A Concise History of the Crusades is an informative piece of work by Professor Thomas F. Madden presently teaching the subject of history at the Saint Louis University. Professor Madden is also the co-author of "The Fourth Crusade: The Conquest of Constantinople". The subject book, "A Concise History of the Crusades" is an attempt to encompass the Crusades as an era depicting pious enthusiasm by perhaps thousands, and by some estimates millions of devout followers of the Christian Religion. The subject title thus presents the Crusades as more than just a holy war. The author being a devout Christian, it is not strange to note that he chooses to side with the Christians as well as highlight the Crusades as a series of religious wars and a movement by the Christians against the Islamic world in particular, and Jews to some extent. The subject title thus makes a somewhat successful attempt at clarifying some of the commonly believed misunderstandings and misconceptions on the particular topic of Crusades and the role of the Christians. The book also encompasses the entire Crusade movement in a historical perspective with a brief mention of encounters with the Muslims, Christians, Jews, Romans, Persians, Babylonians, and Canaanites.

"A Concise History of the Crusades", A Book Report Covering a period of some 8 centuries, Professor Thomas F. Maddern's "A Concise History of the Crusades" presents the Crusades from a somewhat Christian perspective. As it not only sides with the Christian beliefs on Crusades that have continued over the centuries, the title also attempts to cover up for most of Crusader's activities other than the holy war, which they presumably carried out against the people of the different religions. For example it would not be wrong to note that the title book presents Crusades as a defensive war, whereas history is evidence to the contrary nature of facts. A few examples of historical facts as interpreted by Madden in support of his title book are ample evidence that Madden's subject title is a biased piece of work. One that makes a successful attempt at reinforcing the generally believed set of notions on Crusades, and follows the premise that they were merely holy wars duly imposed upon Christians. The subject title also stresses at various times that the Crusades were fought as a direct response from the continuous onslaught of Muslims and to some extent the Jews as well.

It would also not be wrong to point that the subject title has successfully attempted to address, or rather place the subject of Crusades in its Christian context, and for the average Christian reader, it would naturally appear to be a properly placed and indeed concise and contextual.

As evidence of the biased nature of the author's approach towards covering the subject of Crusades can be observed where the author profoundly praises the commitment and bravery of King Richard I the Lion Heart, during one of the last of Crusades. On the subject of Crusaders, Madden writes -- "Pious idealism had brought these courageous knights to the Holy Land . . ." While particularly praising King Richard I Lion Heart, Madden writes, "Richard I was the epitome of French Chivalric culture. Well educated, well spoken, and even an accomplished poet, the Lion Heart was also a bold man of action. A young man of 32 when he took the throne, Richard was an imposing figure -- tall, blond and physically strong. Like the knights of the chansons de geste, he was a daring figure, placing himself in personal danger without a thought, always eager to take part in any clash of arms." (The Concise History of the Crusades, pp87)

The aspects which make the title piece more than interesting include a clear and 'concise', (hence also the name), presentation of the Crusades movement, duly supported with necessary historical background. The order of facts also provides sufficient material for an individual totally unaware of the Crusades or the objective behind the movement. Evidence of this clear and concise presentation of facts on Crusade, irrespective of their biased-ness, can be found in the chronological nature of events, making it all the more easier for an average reader to follow the order of the Crusades movement.

For an individual totally unaware on the history and objective of the Crusades, the subject title presents an excellent reading material. However, one must take into account that Crusades covered an era of more than 8 centuries, while the subject book only presents a concise version of the entire Crusades movement all within the confines of a 200 page book. This leads one to deduce that even if the author has made significant strides, it would be practically impossible to take into account each single detail. Thus it is only natural that there have been a number of omissions, and it is these omissions which make the title book more interesting, entertaining and more than objective.

As the principle subject and topic around which the entire book evolves are the Crusades, the author wisely chooses the history of Islam as his first topic, which also provides for ample background for the onset of the first Crusade at around 1071. A brief on the first topic thus shows that Seljuk Turks threatened the Easter Roman Empire with its capital at Byzantium. After having fought for a number of years against the Seljuk Turks, and with no apparent victory insight, the then Emperor of Roman Empire called for help from his brethren in the Western Europe. This was the First Crusade as it occurred in 1096 resulting in the victory for Byzantium, as well as successfully capturing majority of the Holy Lands from the Muslim stronghold.

One the numerous Crusades, one occurred some half a century later, which too was in direct response from the Muslim expansion in general, and to a small extent the Jews as the latter too were against the Christian beliefs. The subject book by Madden though takes sides with the Crusaders, and strives to present them as pious, religious, and with good intentions. Yet, the facts cannot and must not be superceded as warfare whether in the form of Crusades or present day war against terrorism does also include mishap, blunders and crimes, even if the same are or were committed by a few and not all the Crusaders.

An example to this respect can be evidenced in the robbing and massacre of Jews by one Count Emicho of Leiningen in the Rhine region of Germany. These Crusaders thought it righteous to rob and murder Jews, and use their money to fund Crusaders all the way from Eastern and Western Europe to Jerusalem. Yet, it was wrong then, as it is now as also evidenced in the strong condemnation from the Church for all such anti Jewish activities.

The fact that practically entire populations of Jews perished at the hands of the Crusaders did not at all imply that the Crusades were against the Jews. On the contrary, the Pope, bishops, and preachers were against all such anti-semantic acts. Yet it is also true, as also evidenced in history including present day wars, armies kill far more innocents than the intended perpetrators, but this certainly does not imply that the war should not take place, or that the Crusaders were wrong.

The subject book thus strives to present some set of reasoning as to the causes of the Crusaders, and their pursuit of aims for taking over the Holy Lands. The subject book goes on to encompass a period of the next half a millennium of Crusades. It is the various failures and successes of the Christians during the Crusades which makes up for the majority of the subject book. It may well be noted that though the first of the Crusades was a victory for the Christians, practically all those followed failed. This was primarily from the unrivaled Muslim expansion and their strategic advancements in varied disciplines of life including their faith which to date remains a primordial source of all their power and learning.

Madden's work "The Concise History of the Crusades" all too strongly implies that all the Crusades were against the Muslims is a bit undermining of the historical facts. The Jews too have been the target of hatred as have been the Muslims. One need not turn the pages of recent history to confirm that during the entire Middle Ages, Jews along with the Muslims have been persecuted at the hands of Christians, and the Church could have stopped this, that is if they wanted to. What of the numerous kings and emperors who ruled over majority of the European nations for centuries, yet they did little to stop such persecutions; Holocaust being just one example. To the extent of the insight on Crusades, the subject title by Thomas Madden is indeed an excellent work, but to cite and imply that the Crusades were against the Muslims only would be a severe understatement.

Keywords : A Concise History of the Crusades, Literature, Term Paper

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