Richard The Lionheart: The Mighty Crusader [Paperback]

David Miller (Author), Julian Thompson (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2005

New in paper
In a biography as compelling and controversial as its subject, Richard I of England, comes bursting to vivid life. Richard's personality was as imposing as his legend, and his far-ranging adventures make fascinating reading. Travel with Richard through a lifetime dedicated to chivalric warfare, from his campaigns in France to his fearsome battles with the Muslim hero Saladin for control of the Holy Land. A commander who led from the front, Richard the Lionheart devised tactically brilliant military operations that are among the finest examples of the early use of combined arms--and are discussed in detail here. An extensive collection of maps, diagrams, and illustrations, as well as a special section featuring Richard in his own words, enhance the story of his dramatic life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Miller served in the British Army from 1956 to 1991 but took early retirement to become a journalist and to write books. He has had over 40 books published on subjects ranging from the Samurai through the Battle of Waterloo to the Cold War, and from a shipwreck in the Falkland Islands to the Crusades. Working on the latter book revived his interest in Richard the Lionheart, one of the greatest warrior-kings England has ever known.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Phoenix (August 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753818809
• ISBN-13: 978-0753818800
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,025,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The gist of the Third Crusade, May 23, 2005

By 

Dimitrios (Greece) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Richard the Lionheart: The Mighty Crusader (Hardcover)

This is the first book of Miller I have read and I was very impressed by the clarity of the text and the factual analysis. The author gives a brief but very useful introduction to the history of the previous two crusades (before Richard I set foot on the Holy Land) and then goes to the adventourous campaign of the English king, covering the lightning conquest Cyprus, the conclusion of the siege of Acre in just four weeks, the march toward Jaffa, the battle of Arsuf and of course the two failed attempts to conquer Jerusalem. The book contains also chapters on the the logistics behind Richard's moves, the sea war and the lessons Richard learned studying Vegetius' "De Re Militaris". The text is not condensed and very easy to read, featuring only 30 lines per page and the book contains some 15 black and white photographs (two of them maps)in a special section.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Crusader Rex, August 7, 2006

By 

C. Repicky "Marshal of the Temple" (Fortress of Jacob's Ford) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Richard The Lionheart: The Mighty Crusader (Paperback)

I would like to recommend this book, to anyone with an interest in the Crusades, Richard I, or combat leadership in general.
I found that the focus on Richard's militay exploits to be excellent, and leaves the extraneous accusations of his activities for a reader to find else where if they're so inclined.
I noted one date in the book that lead me to some issue and that was the reference after the battle of Hattin, the movement to and fall of Jerusalem on July 4th, 1187. If memory serves me, the battle was on July 4th, and the Holy city fell months later.
Still all in all a great book, and a shining example for combat leaders to never ask their charges to do anything more than they would do themselves.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Richard as a Crusader and Commander, May 8, 2006

By 

lordhoot "lordhoot" (Anchorage, Alaska USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard the Lionheart: The Mighty Crusader (Hardcover)

In this short book, we have an excellent study of military career of Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade. The entire book is basically geared toward that campaign where Richard squared off with Saladin. It pretty clear that Richard the Lionheart, may have been bad King of England but he proves to be a very able commander in battles and campaign. His ability to see the long term stratgic problems set him apart from many of his fellow European commanders. The author studied not only Richard's military efforts but his diplomatic effots as well. It bit ironic that Richard probably got along personally with his enemies better then he did with his allies, many who turned against him during the campaign and after.

The book is short (only 215 pages), well written and nicely researched. The author wasn't too judgmental on Richard, choosing to look at him from the historical contemporary point of view instead of the more present politically correct perception which many modern historians falls into that trap. The book proves to be very readable because its not cluttered with overwhelming amount of information. There seem to be enough in the book to present the author's case on Richard very nicely.

The book come recommended to anyone who got a close interest in the Crusades and the life of King Richard I, the Lionheart of England.

Overall, a pretty interesting book that wasted no pages in bringing the reader right into the Third Crusade.