The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land

Asbridge does an excellant job explaining the societal factors impacting the Crusades as well as evaluating the possible motivations of the actors on both sides. This is a very balanced look at an important period in history. In recent years, many Western scholars (Reston, for instance) have depicted Islam as pure and the Crusaders as rapacious and unadulterated evil. Asbridge is evenhanded in his treatment of the West and Islam, which is a refreshing approach, since rarely is one side all good and the other all bad. The Crusades continue to be very relevant to modern issues involving the West and Islam and I would highly recommend this book as a good survey of an important period of this relationship between the two.

WebbWeaver was asked by Simon & Schuster UK to review this title based on a 100 page excerpt and reference materials with maps. We graciously accepted their request and we were quite pleased.We began our journey into The Crusades with Chapter 13, 'To Crusade' and continued through Chapter 16 'Lionheart'.In late summer of 1187 Archbishop Joscius of Tyre, set sail for the West. Since Saladin's overtaking of the Holy Land, the most powerful men in the Latin world had become compelled to take up the cross and engage in the campaign and call to arms known throughout history as The Third Crusades. Among the most powerful were Frederick Barbarossa, Emperor of Germany and Phillip II Augustus, the young King of France. But it would be Richard the Lionheart, King of England who would rise as champion of the christian cause and challenge Saladin. The two would meet head to head in the Third Crusades, pitting King against Sultan.Saladin's rise to power had grown quickly but his taking of Jerusalem marked the beginning of his real trials of leadership and would almost certainly become his downfall. It was much easier to conquer a land than to rule it. The battle between Christendom and the Jihadists is highlighted in great detail, re-enforced with artwork and maps that strategically place the reader directly in the heart of the conflict as it unfolds. We are witness to the first battle where the Christians are finally in a position to go on the offensive and begin the task of attempting to reclaim that which has been taken by Saladin but, a shift in the tides results in mass casualties and the Christians are defeated on the plains of Acre.The turn in Christendom's favor begins when three and a half years after taking up the cross, King Richard I of England, finally sails into Palestine on June 8, 1191, bringing with him much needed supplies, re-enforcements and positive morale for the weary. Abandoned by the King of France, Richard the Lionheart would step up as a leader and king making the world know his intentions to reclaim the lands Saladin had taken.After the execution of over 2,600 Saracens due to a broken treaty he and Saladin had entered into together, Richard the Lionheart was free to lead the Third Crusades on to victory. He would do this with the help of many including, the Templars, Poitevins, Normans and the English.Though he may not be responsible for the turn in The Third Crusade, it is widely believed that Richard's contribution of outward gallantry just may have been the deciding factor in the direction the Crusades would take. The battle at Acre would indeed drive Saladin's forces into retreat however it would not signal the end of the Third Crusades, though it would bring Richard the Lionheart to the brink of victory.The Crusades is an intricately and beautifully woven tapestry of historical proportions.Though we have not had the pleasure of reading the book in its entirety, the small part of the journey we took with the writer was entrancing and enlightening. We are quite anxious to read more on the Crusades and that interest was sparked by our reading of three small chapters from The Crusades.WebbWeaver is giving The Crusades:The War For The Holy Land a 4-star rating. We would recommend this to any history lover and anyone who has ever wondered about or questioned the past. Pick up Thomas Asbridge's book, you are sure to be pleased.CK Webb & DJ WeaverWebbWeaver Reviews

getting authentic info about the crusades again shows the greed cupidity and stupidity of humans, the foolishness of religions, and the need for humanity to finally grow up.

A very long book (over 1500 pages) covering the Crusades from the first to the third one. Very well presented, with detailed information that made me feel like the main characters were presented with all their frailties, fears and hopes. Spent the whole holiday reading just this book, could not put it down.A worthwhile read for everyone interested in the Crusades.

This book was hard going because it was so detailed but I appreciated that and it made you really think about the horror of the wars are people's mindsets and cruelty.

