| Plot Summary of The Story of the Crusades |
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"The author is a renowned historical novelist and this history is a rare achievement, being both a detailed account of world-shaping events, and an exciting, pacy narrative with flashes of humour. The bulk of the text relies on the large three-volume standard authority, 'History of the Crusades', by Sir Steven Runciman, but the general level of writing makes it suitable for the average reader and introductory history courses. Supported by a good selection of maps, line drawings, and photographs the roots of the story are skillfully sketched in the introductory chapter, covering first century Jerusalem, the Roman Emperor Constantine c.AD300, the splitting of the Roman empire into east and west, the rise of Islam in Arabia, and the establishment of Christian pilgrimage from Europe to the Holy Sites in Jerusalem. The bulk of the text then gives a vivid outline of the characters, the places, and the politics of the Crusades from 1097-1291. Many famous names are set in context and brought to life: the Norman knights; Saladin and Richard (Coeur de Lion) the Lionheart; the Popes, Caliphs, and Emperors; Zengi and the Turks; the original Assassins of Persia and the Knights Templar, Hospital, and Teutonic--all are faithfully and rapidly recounted and fairly represented. A feast of a book, which manages to make the whole period come alive, and whets the appetite for more."
Michael JR Jose, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of The Story of the Crusades |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Kind Of History
Time of history:
- 1000-1600 AD
History of military?
Yes
Armed Forces:
- Army
History of religion?
Yes
Nationality?
- EUROPE
Specific war?
- Crusades
Religion?
- General Christians!
Subjects of this Historical Account
Religion? (if plays a major part)
- Catholics!
Ethnicity (if plays a major part)
- European/White
Is the portrayal sympathetic?
- Sympathetic
From a certain profession/group?
- land soldiers
Intelligence of subject of
history:
- Smart
Main Adversary
From a certain profession/group?
- infantry soldiers
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an above average amount
Religion? (if plays a major part)
- Muslims!
Nationality?
- Egyptian
Ethnicity? (if plays big part)
- Arabic
Is the portrayal sympathetic?
- Sympathetic
Setting
Middle East?
Yes
Middle East
- Lebanon
Style
How much gore?
- 4 ()
How fast-paced is the book?
- 8 ()
Accounts of torture and death?
- explicit references to deaths
Book makes you feel...
- in awe
How much focus on stories of individuals?
- Focuses on brief history of a lot of players
How much romance?
- 2 ()
Is book humorous?
Yes
If humorous, kind of humor
- gentle humor
Minor characters feature lots of:
- blue collar types
Is this a kid's book?
- Ages 14-16
Pictures/Illustrations?
- A significant amount
Maps necessary?
- Necessary maps provided
Length of book
- 250-300 pages
How much emphasis on small details?
- 5 ()
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