"The Cathars of Languedoc defy obscurity because their story has become legend", yet the Albigensian Crusade, sent to destroy them, is far less well known than the crusades to Palestine. Inspired by his travels in France, Canadian historian Stephen O'Shea's tale of this medieval sect and its destruction is empathetic, evocative and sometimes refreshingly witty. The book's recreations of the "medieval phantasmagoria" of siege warfare are superb at bringing the medieval world alive. Present from the 12th century to the first quarter of the 14th, Catharism was "a pacifist brand of Christianity embracing tolerance and poverty". Rejecting the authority of the Church, and clasping a series of unorthodox beliefs, it was considered "perfect heresy". Strong in the towns of southern France, Catharism was initially protected by the "tacit assent--or fecklessness--of its overlords". Nobles, monks, popes and kings star in this story of the "abattoir Christianity" of decades of conflict encompassing religious and secular motivation. Catharism was finally eliminated by the Inquisition whose operational methods are fascinatingly and clearly explained. A highly accessible text for non-specialists, The Perfect Heresy draws on modern scholarship and ancient manuscripts (detailed in the notes) of "chroniclers, commentators, inquisitors, clergymen, and lords". Given the resplendent narrative it's a shame that the meagre illustrations are of such poor reproductive quality. But maybe the book doesn't really need them. --Karen Tiley

A JOLLY GOOD READ!, 07 Nov 2006
Cathars / Albigeois / Albigensians : it would be difficult indeed to live - as I do - in south-western France and remain unaware of them. I knew about them long before leaving the UK, though, and it seems that vast numbers of people all over the world now take considerable interest in the life, times, persecution and (presumed) extinction of this apparently harmless sect, whose history will forever be associated with the Languedoc.

Among the countless books available on the subject, ranging from the unbendingly scholarly and drily indigestible to the hack-written and downright fanciful, with all shades of the literary spectrum in between, The Perfect Heresy stands out as an intensively-researched work, smoothly and compellingly written.

Easily absorbed, and fascinating in its detail, O'Shea's account encompasses not only the overt religious bigotry which fuelled the wholesale slaughter now generally referred to as the Albigensian Crusade, but also the hidden agendas : the before-and-after political map of France is a real eye-opener, as are the clearly-described political machinations by which, concealed behind a screen thickly embroidered with self-righteousness, those in power trampled and manipulated their way towards greater and greater gain, and loftier and loftier personal status. (Good job things are different now, eh?).

My only real criticism of this work concerns O'Shea's eccentric and random anglicism of some French forenames. Perhaps his (slightly patronising?) intention was to smooth the path for non-French-speakers, but if so he has failed : Arnolds and Williams and a multitude of Peters are quite difficult to imagine as Frenchmen, and the latter might well enquire, in wounded fashion, as to why the king of Aragon was allowed to remain as Pedro. And they all might wonder why Jacques never became James.

However, despite that relatively minor irritation, the gripping saga proceeds at a cracking pace, and a bed-time read has suddenly turned into a small-hours session, as the characters take on a life of their own. Cathars and kings and priests and peasants, soldiers and popes and aristocrats and inquisitors, women and men and children of all social conditions - each one comes vibrantly alive under O'Shea's pen, thus bringing each separate scenario into sharp focus.

It is to the author's credit that unlike some modern-day commentators he does not seek to idealise or mystify the Cathars - 'Perfect' may have been the title accorded to their spiritual preceptors, but they did have their failings, and he views them with a matter-of-fact eye, albeit a kindly one. On the other hand, we are left in no doubt as to his view of the Church, and of its rôle in the drama ; and however one might feel about the Cathars, it would be virtually impossible to contest that view. Meticulously recorded - in all their gruesome particulars - by the inquisitors themselves, the facts are undeniable. Even when viewed against the savage background of mediaeval Europe, the details beggar belief.

By the time you reach the last page, you will surely have learnt something.


Lessons for a modern world - unlearnt !, 23 Jul 2006
Totally absorbing, thought-provoking history of a religious order who believed in the pursuit of a peaceful, humble existence to help them, once they'd died, either reincarnate
in a life closer to God, or ascend to God without reincarnation as a "Perfect". Their peaceful existence and simple message threatened a world dominated by religious zealots and warring nobility. The Holy Roman Empire had to stop them by whatever means available: crusades, the formation of the detested Inquisition. The narrative is rich and colourful and brings to life the personalities of the key players of the drama over a 200 year period - I felt part of it and emotionally wrung-out at the end of the book. My first foray into Cathar history; its really wet my apetite to read more on the
subject and read more of Stephen O'Shea's works.

Intolerence, religious persecution - echoes from the past?, 23 Mar 2005
In a world of increasing religious intolerance and inquisitorial style detentions, lessons from the past become even more important. The treatment of the Cathars by the dominant Catholic authorities is one such experience that should not be repeated. The heresy was almost perfect, against all the church stood for, led by the Perfects and in many ways more akin to modern ideology than medieval Catholicism is. The book is similarly almost perfect. It is a highly illuminating account of the establishement, short rise and long fall of a group of heretics, their sympathetic overlords and the whole regional identity of languedoc.

Before reading this work I was relatively ignorant of the internal crusades of Christendom. The Perfect Hersey is a perfect introduction to this period and region, illustrating the sheer inhumanity of the treatment dealt to anyone foolish enough to be labelled a heretic or sympathiser to them. The names of Carcassone, Bezier and Toulouse will signify more than just pretty tourist destinations. And perhaps more importantly the book fills in a crucial gap, illustrating the importance of the Cathar hersey to the forging of a unified French monarch, a dominance of northern 'Langue D'Oi' culture and the creation of the infamous Inquisitions.

The book is a well written example of good narrative history. It is chronologically coherent, and provides an excellent starting point to anyone whose interest in the intrigues of the Catholic Church's past has been wetted by the attention given to the Da Vinci Code. Not a must read, but for any one with an interest in the area or period it is a vital introduction.

A lively overview of the conflict, 18 Mar 2005
This is a well written and lively introductory book covering the Albigensian crusade in Southern France (but not, as the title might suggest, the Cathar movement more generally). As with Jonathan Sumption's similar book "The Albigensian Crusade" it is an overview of the period, the personalities and the reasons for the crusade. It is well written, concentrates on history rather than myth (although it does touch briefly upon the myths that have later arisen) and does an excellent job of bringing the period and the people who lived in it to life.

Both this and Jonathan Sumption's book work very well as guides to this period of history, and in fairness either would make a good choice if you have an interest in this topic. My personal preference of the two was for this book as I found it somewhat fresher in tone and lighter in touch while still containing much the same level of information, it makes a surprisingly good holiday read whereas Jonathan Sumption's book has a slightly drier and more academic flavour. Ultimately though, both are good and both are well written, with this book being a little more accessible and Jonathan Sumption's book having better illustrative maps and plans.

An informative and evocative read, 29 Oct 2004
This book provides an excellent intoduction to the Cathars. O'Shea has the written ability and historical knowledge to give a superb account of the crusades which will provoke sustained interest.

A JOLLY GOOD READ!, 07 Nov 2006
Cathars / Albigeois / Albigensians : it would be difficult indeed to live - as I do - in south-western France and remain unaware of them. I knew about them long before leaving the UK, though, and it seems that vast numbers of people all over the world now take considerable interest in the life, times, persecution and (presumed) extinction of this apparently harmless sect, whose history will forever be associated with the Languedoc.

Among the countless books available on the subject, ranging from the unbendingly scholarly and drily indigestible to the hack-written and downright fanciful, with all shades of the literary spectrum in between, The Perfect Heresy stands out as an intensively-researched work, smoothly and compellingly written.

Easily absorbed, and fascinating in its detail, O'Shea's account encompasses not only the overt religious bigotry which fuelled the wholesale slaughter now generally referred to as the Albigensian Crusade, but also the hidden agendas : the before-and-after political map of France is a real eye-opener, as are the clearly-described political machinations by which, concealed behind a screen thickly embroidered with self-righteousness, those in power trampled and manipulated their way towards greater and greater gain, and loftier and loftier personal status. (Good job things are different now, eh?).

My only real criticism of this work concerns O'Shea's eccentric and random anglicism of some French forenames. Perhaps his (slightly patronising?) intention was to smooth the path for non-French-speakers, but if so he has failed : Arnolds and Williams and a multitude of Peters are quite difficult to imagine as Frenchmen, and the latter might well enquire, in wounded fashion, as to why the king of Aragon was allowed to remain as Pedro. And they all might wonder why Jacques never became James.

However, despite that relatively minor irritation, the gripping saga proceeds at a cracking pace, and a bed-time read has suddenly turned into a small-hours session, as the characters take on a life of their own. Cathars and kings and priests and peasants, soldiers and popes and aristocrats and inquisitors, women and men and children of all social conditions - each one comes vibrantly alive under O'Shea's pen, thus bringing each separate scenario into sharp focus.

It is to the author's credit that unlike some modern-day commentators he does not seek to idealise or mystify the Cathars - 'Perfect' may have been the title accorded to their spiritual preceptors, but they did have their failings, and he views them with a matter-of-fact eye, albeit a kindly one. On the other hand, we are left in no doubt as to his view of the Church, and of its rôle in the drama ; and however one might feel about the Cathars, it would be virtually impossible to contest that view. Meticulously recorded - in all their gruesome particulars - by the inquisitors themselves, the facts are undeniable. Even when viewed against the savage background of mediaeval Europe, the details beggar belief.

