What do you think?
Rate this book
The Crusader Strategy: Defending the Holy Land
Medieval states, and particularly crusader societies, often have been considered brutish and culturally isolated. It seems unlikely that they could develop “strategy” in any meaningful sense. However, the crusaders were actually highly organized in their thinking and their decision making was rarely random.
In this lively account, Steve Tibble draws on a rich array of primary sources to reassess events on the ground and patterns of behavior over time. He shows how, from aggressive castle building to implementing a series of invasions of Egypt, crusader leaders tenaciously pursued long-term plans and devoted single-minded attention to clear strategic goals. Crusader states were permanently on the brink of destruction; resources were scarce and the penalties for failure severe. Intuitive strategic thinking, Tibble argues, was a necessity, not a luxury.
In this lively account, Steve Tibble draws on a rich array of primary sources to reassess events on the ground and patterns of behavior over time. He shows how, from aggressive castle building to implementing a series of invasions of Egypt, crusader leaders tenaciously pursued long-term plans and devoted single-minded attention to clear strategic goals. Crusader states were permanently on the brink of destruction; resources were scarce and the penalties for failure severe. Intuitive strategic thinking, Tibble argues, was a necessity, not a luxury.
376 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2020
10 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Steve Tibble
10 books11 followersSteve Tibble is honorary research associate at Royal Holloway, University of London, and the author of Monarchy and Lordships in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, 1099–1291. He lives in London.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 21, 2023
In the book "The Crusader Strategy Defending the Holy Land" by Steve Tibble, the author delves into a detailed analysis of the military strategies and tactics employed by the Crusaders during their campaigns in the Holy Land. Throughout the book, Tibble thoroughly examines the various methods used by the Crusaders to defend their territory, including the use of fortifications such as castles and city walls, the implementation of intelligence gathering techniques to gain a better understanding of the enemy's movements and intentions, and the use of diplomacy to forge alliances and secure support from local rulers and leaders.
Furthermore, Tibble also takes a close look at the military campaigns and battles that the Crusaders engaged in against various Muslim forces, including the Fatimids, the Seljuks, and the Ayyubids. He provides a detailed analysis of the strategies and tactics used by both sides, including the Crusaders' use of heavy cavalry charges and the Muslim forces' use of hit-and-run tactics and ambushes.
In his book, Tibble presents a compelling argument that the Crusaders were not merely a brutish horde invading the region, but rather a complex and multifaceted military force that employed a variety of sophisticated tactics to establish and maintain their presence in the Holy Land. Throughout the text, Tibble provides numerous examples of these strategies, showcasing the Crusaders' ability to adapt to changing circumstances and respond to unexpected challenges.
In addition, Tibble delves into the various obstacles that the Crusaders encountered. These included the challenging task of maintaining a supply chain in an often-hostile environment. The author also explores the internal conflicts that frequently plagued the Christian forces, such as disagreements over leadership and strategy. By examining these challenges in detail, Tibble provides a more nuanced understanding of the Crusaders' experiences and the many factors that contributed to their ultimate success or failure.
Overall, the book provides a detailed and nuanced account of the Crusaders' military strategies and tactics, shedding new light on this important period of history.
Furthermore, Tibble also takes a close look at the military campaigns and battles that the Crusaders engaged in against various Muslim forces, including the Fatimids, the Seljuks, and the Ayyubids. He provides a detailed analysis of the strategies and tactics used by both sides, including the Crusaders' use of heavy cavalry charges and the Muslim forces' use of hit-and-run tactics and ambushes.
In his book, Tibble presents a compelling argument that the Crusaders were not merely a brutish horde invading the region, but rather a complex and multifaceted military force that employed a variety of sophisticated tactics to establish and maintain their presence in the Holy Land. Throughout the text, Tibble provides numerous examples of these strategies, showcasing the Crusaders' ability to adapt to changing circumstances and respond to unexpected challenges.
In addition, Tibble delves into the various obstacles that the Crusaders encountered. These included the challenging task of maintaining a supply chain in an often-hostile environment. The author also explores the internal conflicts that frequently plagued the Christian forces, such as disagreements over leadership and strategy. By examining these challenges in detail, Tibble provides a more nuanced understanding of the Crusaders' experiences and the many factors that contributed to their ultimate success or failure.
Overall, the book provides a detailed and nuanced account of the Crusaders' military strategies and tactics, shedding new light on this important period of history.
July 9, 2021
"Ironically, not making decisions can often prove to be the best course of action, and the one most likely to retain strategic flexibility. As Guy of Lusignan showed at Hattin, a weak man trying to act decisively, behaving as he thought a strong man would, was a recipe for disaster."
An interesting blend of strategy and a top level military history of the crusades. The author makes a compelling argument that a lot of the early successes in the First Crusade were due to various fortuitous occurrences, and that despite the Latin leaders having a coherence strategy and utilised their resources to the best of its potential, the crusader states were always doomed to failure, as the Muslim states would unite eventually, and the reliance on a constant stream of naval support from Western Christendom.
"But even if the crusaders had been able to capture some of the major inland centres of the Muslim Middle East, it is by no means clear that they would have been able to retain them, particularly in a period when local Muslim states were beginning to coalesce under a series of increasingly effective leaders, such as Zengi and his son Nur al-Din. Putting a garrison in an isolated castle was one thing. But holding a city with a large and potentially hostile population, surrounded by other Muslim states and prone to continual infiltration by nomadic tribes looking for easy plunder, was quite another. If the crusaders had been able to break into Damascus in 1148, for instance, they would almost instantly have been under siege themselves, with very little chance of relief."
An interesting blend of strategy and a top level military history of the crusades. The author makes a compelling argument that a lot of the early successes in the First Crusade were due to various fortuitous occurrences, and that despite the Latin leaders having a coherence strategy and utilised their resources to the best of its potential, the crusader states were always doomed to failure, as the Muslim states would unite eventually, and the reliance on a constant stream of naval support from Western Christendom.
"But even if the crusaders had been able to capture some of the major inland centres of the Muslim Middle East, it is by no means clear that they would have been able to retain them, particularly in a period when local Muslim states were beginning to coalesce under a series of increasingly effective leaders, such as Zengi and his son Nur al-Din. Putting a garrison in an isolated castle was one thing. But holding a city with a large and potentially hostile population, surrounded by other Muslim states and prone to continual infiltration by nomadic tribes looking for easy plunder, was quite another. If the crusaders had been able to break into Damascus in 1148, for instance, they would almost instantly have been under siege themselves, with very little chance of relief."
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews