A History of the Crusades: Volume 1, The First Crusade and the Foundation of the Kingdom of Jerusalem by Steven Runciman (PDF)

Description

Sir Steven Runciman’s three volume A History of the Crusades, one of the great classics of English historical writing, is being reissued. This volume deals completely with the First Crusade and the foundation of the kingdom of Jerusalem. As Runciman says in his preface: ‘Whether we regard the Crusades as the most tremendous and most romantic of Christian adventures, or as the last of the barbarian invasions, they form a central fact in medieval history. Before their inception the centre of our civilization was placed in Byzantium and in the lands of the Arab caliphate. Before they faded out the hegemony in civilization had passed to western Europe. Out of this transference modern history was born.’

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: Review ‘I do not know when, in recent years, I have read a book which so enlarged my knowledge of and interest in a period of history … It sets before us one of the formidable moral and romantic epics of our time, with scholarship and imagination worthy of it.’ The Times Literary Supplement’The three volumes ring with battle trumpets and drums, glitter with the splendor of noble parades, and are replete with true stories of bravery and cowardliness, rash daring and wily intrigue … To the specialist (Runicman) offers a wealth of new interpretations … To the layman, he tenders romance and suspense at nearly every page.’ The Yale Review’ … the best scholarly survey of the subject by a single author. It will always remain the first considerable work of its kind in the English language.’ The English Historical Review’One of the grand historical monuments of the twentieth century … Written with imagination and based on immense scholarship, (the volumes) are filled with true stories of rash daring and wily intrigue as the flower of Western knighthood assaults the infidel East for God, gold and glory.’ Washington Post Book World Book Description Sir Steven Runciman explores the First Crusade and the foundation of the kingdom of Jerusalem. Book Description Sir Steven Runciman’s, A History of the Crusades, explores the First Crusade and the foundation of the kingdom of Jerusalem. It is one of the great classics of English historical writing and a great survey of the time. Read more

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐This is the first volume of three (

⭐and

⭐) which tells the history of the Crusades in the Holy Land. Runciman’s first volume provides a narrative of not only the foundation of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, but also the foundation for the first crusade to the Holy Land. Almost half the book is used to set the stage for the first crusade. As other reviewers have pointed out, Runciman does not provide a narrative of any of the crusades outside the Holy Land. The series may be a bit much for someone just beginning to read about the crusades, but for those who are interested in the subject or have already read an overview, Runciman will fill in the missing details.In setting the stage, Runciman begins by examining the loss of Palestine and Egypt from Byzantine rule. The battle between Byzantium and the Arabs ebbed back and forth like the tides. Just prior to the first crusade the Byzantine frontiers had shrunken under the pressure of the Seljuk Turks and the route to the Holy Land was unsafe due to instability in the region. However, Runciman points out that Jerusalem had been in Muslim hands since the 7th century and through most of this time pilgrims were still able to visit the Holy Land unmolested. Runciman discusses the popularization of the pilgrimage movement which was originally frowned upon by the Church. Runciman also explores the divisive conflicts with the various Christian theological sects. There was gross intolerance among the sects which sometimes made Muslim rule preferable to Byzantine. Runciman explores the development of the concept of holy war in response to Muslim conquest of the West.After setting the stage, Runciman follows Pope Urban II preaching the crusade. He writes of the major crusader leaders and their travels to Constantinople. He tells us of the disaster of Peter the Hermit’s expedition. He writes of the uneasy crusader interactions with Byzantium and passage to Asia Minor. Runciman then narrates the first crusade including the siege of Nicea, the battle near Dorylaeum, the siege of Antioch, and the expedition to and siege of Jerusalem. Runciman tells of the Armenian expedition by Tancred and Baldwin of Boulogne and Baldwin’s Edessa detour. Runciman follows Godfrey’s time as leader including the Battle at Ascalon and efforts to solidify the realm in southern Syria. Runciman ends this volume with Baldwin’s coronation as King of Jerusalem.Throughout Runciman tells us about division amongst the crusader leaders and Seljuk Turks. I found it interesting how after the capture of Antioch, the division of the crusader leaders prevented them from going any further and the desire of the army to complete their pilgrimage was the only thing that forced the crusade to its completion. Runciman has researched sources from all angles (Byzantine, European, Arab, and Armenian). Runciman provides good footnotes addressing sources for the story, discussing where the accounts are not consistent. He includes a useful appendix which discusses the major primary and contemporary chroniclers. He also has an appendix which discusses the strength of the crusader army. The book includes several maps including the route taken to Constantinople, through Asia Minor, and through Syria. There is also a good map of Antioch, but surprisingly no map of Jerusalem. The maps cover every place talked about in the book which is rare. All in all a great reference and highly recommended.

⭐Although at times tedious, unexpectedly it is an effortlessness read overall. A tremendous work–highly recommended.Not written in strict chronological form. Runciman begins in 638 with the conquering of Jerusalem and the many surrounding nations by the Muslims. However, being that it was freer and more ordered, many were content with Muslim rule over the Roman. There was sporadic, token resistance. But it wasn’t until after 960 that an imperial army was organized; and, except for the holy land much of the conquered lands were regained–the beginnings of war in the name of Christianity.In 974 Jihad (holy war) was declared. But it wasn’t long after and a form of peace and prosperity ruled the land for half a century. Then, late in the 10th century, the church began justifying war in the name of Christianity. Thus began the Peoples Crusade, a rag tag group that ended in destruction, much do to starvation and the lack of supplies. More would follow but now the Jews were the target. Soon, the Pope stepped in, and then by the late 11th century the crusades genuinely began organizing. Even so, a power struggle erupted between military leaders which caused resentment and distrust, along with a schism that took place within the church bodies. History ends with the taking of Jerusalem months before the turn of the century.Included in the appendix is a list of sources, and the numerical strength of forces. The bibliography is extensive.Sadly, this era is used to discredit all of Christianity. It was the apostate Catholic Church–who, in alliance with the state–saw fit to distort God’s Word (and continues to do so today).Wish you wellScott

⭐This series of three books provides a comprehensive and detailed history of the crusades in Outremer. It is very readable, and although there have been recent re-visualisations of this era, these books still remain the seminal secondary source for this history.The format is perhaps a little old, but these books are invaluable for anyone who is interested in the history of the crusades.

⭐I have kids who have an interest in being professional or academic historians. I purchased this so they can pick up a book, open to any page, and start reading the English language as it is meant to be written.Gibbon is still beyond their teenage years, but Runciman’s 20th Century prose is like reading words set to music. Every bit as impressive as when I picked up Runciman and started reading back in 1982.

⭐I purchased these books laregely based on the recommendations here at Amazon. However, I was extremely dissappointed in them. I stopped reading after book one. Perhaps my problem was in my expectations. I was looking for an excellent narrative on the crusades. These read more like a reference/text book.The pages are THICK with information. However, the failure of the author is that he just doesn’t “tell” the story. In a single page he can introduce 5 locations and 10 people, 8 of whom are dead before the page is finished. If you are looking for detailed information on the crusades, I can only assume that it is likely in these tomes. If you are looking for the story of the crusades, you won’t find it here.

⭐A bit dated, but gives some good characterization of the actors while still presenting historical details.

⭐AAA+++

⭐Amazing book.. Details galore .. 3 volumes of incredible detailed glances into history

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