By the time you reach the last page, you will surely have learnt something.


Lessons for a modern world - unlearnt !, 23 Jul 2006
Totally absorbing, thought-provoking history of a religious order who believed in the pursuit of a peaceful, humble existence to help them, once they'd died, either reincarnate
in a life closer to God, or ascend to God without reincarnation as a "Perfect". Their peaceful existence and simple message threatened a world dominated by religious zealots and warring nobility. The Holy Roman Empire had to stop them by whatever means available: crusades, the formation of the detested Inquisition. The narrative is rich and colourful and brings to life the personalities of the key players of the drama over a 200 year period - I felt part of it and emotionally wrung-out at the end of the book. My first foray into Cathar history; its really wet my apetite to read more on the
subject and read more of Stephen O'Shea's works.

Intolerence, religious persecution - echoes from the past?, 23 Mar 2005
In a world of increasing religious intolerance and inquisitorial style detentions, lessons from the past become even more important. The treatment of the Cathars by the dominant Catholic authorities is one such experience that should not be repeated. The heresy was almost perfect, against all the church stood for, led by the Perfects and in many ways more akin to modern ideology than medieval Catholicism is. The book is similarly almost perfect. It is a highly illuminating account of the establishement, short rise and long fall of a group of heretics, their sympathetic overlords and the whole regional identity of languedoc.

Before reading this work I was relatively ignorant of the internal crusades of Christendom. The Perfect Hersey is a perfect introduction to this period and region, illustrating the sheer inhumanity of the treatment dealt to anyone foolish enough to be labelled a heretic or sympathiser to them. The names of Carcassone, Bezier and Toulouse will signify more than just pretty tourist destinations. And perhaps more importantly the book fills in a crucial gap, illustrating the importance of the Cathar hersey to the forging of a unified French monarch, a dominance of northern 'Langue D'Oi' culture and the creation of the infamous Inquisitions.

The book is a well written example of good narrative history. It is chronologically coherent, and provides an excellent starting point to anyone whose interest in the intrigues of the Catholic Church's past has been wetted by the attention given to the Da Vinci Code. Not a must read, but for any one with an interest in the area or period it is a vital introduction.

A lively overview of the conflict, 18 Mar 2005
This is a well written and lively introductory book covering the Albigensian crusade in Southern France (but not, as the title might suggest, the Cathar movement more generally). As with Jonathan Sumption's similar book "The Albigensian Crusade" it is an overview of the period, the personalities and the reasons for the crusade. It is well written, concentrates on history rather than myth (although it does touch briefly upon the myths that have later arisen) and does an excellent job of bringing the period and the people who lived in it to life.

Both this and Jonathan Sumption's book work very well as guides to this period of history, and in fairness either would make a good choice if you have an interest in this topic. My personal preference of the two was for this book as I found it somewhat fresher in tone and lighter in touch while still containing much the same level of information, it makes a surprisingly good holiday read whereas Jonathan Sumption's book has a slightly drier and more academic flavour. Ultimately though, both are good and both are well written, with this book being a little more accessible and Jonathan Sumption's book having better illustrative maps and plans.

An informative and evocative read, 29 Oct 2004
This book provides an excellent intoduction to the Cathars. O'Shea has the written ability and historical knowledge to give a superb account of the crusades which will provoke sustained interest.

Very thorough, 05 Aug 2008
An excellent read. Having heard them mentioned in 'The Da Vinci Code' (film and book), and having visited temple church in London I was fascinated to learn a little more about them. This book is heavily laced with names and dates and direct extracts from writings of the time. It lays open several possibilities for their demise without the author ever really needing to force his own opinion on you. It's certainly left me wanting to know more about them.

Engrossing read, 22 Oct 2007
I always hated history as a kid, so i have a lot of catching up to do. I have been led on a journey that i thought would take a couple of years to complete. From Virgil and Homer, to Dante and more modern works from Baigent, Anthony Beevor and William L Shirer. This journey will never end all the while there are books like The Rise and Fall of the Knights Templar. Some history books are more heavily laced with personal opinion than others. This book seems to deal with the facts as far as my cross referencing shows, which if i'm honest could have gone alot further. But it has tempted me in to reading alot more on the subject, and that cannot be a bad thing.

A JOLLY GOOD READ!, 07 Nov 2006
Cathars / Albigeois / Albigensians : it would be difficult indeed to live - as I do - in south-western France and remain unaware of them. I knew about them long before leaving the UK, though, and it seems that vast numbers of people all over the world now take considerable interest in the life, times, persecution and (presumed) extinction of this apparently harmless sect, whose history will forever be associated with the Languedoc.

Among the countless books available on the subject, ranging from the unbendingly scholarly and drily indigestible to the hack-written and downright fanciful, with all shades of the literary spectrum in between, The Perfect Heresy stands out as an intensively-researched work, smoothly and compellingly written.

Easily absorbed, and fascinating in its detail, O'Shea's account encompasses not only the overt religious bigotry which fuelled the wholesale slaughter now generally referred to as the Albigensian Crusade, but also the hidden agendas : the before-and-after political map of France is a real eye-opener, as are the clearly-described political machinations by which, concealed behind a screen thickly embroidered with self-righteousness, those in power trampled and manipulated their way towards greater and greater gain, and loftier and loftier personal status. (Good job things are different now, eh?).

My only real criticism of this work concerns O'Shea's eccentric and random anglicism of some French forenames. Perhaps his (slightly patronising?) intention was to smooth the path for non-French-speakers, but if so he has failed : Arnolds and Williams and a multitude of Peters are quite difficult to imagine as Frenchmen, and the latter might well enquire, in wounded fashion, as to why the king of Aragon was allowed to remain as Pedro. And they all might wonder why Jacques never became James.

However, despite that relatively minor irritation, the gripping saga proceeds at a cracking pace, and a bed-time read has suddenly turned into a small-hours session, as the characters take on a life of their own. Cathars and kings and priests and peasants, soldiers and popes and aristocrats and inquisitors, women and men and children of all social conditions - each one comes vibrantly alive under O'Shea's pen, thus bringing each separate scenario into sharp focus.

It is to the author's credit that unlike some modern-day commentators he does not seek to idealise or mystify the Cathars - 'Perfect' may have been the title accorded to their spiritual preceptors, but they did have their failings, and he views them with a matter-of-fact eye, albeit a kindly one. On the other hand, we are left in no doubt as to his view of the Church, and of its rôle in the drama ; and however one might feel about the Cathars, it would be virtually impossible to contest that view. Meticulously recorded - in all their gruesome particulars - by the inquisitors themselves, the facts are undeniable. Even when viewed against the savage background of mediaeval Europe, the details beggar belief.

By the time you reach the last page, you will surely have learnt something.


Lessons for a modern world - unlearnt !, 23 Jul 2006
Totally absorbing, thought-provoking history of a religious order who believed in the pursuit of a peaceful, humble existence to help them, once they'd died, either reincarnate
in a life closer to God, or ascend to God without reincarnation as a "Perfect". Their peaceful existence and simple message threatened a world dominated by religious zealots and warring nobility. The Holy Roman Empire had to stop them by whatever means available: crusades, the formation of the detested Inquisition. The narrative is rich and colourful and brings to life the personalities of the key players of the drama over a 200 year period - I felt part of it and emotionally wrung-out at the end of the book. My first foray into Cathar history; its really wet my apetite to read more on the
subject and read more of Stephen O'Shea's works.

Intolerence, religious persecution - echoes from the past?, 23 Mar 2005
In a world of increasing religious intolerance and inquisitorial style detentions, lessons from the past become even more important. The treatment of the Cathars by the dominant Catholic authorities is one such experience that should not be repeated. The heresy was almost perfect, against all the church stood for, led by the Perfects and in many ways more akin to modern ideology than medieval Catholicism is. The book is similarly almost perfect. It is a highly illuminating account of the establishement, short rise and long fall of a group of heretics, their sympathetic overlords and the whole regional identity of languedoc.

Before reading this work I was relatively ignorant of the internal crusades of Christendom. The Perfect Hersey is a perfect introduction to this period and region, illustrating the sheer inhumanity of the treatment dealt to anyone foolish enough to be labelled a heretic or sympathiser to them. The names of Carcassone, Bezier and Toulouse will signify more than just pretty tourist destinations. And perhaps more importantly the book fills in a crucial gap, illustrating the importance of the Cathar hersey to the forging of a unified French monarch, a dominance of northern 'Langue D'Oi' culture and the creation of the infamous Inquisitions.

The book is a well written example of good narrative history. It is chronologically coherent, and provides an excellent starting point to anyone whose interest in the intrigues of the Catholic Church's past has been wetted by the attention given to the Da Vinci Code. Not a must read, but for any one with an interest in the area or period it is a vital introduction.

A lively overview of the conflict, 18 Mar 2005
This is a well written and lively introductory book covering the Albigensian crusade in Southern France (but not, as the title might suggest, the Cathar movement more generally). As with Jonathan Sumption's similar book "The Albigensian Crusade" it is an overview of the period, the personalities and the reasons for the crusade. It is well written, concentrates on history rather than myth (although it does touch briefly upon the myths that have later arisen) and does an excellent job of bringing the period and the people who lived in it to life.

Both this and Jonathan Sumption's book work very well as guides to this period of history, and in fairness either would make a good choice if you have an interest in this topic. My personal preference of the two was for this book as I found it somewhat fresher in tone and lighter in touch while still containing much the same level of information, it makes a surprisingly good holiday read whereas Jonathan Sumption's book has a slightly drier and more academic flavour. Ultimately though, both are good and both are well written, with this book being a little more accessible and Jonathan Sumption's book having better illustrative maps and plans.

