Triumph : The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church by H. W. Crocker III is another marvelous book. It condenses history into under 500 pages but is a joy to read. It puts many a myth to sleep. One myth concerns the Crusades which is why I won't be seeing Ridley Scott's film although I find him to be a marvelous filmmaker beginning with his amazing "Alien" and "Blade Runner" just to name two movies.
Agreed on both points! I loved "Triumph" and I also usually like Ridley Scott. And you even named the two movies of his that I like!