First published 2022
Little Peter leads the First Crusade in 1075, driven by religious fervor toward the Holy Land. Emperors and knights marshal their armies alongside thieves and paupers, each carrying their own dreams of glory or salvation. The crusaders march toward Jerusalem with the grand vision of establishing a new Christian kingdom. But as the campaigns stretch across nearly four hundred years, original ideals crumble into corruption and confusion. Beautiful cities fall to siege while armies clash in brutal combat. Lives drain away in endless streams of violence. The movement that began with Pope Urban's call transforms into something unrecognizable by the time followers of Pope Pius II make their final attempt in 1464. Coolidge presents these warriors and dreamers without judgment, allowing their actions to speak for themselves. The stories reveal how faith and folly intertwine across generations of conflict that ultimately accomplishes nothing.
Genres: historical-fiction, war, military-history
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: epic-journey, idealism-vs-corruption
Setting: Holy Land, Jerusalem
Period: 1075, 1464
214 pages · Paperback · Hillside Education
Content warnings: violence, war