An informative and evocative read, 29 Oct 2004
This book provides an excellent intoduction to the Cathars. O'Shea has the written ability and historical knowledge to give a superb account of the crusades which will provoke sustained interest.

Very thorough, 05 Aug 2008
An excellent read. Having heard them mentioned in 'The Da Vinci Code' (film and book), and having visited temple church in London I was fascinated to learn a little more about them. This book is heavily laced with names and dates and direct extracts from writings of the time. It lays open several possibilities for their demise without the author ever really needing to force his own opinion on you. It's certainly left me wanting to know more about them.

Engrossing read, 22 Oct 2007
I always hated history as a kid, so i have a lot of catching up to do. I have been led on a journey that i thought would take a couple of years to complete. From Virgil and Homer, to Dante and more modern works from Baigent, Anthony Beevor and William L Shirer. This journey will never end all the while there are books like The Rise and Fall of the Knights Templar. Some history books are more heavily laced with personal opinion than others. This book seems to deal with the facts as far as my cross referencing shows, which if i'm honest could have gone alot further. But it has tempted me in to reading alot more on the subject, and that cannot be a bad thing.

God help us all, 03 Oct 2008
I'm a great fan of the "very short introduction" series, published in a nice pocketable format and covering a huge range of topics. But editor and author must take heavy blame for this impenetrable monstrosity.

As pointed out by a previous reviewer, this book was written originally for a knowledgeable audience and has been simply rebranded as an "introduction". It isn't. Not a bit of it. Tyerman races through the events of the crusades and then attempts a long and excessively detailed analysis of their genesis and impact.

I consider this rebranding act pretty poor form on the part of OUP. But looking at the text, one starts to wonder who could have found even that original work an enjoyable read. The sentences are interminable and full of incongruous and utterly preposterous metaphors. I've plucked a (believe it or not) representative sentence from Tyerman's labyrinthine prose.

"Although the rulers' rhetoric spoke differently, with popes, politicians, and chroniclers presenting a particular frontier myth of heroic conquest and battle to justify the Franks' presence and excite Western support, Outremer society, while sustained by this cohesive ideology of 'exiles' for the faith, reflected a far more humdrum diversity of experience than such crude caricatures allow."

Well thanks for clearing that up Chris.

Tyerman is writing this as a work of high literature in itself and it is writing to be ashamed of. Academic or not, and I was till recently an academic myself, the purpose of writing for others must be to explain and to elucidate. When writers resort to pretentious obfuscation one is drawn only to the conclusion there simply isn't very much to explain.

I won't give up on the v.s.i. series since I've had plenty of good experiences as well (the first world war introduction in particular is excellent). But I must register my strongest condemnation for this title, for its author (I feel quite sorry for his students in Oxford), and for the feeble work of its editors at OUP. Avoid at all costs!

An interminable Introduction, 07 Jul 2008
I purchased this title expecting, as it says on the cover, a short introduction to the crusades; an overview of the wars with possibly some academic insight into their principal causes, after effects and enduring legacy.

Instead Tyerman, spends one chapter giving an "A Ridiculously short introduction" to the crusades. The rest of the book is both disjointed and lacks flow. Although the introduction is Academic, it is badly written with long laborious sentences often describing the most trivial of events. Considering that the target audience are far from being experts on the subject but rather casual readers seeking either (1) Knowledge of a subject which they know little (2) An introduction into a subject on which they want to learn more (3) A refresher on a subject which they have studied in the past, this book is the complete opposite of the entertaining, factual account of the crusades, sought by these readers.

I am possible being slightly harsh in my rating. However the fact that I took a whole month to struggle through a "very short introduction", to me, defeats the purpose of this book. Not only this, but I also felt like putting it in the toaster every time I read 5 pages of it!!


Holy men at war, 19 Aug 2007
Part of the continuing fascination with the Crusades is due to the belief that we are still fighting them, that they precipitated a Christian/Islamic conflict in which we are still caught up. Truth tends to be much more complex and multi-layered than myth, which is indeed why we prefer the latter. But if you would like to get at the former, Tyerman's book is a good place to start. The most important lessons are to do with scope and context. The Crusades were much more than a series of military expeditions by Europeans to the Holy Land, they lasted for far longer than the two centuries we usually credit them with, and the wars between Christian and Islamic nations had older and deeper roots. Nor are their consequences widely understood. As this book makes clear, the Crusades had far more impact on Europe, and far less on the Near East, than is usually thought.

This Very Short Introduction is actually a reprint of Tyerman's hardback Fighting for Christendom (used, cheap copies of which, at the time of writing this review, are still available on Amazon, so you might want to check that out). One consequence is that, at over 150 pages, it's longer than most in the series. Also, I think they must have simply shrunk the illustrations to fit on the page, so that you need a magnifying glass to read some of the maps.

The early chapters give an excellent overview of the subject. The later chapters, examining the impact and significance of the Crusades, and being therefore more interpretive, are somewhat heavy going at times. The author's style is good, but may be slightly too academic for some readers. And he is occasionally prone to colourful moral judgments, such as when he talks of Himmler's 'historically illiterate ghouls' relying on 'rancid imagination'. I may well share this view, but I will arrive at it myself, thank you very much.

This remains an excellent introduction to a hugely important subject, and is a worthy addition to the series.




Good if overly-academic, 31 May 2007
Tyerman's The Crusades: A Very Short Introduction was not, in fact written to be a very short introduction, and was first prublished as "Fighting for Christendom" in 2004. This is where the problem seems to lie. Repackaged as a VSI, it attracts new and general readers who expect it to be what it says on the cover. They then have to battle with this overly-academic text. I am sure this book is perfectly brillant in itself, but it doesn't really work as a very short introduction. The writer asumes, fairly enough as it seems he didn't know it would become a VSI, a good knowledge of medevial history, academic terms and world geography. This clearly alienates some, like me, who thought it would be a much simpler read as the title suggests: easing you in, rather than jumping in head first.

However, the books is still actually really quite good. Speaking as someone who knows next to nothing about medevial history and is not familar with every academic term under the sun, the book was still very informative and interesting. There is no doubt if you are like me you will sometimes have to battle with paragraphs to grasp meaning, but somehow things did fall into place. Tyerman is clearly an expert who makes some very intriguing points in historography, seeking to dispell misconceptions, as a result of what must be extensive research and a genuine interest for the topic. Let's put it this way: criticism aside, I can't deny I enjoyed reading it.

Difficult, not exactly a very short introduction, but most definitely good.

Fascinating and surprisingly comprehensive, 11 Mar 2007
I am a big fan of the idea behind the Very Short Introduction series, and the way in which they provide information in an easily accesible manner with plenty of scope for further reading. "The Crusades" by Christopher Tyerman is one of its best examples. It is dense material, admittedly, but very readable at the same time.

This is not only a narrative of the events of each crusade but also an exploration of the very idea of the crusade, how it developed, its historical context, the mechanics of how it was decreed and promoted, who went on crusade, how these expeditions were financed. Tyerman briefly touches as well on what life was like in the Holy Land, and the relationship of the Christian colonists to the Muslims. He also examines how similar crusading ideas were applied not just to the Holy Land but also to the pagan lands of the Baltic and the Spanish Reconquista.

For a book that is less 150 pages long, Tyerman thus does a fantastic job of covering the crusades in detail from many different angles. It is certainly less daunting, as well more digestible, than some of the massive tomes (sometimes over 1000 pages) which exist about the crusades. To place the wealth of information in context, the book includes a good number of maps and illustrations, while a list of further reading at the back means that it is possible to follow up on many of the interesting points that Tyerman raises.

In short, this is a brilliantly engaging and surprisingly comprehensive introduction, ideal for both students of medieval history and the casual reader.

A JOLLY GOOD READ!, 07 Nov 2006
Cathars / Albigeois / Albigensians : it would be difficult indeed to live - as I do - in south-western France and remain unaware of them. I knew about them long before leaving the UK, though, and it seems that vast numbers of people all over the world now take considerable interest in the life, times, persecution and (presumed) extinction of this apparently harmless sect, whose history will forever be associated with the Languedoc.

Among the countless books available on the subject, ranging from the unbendingly scholarly and drily indigestible to the hack-written and downright fanciful, with all shades of the literary spectrum in between, The Perfect Heresy stands out as an intensively-researched work, smoothly and compellingly written.

Easily absorbed, and fascinating in its detail, O'Shea's account encompasses not only the overt religious bigotry which fuelled the wholesale slaughter now generally referred to as the Albigensian Crusade, but also the hidden agendas : the before-and-after political map of France is a real eye-opener, as are the clearly-described political machinations by which, concealed behind a screen thickly embroidered with self-righteousness, those in power trampled and manipulated their way towards greater and greater gain, and loftier and loftier personal status. (Good job things are different now, eh?).

My only real criticism of this work concerns O'Shea's eccentric and random anglicism of some French forenames. Perhaps his (slightly patronising?) intention was to smooth the path for non-French-speakers, but if so he has failed : Arnolds and Williams and a multitude of Peters are quite difficult to imagine as Frenchmen, and the latter might well enquire, in wounded fashion, as to why the king of Aragon was allowed to remain as Pedro. And they all might wonder why Jacques never became James.

