The First Crusade 1096–99: Conquest of the Holy Land

Osprey Campaign #132

by David Nicolle, Christa Hook (Illustrator)

In 1095 the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I appealed to the Christian states of western Europe for help against the Turks who had swept across the Empire after the disastrous Byzantine defeat at Manzikert in 1071. This book is about the First Crusade (1096-1099) that followed, and saw several armies of 'armed pilgrims' march across Europe to the Holy Land. They were unleashed on a divided and fragmented Islamic world and won a series of apparently miraculous victories, capturing the Holy City of Jerusalem itself. The success of the First Crusade was never to be repeated, however, and triggered two centuries of bitter warfare, the repercussions of which are still felt today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval, Military History, Medieval History, Military Fiction, War

96 pages, Paperback

First published August 20, 2003

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

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does what it says on the cover; though for me the art style leaves much to be desired.

[Muhammed Batuhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savaş süresince hangi ordu, birlik neredeydi, nereye ilerlediler harika bir şekilde 3 boyutlu haritada canlandırılmış. Uzun soluklu bir çalışmanın ürünü olduğu belli illustrasyonlar var.

Muazzam bir askeri tarih dizisi olmuş. Ufak çaplı bir müze mahiyetinde. Tavsiyedir.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why on earth have I read so many books on the Crusades? What is wrong with me, seriously?

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This served as a decent supplement to Brownworth's In Distant Lands.

[Fer Prz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bartered to obtain this book from a neighbor after the collapse of our Puerto Rican civilization post hurricane Maria. This publication would fair much better in wiki format due to the constant references to foreign names and geographies. Not too descriptive or explanatory.

This book is limited story and focused on events, read like an turn based game. The futile attempts by the muslim was heartbreaking. As much as they tried to put their differences aside, they only were able to get decimated. During the conflicts a muslim poet could not have described their situation in a more gruesome manner...the aftermath left Palestinians and Syrians resting in the stomach of vultures.

Two stars I got little out of this book.

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The intro is very confusing if you do not know much about the Crusades and the conclusion fails to explain the importance of the event. Yet, the campaign narrative is clear and fair to both sides. Nicolle dispels the myth of the Crusaders as mere plunderers (religion was very important) and idea that they won due to superior tactics; clearly the Muslim forces self-sabotaged their own efforts.

[Tyas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicolle has access to Muslim sources: that's what makes his account of the First Crusade (and the other campaigns involving clash between the West/Byzantines/Muslims) unbiased and somehow more lively.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 4 out of 5]

533 - 2013

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87th - 2011