I'm currently in the midst of Steven Runciman's trilogy on the Crusades. When finished, I'd like to read a more current account of the period. Any suggestions?
Always liked Jonathan Riley-Smith's books on the Crusades, as well as John Julius Norwich (although he tended to focus on Byzantium).
I read this book in college: https://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Crusades-Penguin-Classics-Joinville/dp/0140449981 Not a modern book, but a first hand account that was quite...vivid.
Great book! Had a professor who was so heavily immersed in Norman culture, he used to over-emphasize French names and completely overact while doing so- Join VEEEEELL and VillehardWAAANNN etc. First couple of times he did it, we all thought he was having a stroke. Should also read this one- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crusades-Through-Arab-Eyes-Essentials/dp/0863560237
My thanks. I have Norwich's trilogy on Byzantium; it's one of my favorites. I was unaware he wrote on the Crusades as a separate entity. I'll look into it.
Not sure if he actually did, or just approached them from the Byzantine perspective. Good book on Byzantium is The Byzantine Commonwealth by Dimitri Obolensky, though it's an older one and not specific to the crusades-. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Byzantine-Commonwealth-Eastern-Europe-500-1453/dp/1597407356
I've seen reference to that work a number of times. I may now finally get off my keester and do something about it. Thanks.
Don't forget the Crusades that took place elsewhere. The Albigensian Crusade is a rather interesting piece and those of the Teutonic knights in Eastern Europe are also of note. (And it's a great excuse for watching Alexander Nevsky Soviet propaganda and history all in one.
Yes Sir, it's been awhile but I still remember the "theme song" from the movie as well as the scene in which the Teutonic Knights fell through the ice.
Pity Urg isn't here; he could probably give you chapter & verse on Simon de Montfort's dad in that crusade.
