Chronicles of the Crusades (Classics S.)

Rating:
Summary: Diary
Review: All historians recorded what happened in the past deserve thanks. The authors of this book deserve the same. I said authors since there are accounts two different crusaders in this book. One describes events right before, during and right after the conquest of Constantinople by the crusaders. The other describes the 6th and the 7th crusades especially concentrating on St Louis the king of France who took the cross.
The book deserves 4 stars since there is not many info regarding social, economic, and cultural life of the people. Its more like keeping a voyage journal. There is some interesting piece of knowledge as well. It is still worth reading though.

Rating:
Summary: Chronicles of the Crusades
Review: These are both excellent accounts of the crusades. Villehardouin proves insightful in what he does not say. A small army of crusaders faces unbelievable odds in Constantinople and yet somehow they conquer and hold this territory. It brings up the question of whether the conquest was an accident or a conspiracy, and a reader can answer that question through careful reading. There are other books wholly committed to this argument of conspiracy vs. accident.

Joinville gives an equally appreciable account of a crusade, this time a failed attempt in Egypt by Saint Louis. Joinville is an author that gives a huge amount of information. The integrity of Louis is apparent as well as the mistakes made by the crusaders (Joinville rarely places direct blame of any failure on Louis, noting instead Louis's brother and his failures.)

This is a well introduced book and is not difficult to read in my opinion.

Rating:
Summary: Chronicles of the Crusades
Review: These two accounts are highly readable, and it is wonderful to have them packaged together like this. Geoffrey's chronicle of the 4th Crusade (the one that sacked Constantinople) is an awesome perspective on an often-maligned event. Jean's account of the 7th Crusade and the life of St. Louis is even better. With Jean we catch a rare glimpse of a sensitive warrior fully capable of expressing a wide range of moods and emotions. Both chronicles are well worth reading and will provide the historian and the non-historian alike with hours of enjoyment.

Rating:
Summary: Two of the most readable accounts of the Crusades
Review: These two accounts are highly readable, and it is wonderful to have them packaged together like this. Geoffrey's chronicle of the 4th Crusade (the one that sacked Constantinople) is an awesome perspective on an often-maligned event. Jean's account of the 7th Crusade and the life of St. Louis is even better. With Jean we catch a rare glimpse of a sensitive warrior fully capable of expressing a wide range of moods and emotions. Both chronicles are well worth reading and will provide the historian and the non-historian alike with hours of enjoyment.