I want to learn more on the crusades, and just life in general during this time period in europe. What are some good informative sources. Books fiction/non-fiction, Movies, Documentaries? Anything else useful that I missed.
2007-12-05 16:33:16 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
A lot of the common ideas about the Crusades are highly questionable. But recently the books below came out. The first (over 1000 pages!) is already considered by many historians THE definitive work, incorporating many corrections to ideas prominent in what WAS the "standard" for the past 50 years. The second (by the same author) covers the period in about 1/4 the space, so is a little easier to get through.
The author is Christopher Tyerman
*God’s War: A New History of the Crusades* (2006)
*Fighting for Christendom: Holy War and the Crusades* (2005)
And here's a quickie review of God's War. (I don't agree with the reviewers politics and some of his conclusions, but he helps you get an idea what the BOOK is about).
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/history/article612128.ece
2007-12-06 08:03:19 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The History Channel's "the Crescent and the Cross" series does a decent job at portraying the Crusades. But the best documentary I have seen on this period was done by PBS (if you have Blockbuster online you can find it) which highlights Richard the Lionheart and Saladin. it is two episodes and about four hours long but it is well worth it. some of the quickest and best spent four hours you'll ever have.
2007-12-05 18:26:41 · answer #2 · answered by gatewlkr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