[Ann Archy]

Do any Freepers have a recommendation for a book on the Crusades? Easy to read....easy to understand, but most of all ACCURATE. HELP!

[Cleburne]

A Concise History of the Crusades by Thomas Madden is a nice introduction. It is, as the title suggests, concise, at right about two hundred pages. Madden gives a good, balanced approach to the Crusades, dismantling many of the inaccurate portrayls foisted on the public by journalists and Hollywood (such as the silly idea that Jerusalem's streets were 'knee-deep' in blood after the Crusaders seized it).

The Crusaders were hardly saints, by and large, in their conduct, but neither were the horrid destroyers of Muslim culture and lands as they are often portrayed. In fact, they were very benign conquerors. The Crusader Kingdoms continued to be populated by the same Muslims and Greek Orthodox Christians who had lived there for centuries. Once the Crusaders were driven out, Islam pretty much forgot about them. The Eastern Church did not, but that is another story... At any rate, there was hardly any rage or hatred over the Crusades until the twentieth century- after all, the Muslims won! Hardly something to get upset about. And the Crusaders were NOT imperialists like later-day Europeans. They came to a very specific place with a very specific purpose, and it was not to get rich- for most Crusaders.

[visualops]

Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam and the Crusades
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0895260131/102-8659598-2397726?v=glance&n=283155&v=glance
by Robert Spencer

Catholic crusades info from New Advent
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04543c.htm

great links for Crusades and medieval history
http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/church/chivalry/crusades.htm

Hefty but full of comprehansive and well researched info about much more than the military aspect of the Crusades. Not sure how objective but the author at least had strong objections to "Kingdom of Heaven" saying it was very inaccurate. This work has input from several historians.
Lots of color plates of art from the period, maps etc.
The Oxford Illustrated History of the Crusades
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0192854283/102-8659598-2397726?v=glance&n=283155&v=glance

[gaspar]

For a short, excellent precis go to the Catholic Encyclopedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/0454c.htm

[rfreedom4u]

Yes. Read the book Dungeons, Fire and Sword by John J. Robinson. It's a great book. It covers atrocities on both sides and is very well written.