Enjoy fast, FREE delivery, exclusive deals and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery

FREE Returns

FREE delivery Friday, May 12

Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 11. Order within 13 hrs 57 mins

Select delivery location

Only 1 left in stock - order soon

[{"displayPrice":"$37.99","priceAmount":37.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"37","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"zKKiHxwGMALiyeUN9Aax8iV%2BepP5TmQ04feDjEEI9niKZRRs8VuUDpXolbz0n02BpBWyIrU2txOHNcaHuNPMG2hJgqGkFMU3npmmmHwI0vOOKgCC1OH9JaRFVUfu5rMPcwt3%2FMpUrC9RZt8QbH8HZhdCNnmVcHviZZM%2BfW%2Fb1S3bu46f%2FoPzpfsED4dtBNhd","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW"},{"displayPrice":"$12.00","priceAmount":12.00,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"00","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"zKKiHxwGMALiyeUN9Aax8iV%2BepP5TmQ0cBtxOnmdfFvpCGK041zaQzOjQtul5Lle1LmpwqeXwOFHTYeWKdjgmsW6CPUAqHC%2FrP76sqxgsboxx%2FPy2BAlIuMdvG9yfn%2FRLRQY8XeqidPFw6I9sA9FK3gx7uWhsY95Ec2tpaZyQYnu6aAR00zhvqYkvv2jL2hf","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED"}]

$$37.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Payment

Secure transaction

Ships from

Amazon

Sold by

HAIL STORE

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Details

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Ships from

Amazon

Sold by

HAIL STORE

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

Read full return policy

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

FREE delivery Friday, May 12 on orders shipped by Amazon over $25. Order within 13 hrs 57 mins

Select delivery location

Used: Good | Details

Sold by RNA TRADE LLC

Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Have one to sell?

Sell on Amazon

Other Sellers on Amazon

Added

Not added

$33.96
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: mangoking

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See all 2 images

Follow the Author

Thomas F. Madden

The New Concise History of the Crusades (Critical Issues in World and International History) Paperback – Student Edition

by Thomas F. Madden (Author)

102 ratings

See all formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Audible Audiobook, Unabridged

"Please retry"

$0.00

Free with your Audible trial

Hardcover

"Please retry"

$28.74

$24.75

$2.03

Paperback

"Please retry"

—

$14.00

Paperback, Student Edition

$37.99

$33.96

$1.35

Purchase options and add-ons

How have the crusades contributed to Islamist rage and terrorism today? Were the crusades the Christian equivalent of modern jihad? In this sweeping yet crisp history, Thomas F. Madden offers a brilliant and compelling narrative of the crusades and their contemporary relevance.

With a cry of "God wills it!" medieval knights ushered in a new era in European history. Across Europe a wave of pious enthusiasm led many thousands to leave their homes, family, and friends to march to distant lands in a great struggle for Christ. Yet the crusades were more than simply a holy war. They represent a synthesis of attitudes and values that were uniquely medieval--so medieval, in fact, that the crusading movement is rarely understood today.

Placing all the major crusades within the medieval social, economic, religious, and intellectual environments that gave birth to the movement and nurtured it for centuries, Madden brings the distant medieval world vividly to life. From Palestine and Europe's farthest reaches, each crusade is recounted in a clear, concise narrative. The author gives special attention as well to the crusades' effects on the Islamic world and the Christian Byzantine East.
More information is available on the author's website.
Download the Powerpoint Presentation to view area maps for the New Concise History of the Crusades.

Print length

280 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Dimensions

6 x 1 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

0742538230
ISBN-13

978-0742538238
See all details

Most purchased | Lowest Pricein this set of products
Christopher Tyerman
91
Paperback
$11.95
Highest ratedin this set of products
S.J. Allen
51
Paperback
$45.10
This item:
Thomas F. Madden
102
Paperback
$37.99
Thomas F. Madden
166
Paperback
$35.00
Jean de Joinville
150
Paperback
$18.05
Thomas F. Madden
17
Hardcover
$30.00

