Looking for a book with the 'truth' about the Crusades, I decided to try this book. My hope was that this would be a balanced reporting of the Christian and Muslim sides. Since reading a life story of Saladin, I knew the Crusades were hardly the noble enterprise Christians claimed it to be. I was fascinated to learn that the Crusades were actually devised to get Western knights and kingdoms to quit fighting each other. Pope Urban II wanted to unite the Eastern Orthodox Church with the Roman Church, with its center in Jerusalem. So he sent thousands of knights, lords, nobles, and serfs to fight the Muslims for control of the Holy Lands.
Incredibly, there were nine Crusades. They did reduce the private fighting of western nations with each other. However, the Middle East and Eastern nations were far more advanced than in the West. When the Christians arrived, they found people living in strong homes with glass in the windows and wonderful things to eat. Easterners were traders and were more advanced culturally.
The interaction of the Crusaders and the Eastern nations brought about the downfall of the feudal system in the West. Because of the years they spent in the Middle East, the Europeans learned that they needed to explore more and do more trading. Essentially, the Crusades changed western Europe.
A great deal of research went into this book just by looking at the primary sources, suggestions for further reading and the copious notes. The pictures were all in black-and-white, which was a disappointment. There's also a good glossary. I liked the fact that this book gave the reasons behind the calling of the Crusades, as well as the short and long-term results.
Incredibly, there were nine Crusades. They did reduce the private fighting of western nations with each other. However, the Middle East and Eastern nations were far more advanced than in the West. When the Christians arrived, they found people living in strong homes with glass in the windows and wonderful things to eat. Easterners were traders and were more advanced culturally.
The interaction of the Crusaders and the Eastern nations brought about the downfall of the feudal system in the West. Because of the years they spent in the Middle East, the Europeans learned that they needed to explore more and do more trading. Essentially, the Crusades changed western Europe.
A great deal of research went into this book just by looking at the primary sources, suggestions for further reading and the copious notes. The pictures were all in black-and-white, which was a disappointment. There's also a good glossary. I liked the fact that this book gave the reasons behind the calling of the Crusades, as well as the short and long-term results.
