Product Description

In this first volume of three, Runciman recounts the capture of Jerusalm by Christian knights.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #140359 in Books
• Published on: 1991-03-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

About the Author
Sir Steven Runciman (1903-2000) was a medieval historian and expert on Byzantium.

Customer Reviews

Challenging, but ultimately worth the effort.
As an earlier reviewer has noted, this is a book essentially intended for genuine historians, and is thus a little dry for interested laymen like myself. However, if you're willing to make the effort, what you get is definitely worthwhile. The first part of the book is an attempt to summarise the road to the crusades from the early history of Europe and the Middle East and the founding of Islam. Whilst this is interesting, it is also, of necessity, somewhat rushed, which is the book's major weakness. Thereafter, we are treated to a meticulously sourced and detailed history that occasionally gets a little arch, but isn't afraid to make a few speculations about the character and state of mind of the various protagonists. A difficult and academic read, then, but if you're interested in the Crusades, this classic should be a first port of call.

Crusade
This book is a detailed account of the beginning of the Crusading movement, giving you a well researched and interesting description of the events and characters of the First Crusade, like the infamous Tancred and the quixotic Walter Sans-Avoir.
The first section of the book gives you an overview of the wars between Islam and the Byzantine Empire. It also deals with the origin of pilgrimages, which can be difficult to follow considering the constant flow of events, names and dates. Yet when it comes to describe the First Crusade, Runciman's book becomes an adventure. This (and its two follow-ups) are must reads for anyone interested in the Crusades.
Runciman actually intended this series as a three volume set for other historians and academics, but his prose is so brilliant and lucid it can be easily read by the layman, give or take a few words.

All in all this is definately worth getting, and very rewarding if you stick too it. Highly recommended.

A Rewarding Read
Like the other reviewers, I didn't find this entirely painless as, particularly at the beginning, the names and places come thick and fast and can be a little overwhelming. But it was definitely worth persevering with. Runciman's style may be academic but it's a far cry from the 1950's history books most of us were subjected to at school - local colour and asides keep you interested, quite apart from the epic scale of the story he tells. Although I'll probably wait a few months before starting the second volume, I definitely intend to read on.