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the first edition: Readers will be pleased that Thomas Madden has hit just the right note in his sweeping but concise account of the crusades. While he follows the development of crusading down to the period of the Protestant Reformation, and offers, in an afterword, speculations about the modern impact of the medieval crusade, he never fails to interest and inform. His prose is lucid. And to give the graphic point, he offers the reader fourteen clearly produced maps depicting the Mediterranean world about A.D. 1000, the routes of the main crusades, and the crusade plan of Maximilian I in 1518. The usefulness of these is reinforced by an index, a glossary, mainly of Islamic terms, a list of translated sources, and a select bibliography... (The Catholic Historical Review)

Madden's books are the best. (John F. Fink Criterion)

Exactly the right amount of information in just enough detail to hold the students' attention without overwhelming them. (Kimberly Rivers)

I love this book. It is clearly and artfully written, user-friendly, and well-organized, with excellent maps and an up-to-date suggested readings and sources in translation section. (Paul Cobb)

Praise for the first edition: This is a wonderful piece of work that will greatly add to the sum of crusade historiography. . . . It is brilliantly executed. . . . Madden's ability as a writer of gripping narrative shines through. This is a work that students will love, largely because it does not read like a textbook.... (Alfred Andrea)

Thomas Madden brings fresh understanding to these blemished, but at heart noble, efforts to defend the core of medieval European culture. (Rev. William H. Scarle Leader Times)

Praise for the first edition: This is a wonderful piece of work that will greatly add to the sum of crusade historiography. . . . It is brilliantly executed. . . . Madden's ability as a writer of gripping narrative shines through. This is a work that students will love, largely because it does not read like a textbook. (Alfred Andrea)

Praise for the first edition: Professor Madden has written a strong narrative of the crusades, focusing on the crusades to the East and on the major (or numbered) crusades. (James Powell)

Praise for the first edition: Much praise is due to the author for giving us such a clear, concise picture of an ever-changing area of scholarship. (Patrick J. Holt H-Net Reviews)

Praise for the first edition: A gripping narrative approach of the medieval social, economic, religious, and intellectual environments that gave birth to the Crusades and nurtured them for centuries. (Missiology: An International Review)

Praise for the first edition: Readers will be pleased that Thomas Madden has hit just the right note in his sweeping but concise account of the crusades. While he follows the development of crusading down to the period of the Protestant Reformation, and offers, in an afterword, speculations about the modern impact of the medieval crusade, he never fails to interest and inform. His prose is lucid. And to give the graphic point, he offers the reader fourteen clearly produced maps depicting the Mediterranean world about A.D. 1000, the routes of the main crusades, and the crusade plan of Maximilian I in 1518. The usefulness of these is reinforced by an index, a glossary, mainly of Islamic terms, a list of translated sources, and a select bibliography. (The Catholic Historical Review)

Praise for the first edition: Readers will owe Thomas Madden warm thanks for so clear an introductory account of so complex a phenomenon as a crusade. (The Historian)

Praise for the first edition: A brilliant text and handbook for students, teachers, and all readers taking interest in the history of the Crusades. (Byzantische Zeitschrift)

Praise for the first edition: It is clear handling of a complex subject that lets the facts speak for themselves. The book, moreover, lives up to its title. It is concise, but not overly simplified. It would serve as a fine text for undergraduate history students. (New Oxford Review)

Praise for the first edition: Lucid, interesting, and lively. It certainly deserves to be listed in the bibliography for all undergraduate and school courses on the Crusades. (Islam And Christian-Muslim Relations)

Praise for the first edition: In little more than 200 pages, in crystal-clear and economical prose, Madden does a superb job of exposition. As an introduction to the vast literature of the crusades, this is a jewel of a book. It has all one needs to understand the epic nature of the various mobilizations and invasions, who the important players were and how they operated, and why what was for centuries romanticized as chivalrous has today become odious. (James Reston Jr. Washington Post Book World)

This enjoyable book is an excellent introduction for anyone interested in the Crusades. (October 2007 World History Connected)

Madden's small, accessible book is comprehensive, judicious, and fair. It should be required reading for anyone presuming to discuss crusading, crusaders, and the Crusades. (Catholic Missourian)

About the Author

Thomas F. Madden is professor and chair of the Department of History at Saint Louis University. A widely recognized expert on the Crusades and Christian-Muslim conflict, he has written and spoken widely on the topic in such venues as the New York Times, National Public Radio, and PBS. He is the author of A Concise History of the Crusades, which was a Washington Post Book World Rave selection, Enrico Dandolo and the Rise of Venice and The Fourth Crusade: The Conquest of Constantinople, a History Book Club selection. He is the editor of Crusades: The Illustrated History and The Crusades: The Essential Readings. He resides in St. Louis, Missouri.

