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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
Very detailed and interesting history of the 1st Crusade. Brutal times.
Took a LONG time with this, 4 years to be exact. I actually took a break as it didn’t grip me early on. In hindsight it was well written I simply wasn’t in the mood for that type of book. Especially one with such a slow start given the nature of its content - the political movement behind starting the crusade
In the end I enjoyed it a lot. I’m by no means an expert on the topic now but feel confident in my understanding of it. This book does a great job of boiling down a huge piece of history. To me whatever your opinions on the Crusade, the Crusaders themselves or their methods there is no denying the feat they accomplished is pretty astounding.
In the end I enjoyed it a lot. I’m by no means an expert on the topic now but feel confident in my understanding of it. This book does a great job of boiling down a huge piece of history. To me whatever your opinions on the Crusade, the Crusaders themselves or their methods there is no denying the feat they accomplished is pretty astounding.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
Fascinating read. The horror of man's inhumanity to man is even more stark when it's all done in the name of God. That said, it was a book I couldn't put down. Reading about the main characters was very fascinating. The most unbelievable thing is that they were actually successful in their goal.
So excellent, that I've just transferred Thomas Asbridge another book on crusades to the very top of my to-read list. I'd say: exemplary historical writing, benefiting so much from an obvious author's admiration to Levant, it's history, places and peoples. Wise, thoroughly researched, extremely well-placed in time. It was one of those "clenched fists" reading - another bunch of "Franks" confronting "Infidels". Again and again, and again - same motivation and purpose, so similar rhetoric on all sides.
The World, people ... changed so little since XIth Century.
The World, people ... changed so little since XIth Century.
informative
medium-paced
informative
tense
medium-paced
Thomas Asbridge remains the best history or non-fiction writer I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I first came across his work in his recount of the entire crusader period (to this day my favorite non-fic work despite my general blaze toward the middle ages) and this just reinforces my opinion from then of his quality. He brings together a scholarly level of information with a writing style that's both easily digestible of the information to all knowledge levels and immensely entertaining. I wish I could write more words on it but it's just so good that all I can do is recommend it.