Overview

This book is a powerful witness to the dangers of the misappropriation and misinterpretation of the past and the false parallels so often drawn between the crusades and later historical events ranging from nineteenth-century colonialism to the protest movements of the 1960s to the events of 9/11. This volume's authors have venerable track records in teaching and researching the crusading movement, and anyone curious about the crusades would do well to start here.

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9781624664038

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Crusade historians frequently lament the wide gulf that separates modern scholarship from popular beliefs regarding the holy wars of the Middle Ages. In this lively book a group of those scholars tackle seven of the most intractable myths that obscure our view of the crusades. With erudition, energy, and a dose of humility this book makes the case that solid historical research brings us ever closer to historical accuracy--and that matters. The myths of the crusades may be legion, but breaking down seven of them is an excellent place to start. --Thomas F. Madden, St. Louis University Seven Myths of the Crusades is an important intervention in the popular and scholarly discourse about the Crusades. The myths are well chosen because they are commonplace and misleading at best, pernicious at worst. The authors' engagement with the myths is vigorous, erudite, and accessible to all readers, whatever their previous knowledge of the Crusades. --Philip Daileader, The College of William and Mary

Crusade historians frequently lament the wide gulf that separates modern scholarship from popular beliefs regarding the holy wars of the Middle Ages. In this lively book a group of those scholars tackle seven of the most intractable myths that obscure our view of the crusades. With erudition, energy, and a dose of humility this book makes the case that solid historical research brings us ever closer to historical accuracy--and that matters. The myths of the crusades may be legion, but breaking down seven of them is an excellent place to start. --Thomas F. Madden, St. Louis University Seven Myths of the Crusades is an important intervention in the popular and scholarly discourse about the Crusades. The myths are well chosen because they are commonplace and misleading at best, pernicious at worst. The authors' engagement with the myths is vigorous, erudite, and accessible to all readers, whatever their previous knowledge of the Crusades. --Philip Daileader, The College of William and Mary Few historical labels carry such an emotional charge as that of 'crusade'. It is a word used both thoughtlessly and polemically, often by public figures with little understanding of the events or by those with a vested interest in the misrepresentation of both motives and outcomes. Professional historians have a duty to redress the balance, and the essays collected in this important book tackle fundamental issues ranging from the place of the crusades in relations between Islam and the West to their long-term influence on the development of anti-Semitism. --Malcolm Barber, Emeritus Professor of History, University of Reading, UK. As the dividing line between popular misconception and serious research is not always clear-cut, the volume repeatedly challenges the reader to arrive at his own conclusions. --Benjamin Kedar, Emeritus, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Author Information

Alfred J. Andrea is emeritus professor of medieval history, the University of Vermont. Andrew Holt is associate professor of history, Florida State College at Jacksonville.

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