Product details

Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 280 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0742538230
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0742538238
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,739,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,486 in General History of Religion
- #3,936 in History of Religions
- #7,787 in History of Christianity (Books)

Customer Reviews:
102 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Thomas F. Madden

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Thomas F. Madden is Professor of History and Director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Saint Louis University. As an author and historical consultant he has appeared in such venues as The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and The History Channel.

Awards for his scholarship include the Haskins Medal, awarded by the Medieval Academy of America, and the Otto Grundler Prize, awarded by the Medieval Institute. He is a Fellow of the Medieval Academy of America, the American Council of Learned Societies, and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

102 global ratings

5 star		80%
4 star		10%
3 star		6%
2 star		1%
1 star		3%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Captivating reading....but also an apology for the Crusades

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 12, 2005

Verified Purchase

Assuming that the documents on which the book is based are factual, it does contain a lot of interesting information, whose verification of course would take a lifetime of meticulous research and a great deal of financial resources. Not since the historical volumes of Will and Ariel Durant, which covered the Crusades, has there been a work that adds strong personal viewpoints regarding the Christian religion. The commentary of the Durants and that of author of this book are diametrically opposed regarding Christianity, but it definitely distracts readers who are extremely curious about the causes and historical context behind the Crusades. However, since the author has chosen to include opinions on the moral legitimacy of the Crusades, readers are justified in making critical analysis of these opinions.

The atrocities of 9/11 are of course mentioned in the preface, and the author's bias against the Islamic faith is expressed early on. Indeed, in the second paragraph of the book the author makes it a point to remind the reader that unlike Christianity the Islamic faith had a notion of holy war before the Middle Ages. It took the Roman Emperor Constantine, in his conversion to Christianity in A.D. 312 to realize that Christians, who endured brutal persecution for two centuries, now had armies and power at their disposal. And, as the author points out, this caused St. Augustine in the fifth century to formulate criteria for a "just war." Such a war was not to be one waged for religious conversion or for destroying heresies. The Crusades and the Inquisition are two examples where his formulation was corrupted and abused, and this corruption and abuse has continued to this day. In the intervening centuries intense competition for carnage and horror took place between Islam and Christianity. It is hard to say who won this competition, given the level of brutality exhibited by each. The city of Jerusalem was one of the major sources of contention and "moral justification" for the Crusades, as is readily apparent when reading this book. Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem filled the coffers of those who ruled the city, but this enrichment still did not suppress its political instability. It is very troubling that one city could be responsible for so much violence, and this violence continues to this day.

There are many interesting discussions in this book however, and due to its size the knowledge it contains can be rapidly assimilated. The reader learns for example of the "Children's Crusade," which arose, as can be expected, from the incessant preaching for the Crusades that occurred in northern France and various areas in Germany. Fortunately, and the author relieves quickly the readers anxiety, this Crusade was not made up of children, and not really a crusade in comparison to the rest. It was made up of a collection of "unknown" people, who no doubt really believed in the content of the preaching they listened to. The author describes their march to the Holy Land, which ended in tragedy, some of them being sold as slaves. Their efforts were nullified, no books have been written exclusively about them. Being mere footnotes in history, they did not qualify for the "great people of history," and no canonization or glorification was imputed to them.

