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karingforbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
There are bits that’ll stuck with me and as always jones does a masterful job of condensing such a broad and complex topic into something digestible and nuanced. But it’s not something I’ll necessarily think of regularly in the future and it won’t be life changing. It took me a while to get through though it’s well written and organized. It’s a great book, just doesn’t have that flare for five stars
ryner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
sad
slow-paced
3.0
I selected this book to fulfill the Read Harder category "a history about a period you know little about" since what I knew could probably have been summed up in a sentence or two. It was somewhat of a slow slog from beginning to end, to the point where I ultimately had to set daily page goals to make progress, but I do now feel considerably more knowledgeable about the subject matter. I made frequent use of the included maps, as well as Google for key players, geography and terminology. There were some pretty messed-up surprises: the Fourth Crusade was waged against fellow Christians; and some not-surprises: religiously-motivated acts have long been garbage, and Christianity has been demonstrably corrupt from the very beginning.
shannasbooksnhooks's review against another edition
5.0
So I apparently have yet to meet a book by Dan Jones that disappoints me. He has surprised and amazed me once again with his new book: a whole lot of information about a very hostile time broken down into easily understood and comprehendable material. I also liked the way he approached the Crusaders: rather than focusing on the group as a whole and what they were fighting for, he chose to focus on specific individuals from every side of the conflict. I highly recommend this book (and all of his others!).
catherine_t's review against another edition
challenging
informative
fast-paced
5.0
In 1095, Pope Urban sent out a rallying cry to all Christendom to liberate Jerusalem from centuries of Islamic rule. Kings, princes, lords, and ordinary folk answered his call. Thus began more than three centuries of crusading.
Crusading has a chequered history. At first an attempt to wrest the Holy Land from Muslim rulers, crusading eventually morphed into something that was invoked against anyone the current pope was at odds with, including Christian leaders. As historian Dan Jones leads readers through this history, we see the rise of the crusader states and the military orders (the Hospitallers, the Templars, and the Teutonic Knights) as well as their downfall. We get a peek at the Spanish Reconquista, the push for the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian peninsula to evict Muslims. And we learn that medieval crusades were far more complicated than they seem at first glance.
Jones is one of my favourite historians. (If it's weird to have favourite historians, I don't care.) He has a breezy yet knowledgeable style that carries the reader along at a brisk pace. Before you know it, you've learned about a couple of centuries worth of history. Jones examines the history from many sides; he gives us insight into what the Muslim leaders--and leading thinkers of Islam--knew of the "Franks" who came from the west.
Overall, this is a well-written, balanced examination of what happened in Europe and the Near East from the moment Pope Urban called for men to march on Jerusalem. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about the crusades than what the usual overview gives.
Crusading has a chequered history. At first an attempt to wrest the Holy Land from Muslim rulers, crusading eventually morphed into something that was invoked against anyone the current pope was at odds with, including Christian leaders. As historian Dan Jones leads readers through this history, we see the rise of the crusader states and the military orders (the Hospitallers, the Templars, and the Teutonic Knights) as well as their downfall. We get a peek at the Spanish Reconquista, the push for the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian peninsula to evict Muslims. And we learn that medieval crusades were far more complicated than they seem at first glance.
Jones is one of my favourite historians. (If it's weird to have favourite historians, I don't care.) He has a breezy yet knowledgeable style that carries the reader along at a brisk pace. Before you know it, you've learned about a couple of centuries worth of history. Jones examines the history from many sides; he gives us insight into what the Muslim leaders--and leading thinkers of Islam--knew of the "Franks" who came from the west.
Overall, this is a well-written, balanced examination of what happened in Europe and the Near East from the moment Pope Urban called for men to march on Jerusalem. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about the crusades than what the usual overview gives.
abbotsford1234's review against another edition
4.0
Yes! If ever a non fiction book would be made into a treble R movie this is it. Death (greek fire and a body count that just ASTRONOMICAL), lots of sex, monks telling how terrible all these crusades are everyone trying find treasure. BTW there is a short part for Edward I. (before he did for William Wallace). However NO MENTION of Robin of Locksley. Odd that.