Competing Voices from the Crusades

James Muldoon is a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Exeter, Head of Digital Research at Autonomy, and YouTube philosopher at Political Philosophy. He also works directly with digital businesses transitioning to fair work practices. His writing has appeared in the Guardian, Time magazine and the Huffington Post.

Uniquely multi-perspective, the anthology juxtaposes the recorded experiences and views of participants on the opposing sides in the Crusades. Each chapter focuses on an event, such as the Crusader massacre of the inhabitants of Jerusalem in 1099 and the Siege of Damascus in 1148, and is supported by commentary. Including some sources never before translated into English, the collection applies new perspectives to a popular and much-studied topic.In tone and range, the anthology occupies the middle ground between flimsy popular works lacking source analysis and heavy-duty scholarly works too narrow in scope to appeal to anyone but the specialist. It is perfect for college undergraduates, high school students and readers with a general interest in medieval history. The carefully-chosen contrasting contemporary views of key events, including eyewitness accounts, memoirs and elite views, are laid out in a clear and easy-to-follow format with introductory texts and contextual notes. Together, they provide a unique introduction to the most controversial events of the crusades, allowing readers to formulate their own opinions of them.

A collection of eye-witness accounts and contemporary reports like no other - side-by-side extracts from Christian, Muslim and Byzantine participants in the Crusades.

CHAPTER 1: Introduction and Background to the Crusading MovementCHAPTER 2: Pope Urban II's Calling of the First Crusade- 1095CHAPTER 3: Attacks on the Jews During the First Crusade-1096CHAPTER 4: Crusader Massacre of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem- 1099CHAPTER 5: The Siege of Damascus During the Second Crusade- 1148CHAPTER 6: Criticism of Crusading in the Wake of the Disastrous Second CrusadeCHAPTER 7: The Crusader's Loss at the Battle of Hattin-1187CHAPTER 8: Saladin's Conquest of Jerusalem-1187CHAPTER 9: The Sack of Constantinople- 1204CHAPTER 10: The Troubling Success of an Excommunicate: The Crusade of Frederick II- 1228-1229CHAPTER 11: The Troubling Failure of a Saint: The Crusade of Louis IX- 1248-1249CHAPTER 12: The Fall of Acre-1291CHAPTER 13: Daily Life in the Crusades