But one crusader stands out in the book as being more heroic and morally sound than the rest, and it is easy to question the author's objectivity in his description of this crusader, due to his academic affiliation. Indeed, the picture painted of St. Louis is one of extreme piety, generosity, and holiness. Being king of the most enriched country in Europe at the time gave him access to resources that enabled him to crusade for the liberation of Jerusalem. But despite the abundance of material wealth, St. Louis of course had to motivate people to follow him into battle. The author describes him as being very "inspiring" to the troops, and a "gifted leader." There is no reason to doubt this, as wars are not fought by one man, but with many who must control their fears and engage in activity that is not directly in their interests. Religion of course always helps in supplying this courage, which St. Louis was eager to supply. The individuals who accompanied St. Louis are of course not remembered; they were not canonized, and no American cities were named after them. But even though the author chose to characterize St. Louis as one who viewed the conquest of Jerusalem as the "greatest act of devotion to Christ," the fact remains that the Crusades he led were inhumane, immoral acts, having absolutely no ethical justification, and a complete waste of time and resources, just like the others.

45 people found this helpful

Helpful

Chares G. Muhle

A study of Church and State

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 23, 2006

Verified Purchase

I decided to read T. Madden's book because it hinted at helping me understand today's middle east mindsets that got shaped, partially, by hundreds of years of crusades. Read killing, looting, oppression, interference, injustice and sometimes heroism by both sides.

Well the crusades DID affect the extant mid-east mindsets that today puzzle many in the west. But to understand the connection, we need, first, to step back and absorb the culture of Europe circa1200.

To illustrate how important context is, let us look at some practices that were acceptable in our own country in only the last two hundred and thirty years.

If a man stole a horse, he could expect to be shot. Women couldn't vote. Land was routinely grabbed from the native populace without compensation. Illegitimate children were a disgrace. Women doctors? Unheard of. Clerical abuse? Denied. Sweatshops? Necessary. Slavery? Required.

Thankfully, these practices are no longer considered acceptable and now most of us feel uncomfortable explaining them to our children.

Let's jump to the Europe of the 13th century. Hundreds of kingdoms and fiefdoms large and small each with a "noble" authority. Some ambitious, some enlightened, some cruel, some ruthless. Sprinkle in royal marriages to consolidate power. Create a wide gap between the rich and poor. Blend in a minority of idealistic aristocrats who believe honor and bravery are essential to their knighthood calling.

Now superimpose over this set an all powerful dogmatic influence that rules the rulers and you have the Holy Roman Empire live. With carrot and stick (read grace and excommunication), starting with Pope Urban II in 1906, one pope after another urged the powerful of Europe to rescue the Holy Land near Jerusalem from Muslim control. The (largely Catholic) powerful saluted, assembled men, arms, ships and invoked the support of God Himself to war against the infidels.

Many of these campaigns got sidetracked and settled for other destinations like Egypt, Turkey, Constantinople, Damascus, Tunis,

Antioch, the list is endless. Pillaging the countryside as they marched or looting the captured cities -all in the name of God- was "acceptable".

If their motivation evaporated, there was always another Pope to reinvigorate the call, from the first crusade in 1095 to the fifth in 1218 until the crusade of Maximallian in 1518.

During this time, the Holy Roman Empire saw its influence ebb and flow. Saw the struggle to resolve the contention of two popes claiming to be the Holy See from 1378 to 1409. Saw the emergence of Martin Luther in 1517. Happily, as Europe "grew up" the military influence of popes dissolved.

When children today hear what "wrong things" went on early in our country's growth, they shake their heads in disbelief. When I read that 13th century Europe was repeatedly urged to wage war by an entity whose only claim to authority was a religious belief, I too shake my head in disbelief. Could the Crusades have been an early jihad?

Thomas Madden's book will get you shaking your head. In particular, The chapter on Legacy and the book's Conclusion will, indeed, help you understand the mid-east reaction to the latest crusade-like-foreign presence.

But the book also shows what incredible suffering can evolve from ANY overzealous religious dogma that somehow finds traction.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

R. Kampa

Short History of the Crusades with a Twist

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 4, 2006

Verified Purchase

I liked Madden's non-traditional analysis of who participated and why they went. It gave a fascinating, fresh overview of the topic. The New Concise History told a lot about the motivating factors that caused people to leave their homes and join a crusade and it wasn't about killing Muslims or promises of booty. Thomas Madden explains that those who went, went because they were devout in their faith and wanted to protect holy sites and relics. Madden writes of the successes, the courage and honor, the greed, the intrigue, the blind faith and the stupid blunders of the Crusaders and some of their Muslim counterparts.

