A History of the Crusades by Steven Runciman (1987, Paperback, Reprint)

When I was in college studying history I discovered Sir Steven Runciman and his historical writings. At the time he was my favorite author, although sadly I haven't read many of his complete works. However whenever I read one of his books I am always captivated by his narrative writing style.

It has taken me many years, but when I again became curious about the Crusades, I turned to Runciman's writings. I bought this book while reading Volume 2 of the Crusades, and couldn't wait for it to arrive. Runciman has a wonderful, easy to ready writing style, and the details he includes are truly amazing. For instance, he even goes into the Mongols and their background, for they too played a role in the entire crusading movement, since they conquered parts of Persia and surrounding areas.

Volume 3 actually begins right after the Battle of Hattin and then Saladin's reconquest of Jerusalem in 1187. We see the movement of the Kingdom of Jerusalem to the coastal areas of Palestine, the Crusade of Richard the Lionhearted, and his relationship with Saladin. Then the other rulers of the Kingdom itself, the rise of the Kingdom of Cyprus, the rise and fall of the Principality of Antioch are covered extensively. We get a glimpse into the personality of each king, queen and major prince. Personally I would have liked to know more about the Ibelin family, who were one of the most important families in the region without actually being rulers of the Kingdom.

Though it is a long book, it holds one's interest, and continues until the virtual dieing out of the Crusading movement in Europe. Runciman's specialty is the Byzantine Empire, so he also covers that Empire's relationship with the Crusader Kingdom and surrounding kingdoms. We are even told about the Mongols conquering Bagdad.

What he doesn't cover in his comprehensive history of the Crusading movement are the crusades against the Albigensians/Cathars, and the crusades of the Teutonic Knights.

I learned many new things from reading this book, and gained even more interest in the Ibelin and Lusignan families. For me this book was a real feast of knowledge about an area that has held my curiousity for a very long time.

I would actually recommend this book to anyone interested in the History of the Crusades, even though it is a long book. Also, while it is the third volume of a comprehensive work, it stands on its own as a worthy book well deserving of the time it takes to read it!