The Way of the Crusades by Jay Wiliams

Jay Williams gives a narrative version of the history of the Crusades in this nine-part book. The contents can be divided into three major parts. First is the introduction of the feudal knight which will help the reader understand his characteristics, the changes he undergoes in the wars, and his motivation, besides religious obligation, in the crusades. Second is the recollection of the major campaigns and figures, notably King Richard I of England and Sultan Saladin of Egypt and Syria. Lastly, the change of methods and weapons used in the wars and the impact of the crusades in culture and government.

Unlike the usual informative sections in textbooks about the crusades, Williams gives the readers an intimate look at the wars and intrigues involved. The information given here is limited however. The author mentions only the major events and figures and he has a tendency to go off tangent; granted, a short discussion on troubadours gives the reader an idea of the climate of times but it seems like a waste of space for such a short volume. 

One interesting feature included here is the author's discussion of the armor and weapons. Usually the evolution of  the instruments of war is bypassed by most textbooks. Most also fail to account the changes in the ways of the knights. Still, at best the book can serve as a good introduction of the crusades or as a supplement to further studies. Readers who have no idea what the crusades are will not drown in new information. The narrative and the author's descriptive skills, especially the battle scenes, are commendable.

Rating: 9 out of 10