Historical Fictionistas discussion

Does anyone have any Recommendations for good books about the Crusaders, and the Crusades? It can be historical fiction or non-fiction, it doesn't matter, and I don't mind which side's view point is shown.
It would be a big bonus if I could buy it on my Nook.
Thanks!
Also, do you think The Oxford Illustrated History of the Crusades is good?

The Last of the Templars was superb but has to be secondhand.

I liked The Crusader which is a bit different. Doubt that's Nooky either I'm afraid.

I don't know if Jan Guillou's series that begins with The Road to Jerusalem is available on the Nook. The first book isn't really about the Crusades, but it does introduce one reason why someone would join the them. Not everyone went because of their beliefs. The story begins in Scandinavia.

And yes, there is The Oxford History of the Crusades

I heard enough about this history to buy. Can't report myself yet. God's War: A New History of the Crusades

And for firsthand accounts, one from each side:

Chronicles of the Crusades--accounts of Joinville and Villehardouin. Great stuff.

The Crusades Through Arab Eyes. I don't have this, and don't know how much is original sources and how much is Amin Maalouf stitching them together or commenting. I have an ancient book of Arab crusade chronicles. --There is this in Penguin: The Book of Contemplation: Islam and the Crusades, which is autobiography by a 12thC Syrian, Usama ibn Munqidh. The Crusades certainly impinge on his life.

Let's see, how about Robyn Young's Brethren: An Epic Adventure of the Knights Templar, Jack Whyte's Knights of the Black and White, Stephen R. Lawhead's The Iron Lance

Thank's for all the suggestions!! I'm going to have many happy hours of reading ahead of me.

Anything in the Young Adult range that provides a Muslim perspective on the crusades? Not looking for a Western-bashing view, but something that lets my kids walk a mile in someone else's sandals.

Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman is pretty good.

There are more than just the Christian and Muslim accounts. For a "first-hand" view of the First Crusade from the Jewish perspective, based on 12th-century "eyewitness" reports, see Rashi's Daughters, Book III: Rachel: A Novel of Love and the Talmud in Medieval France.
Maggie Anton

Coming a bit late to this but, but for future reference for others looking for books on the Crusades I highly recommend Jack Hight’s trilogy on Saladin as a thoroughly enjoyable read.

What I liked most about the series was his easy writing style and the way he showed both sides of conflict, rather than perhaps just focusing on the Christian side which many books seem to do.

Highly recommended.

by Jack Hight

The Crusades by Zoe Oldenburg was a very thorough history of the times. Well written too. A lot of what I know about the Crusades is from this book (listened to the audio version).

Eileen wrote: "The Crusades by Zoe Oldenburg was a very thorough history of the times. Well written too. A lot of what I know about the Crusades is from this book (listened to the audio version)."


Zoé Oldenbourg was also a wonderful writer of literary historical fiction. Her astonishing The World Is Not Enough has a character join the Third crusade - but it is more about the whole of a life in 12th Century France. She also wrote a classic history of the Cathar 'crusade', Massacre at Montsegur

Richard wrote: "Eileen wrote: "The Crusades by Zoe Oldenburg was a very thorough history of the times. Well written too. A lot of what I know about the Crusades is from this book (listened to the audio version)."..."

Richard - I actually have The World Is Not Enough on my to be read shelf. Found it in a used book store. So maybe I should move it to the top of the pile?

Eileen wrote: "Richard - I actually have The World Is Not Enough on my to be read shelf. Found it in a used book store. So maybe I should move it to the top of the pile? "

It is not an easy read. It is densely written and powerfully imagined - quite distanced, and quite brutal. The author does not try to make you love her characters - she's immersing you in a regional French world, and you have to take it as it is. I would recommend it to anyone who loves the period and wants to imagine their way more deeply into it. But it's not a book to read for driving narrative or easy escapism. I don't know if that would move it nearer the top of your pile or not Eileen...

Richard wrote: "Eileen wrote: "Richard - I actually have The World Is Not Enough on my to be read shelf. Found it in a used book store. So maybe I should move it to the top of the pile? "

It is not an easy read. ..."

I'll pick up the occasional "easy read", but I prefer the more challenging material. Sounds like something I would enjoy! Thanks!

Anyone know of anything on the crusades (esp. the Third -- the one with Saladin and Richard Lionheart) published since Jack Hight's wonderful Saladin series or Sharon Kay Penman's Lionheart? I'm interested especially fiction that synthesizes politics with a good dose of military adventure (the ideal would be Bernnard Cornwell meets Sharon Kay Penman)

Andrew wrote: "Anyone know of anything on the crusades (esp. the Third -- the one with Saladin and Richard Lionheart) published since Jack Hight's wonderful Saladin series or Sharon Kay Penman's Lionheart? I'm i..."

Have you read any of Robyn Young? Her series that starts withBrethren: An Epic Adventure of the Knights Templar was written about the same time as SKP's book.

Thanks, Eileen! I'll add that to the list. Have you read any of these? If yes, what did you think?