Chronicles of the Crusades [Paperback]

Joinville (Author), Villehardouin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1969

362 pages. A combination of two famous Old French chronicles, Villehardouin's Conquest of Constantinople and Joinville's Life of Saint Louis.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Penguin Classics; Reprint edition (1969)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001B8NQK6
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,110,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two of the most readable accounts of the Crusades, January 23, 2003

By 

Glenn McDorman (Denver) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chronicles of the Crusades (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Crusades through European eyes, February 12, 2006

By 

doc peterson (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Chronicles of the Crusades (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

The two accounts in _Chronicles of the Crusades_ provide readers with fascinating accounts of the 4th and 7th crusades. Villehardoun's observations of the sack of Constantinople leave some questions regarding whether it was a conspiracy to destroy the city or not; ultimately it is up to the reader to decide... It does, however, provide a window into 12th century warfare and politics.

Joinville's chronicle of the 7th crusade into the Holy Land was similarly fascinating, providing more information about a European's impressions of the Near East and Christian-Islamic conflict than Villehardoun. I much preferred Joinville for this reason. Together, both accounts provide a well-rounded history of the time and place - a tremendously interesting read for professional and armchair historians alike.

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chronicles of the Crusades, April 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Chronicles of the Crusades (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.