However, despite that relatively minor irritation, the gripping saga proceeds at a cracking pace, and a bed-time read has suddenly turned into a small-hours session, as the characters take on a life of their own. Cathars and kings and priests and peasants, soldiers and popes and aristocrats and inquisitors, women and men and children of all social conditions - each one comes vibrantly alive under O'Shea's pen, thus bringing each separate scenario into sharp focus.

It is to the author's credit that unlike some modern-day commentators he does not seek to idealise or mystify the Cathars - 'Perfect' may have been the title accorded to their spiritual preceptors, but they did have their failings, and he views them with a matter-of-fact eye, albeit a kindly one. On the other hand, we are left in no doubt as to his view of the Church, and of its rôle in the drama ; and however one might feel about the Cathars, it would be virtually impossible to contest that view. Meticulously recorded - in all their gruesome particulars - by the inquisitors themselves, the facts are undeniable. Even when viewed against the savage background of mediaeval Europe, the details beggar belief.

By the time you reach the last page, you will surely have learnt something.


Lessons for a modern world - unlearnt !, 23 Jul 2006
Totally absorbing, thought-provoking history of a religious order who believed in the pursuit of a peaceful, humble existence to help them, once they'd died, either reincarnate
in a life closer to God, or ascend to God without reincarnation as a "Perfect". Their peaceful existence and simple message threatened a world dominated by religious zealots and warring nobility. The Holy Roman Empire had to stop them by whatever means available: crusades, the formation of the detested Inquisition. The narrative is rich and colourful and brings to life the personalities of the key players of the drama over a 200 year period - I felt part of it and emotionally wrung-out at the end of the book. My first foray into Cathar history; its really wet my apetite to read more on the
subject and read more of Stephen O'Shea's works.

Intolerence, religious persecution - echoes from the past?, 23 Mar 2005
In a world of increasing religious intolerance and inquisitorial style detentions, lessons from the past become even more important. The treatment of the Cathars by the dominant Catholic authorities is one such experience that should not be repeated. The heresy was almost perfect, against all the church stood for, led by the Perfects and in many ways more akin to modern ideology than medieval Catholicism is. The book is similarly almost perfect. It is a highly illuminating account of the establishement, short rise and long fall of a group of heretics, their sympathetic overlords and the whole regional identity of languedoc.

Before reading this work I was relatively ignorant of the internal crusades of Christendom. The Perfect Hersey is a perfect introduction to this period and region, illustrating the sheer inhumanity of the treatment dealt to anyone foolish enough to be labelled a heretic or sympathiser to them. The names of Carcassone, Bezier and Toulouse will signify more than just pretty tourist destinations. And perhaps more importantly the book fills in a crucial gap, illustrating the importance of the Cathar hersey to the forging of a unified French monarch, a dominance of northern 'Langue D'Oi' culture and the creation of the infamous Inquisitions.

The book is a well written example of good narrative history. It is chronologically coherent, and provides an excellent starting point to anyone whose interest in the intrigues of the Catholic Church's past has been wetted by the attention given to the Da Vinci Code. Not a must read, but for any one with an interest in the area or period it is a vital introduction.

A lively overview of the conflict, 18 Mar 2005
This is a well written and lively introductory book covering the Albigensian crusade in Southern France (but not, as the title might suggest, the Cathar movement more generally). As with Jonathan Sumption's similar book "The Albigensian Crusade" it is an overview of the period, the personalities and the reasons for the crusade. It is well written, concentrates on history rather than myth (although it does touch briefly upon the myths that have later arisen) and does an excellent job of bringing the period and the people who lived in it to life.

Both this and Jonathan Sumption's book work very well as guides to this period of history, and in fairness either would make a good choice if you have an interest in this topic. My personal preference of the two was for this book as I found it somewhat fresher in tone and lighter in touch while still containing much the same level of information, it makes a surprisingly good holiday read whereas Jonathan Sumption's book has a slightly drier and more academic flavour. Ultimately though, both are good and both are well written, with this book being a little more accessible and Jonathan Sumption's book having better illustrative maps and plans.

An informative and evocative read, 29 Oct 2004
This book provides an excellent intoduction to the Cathars. O'Shea has the written ability and historical knowledge to give a superb account of the crusades which will provoke sustained interest.

Very thorough, 05 Aug 2008
An excellent read. Having heard them mentioned in 'The Da Vinci Code' (film and book), and having visited temple church in London I was fascinated to learn a little more about them. This book is heavily laced with names and dates and direct extracts from writings of the time. It lays open several possibilities for their demise without the author ever really needing to force his own opinion on you. It's certainly left me wanting to know more about them.

Engrossing read, 22 Oct 2007
I always hated history as a kid, so i have a lot of catching up to do. I have been led on a journey that i thought would take a couple of years to complete. From Virgil and Homer, to Dante and more modern works from Baigent, Anthony Beevor and William L Shirer. This journey will never end all the while there are books like The Rise and Fall of the Knights Templar. Some history books are more heavily laced with personal opinion than others. This book seems to deal with the facts as far as my cross referencing shows, which if i'm honest could have gone alot further. But it has tempted me in to reading alot more on the subject, and that cannot be a bad thing.

God help us all, 03 Oct 2008
I'm a great fan of the "very short introduction" series, published in a nice pocketable format and covering a huge range of topics. But editor and author must take heavy blame for this impenetrable monstrosity.

As pointed out by a previous reviewer, this book was written originally for a knowledgeable audience and has been simply rebranded as an "introduction". It isn't. Not a bit of it. Tyerman races through the events of the crusades and then attempts a long and excessively detailed analysis of their genesis and impact.

I consider this rebranding act pretty poor form on the part of OUP. But looking at the text, one starts to wonder who could have found even that original work an enjoyable read. The sentences are interminable and full of incongruous and utterly preposterous metaphors. I've plucked a (believe it or not) representative sentence from Tyerman's labyrinthine prose.

"Although the rulers' rhetoric spoke differently, with popes, politicians, and chroniclers presenting a particular frontier myth of heroic conquest and battle to justify the Franks' presence and excite Western support, Outremer society, while sustained by this cohesive ideology of 'exiles' for the faith, reflected a far more humdrum diversity of experience than such crude caricatures allow."

Well thanks for clearing that up Chris.

Tyerman is writing this as a work of high literature in itself and it is writing to be ashamed of. Academic or not, and I was till recently an academic myself, the purpose of writing for others must be to explain and to elucidate. When writers resort to pretentious obfuscation one is drawn only to the conclusion there simply isn't very much to explain.

I won't give up on the v.s.i. series since I've had plenty of good experiences as well (the first world war introduction in particular is excellent). But I must register my strongest condemnation for this title, for its author (I feel quite sorry for his students in Oxford), and for the feeble work of its editors at OUP. Avoid at all costs!

An interminable Introduction, 07 Jul 2008
I purchased this title expecting, as it says on the cover, a short introduction to the crusades; an overview of the wars with possibly some academic insight into their principal causes, after effects and enduring legacy.

Instead Tyerman, spends one chapter giving an "A Ridiculously short introduction" to the crusades. The rest of the book is both disjointed and lacks flow. Although the introduction is Academic, it is badly written with long laborious sentences often describing the most trivial of events. Considering that the target audience are far from being experts on the subject but rather casual readers seeking either (1) Knowledge of a subject which they know little (2) An introduction into a subject on which they want to learn more (3) A refresher on a subject which they have studied in the past, this book is the complete opposite of the entertaining, factual account of the crusades, sought by these readers.

I am possible being slightly harsh in my rating. However the fact that I took a whole month to struggle through a "very short introduction", to me, defeats the purpose of this book. Not only this, but I also felt like putting it in the toaster every time I read 5 pages of it!!


Holy men at war, 19 Aug 2007
Part of the continuing fascination with the Crusades is due to the belief that we are still fighting them, that they precipitated a Christian/Islamic conflict in which we are still caught up. Truth tends to be much more complex and multi-layered than myth, which is indeed why we prefer the latter. But if you would like to get at the former, Tyerman's book is a good place to start. The most important lessons are to do with scope and context. The Crusades were much more than a series of military expeditions by Europeans to the Holy Land, they lasted for far longer than the two centuries we usually credit them with, and the wars between Christian and Islamic nations had older and deeper roots. Nor are their consequences widely understood. As this book makes clear, the Crusades had far more impact on Europe, and far less on the Near East, than is usually thought.

This Very Short Introduction is actually a reprint of Tyerman's hardback Fighting for Christendom (used, cheap copies of which, at the time of writing this review, are still available on Amazon, so you might want to check that out). One consequence is that, at over 150 pages, it's longer than most in the series. Also, I think they must have simply shrunk the illustrations to fit on the page, so that you need a magnifying glass to read some of the maps.

The early chapters give an excellent overview of the subject. The later chapters, examining the impact and significance of the Crusades, and being therefore more interpretive, are somewhat heavy going at times. The author's style is good, but may be slightly too academic for some readers. And he is occasionally prone to colourful moral judgments, such as when he talks of Himmler's 'historically illiterate ghouls' relying on 'rancid imagination'. I may well share this view, but I will arrive at it myself, thank you very much.

This remains an excellent introduction to a hugely important subject, and is a worthy addition to the series.




Good if overly-academic, 31 May 2007
Tyerman's The Crusades: A Very Short Introduction was not, in fact written to be a very short introduction, and was first prublished as "Fighting for Christendom" in 2004. This is where the problem seems to lie. Repackaged as a VSI, it attracts new and general readers who expect it to be what it says on the cover. They then have to battle with this overly-academic text. I am sure this book is perfectly brillant in itself, but it doesn't really work as a very short introduction. The writer asumes, fairly enough as it seems he didn't know it would become a VSI, a good knowledge of medevial history, academic terms and world geography. This clearly alienates some, like me, who thought it would be a much simpler read as the title suggests: easing you in, rather than jumping in head first.

