The Crusades, c.1071}}}c.1291 [Hardcover]

A concise, general history of the crusades from the beginnings to the fall of the last strongholds in 1291.A concise, general history of the crusades--whose chief goal was the liberation and preservation of the 'holy places' of the middle east--from the first calls to arms in the later eleventh century to the fall of the last crusader strongholds in Syria and Palestine in 1291. Written by one of the world's great crusader historians, this unique work is the distillation of over forty years' research and contemplation, and the ideal introductory textbook for all students of the crusades.A concise, general history of the crusades--whose chief goal was the liberation and preservation of the 'holy places' of the middle east--from the first calls to arms in the later eleventh century to the fall of the last crusader strongholds in Syria and Palestine in 1291. Written by one of the world's great crusader historians, this unique work is the distillation of over forty years' research and contemplation, and the ideal introductory textbook for all students of the crusades.This book presents a concise, general history of the crusades--whose chief goal was the liberation and preservation of the holy places of the Middle East--from the first calls to arms in the later eleventh century to the fall of the last crusader strongholds in Syria and Palestine in 1291. Written by one of the world's great crusader historians, this unique work is the distillation of over forty years' research and contemplation, and the ideal introductory textbook for all students of the crusades.List of maps; List of genealogical tables; 1. The beginning of the crusades; 2. The crusade of Urban II and Paschal II; 3. The first crusade confronts the east; 4. The Holy Land: a new country overseas; 5. From the first to the second crusade; 6. Between Byzantium and Saladin: the perils of the Latin east; 7. Crusades of reconquest (11881205); 8. The crusade as an institution; 9. War and diplomacy: the rebuildinlÃ+