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Competing Voices from the Crusades Fighting Words
Andrew Holt, James Muldoon
ISBN: 1-84645-011-X
ISBN-13: 978-1-84645-011-2
288 pages
Greenwood Press
Publication: 8/30/2008
List Price: $49.95 (UK Sterling Price: £34.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Subjects:
Series Title: Fighting Words
Reviews:
  • This book is an interesting and ambitious concept, aiming to present Latin Christian, Muslim and Byzantine voices from the Crusades and, to quote the editors, to allow readers to determine for themselves how such events were interpreted and understood by the participants. A number of these extracts have appeared elsewhere, but often in specifically Crusading or Muslim-centred collections; to bring them together is a sensible move. The excerpts of primary source text are introducted by brief scene-setting comments and the entire collection is prefaced by a thoughtful and tersely argued summary of modern views of the Crusades. It also includes something usually ignored in textbooks - an excellent outline of Christian-Muslim conflict before the Crusades.
    —Jonathan Phillips, Times Higher Education     10/1/2008
Description: Uniquely multi-perspective, the anthology juxtaposes the recorded experiences and views of participants on the opposing sides in the Crusades. Each chapter focuses on an event, such as the Crusader massacre of the inhabitants of Jerusalem in 1099 and the Siege of Damascus in 1148, and is supported by commentary. Including some sources never before translated into English, the collection applies new perspectives to a popular and much-studied topic.

In tone and range, the anthology occupies the middle ground between flimsy popular works lacking source analysis and heavy-duty scholarly works too narrow in scope to appeal to anyone but the specialist. It is perfect for college undergraduates, high school students and readers with a general interest in medieval history. The carefully-chosen contrasting contemporary views of key events, including eyewitness accounts, memoirs and elite views, are laid out in a clear and easy-to-follow format with introductory texts and contextual notes. Together, they provide a unique introduction to the most controversial events of the crusades, allowing readers to formulate their own opinions of them.
Table of Contents:
  • CHAPTER 1: Introduction and Background to the Crusading Movement
    CHAPTER 2: Pope Urban II's Calling of the First Crusade- 1095
    CHAPTER 3: Attacks on the Jews During the First Crusade-1096-
    CHAPTER 4: Crusader Massacre of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem- 1099
    CHAPTER 5: The Siege of Damascus During the Second Crusade- 1148
    CHAPTER 6: Criticism of Crusading in the Wake of the Disastrous Second Crusade
    CHAPTER 7: The Crusader's Loss at the Battle of Hattin-1187
    CHAPTER 8: Saladin's Conquest of Jerusalem-1187
    CHAPTER 9: The Sack of Constantinople- 1204
    CHAPTER 10: The Troubling Success of an Excommunicate: The Crusade of Frederick II- 1228-1229
    CHAPTER 11: The Troubling Failure of a Saint: The Crusade of Louis IX- 1248-1249
    CHAPTER 12: The Fall of Acre-1291
    CHAPTER 13: Daily Life in the Crusades
About the Author: ANDREW HOLT is Adjunct Professor of History at the University of North Florida. He is a contributor of various articles to the forthcoming Handbook of Medieval Studies: Concepts, Methods, and Trends in Medieval Studies (Ed. Albrecht Classen. Berlin: de Gruyter).

JAMES MULDOON is Professor Emeritus of Rutgers University-Camden. His many books include The Expansion of Europe: the First Phase (1977), Popes, Lawyers, and Infidels: The Church and the Non-Christian World 1250-1550 (l979) and Empire and Order: The Concept of Empire, 800-1800 (1999).
PDF Catalogs:
Academic Library Fall 2008.pdf
Greenwood School and Public Library Reference Spring 2008.pdf
Greenwood History Spring 2008.pdf
Academic Library Spring 2009.pdf
Greenwood Spring Reference 2008.pdf
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