Poitiers AD 732: Charles Martel Turns the Islamic Tide

Osprey Campaign #190

by David Nicolle, Graham Turner (Illustrator)

In the early decades of the 8th century AD, Islamic forces were flooding into Europe through the Iberian peninsula, threatening Frankish and Burgundian territory and raiding it with ever-increasing ferocity. At the battle of Poitiers, also known as Tours, Christian forces under the Frankish leader Charles Martel "The Hammer" (grandfather of Charlemagne) confronted a massive invading Islamic army. The Franks were victorious, effectively halting the northward advance of Islam and preserving Christianity as the dominant faith in Europe. Expert medievalist David Nicolle draws on contemporary sources to reconstruct this turning-point battle, places it in its historical context and reviews its background and immediate and longer-term historical consequences.

Genres: History, Military History, Medieval, Islam, European History, Nonfiction, France

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2008

About the author

David C. Nicolle is a British historian specialising in the military history of the Middle Ages, with a particular interest in the Middle East.

Reviews

[Fadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would've been an enjoyable, 5-star read had it not been for the author's incessant, insufferable smugness and attacks on the Frankish people.

[Anatolikon · Rating 4 out of 5]

For an Osprey, a nicely nuanced account that is aware of the modern politics surrounding the battle, as well as the historiographical problems.

[Barret R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short but informative (and nicely illustrated!) read into the campaign that earned Charles Martel a place in history.