Buy all three vols. They are the best comprehensive history generally available. It is a history though, not a military / tactical analysis. Try ebay, you can usually pick up the set (paperback) for about £10.00 GBP – £15.00 GBP – value at twice that price! Invaluable.

James

I have the two vol's by Nicolle. They are nice and worth having. I have noticed they are somewhat of a compilation of his previous works.

The second book covers primarily the Arabs (Muslims). The section on the Mongols is very short. Timothy May has a nice book pertaining to the Mongols – The Monogol Art of War.

A nice resource for the early crusades regarding military matters is John France, Victory in the East: A Military History of the First Crusade.
link

Yes! The France book is excellent.

Smail's book is good information, but a bit dry.

Runciman still rules in my book. I've reread his books twice. Also check out the Sicilian Vespers!

Apart from the above, can I suggest:

Ian Heath's "A Wargamers' Guide to the Crusades" – and old one but still provides a good feel for the period, covers more than just wargaming and has a good gazetteer of fortified sites.

Kristian Molin's "Unknown Crusader Cstles" – covers the Holy Land, Cyprus, Armenia and Frankish Greece. Provides an interesting perspective of the non-military functions of the castles.

Christopher Tyerman, "God's War, A New History of the Crusades". Recent work that covers the history and politics well.

Ian Heath is always good.

A nice resource for the early crusades regarding military matters is John France, Victory in the East: A Military History of the First Crusade.

The best I have read as a military history of the First Crusade thus far.

Cheers,

Darrell.