The Third Crusades (David Nicol)

The Third Crusade 1191: Richard the Lionheart, Saladin and the battle for Jerusalem (Campaign) (Paperback)
~ David Nicolle (Author), Christa Hook (Illustrator)
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Readers Reviews:

1/. 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Good Overview, February 20, 2007
By medievalcrusadesbabe "ebabsedasurclaveidem"

These small Osprey books on various historical events pack in a lot of information and present it in a very easy to understand language that the casual reader may find a good source for research.

David Nicolle is a good historical writer, speaking in plain English and keeping the reader interested. The material in this particular offering is well balanced. There are books that have focused on one side of the story, or the other. Nicolle very successfully attempts to keep both sides focused, discussing the pros and cons of each leader, giving each side to the story and a very well rounded look at the events.

However the book, because of its size, does not go into some of the finer details or "in depth" examination of events and situations that some might be looking for. To be honest, these books are not intended for that purpose. There are volumes out there that you can spend years going through. This book is meant as an overview of the topic and should be taken as such.

The battles do not go into as much detail as some of the other books put out by Osprey. The usual focus of these books is to look at a particular historical event or aspect and go into details. But in choosing a large historical event like The Third Crusade in such a small presentation, there will be a lot left out. The book focuses on a singular year, 1191, in which the whole Crusade came to a crashing close. While the lead up to this year is examined, the focus is more on the battles fought that year and how it brought about the end of that era. And even this is a lot to cover in such a small format.

Not to be left out are the graphics, photographs, maps and the artistic renderings of Christa Hook. These elements are included to keep the interest of the reader. There is a lot of photographs to go over, giving the reader an overview of the art, architecture landscape and battle fields of the time. Christa Hooks paintings give the book a feeling of action, and adds interest to the story.

The maps are valuable and in this book they have included what they label as "3D views" of the particular battlefields. While interesting, I didn't find it added anything to the overview of the battles. However, they are nice topographical additions to the book.

Going over this book, I would have to say this will appeal to the school aged reader who is looking to write a book report for school, or augment their studies of the Historical Crusades. It will even appeal to the casual reader who is curious, but not a serious student of the Crusades.

This is a good look at the cultures of the time, both the Crusaders as well as the forces of Saladin. Some of the key battles are examined. And it favors neither side. We are presented with a fair view of the events. A good overview and presentation of the material. medievalcrusadesbabe Permalink Was this review helpful
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2/ 8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Offers Cultural Perspectives, but less on military side, December 21, 2005
By R. A Forczyk

Dr. David Nicolle continues his survey of Medieval battles in Osprey Campaign #161, The Third Crusade 1191. Certainly the clash between two charismatic opponents - Saladin and Richard the Lionheart - make for an interesting subject and Nicolle handles it with admirable balance. However, Dr. Nicolle's primary interests lie in the cultural realm - particularly Islamic art and architecture - and readers seeking more detail on the military aspects of the campaign will find these matters covered in a more perfunctory manner. Furthermore, the graphic quality of this volume - the maps and the battle scenes - is somewhat less than in other Osprey volumes.

This volume includes five 2-D maps (the forces assemble, 1188-91; events in Cyprus, Syria and Palestine, 1188-91; the siege of Acre, 1191; the coastal march; and after Arsuf, 1191-92) and three 3-D BEV maps (initial movements on 7 September 1191; Richard's counterattack and later phases of the Battle of Arsuf). Unfortunately, the 2-D maps are far too complicated, with up to 36-37 events in several maps, and the 3-D maps are "zoomed out" too far to see any close-up detail of the Battle of Arsuf. A close up 2-D map showing the relative dispositions of each army would be more useful to the reader than maps that just show a bunch of blocks and arrows. Also, no individual units or formations are identified in the 3-D maps, unlike most Osprey volumes. The three battle scenes are: Richard's men tearing down the Duke Leopold's banner at Acre, the death of Ayaz al-Tawil and King Richard ordering the Crusader cavalry to halt at Arsuf. Frankly, these battle scenes are rather disappointing, being rather "primitive" and lacking in detail compared to the artwork that normally appears in this series.

Dr. Nicolle's introductory sections on opposing commanders, armies and plans are quite good, although readers unfamiliar with this era would be wise to read the earlier volume on the preceding Hattin campaign first. The only weakness in this material is the lack of any kind of order of battle or even the identification of any specific formations beyond generic nomenclature such as "the Damascus contingent." Surely some Crusader banners under Richard must have been identified? Although the main focus of the volume is on the struggle between Saladin and Richard Lionheart, Dr. Nicolle also makes interesting observations about Sunni-Shia power-sharing arrangements in the 12th Century and politics in the rump Crusader states. The author also provides brief background on the death of Barbarossa before moving on to the siege of Acre and the Battle of Arsuf.

Although Dr. Nicolle's narrative about the Battle of Arsuf is quite coherent, it is difficult to follow actions on the 3-D maps. Nor does the author pay enough attention to Crusader logistics - which other sources note as having a major impact on the campaign. Furthermore, the author does not mention relative strengths and losses at Arsuf, although other sources do include estimates. Arsuf took some of the luster off Saladin's reputation but the Crusaders were not strong enough to regain Jerusalem - although Nicolle suggests that it might have been in their reach. The volume ends with an excellent bibliography and notes on the battlefield today. It is obvious that Dr. Nicolle is well-versed in the cultural aspects of his subject, if not the specific military details.