Muslims and Crusaders: Christianity’s Wars in the Middle East, 1095–1382, from the Islamic Sources

Seminar Studies in History

by Niall Christie

Muslims and Crusaders combines chronological narrative, discussion of important areas of scholarly enquiry and evidence from Islamic primary sources to give a well-rounded survey of Christianity's wars in the Middle East, 1095-1382.

Revised, expanded and updated to take account of the most recent scholarship, this second edition enables readers to achieve a broader and more complete perspective on the crusading period by presenting the crusades from the viewpoints of those against whom they were waged, the Muslim peoples of the Levant. The book introduces the reader to the most significant issues that affected Muslim responses to the European crusaders and their descendants who would go on to live in the Latin Christian states that were created in the region. It considers not only the military encounters between Muslims and crusaders, but also the personal, political, diplomatic, and trade interactions that took place between the Muslims and Franks away from the battlefield.

Engaging with a wide range of translated primary source documents, including chronicles, dynastic histories, religious and legal texts, and poetry, Muslims and Crusaders is ideal for students and historians of the crusades.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Islam

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Helena Schrader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a succinct, well-organized and well-documented summary of Islamic perceptions and responses to the crusades. Christie excels at giving the reader insights into different perspectives, without thereby glossing over the errors, prejudices, and contradictions inherent in many these. He provides an analysis of the available Muslim sources, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, as well as offering an extensive bibliography and recommended readings by topic. His profound understanding of Islamic society is evident in his writing, and I found his two-page note on Arabic names absolutely invaluable! (Wish I'd had it long ago.) His summary of Islamic beliefs is likewise cogent and free of polemics, while his "who's who" is a handy collection of short biographical notes very useful as a reference. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the crusades and the crusader states.

[Juliette Arnheim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although published in 2014, in 2019 it should be updated as it touches on current thinking in its conclusion. The last document, #21, is from Osama Bin Laden in 1998, whereas #20 is from 1291 about the fall of Acre, very fitting for the title. The author give a very readable stepwise presentation of a viewpoint of the Crusades not sufficiently documented in English language. I feel there is much more that could be added were he to be receive funding! The plates are in black and white and they are few. Nonetheless, I was delighted to find that my college library had a copy of the book as it helped me immensely.

[Lexi Reedyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written & engaging book depicting the Crusades in it’s Middle Eastern context. Provides amazing context & definitions for those with no background knowledge on the topic. Explores the historical events and links it all back to the context of the modern Middle East at the end. Read this for a third year history course and I was quite pleased, since sometimes assigned textbooks become quite monotonous and boring.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for getting another, less studied perspective of the Crusades.

[ECH · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid, interesting, and relatively accessible look at a viewpoint that is underrepresented in the west. The prose was detailed enough to be interesting without being heavy, and the word definitions and supporting materials were a huge help. The author cites Hillenbrand so often that sometimes the book comes off as an advertisement for the weightier tome. So now that I've got the introduction, I'll be reading that next.

[Hannah Schoonderwoerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

technically haven’t finished it yet buts it’s helping me with my essay