Covering almost 400 years of world history, Crusaders is exhaustive yet rewarding. Dan Jones focuses on how the Crusades affected the world, from Pope Urban's call for holy war in 1099 to the decline of conflicts by the end of the 15th century. The book's insight into the people, motivations and often violent events of this period will delight history fans, even as casual readers may need to take their time with the sheer onslaught of information contained within these pages.
As he did in his previous book Magna Carta: The Birth of Liberty, Jones writes with absolute clarity. He covers historical players like Saladin and Bohemond and shows how religious ideals played a serious part in the Crusades--but so did realpolitik. The Christians and Muslims who fought over Jerusalem were often atoning for their sins, but also desired the wealth of the Middle Eastern cities in order to expand their empires (and their purses). In compelling detail, the book puts into focus the pragmatism and spiritual fervor that made kings and knights alike travel to far-off lands.
Ultimately even if Crusaders is a dense read, the author's skill as a storyteller makes this an engrossing work for those with an interest in medieval history. There may never be a single definitive text on the Crusades, but this is a fine primer for readers in the 21st century. Crusaders is a satisfying and perceptive offering from Jones. --C.M. Crockford, freelance reviewer