A Booke of Days: A Journal of the Crusade [Paperback]

Stephen J. Rivele (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997

The journal of a French nobleman caught up in the greatest adventure of his day. Roger, Duke of Lunel, seeks atonement for past sins by embarking on a holy crusade which soon degenerates into a violent scuffle fought in heat and dust, and dogged by betrayal, deceit and greed.

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330351958
• ISBN-13: 978-0330351959
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,878,470 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Fiction at Its Best, January 19, 2003

By 

Richard La Fianza (San Bernardino) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Booke of Days: A Journal of the Crusade (Paperback)

The Booke of Days is the story of a minor lord from Southern France who joins the first Crusade. His name is Roger of Lunel. Roger joins the Crusade because the Pope has promised absolution for any who fight, and kill, for Christianity. The irony of this is not lost on Roger who keeps a diary of his journey. At first Roger examines the ideas of the crusade even as he compares them to the reality. Knights who ravish women in southern France, wear body parts cut off from their enemies, and murder other Christians who don't follow the proper pope. These are the people who will save Christianity?

With this start, I was concerned that his book might become an anti-Christian or anti-West book. It is not. It is a realistic look at the Crusades which describes the good and ill, of all sides. A Booke of Days also describes the people, the customs, and the times, better then any book about this period I have encountered. Some of the twists of the personal story seem stretched, but I liked the story so much I will was willing to believe. In the end, rather then being a book about the Crusades, it is a book about Roger of Lunel, set in the Crusades.
I liked Roger, so I loved this book. I also loved the hundreds of small touches which show the effort and the artistry of the author. If this book really isn't true, it could be. And anyone who has even a passing interest in History or Romance should read it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent work of *historical fiction*, December 8, 2001

By 

Ryan A. Ricks - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Booke of Days: A Journal of the Crusade (Paperback)

The critics do this novel an injustice by stating that it is a slow read and more of a documentary than a epic novel. True, there are many historical points and notes which root the story in actual history, but these only help to show the richness of the history and help to express the story's fine details. I could not put this novel down, and I have gained a seemingly firsthand knowledge of the tragedies and glories of the crusades. I recommend this book to all interested in the crusades as well as those wanting to learn more of military camp life and history without the trials of textbooks.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Fiction at Its Best, January 19, 2003

By 

Richard La Fianza (San Bernardino) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Booke of Days: A Journal of the Crusade (Paperback)

The Booke of Days is the story of a minor lord from Southern France who joins the first Crusade. His name is Roger of Lunel. Roger joins the Crusade because the Pope has promised absolution for any who fight, and kill, for Christianity. The irony of this is not lost on Roger who keeps a diary of his journey. At first Roger examines the ideas of the crusade even as he compares them to the reality. Knights who ravish women in southern France, wear body parts cut off from their enemies, and murder other Christians who don't follow the proper pope. These are the people who will save Christianity?

With this start, I was concerned that his book might become an anti-Christian or anti-West book. It is not. It is a realistic look at the Crusades which describes the good and ill, of all sides. A Booke of Days also describes the people, the customs, and the times, better then any book about this period I have encountered. Some of the twists of the personal story seem stretched, but I liked the story so much I will was willing to believe. In the end, rather then being a book about the Crusades, it is a book about Roger of Lunel, set in the Crusades.
I liked Roger, so I loved this book. I also loved the hundreds of small touches which show the effort and the artistry of the author. If this book really isn't true, it could be. And anyone who has even a passing interest in History or Romance should read it.