However, the books is still actually really quite good. Speaking as someone who knows next to nothing about medevial history and is not familar with every academic term under the sun, the book was still very informative and interesting. There is no doubt if you are like me you will sometimes have to battle with paragraphs to grasp meaning, but somehow things did fall into place. Tyerman is clearly an expert who makes some very intriguing points in historography, seeking to dispell misconceptions, as a result of what must be extensive research and a genuine interest for the topic. Let's put it this way: criticism aside, I can't deny I enjoyed reading it.

Difficult, not exactly a very short introduction, but most definitely good.

Fascinating and surprisingly comprehensive, 11 Mar 2007
I am a big fan of the idea behind the Very Short Introduction series, and the way in which they provide information in an easily accesible manner with plenty of scope for further reading. "The Crusades" by Christopher Tyerman is one of its best examples. It is dense material, admittedly, but very readable at the same time.

This is not only a narrative of the events of each crusade but also an exploration of the very idea of the crusade, how it developed, its historical context, the mechanics of how it was decreed and promoted, who went on crusade, how these expeditions were financed. Tyerman briefly touches as well on what life was like in the Holy Land, and the relationship of the Christian colonists to the Muslims. He also examines how similar crusading ideas were applied not just to the Holy Land but also to the pagan lands of the Baltic and the Spanish Reconquista.

For a book that is less 150 pages long, Tyerman thus does a fantastic job of covering the crusades in detail from many different angles. It is certainly less daunting, as well more digestible, than some of the massive tomes (sometimes over 1000 pages) which exist about the crusades. To place the wealth of information in context, the book includes a good number of maps and illustrations, while a list of further reading at the back means that it is possible to follow up on many of the interesting points that Tyerman raises.

In short, this is a brilliantly engaging and surprisingly comprehensive introduction, ideal for both students of medieval history and the casual reader.

Conflicts you never heard about, 02 May 2007
The book represents a concise but comprehensive description of the state-of-the-art in the field of ethnic conflict. Moreover, it is a well written and--despite the grave nature of the subject--entertaining book. It provides a summary of contemporary views on why and how ethnicity has become such a powerful mobilizing force that can plunge societies into years of civil war and suffering; why in some cases ethnic conflicts become so violent and in others may be resolved peacefully; and how, if at all, such conflicts may be managed and resolved. The book is quite extraordinary in its coverage of conflicts in various parts of the world. Of course, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo, for example, are well-known examples of ethnic conflicts. But how much do we know about the events in Bougainville or in the Democratic Republic of Congo where at least three million people have died in war?

The book is highly recommendable for undergraduate students in political science/sociology and anybody who approaches the complex problem of ethnic conflict for the first time.

A JOLLY GOOD READ!, 07 Nov 2006
Cathars / Albigeois / Albigensians : it would be difficult indeed to live - as I do - in south-western France and remain unaware of them. I knew about them long before leaving the UK, though, and it seems that vast numbers of people all over the world now take considerable interest in the life, times, persecution and (presumed) extinction of this apparently harmless sect, whose history will forever be associated with the Languedoc.

Among the countless books available on the subject, ranging from the unbendingly scholarly and drily indigestible to the hack-written and downright fanciful, with all shades of the literary spectrum in between, The Perfect Heresy stands out as an intensively-researched work, smoothly and compellingly written.

Easily absorbed, and fascinating in its detail, O'Shea's account encompasses not only the overt religious bigotry which fuelled the wholesale slaughter now generally referred to as the Albigensian Crusade, but also the hidden agendas : the before-and-after political map of France is a real eye-opener, as are the clearly-described political machinations by which, concealed behind a screen thickly embroidered with self-righteousness, those in power trampled and manipulated their way towards greater and greater gain, and loftier and loftier personal status. (Good job things are different now, eh?).

My only real criticism of this work concerns O'Shea's eccentric and random anglicism of some French forenames. Perhaps his (slightly patronising?) intention was to smooth the path for non-French-speakers, but if so he has failed : Arnolds and Williams and a multitude of Peters are quite difficult to imagine as Frenchmen, and the latter might well enquire, in wounded fashion, as to why the king of Aragon was allowed to remain as Pedro. And they all might wonder why Jacques never became James.

However, despite that relatively minor irritation, the gripping saga proceeds at a cracking pace, and a bed-time read has suddenly turned into a small-hours session, as the characters take on a life of their own. Cathars and kings and priests and peasants, soldiers and popes and aristocrats and inquisitors, women and men and children of all social conditions - each one comes vibrantly alive under O'Shea's pen, thus bringing each separate scenario into sharp focus.

It is to the author's credit that unlike some modern-day commentators he does not seek to idealise or mystify the Cathars - 'Perfect' may have been the title accorded to their spiritual preceptors, but they did have their failings, and he views them with a matter-of-fact eye, albeit a kindly one. On the other hand, we are left in no doubt as to his view of the Church, and of its rôle in the drama ; and however one might feel about the Cathars, it would be virtually impossible to contest that view. Meticulously recorded - in all their gruesome particulars - by the inquisitors themselves, the facts are undeniable. Even when viewed against the savage background of mediaeval Europe, the details beggar belief.

By the time you reach the last page, you will surely have learnt something.


Lessons for a modern world - unlearnt !, 23 Jul 2006
Totally absorbing, thought-provoking history of a religious order who believed in the pursuit of a peaceful, humble existence to help them, once they'd died, either reincarnate
in a life closer to God, or ascend to God without reincarnation as a "Perfect". Their peaceful existence and simple message threatened a world dominated by religious zealots and warring nobility. The Holy Roman Empire had to stop them by whatever means available: crusades, the formation of the detested Inquisition. The narrative is rich and colourful and brings to life the personalities of the key players of the drama over a 200 year period - I felt part of it and emotionally wrung-out at the end of the book. My first foray into Cathar history; its really wet my apetite to read more on the
subject and read more of Stephen O'Shea's works.

Intolerence, religious persecution - echoes from the past?, 23 Mar 2005
In a world of increasing religious intolerance and inquisitorial style detentions, lessons from the past become even more important. The treatment of the Cathars by the dominant Catholic authorities is one such experience that should not be repeated. The heresy was almost perfect, against all the church stood for, led by the Perfects and in many ways more akin to modern ideology than medieval Catholicism is. The book is similarly almost perfect. It is a highly illuminating account of the establishement, short rise and long fall of a group of heretics, their sympathetic overlords and the whole regional identity of languedoc.

Before reading this work I was relatively ignorant of the internal crusades of Christendom. The Perfect Hersey is a perfect introduction to this period and region, illustrating the sheer inhumanity of the treatment dealt to anyone foolish enough to be labelled a heretic or sympathiser to them. The names of Carcassone, Bezier and Toulouse will signify more than just pretty tourist destinations. And perhaps more importantly the book fills in a crucial gap, illustrating the importance of the Cathar hersey to the forging of a unified French monarch, a dominance of northern 'Langue D'Oi' culture and the creation of the infamous Inquisitions.

The book is a well written example of good narrative history. It is chronologically coherent, and provides an excellent starting point to anyone whose interest in the intrigues of the Catholic Church's past has been wetted by the attention given to the Da Vinci Code. Not a must read, but for any one with an interest in the area or period it is a vital introduction.

A lively overview of the conflict, 18 Mar 2005
This is a well written and lively introductory book covering the Albigensian crusade in Southern France (but not, as the title might suggest, the Cathar movement more generally). As with Jonathan Sumption's similar book "The Albigensian Crusade" it is an overview of the period, the personalities and the reasons for the crusade. It is well written, concentrates on history rather than myth (although it does touch briefly upon the myths that have later arisen) and does an excellent job of bringing the period and the people who lived in it to life.

Both this and Jonathan Sumption's book work very well as guides to this period of history, and in fairness either would make a good choice if you have an interest in this topic. My personal preference of the two was for this book as I found it somewhat fresher in tone and lighter in touch while still containing much the same level of information, it makes a surprisingly good holiday read whereas Jonathan Sumption's book has a slightly drier and more academic flavour. Ultimately though, both are good and both are well written, with this book being a little more accessible and Jonathan Sumption's book having better illustrative maps and plans.

An informative and evocative read, 29 Oct 2004
This book provides an excellent intoduction to the Cathars. O'Shea has the written ability and historical knowledge to give a superb account of the crusades which will provoke sustained interest.

Very thorough, 05 Aug 2008
An excellent read. Having heard them mentioned in 'The Da Vinci Code' (film and book), and having visited temple church in London I was fascinated to learn a little more about them. This book is heavily laced with names and dates and direct extracts from writings of the time. It lays open several possibilities for their demise without the author ever really needing to force his own opinion on you. It's certainly left me wanting to know more about them.

Engrossing read, 22 Oct 2007
I always hated history as a kid, so i have a lot of catching up to do. I have been led on a journey that i thought would take a couple of years to complete. From Virgil and Homer, to Dante and more modern works from Baigent, Anthony Beevor and William L Shirer. This journey will never end all the while there are books like The Rise and Fall of the Knights Templar. Some history books are more heavily laced with personal opinion than others. This book seems to deal with the facts as far as my cross referencing shows, which if i'm honest could have gone alot further. But it has tempted me in to reading alot more on the subject, and that cannot be a bad thing.

