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April 2016 Vol. 53 No. 8

The primary purpose of this book is to identify, critique, and refute seven popular myths about the medieval Crusades, since such distortions have recently proliferated in the popular media, especially in romantic literature and Hollywood movies, which are frequently based on misconceptions, exaggerations, and outright fabrications.  The authors stress that the crusading movement is hard to identify clearly, since it was not a onetime event, but rather a movement that took place over several centuries in different places in Europe and Asia.  Not all the leaders and participants had the same motives, ideals, and goals.  The seven chapters refute the modern, prevalent claims that the Crusades represented European greed and aggression against Muslims and Jews by Christian religious fanatics out to establish Western colonies in the Middle East.  The authors show that the Crusades were a minor part of general Middle Eastern history until the late 19th century, and that these distortions are now being conveniently used to justify current political and religious activities in the Middle East.  Written in a clear and accessible style, this volume rests on an impressive scholarly base supported by peer-reviewed research and up-to-date sources cited in abundant footnotes on almost every page.  For general public libraries as well as those with serious Crusade holdings.

--G. G. Guzman, Bradley University

Summing Up: Recommended. All levels.