You can see in his book many of the dynamics operating in the middle east today along with the lessons that are there to be learned about the use of power and diplomacy for dealing with an area with a long history of strong leaders and tribal loyalties, and duplicity in dealing with each other. Madden points out these lessons periodically.

A an annoying weakness is that here and there he introduces strings of new characters and events which are not familiar and which appear only once. I felt it wasn't worth my time to try to remember these obscure people and activities when I was more concerned with the big picture and his analysis.

Until the last 50 years or so the Crusades were forgotten by most Muslims. We get the impression today that Muslims have been fuming over the humiliation caused by the Crusdes for many generations. The results should have been a source of pride because the locals beat the invaders booted them back to Europe.

It's a quick read and for those who want a fresh overview of the subject the book is worth the time and money.

RK

15 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Dale

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 5, 2015

Verified Purchase

A must-read for every politician! Ignorance and naive thinking about the Crusades are dealt a serious blow!

2 people found this helpful

M. S. Howells

Concise Crusades

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 23, 2010

Verified Purchase

This book by an American professor gives a clear history of the Crusades. It explains the background and context from which the crusade movement sprang and the motivation of the early crusaders. Refreshingly, the author explodes the widespread belief that the crusades were an aggressive Christian campaign against peace-loving Moslems. Atrocities were undoubtedly committed by both sides in the later stages of the crusades and during the Moslem counter-attacks but the early crusades were driven by piety and a large proportion of the crusaders were women and children. Further, the crusaders were not on a war of conquest - they secured Jerusalem and other holy places and set up defensive works to preserve them for Christianity whereas Islam's goal was the conquest of Europe. The Islamic forces were only halted at the gates of Vienna.

One learns a great deal about the personalities and motives of the leaders of the crusades and the methods of medieval warfare. The only reason that it was not fully satisfying is that it lacks any account of the construction of the massive crusader castles, particularly the amazing Crac de Chevaliers whose garrison consisted of 5,000 men and 200 horses!

3 people found this helpful

See all reviews

Amazon Music Stream millions of songs	Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers	6pm Score deals on fashion brands	AbeBooks Books, art & collectibles	ACX Audiobook Publishing Made Easy	Sell on Amazon Start a Selling Account

Amazon Business Everything For Your Business	Amazon Fresh Groceries & More Right To Your Door	AmazonGlobal Ship Orders Internationally	Home Services Experienced Pros Happiness Guarantee	Amazon Ignite Sell your original Digital Educational Resources	Amazon Web Services Scalable Cloud Computing Services

Audible Listen to Books & Original Audio Performances	Book Depository Books With Free Delivery Worldwide	Box Office Mojo Find Movie Box Office Data	ComiXology Thousands of Digital Comics	DPReview Digital Photography	Fabric Sewing, Quilting & Knitting

Goodreads Book reviews & recommendations	IMDb Movies, TV & Celebrities	IMDbPro Get Info Entertainment Professionals Need	Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy	Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime	Prime Video Direct Video Distribution Made Easy

Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands	Amazon Warehouse Great Deals on Quality Used Products	Whole Foods Market America’s Healthiest Grocery Store	Woot! Deals and Shenanigans	Zappos Shoes & Clothing	Ring Smart Home Security Systems

eero WiFi Stream 4K Video in Every Room	Blink Smart Security for Every Home	Neighbors App Real-Time Crime & Safety Alerts	Amazon Subscription Boxes Top subscription boxes – right to your door	PillPack Pharmacy Simplified	Amazon Renewed Like-new products you can trust

Amazon Prime includes:

Buy new: $37.99$37.99 FREE delivery: Friday, May 12 Ships from: Amazon Sold by: HAIL STORE

Buy used: $12.00

Other Sellers on Amazon

Follow the Author

The New Concise History of the Crusades (Critical Issues in World and International History) Paperback – Student Edition

Purchase options and add-ons

What do customers buy after viewing this item?

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Product details

Videos

About the author

Thomas F. Madden

Customer reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries

Buy new:

$37.99

FREE delivery: Friday, May 12

Ships from: Amazon

Sold by: HAIL STORE

Buy used:

$12.00