The Crusades

The events of 1099 to 1291 have traditionally been viewed from a European perspective. This work attempts to counter this historical bias, and examines the period from the Muslim point of view. Ideological concerns, such as the importance of "jihad", are explained, and there is an analysis of warfare - arms, battles, sieges, fortifications and the navy - based on written sources and extant works of art. The text also outlines the complex issue of the social, economic and cultural interaction between Muslims and Crusaders. The epilogue assesses the impact of the Crusades on Muslim consciousness until the present day.