First published 2010
Thomas Asbridge presents a comprehensive examination of the medieval Crusades from 1095 to 1291. This single-volume history traces the brutal conflict for control of the Holy Land between Christian and Islamic forces. Asbridge covers the complete span of crusading activity, from the First Crusade's capture of Jerusalem to the final Christian defeat at Acre. The narrative includes major figures like Richard the Lionheart and the legendary Muslim commander Saladin, alongside the Byzantine emperors and military orders such as the Knights Templar. Asbridge brings scholarly authority to this accessible account, employing vivid storytelling to illuminate one of history's most captivating periods. The book reveals the adventure and political intrigue that shaped this epic struggle between two civilizations, offering readers a readable yet ambitious treatment of Holy War in the Middle Ages.
Genres: history, non-fiction, military-history, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: epic
Setting: Holy Land
Period: Middle Ages
784 pages · ebook · HarperCollins e-books