Intricately detailed and vividly narrated, this book masterfully brings to life a significant historical conflict. Asbridge's compelling storytelling takes readers on an immersive journey through the battles and ideologies of a bygone era. A must-read for history enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of a monumental war.

I had been told that this was a kind of definitive work on the topic and, indeed, its mere size so displays. It is a scholarly approach to a phenomenon that addresses the most known phenomenon from the European Middle Ages. Yet legend and myth have somehow blotted the real picture of the events. So, as a whole, the book fits the bill. Still, at times one cannot but feel a bit overwhelmed by the detailed and morose description of certain episodes.

Ein sehr unterhaltsames Sachbuch, welches die geschichtlichen Ereignisse spannend aufbereitet und sich dem doch ziemlich aufgeladenen Thema gut annimmt. Es umfasst die Geschichte aller Kreuzzüge und der Rückeroberung der Levante bis zum Fall von Akkon durch die Mamelucken. Die Wendenkreuzzüge, die Reconquista sowie die späteren Kreuzzüge gegen die Osmanen werden nur kurz erwähnt und sind nciht Teil des Buchs.Es beleuchtet beide Seiten und deren Motivation auf eine meines Erachtens sehr neutrale Art und Weise und widerspricht fundiert vielen gängigen Vorurteilen über die Kreuzzüge. Besonders spannend fand ich die Betrachtung der Kreuzzüge im Laufe der Zeit. Früher waren anscheinend z.B. Nur ad-Din und Baybars deutlich populärer in der islamischen Welt als heute, während aktuell Saladin ja der beliebteste Gegner der Kreuzritter ist. Zudem fand ich es sehr erhellend, dass die ersten Kreuzzüge nicht als Angriff auf den Islam selbst gesehen wurden, sondern mit den "Franken" halt ein neuer Spieler aus dem Nichts hereingeplatzt ist. Die Komponente des Religionskampfes, kam auf der muslimischen Seite erst etwa 50 Jahre später hinzu.Asbridge schafft es sehr eindrucksvoll die historischen Ereignisse und Hintergründe derart in Szene zu setzen, dass man auf jede neue Entwicklung gespannt ist, selbst wenn man den groben Ablauf und das Ergebnis der einzelnen Kampagnen schon kennt. Der Stil erinnert mcih bisweilen wirklich an historische Romane, nur, dass es wirklich gut recherchierte Ereignisse darstellt. Das ist wirklich große klasse.Durch die genauere Betrachtung der muslimischen Seite habe ich zum ersten Mal wirklich die Interaktionen zwischen den Zengiden (und Saladin) und den (schiitischen) Fatimiden verstanden. Mir war zuvor auch nicht klar, wie lose das Reich der Ayyubiden eigentlich vereinigt war und wie existenzbedrohlich der dritte Kreuzzug letztlich für ihn wurde und wie der Friedensvertrag zustande kam.Von mir gibt es inhaltlich eine uneingeschränkte Kaufempfehlung. Bei meiner Version war das Buch leider schlecht geklebt und hat schnell Seiten verloren, was mich geärgert hat. Ich möchte nicht behaupten, dass das der Standard ist, aber mir sind in meiner ganzen Lesekarriere wirklich nur wenige Bücher so schnell kaputt gegangen.

This was the first book I bought when I decided to get into reading history books. Coming into the crusades knowing only a little knowledge, I wanted a book that would take me step by step on how the crusades unfolded, the people involved, the battles, and generally getting a good overview of the crusades. Even little details about certain situations have been fun to read. From the prologue throughout, I have learnt so much and all the material was easy to read. Dates, people, descriptions all laid out in a systematic way which is very engaging and laid out in a simple way for a beginner to understand. I throughly enjoyed this book and the information written has been invaluable and have enjoyed great discussion over the topic. Great book to read and this book has inspired me to read more and brought about a new passion for reading!

More the book that accompanies a TV series than a stand alone history.