God help us all, 03 Oct 2008
I'm a great fan of the "very short introduction" series, published in a nice pocketable format and covering a huge range of topics. But editor and author must take heavy blame for this impenetrable monstrosity.

As pointed out by a previous reviewer, this book was written originally for a knowledgeable audience and has been simply rebranded as an "introduction". It isn't. Not a bit of it. Tyerman races through the events of the crusades and then attempts a long and excessively detailed analysis of their genesis and impact.

I consider this rebranding act pretty poor form on the part of OUP. But looking at the text, one starts to wonder who could have found even that original work an enjoyable read. The sentences are interminable and full of incongruous and utterly preposterous metaphors. I've plucked a (believe it or not) representative sentence from Tyerman's labyrinthine prose.

"Although the rulers' rhetoric spoke differently, with popes, politicians, and chroniclers presenting a particular frontier myth of heroic conquest and battle to justify the Franks' presence and excite Western support, Outremer society, while sustained by this cohesive ideology of 'exiles' for the faith, reflected a far more humdrum diversity of experience than such crude caricatures allow."

Well thanks for clearing that up Chris.

Tyerman is writing this as a work of high literature in itself and it is writing to be ashamed of. Academic or not, and I was till recently an academic myself, the purpose of writing for others must be to explain and to elucidate. When writers resort to pretentious obfuscation one is drawn only to the conclusion there simply isn't very much to explain.

I won't give up on the v.s.i. series since I've had plenty of good experiences as well (the first world war introduction in particular is excellent). But I must register my strongest condemnation for this title, for its author (I feel quite sorry for his students in Oxford), and for the feeble work of its editors at OUP. Avoid at all costs!

An interminable Introduction, 07 Jul 2008
I purchased this title expecting, as it says on the cover, a short introduction to the crusades; an overview of the wars with possibly some academic insight into their principal causes, after effects and enduring legacy.

Instead Tyerman, spends one chapter giving an "A Ridiculously short introduction" to the crusades. The rest of the book is both disjointed and lacks flow. Although the introduction is Academic, it is badly written with long laborious sentences often describing the most trivial of events. Considering that the target audience are far from being experts on the subject but rather casual readers seeking either (1) Knowledge of a subject which they know little (2) An introduction into a subject on which they want to learn more (3) A refresher on a subject which they have studied in the past, this book is the complete opposite of the entertaining, factual account of the crusades, sought by these readers.

I am possible being slightly harsh in my rating. However the fact that I took a whole month to struggle through a "very short introduction", to me, defeats the purpose of this book. Not only this, but I also felt like putting it in the toaster every time I read 5 pages of it!!


Holy men at war, 19 Aug 2007
Part of the continuing fascination with the Crusades is due to the belief that we are still fighting them, that they precipitated a Christian/Islamic conflict in which we are still caught up. Truth tends to be much more complex and multi-layered than myth, which is indeed why we prefer the latter. But if you would like to get at the former, Tyerman's book is a good place to start. The most important lessons are to do with scope and context. The Crusades were much more than a series of military expeditions by Europeans to the Holy Land, they lasted for far longer than the two centuries we usually credit them with, and the wars between Christian and Islamic nations had older and deeper roots. Nor are their consequences widely understood. As this book makes clear, the Crusades had far more impact on Europe, and far less on the Near East, than is usually thought.

This Very Short Introduction is actually a reprint of Tyerman's hardback Fighting for Christendom (used, cheap copies of which, at the time of writing this review, are still available on Amazon, so you might want to check that out). One consequence is that, at over 150 pages, it's longer than most in the series. Also, I think they must have simply shrunk the illustrations to fit on the page, so that you need a magnifying glass to read some of the maps.

The early chapters give an excellent overview of the subject. The later chapters, examining the impact and significance of the Crusades, and being therefore more interpretive, are somewhat heavy going at times. The author's style is good, but may be slightly too academic for some readers. And he is occasionally prone to colourful moral judgments, such as when he talks of Himmler's 'historically illiterate ghouls' relying on 'rancid imagination'. I may well share this view, but I will arrive at it myself, thank you very much.

This remains an excellent introduction to a hugely important subject, and is a worthy addition to the series.




Good if overly-academic, 31 May 2007
Tyerman's The Crusades: A Very Short Introduction was not, in fact written to be a very short introduction, and was first prublished as "Fighting for Christendom" in 2004. This is where the problem seems to lie. Repackaged as a VSI, it attracts new and general readers who expect it to be what it says on the cover. They then have to battle with this overly-academic text. I am sure this book is perfectly brillant in itself, but it doesn't really work as a very short introduction. The writer asumes, fairly enough as it seems he didn't know it would become a VSI, a good knowledge of medevial history, academic terms and world geography. This clearly alienates some, like me, who thought it would be a much simpler read as the title suggests: easing you in, rather than jumping in head first.

However, the books is still actually really quite good. Speaking as someone who knows next to nothing about medevial history and is not familar with every academic term under the sun, the book was still very informative and interesting. There is no doubt if you are like me you will sometimes have to battle with paragraphs to grasp meaning, but somehow things did fall into place. Tyerman is clearly an expert who makes some very intriguing points in historography, seeking to dispell misconceptions, as a result of what must be extensive research and a genuine interest for the topic. Let's put it this way: criticism aside, I can't deny I enjoyed reading it.

Difficult, not exactly a very short introduction, but most definitely good.

Fascinating and surprisingly comprehensive, 11 Mar 2007
I am a big fan of the idea behind the Very Short Introduction series, and the way in which they provide information in an easily accesible manner with plenty of scope for further reading. "The Crusades" by Christopher Tyerman is one of its best examples. It is dense material, admittedly, but very readable at the same time.

This is not only a narrative of the events of each crusade but also an exploration of the very idea of the crusade, how it developed, its historical context, the mechanics of how it was decreed and promoted, who went on crusade, how these expeditions were financed. Tyerman briefly touches as well on what life was like in the Holy Land, and the relationship of the Christian colonists to the Muslims. He also examines how similar crusading ideas were applied not just to the Holy Land but also to the pagan lands of the Baltic and the Spanish Reconquista.

For a book that is less 150 pages long, Tyerman thus does a fantastic job of covering the crusades in detail from many different angles. It is certainly less daunting, as well more digestible, than some of the massive tomes (sometimes over 1000 pages) which exist about the crusades. To place the wealth of information in context, the book includes a good number of maps and illustrations, while a list of further reading at the back means that it is possible to follow up on many of the interesting points that Tyerman raises.

In short, this is a brilliantly engaging and surprisingly comprehensive introduction, ideal for both students of medieval history and the casual reader.

Conflicts you never heard about, 02 May 2007
The book represents a concise but comprehensive description of the state-of-the-art in the field of ethnic conflict. Moreover, it is a well written and--despite the grave nature of the subject--entertaining book. It provides a summary of contemporary views on why and how ethnicity has become such a powerful mobilizing force that can plunge societies into years of civil war and suffering; why in some cases ethnic conflicts become so violent and in others may be resolved peacefully; and how, if at all, such conflicts may be managed and resolved. The book is quite extraordinary in its coverage of conflicts in various parts of the world. Of course, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo, for example, are well-known examples of ethnic conflicts. But how much do we know about the events in Bougainville or in the Democratic Republic of Congo where at least three million people have died in war?

The book is highly recommendable for undergraduate students in political science/sociology and anybody who approaches the complex problem of ethnic conflict for the first time.


bougainvillia on Mars?, 28 Aug 2007
The West and the Rest is a book I have read three times and on each occasion extracted some new realisation. It is a small volume but so packed with civilisational counter-intuitiveness that it will make your head spin.

The most profound insight (that I dwell on almost daily when I listen to the news) is the link between democracy and the nation state. Scruton argues quite persuasively that to have a democracy means starting with a nation that sees itself as one. In other words, democracy is the child of nationhood and not the other way round because, in a democracy, all must agree to abide by the wish of the ruling majority. This is only possible because they trust (a key concept) that the majority have the best interests of all (not just their own) at heart.

A democracy calls for the participants to view each other as partners in a joint and quite specific project with names such as England, Ireland, France, Japan, India, Germany, The U.S, Israel and Australia.

It also demonstrates why these Western Nations have democracy and "the Rest", those places ravaged by factionalism, sectarianism and an understanding only of a greater Ummah never will. It also explains why the EU will never be a democracy and why a Balkanising multiculturalism is such pure poison to nationhood first and democracy second.

Sobering stuff when you see our foolish leadership spending our blood and treasure on "bringing democracy" to some bedevilled place on a map. They might as well be trying to grow bougainvillea on Mars.

They should have read this book!


Sketchy, full of nonsense and frightening, 05 Nov 2005
Roger Scruton explains very well the theoretical difference between the West (freedom, separation of Church and State) and the Rest (e.g. Islam).
But this is not the motive behind the 9/11 calamity. As one other commentator wrote here before, the real reason is the fact that the US is seen as an enemy of the Arab people. One blatant sign is its unconditional support of Israel in the Palestinian conflict.
Scruton's essay is based on abstract concepts (membership, religion, the muslims, the West, the Rest, authority). But 'religion' doesn't exist, there are only 'religions' (thousands of sects).
He sees 'loss of membership' as one of the main reasons for Western decadence. Membership (or solidarity) is not a basic need for mankind. People become member of something if there is a personel gain or plus.

