"Best single volume on Crusades?" Topic

New period for me, sparked off by a large purchase of Fireforge plastics….

Can anyone recommend a good – one volume account of the Crusades?

Thanks

Darren

I should mention – looking at the Crusades around Jerusalem, not the Baltic (or other) Crusades.

While I cant recommend a book, I have enjoyed the 'History of the Crusades' podcast. 

Dungeon, Fire, and Sword
link

Although it purports to be a history of the Templars it covers the entire Crusades era and provides a good overview

I am two thirds of the way through this and enjoying it immensely:

The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land
Thomas Asbridge, 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1849836883
amzn.to/2iwYcNg

It lives up to its billing. It is both readable and clear but at 800 pages it needs to be.

--
Martin Stephenson
The Waving Flag | Twitter | eBay

Worth looking out for Ian Heath's "Armies and Enemies of the Crusades", basically covers 200 years from late 11th to late 13th century. On Amazon, but a bit pricey and you may be lucky and find a copy on Ebay or ABE books.

I would suggest, as a very good introductory book, God Wills It! An Illustrated History of the Crusades by Wayne Bartlett. Well written, clear, concise and well paced: link

Ezza

i read a book called "the dream and the tomb", which was a fantastic, well written read that covered the basics in a very fluid style. it read like an awesome adventure, rather than a textbook. i highly recommend it.

link

Crusading Warfare, 1097 – 1193 by R. C. Smail
A bit old, but its one of the few that focus on how the Crusader states opperated. The book covers why they would/would not fight and the tactics used once they did take to the field.

I read this one years ago and enjoyed it a lot:

"The Cross and the Crescent: A History of the Crusades"

by Malcolm Billings

I have enjoyed the 'History of the Crusades' podcast.

I agree. They run about 25-30 minutes and she gives a lot of information without getting drier than the material can be. Lots of background on participants.

Runciman's 3 volume History of the Crusades is available in an inexpensive set.
Highly recommended.

Here is my book list with a few one line notes on the books on my shelves.

link

The Ian Heath books are ideal for newcomers wanting a simple guide to war gaming the period but are light on a narrative history.

There are several one volume histories, and I doubt I could pick a best of, but Thomas Ashbridge and Terry Wise are fairly sound for a basic overview.

If you want more meat, I'd go for Runciman's three volume history. When I'm researching anything it is my first port of call: A superbly researched, in depth, narrative history.

For tactics and the like the best readily available books (on tactics) I've found are Crusader Warfare (2 vols) – David Nicolle, and Crusading Warfare 1o97 – 1193 – R. C. Smail. For OOB, you have to mix and match info as best you can, though one of the heath books has basic numbers for many battles.

Hope that helps,

james

Thomas Madden, The New Concise History of the Crusades.

Probably the best single 'modern' account.

Runciman is more literature than history, by his own admission.

Thanks everyone. Just purchased Thomas ASBRIDGE's book.

Darren

Make mine a second endorsement for Dungeon, Fire and Sword. A highly readable book which is so well crafted, blending narrative with some parts that read like a novel. I've read it twice.