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A History of the Crusades II
A History of the Crusades II
Dec 27, 2024 9:41 PM

Author:Steven Runciman

A History of the Crusades II

The second volume of Steven Runciman's classic, hugely influential trilogy on the history of the Crusades

'There was magic about. Saladin himself was troubled by terrible dreams...'

Steven Runciman's unrivalled history of the Crusades is a classic of learning and vivid, compelling storytelling, which brilliantly brings to life the personalities, battles, massacres, triumphs and follies of these epochal events. In this second volume of his trilogy Runciman tells the story of the foundation of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the disastrous, bloody Second Crusade and the inexorable rise of the crusaders' nemesis, Saladin.

'The pre-eminent historian of the Byzantine Empire and of the Crusades ... a surefooted guide who could render the past visible and familiar' Daily Telegraph

'He tells his story plain ... always pleasurable to read' Gore Vidal

Reviews

As the title suggests, this is not just a book about dying. It's one that will inspire readers to make the most of every day.

—— Publishers Weekly

When I forget the importance of kindness, when I forget to listen, when I no longer recognize the comfort of a quiet presence, when no words will help, when I lose sight of what is most important, I will want On Living within arm's reach, always. I love this book

—— Abigail Thomas, author of 'A Three Dog Life' and 'What Comes Next and How to Like It'

Thoughtful and refreshingly unpretentious . . . [Egan's] insights continue to resonate for days after you've finished reading

—— Washington Post on 'Fumbling'

Inside the anti-political revolt that gave us Brexit and Trump... Bartlett is right to remind us that democracies are not necessarily the natural order, and that they need fresh ideas to survive some very scary emerging challenges.

—— Andrew Neather , Evening Standard

Bartlett has put together a fascinating book and is an excellent narrator.

—— James Bloodworth , Literary Review

He is a natural storyteller and Radicals is a book of tales. Showing understanding and humility, whilst moving himself to the role of outsider or studied observer when needed, Bartlett exercises the art of storytelling. His ability to be probing whilst remaining sensitive and non-dismissive draws out intriguing details that could easily have been lost... Intriguing and sometimes fraught with a little jeopardy, you can’t help but get hooked on the narratives.

—— David Beer , LSE Review of Books

A smart, serious book that goes out into the world, reflecting on lives rather than headlines. Excellent.

—— Tom Chatfield

Radicals sets out to describe and understand this new spirit of radicalism... Throughout, Mr Bartlett is a friendly guide, with a reporter's eye for detail and a willingness to engage with his subjects.

—— Wall Street Journal

Enlightening and unnerving... Bartlett, ever the knowledgeable guide through murky political and technological waters...embeds himself with these groups and approaches each with a commendable balance of genuine open-mindedness and healthy scepticism... A highly recommended read, Radicals could influence you to chase after some of these utopian organisations and ideas, or make you want to flee from them just the same.

—— New York Journal of Books

Eye-opening... enlightening.

—— Huffington Post

Entertaining... the apparently laconic approach disguises sharp insight and meticulous investigation. The narratives lead the reader to conclude that any state wishing to flourish should make more room for radicalism.

—— Jonathan Bak , TLS

A hugely original account of how it is outsiders, often sitting uneasily on the traditional left to right spectrum who across the globe are forcing changes on the mainstream.

—— Mark Perryman , Open Democracy

Bartlett notes the amplifying effect of the Internet as an echo chamber for affirming beliefs that may not be widely accepted in broader society, and keeps his general observations upbeat, even in an age of angry political populism. He leaves readers with the observation that liberal societies are inherently risky and unstable, but their ability to accommodate radical views is also what allows them to change, and that change is generally for the better.

—— Publishers Weekly

Radicals interestingly ... chronicles Bartlett’s experiences embedding himself in various radical groups ... Engaging ... Thoughtful and challenging.

—— Winnipeg Free Press

[De Bellaigue] possesses a sure sense of place and of social and historical context… This is a rich and surprising history that fully justifies its provocative title

—— Eric Ormsby , Literary Review

Bellaigue knows how to spin a yarn. The book is a great read, its story is far too little known, and he's certainly done his research ... Bellaigue throws up all sorts of fascinating historical facts and anecdotes, bringing to life the long, transformative nineteenth century ... His enormous cast of characters is colourful and varied each a hero in the struggle to usher in a truly modern Muslim world

—— Thomas Small , Times Literary Supplement

A sweeping and hugely engaging book that throws much-needed light on modern Islam.

—— Andrew Lycett , Spectator

Erudite and elegant

—— Ruth Scurr , Times Literary Supplement

This fascinating book prompts us to question how we think about the world, and challenges those in West and East who peddle the dangerous myth of civilisational conflict

—— Christopher Kissane , The Irish Times

This is an interesting, well-written and thoughtful book… He deserves credit for engaging with a highly complex and equally pertinent subject at a time when Islam is always in the news especially in the Western world

—— Muhammad Khan , Muslim News

Highly readableThe Islamic Enlightenment has a bone to pick with those who argue that Islam needs to become more civilised.

—— Nabeelah Jaffer , Daily Telegraph

A refreshingly optimistic counterpoint to the idea that Muslim and Western world-views are doomed to clash.

—— The Economist

A tremendous combination of deep learning, forceful argument and arresting prose, The Islamic Enlightenment is bold, bracing and important

—— Jessie Childs, author of GOD'S TRAITORS

That there has been an Islamic Enlightenment at all will come as news to many. De Bellaigue’s account of the “very broad church” of Islam in the modern world is splendid and timely.

—— Anthony Gottlieb, author of THE DREAM OF ENLIGHTENMENT

Nuanced and rich in detail

—— Dmitri Levitin , London Review of Books

A sobering and compelling narrative of calamity.

—— Kirkus

This is a piercing look at the communities ravaged by the tsunami

—— Eri Hotta , Guardian

What a visionary!... You must read it this summer, you’ll love it. It’s so incredible they published that a year before everything happened… He has a vision and it’s incredible… Incredible!

—— Carla Bruni , Quietus

The literary chronicler of Western decadence

—— Ross Douthat , New Statesman
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