Some of his ideas are very difficult to swallow.
Preposterous is his statement that 'the French Revolution should primarely be seen as a religious phenomenon'. One of the most important backers of the Enlightenment (Le Grand Orient de France) professes that 'believing in a God is a serious mental disease'.
Or, 'It is from a deficit of membership that the urge to revolution arises'. This is plain nonsense. People are revolting when they are exploited or when their individual basic needs or rights (food, land, shelter, freedom) are in danger or not respected.
Further, 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori!' This is beautiful but bare nonsense, when we see all the draft dodgers. Powerful families keep their offspring at bay and fight with mercenaries.
Another of his obsessions is the 'devastating pornography'. Adult pornography is a terribly banal item compared with the raped, crippled, blind, radioatively infected victims (soldiers and citizens) of wars, or the child abuses by religious 'authorities'. I have never heard that someone was killed by pornography. The maxim should be: Make love, not war!
He found that one of the reasons of the 9/11 catastrophy was the fact that the perpetrators received a technical education. Would that mean that not everyone deserves one?

Roger Scruton's solution for our 'problems', and a key concept of this book is 'authority'. Whose authority? Whose religion?
Because of its instilling of authority, Roger Scruton is a great admirer of Islamic education (based on learning by heart of the Koran). Some minor (even indirect) field work would have revealed the appalling message professed (until recently?) in Islamic schools.

His big enemies are dictators and religious fanatics. He forgets to mention that the Taliban and the madrasas in Pakistan and Afghanistan were created by Western intelligence services. Those services installed or supported Greek colonels, dictatorships in Indonesia, Argentina, the Philippines, Saudi-Arabia, Iran, Iraq ... I could go on. They attacked or undermined democratically elected presidents. A recent example is president Chavez in Venezuela (see the remarkable movie 'The revolution will not be televized').
Another big part of his solution is a reinforcement of the nation-state, in other words, nationalism. But the nation-state is dominated (directly or indirectly) or overrun by transnational companies. The solution is a reinforcement of international authorities (UN, ILO, GATT, Europe ...).

Like other readers I found this book frightening, but for other reasons. I am frightened that people should have to live in Roger Scruton's nation-state with superior Islamic schools, no technical education and under his authority.

The enemy within and without, 28 Aug 2005
In this short but illuminating book, Scruton examines the political institutions of the West as regards the relation between religion and politics, and the threat of radical Islam. Briefly but with great clarity he explores the political history of West that gave us individual freedom, prosperity and the pursuit of knowledge. These pillars rest upon Greek thought, Roman Law and Judeo-Christianity. He points out that freedom needs to be defined and that it also needs restraints in order to continue to function. The success of the West is based on the practice of separating church and state, of recognizing the two different realms. This is the fundamental difference with Islam.

Islamism is a totalitarian ideology precisely because the totality of society must submit to religion. The author argues that the political process in Western societies is what has made it so successful - western democracies are governed by politics while the Rest are ruled by force. In the West, the political process functions through negotiation and compromise. Religion and culture are binding principles but they do prescribe. But with the collapse of these roots in much of the West, a vital defence of our culture is being lost. According to Scruton, the love of freedom alone is not enough for our civilization to survive. He considers the nation state as a precondition for democracy and the rule of law. Under Islam, the Sharia is the only source of law and there is no room for dissent.

The UN is a club of gangsters. Most UN representatives do not represent the people of their countries but only the thuggish regimes that lord it over the people. In addition, Western elites and radical Islamists both despise Western civilization. This is particularly pronounced in academia, the media and the entertainment community. This alienation manifests also in the Muslim immigrant communities in Europe that do not want to assimilate, enjoying all the benefits of their new society whilst at the same time despising it. There is a sick energy between the immigrants and the elites that despise their own heritage.

Scruton explains the modern roots of Islamic militancy by discussing Wahhabism, the Muslim Brotherhood and the Khomeini revolution in Iran. He rightly criticises the West's dangerous commitment to multiculturalism but I do not agree with his conclusions that globalisation fosters terrorism and that democracy is not suitable for "the rest." One need only look at successful democracies like Japan to see the fallacy here. Even Turkey has a somewhat flawed but functioning democracy.

But overall, and for its multiple insights, this is a most valuable and enlightening work that provides much food for thought. Scruton is an original thinker and a gifted writer. I highly recommend The West And The Rest for those who are interested in history, culture and politics.

Other recommended books that cover similar terrain include Unholy Alliance by David Horowitz, The Force Of Reason by Oriana Fallaci, Unhinged: Exposing Liberals Gone Wild by Michelle Malkin, Hoodwinked: How Intellectual Hucksters Have Hijacked American Culture by Jack Cashill, Intellectual Impostures by Alan Sokal and Jean Bricmont, Anti-Americanism by Jean-Francois Revel, The Death Of Right And Wrong by Tammy Bruce, and The Anti-Chomsky Reader by Horowitz and Collier.

first impressions mislead, 17 Mar 2005
Roger Scruton is known for his position somewhere on the traditional right of the political spectrum. Indeed he has written a defence of conservatism. Those on the left may therefore be wary of this book. But as someone who has not in the past sympathised with Scruton's politics I can strongly recommend this book. The book's strength is its intellectual seriousness combined with its clarity of expression. Anyone who is interested in the history of ideas will find this book of interest, since it goes much deeper than the aftermath of 9/11 and addresses the enlightenment and the modern nation-state by contrast with developments in the Islamic world. It also deals with the puzzling, not to say wrongheaded, disposition of some western intellectuals to belittle the cultural heritage of the west and ignore the many benefits this has brought ordinary people the world over. For such intellectuals the west can never redeem itself for the "guilt" associated with its historical dominance over other cultural traditions.

a voice in the wilderness, 19 Nov 2003
This slim little volume packs more facts and well-reasoned arguments than all the Michael Moore and Noam Chomsky tomes put together. This remarkable intellect knows more about the Islamic world than all the George Galloways and Charles Kennedys in Britain. For one thing, he actually knows Arabic, and has closely studied many Islamic texts, something none of these other blowhards can claim. Brits may assume this book provides nothing but a pro-Western slant to recent events, but that's far from the case. In fact, Scruton sympathizes a great deal with militant Islamic critiques of Western-style consumerism. But he explains how their "solution" to the problem, the fundamentalist Islamification of the world, would destroy more than our right to buy what we want, but all the freedoms we hold dear. There is a wistful current throughout, as he demonstrates how the self-loathing and self-flagellation of so many Westerners are symptoms of our culture's almost-inevitable decline. Whether it can revive its past vigor, or what might take its place, is difficult to fathom at this stage. But one thing is for sure: if you believe that Islamism would be an improvement, you're deluding yourself.

A JOLLY GOOD READ!, 07 Nov 2006
Cathars / Albigeois / Albigensians : it would be difficult indeed to live - as I do - in south-western France and remain unaware of them. I knew about them long before leaving the UK, though, and it seems that vast numbers of people all over the world now take considerable interest in the life, times, persecution and (presumed) extinction of this apparently harmless sect, whose history will forever be associated with the Languedoc.

Among the countless books available on the subject, ranging from the unbendingly scholarly and drily indigestible to the hack-written and downright fanciful, with all shades of the literary spectrum in between, The Perfect Heresy stands out as an intensively-researched work, smoothly and compellingly written.

Easily absorbed, and fascinating in its detail, O'Shea's account encompasses not only the overt religious bigotry which fuelled the wholesale slaughter now generally referred to as the Albigensian Crusade, but also the hidden agendas : the before-and-after political map of France is a real eye-opener, as are the clearly-described political machinations by which, concealed behind a screen thickly embroidered with self-righteousness, those in power trampled and manipulated their way towards greater and greater gain, and loftier and loftier personal status. (Good job things are different now, eh?).

My only real criticism of this work concerns O'Shea's eccentric and random anglicism of some French forenames. Perhaps his (slightly patronising?) intention was to smooth the path for non-French-speakers, but if so he has failed : Arnolds and Williams and a multitude of Peters are quite difficult to imagine as Frenchmen, and the latter might well enquire, in wounded fashion, as to why the king of Aragon was allowed to remain as Pedro. And they all might wonder why Jacques never became James.

However, despite that relatively minor irritation, the gripping saga proceeds at a cracking pace, and a bed-time read has suddenly turned into a small-hours session, as the characters take on a life of their own. Cathars and kings and priests and peasants, soldiers and popes and aristocrats and inquisitors, women and men and children of all social conditions - each one comes vibrantly alive under O'Shea's pen, thus bringing each separate scenario into sharp focus.

It is to the author's credit that unlike some modern-day commentators he does not seek to idealise or mystify the Cathars - 'Perfect' may have been the title accorded to their spiritual preceptors, but they did have their failings, and he views them with a matter-of-fact eye, albeit a kindly one. On the other hand, we are left in no doubt as to his view of the Church, and of its rôle in the drama ; and however one might feel about the Cathars, it would be virtually impossible to contest that view. Meticulously recorded - in all their gruesome particulars - by the inquisitors themselves, the facts are undeniable. Even when viewed against the savage background of mediaeval Europe, the details beggar belief.

By the time you reach the last page, you will surely have learnt something.


Lessons for a modern world - unlearnt !, 23 Jul 2006
Totally absorbing, thought-provoking history of a religious order who believed in the pursuit of a peaceful, humble existence to help them, once they'd died, either reincarnate
in a life closer to God, or ascend to God without reincarnation as a "Perfect". Their peaceful existence and simple message threatened a world dominated by religious zealots and warring nobility. The Holy Roman Empire had to stop them by whatever means available: crusades, the formation of the detested Inquisition. The narrative is rich and colourful and brings to life the personalities of the key players of the drama over a 200 year period - I felt part of it and emotionally wrung-out at the end of the book. My first foray into Cathar history; its really wet my apetite to read more on the
subject and read more of Stephen O'Shea's works.

Intolerence, religious persecution - echoes from the past?, 23 Mar 2005
In a world of increasing religious intolerance and inquisitorial style detentions, lessons from the past become even more important. The treatment of the Cathars by the dominant Catholic authorities is one such experience that should not be repeated. The heresy was almost perfect, against all the church stood for, led by the Perfects and in many ways more akin to modern ideology than medieval Catholicism is. The book is similarly almost perfect. It is a highly illuminating account of the establishement, short rise and long fall of a group of heretics, their sympathetic overlords and the whole regional identity of languedoc.

Before reading this work I was relatively ignorant of the internal crusades of Christendom. The Perfect Hersey is a perfect introduction to this period and region, illustrating the sheer inhumanity of the treatment dealt to anyone foolish enough to be labelled a heretic or sympathiser to them. The names of Carcassone, Bezier and Toulouse will signify more than just pretty tourist destinations. And perhaps more importantly the book fills in a crucial gap, illustrating the importance of the Cathar hersey to the forging of a unified French monarch, a dominance of northern 'Langue D'Oi' culture and the creation of the infamous Inquisitions.

The book is a well written example of good narrative history. It is chronologically coherent, and provides an excellent starting point to anyone whose interest in the intrigues of the Catholic Church's past has been wetted by the attention given to the Da Vinci Code. Not a must read, but for any one with an interest in the area or period it is a vital introduction.

A lively overview of the conflict, 18 Mar 2005
This is a well written and lively introductory book covering the Albigensian crusade in Southern France (but not, as the title might suggest, the Cathar movement more generally). As with Jonathan Sumption's similar book "The Albigensian Crusade" it is an overview of the period, the personalities and the reasons for the crusade. It is well written, concentrates on history rather than myth (although it does touch briefly upon the myths that have later arisen) and does an excellent job of bringing the period and the people who lived in it to life.

Both this and Jonathan Sumption's book work very well as guides to this period of history, and in fairness either would make a good choice if you have an interest in this topic. My personal preference of the two was for this book as I found it somewhat fresher in tone and lighter in touch while still containing much the same level of information, it makes a surprisingly good holiday read whereas Jonathan Sumption's book has a slightly drier and more academic flavour. Ultimately though, both are good and both are well written, with this book being a little more accessible and Jonathan Sumption's book having better illustrative maps and plans.

An informative and evocative read, 29 Oct 2004
This book provides an excellent intoduction to the Cathars. O'Shea has the written ability and historical knowledge to give a superb account of the crusades which will provoke sustained interest.

Very thorough, 05 Aug 2008
An excellent read. Having heard them mentioned in 'The Da Vinci Code' (film and book), and having visited temple church in London I was fascinated to learn a little more about them. This book is heavily laced with names and dates and direct extracts from writings of the time. It lays open several possibilities for their demise without the author ever really needing to force his own opinion on you. It's certainly left me wanting to know more about them.

Engrossing read, 22 Oct 2007
I always hated history as a kid, so i have a lot of catching up to do. I have been led on a journey that i thought would take a couple of years to complete. From Virgil and Homer, to Dante and more modern works from Baigent, Anthony Beevor and William L Shirer. This journey will never end all the while there are books like The Rise and Fall of the Knights Templar. Some history books are more heavily laced with personal opinion than others. This book seems to deal with the facts as far as my cross referencing shows, which if i'm honest could have gone alot further. But it has tempted me in to reading alot more on the subject, and that cannot be a bad thing.

God help us all, 03 Oct 2008
I'm a great fan of the "very short introduction" series, published in a nice pocketable format and covering a huge range of topics. But editor and author must take heavy blame for this impenetrable monstrosity.

As pointed out by a previous reviewer, this book was written originally for a knowledgeable audience and has been simply rebranded as an "introduction". It isn't. Not a bit of it. Tyerman races through the events of the crusades and then attempts a long and excessively detailed analysis of their genesis and impact.

I consider this rebranding act pretty poor form on the part of OUP. But looking at the text, one starts to wonder who could have found even that original work an enjoyable read. The sentences are interminable and full of incongruous and utterly preposterous metaphors. I've plucked a (believe it or not) representative sentence from Tyerman's labyrinthine prose.

"Although the rulers' rhetoric spoke differently, with popes, politicians, and chroniclers presenting a particular frontier myth of heroic conquest and battle to justify the Franks' presence and excite Western support, Outremer society, while sustained by this cohesive ideology of 'exiles' for the faith, reflected a far more humdrum diversity of experience than such crude caricatures allow."

Well thanks for clearing that up Chris.

Tyerman is writing this as a work of high literature in itself and it is writing to be ashamed of. Academic or not, and I was till recently an academic myself, the purpose of writing for others must be to explain and to elucidate. When writers resort to pretentious obfuscation one is drawn only to the conclusion there simply isn't very much to explain.

I won't give up on the v.s.i. series since I've had plenty of good experiences as well (the first world war introduction in particular is excellent). But I must register my strongest condemnation for this title, for its author (I feel quite sorry for his students in Oxford), and for the feeble work of its editors at OUP. Avoid at all costs!

An interminable Introduction, 07 Jul 2008
I purchased this title expecting, as it says on the cover, a short introduction to the crusades; an overview of the wars with possibly some academic insight into their principal causes, after effects and enduring legacy.

Instead Tyerman, spends one chapter giving an "A Ridiculously short introduction" to the crusades. The rest of the book is both disjointed and lacks flow. Although the introduction is Academic, it is badly written with long laborious sentences often describing the most trivial of events. Considering that the target audience are far from being experts on the subject but rather casual readers seeking either (1) Knowledge of a subject which they know little (2) An introduction into a subject on which they want to learn more (3) A refresher on a subject which they have studied in the past, this book is the complete opposite of the entertaining, factual account of the crusades, sought by these readers.

I am possible being slightly harsh in my rating. However the fact that I took a whole month to struggle through a "very short introduction", to me, defeats the purpose of this book. Not only this, but I also felt like putting it in the toaster every time I read 5 pages of it!!


Holy men at war, 19 Aug 2007
Part of the continuing fascination with the Crusades is due to the belief that we are still fighting them, that they precipitated a Christian/Islamic conflict in which we are still caught up. Truth tends to be much more complex and multi-layered than myth, which is indeed why we prefer the latter. But if you would like to get at the former, Tyerman's book is a good place to start. The most important lessons are to do with scope and context. The Crusades were much more than a series of military expeditions by Europeans to the Holy Land, they lasted for far longer than the two centuries we usually credit them with, and the wars between Christian and Islamic nations had older and deeper roots. Nor are their consequences widely understood. As this book makes clear, the Crusades had far more impact on Europe, and far less on the Near East, than is usually thought.

This Very Short Introduction is actually a reprint of Tyerman's hardback Fighting for Christendom (used, cheap copies of which, at the time of writing this review, are still available on Amazon, so you might want to check that out). One consequence is that, at over 150 pages, it's longer than most in the series. Also, I think they must have simply shrunk the illustrations to fit on the page, so that you need a magnifying glass to read some of the maps.

The early chapters give an excellent overview of the subject. The later chapters, examining the impact and significance of the Crusades, and being therefore more interpretive, are somewhat heavy going at times. The author's style is good, but may be slightly too academic for some readers. And he is occasionally prone to colourful moral judgments, such as when he talks of Himmler's 'historically illiterate ghouls' relying on 'rancid imagination'. I may well share this view, but I will arrive at it myself, thank you very much.

This remains an excellent introduction to a hugely important subject, and is a worthy addition to the series.




Good if overly-academic, 31 May 2007
Tyerman's The Crusades: A Very Short Introduction was not, in fact written to be a very short introduction, and was first prublished as "Fighting for Christendom" in 2004. This is where the problem seems to lie. Repackaged as a VSI, it attracts new and general readers who expect it to be what it says on the cover. They then have to battle with this overly-academic text. I am sure this book is perfectly brillant in itself, but it doesn't really work as a very short introduction. The writer asumes, fairly enough as it seems he didn't know it would become a VSI, a good knowledge of medevial history, academic terms and world geography. This clearly alienates some, like me, who thought it would be a much simpler read as the title suggests: easing you in, rather than jumping in head first.

However, the books is still actually really quite good. Speaking as someone who knows next to nothing about medevial history and is not familar with every academic term under the sun, the book was still very informative and interesting. There is no doubt if you are like me you will sometimes have to battle with paragraphs to grasp meaning, but somehow things did fall into place. Tyerman is clearly an expert who makes some very intriguing points in historography, seeking to dispell misconceptions, as a result of what must be extensive research and a genuine interest for the topic. Let's put it this way: criticism aside, I can't deny I enjoyed reading it.

Difficult, not exactly a very short introduction, but most definitely good.

Fascinating and surprisingly comprehensive, 11 Mar 2007
I am a big fan of the idea behind the Very Short Introduction series, and the way in which they provide information in an easily accesible manner with plenty of scope for further reading. "The Crusades" by Christopher Tyerman is one of its best examples. It is dense material, admittedly, but very readable at the same time.

This is not only a narrative of the events of each crusade but also an exploration of the very idea of the crusade, how it developed, its historical context, the mechanics of how it was decreed and promoted, who went on crusade,