How did this ever get published?!, 07 Sep 2008
Garbage.
That's what this is. Garbage. It's bad enough that the fore-runner to this book was swallowed hook, line, and sinker by the gullible thousands; but for a sequel, even more outlandish in its thesis, to receive a similar welcome is a poor reflection on the intelligence of the average reader.
There are thousands, if not millions, of academic books, papers, theses, and disseratations that paint a different image of how China and Europe shared knowledge. None of them mention this armada.
Garbage.

I Am Chinese!, 15 Aug 2008
This literally unbelievable book has shown me that my whole upbringing was a lie - I am actually Chinese and everything I have enjoyed about life has come from China. Amazing. Where was the computer that I am typing this review on made? Why, China of course. What more proof do you need?

What has it taken so long for the indisputable facts of the Chinese creation of everything to come to light? One can only surmise that a long running conspiracy between the Knights Templar, the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei has been running things behind the scenes. No coincidence I'm sure that Gavin Menzies' books contain exactly the same kind of selective historiography, illogical leaps of reasoning, reasoning from effect to cause and all the other deductive confidence tricks readers of the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail et.al have embraced for years.

Highly recommended for the gullible.


Definitely worth reading, 16 Jul 2008
Gavin Menzies is neither an academic nor a lawyer, so his writing may occasionally be repetitive and he does not produce a watertight case, but do not let this put you off - in the core of this book is the fascinating theory that the Chinese donated their encyclopedia of knowledge to the Venetians as a gesture of magnamity and to prove to the world that the Chinese were the most advanced society in the world.
The world would be a different place today if the next emperor, a few years later, had not decided to cut China off from the world. Left with a repository of mechanical drawings explaining hydraulics, astronomy, weapons, manufacture etc, but no-one to explain the (Chinese) instructions, the handful of Italians with this gold dust then spent the next decades trying to decipher the knowledge the Chinese had donated to them.
Decades of analysis let eventually to the "invention" by the Italians of all the things that the Chinese had actually invented hundreds of years before.
So Leonardo Da Vinci was just a fine illustrator and a blatant plagiarist, however it will take some time for us Europeans, brought up believing that Leonardo and his ilk are heroes, to accept a less Eurocentric view of world history.
Gavin Menzies has pursued a line of inquiry as unique as it is astounding, yet in the process has turned up masses of evidence and convinced me that he is on the right track. It will be interesting to see if others agree.
By the way, if you are going to read 1434, I recommend you read 1421 first.


A compelling new alternative history from Gavin Menzies!, 09 Jul 2008
In this follow up to '1421' Gavin Menzies convincingly argues that much of the basis of the European Renaissance was heavily reliant on Chinese influences. Menzies argues that the Chinese delegation that visited the Pope in Florence in 1434 handed over a wealth of knowledge which was to provide the spark which set the Renaissance, and subsequently the development of our modern world, ablaze.
The book is well written and illustrated, though I found some aspects rather complex (astro-navigation is not one of my strong points!)
All-in-all, a thoroughly engaging and plausible alternative history. Bravo Gavin (again)!

How did this ever get published?!, 07 Sep 2008
Garbage.
That's what this is. Garbage. It's bad enough that the fore-runner to this book was swallowed hook, line, and sinker by the gullible thousands; but for a sequel, even more outlandish in its thesis, to receive a similar welcome is a poor reflection on the intelligence of the average reader.
There are thousands, if not millions, of academic books, papers, theses, and disseratations that paint a different image of how China and Europe shared knowledge. None of them mention this armada.
Garbage.

I Am Chinese!, 15 Aug 2008
This literally unbelievable book has shown me that my whole upbringing was a lie - I am actually Chinese and everything I have enjoyed about life has come from China. Amazing. Where was the computer that I am typing this review on made? Why, China of course. What more proof do you need?

What has it taken so long for the indisputable facts of the Chinese creation of everything to come to light? One can only surmise that a long running conspiracy between the Knights Templar, the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei has been running things behind the scenes. No coincidence I'm sure that Gavin Menzies' books contain exactly the same kind of selective historiography, illogical leaps of reasoning, reasoning from effect to cause and all the other deductive confidence tricks readers of the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail et.al have embraced for years.

Highly recommended for the gullible.


Definitely worth reading, 16 Jul 2008
Gavin Menzies is neither an academic nor a lawyer, so his writing may occasionally be repetitive and he does not produce a watertight case, but do not let this put you off - in the core of this book is the fascinating theory that the Chinese donated their encyclopedia of knowledge to the Venetians as a gesture of magnamity and to prove to the world that the Chinese were the most advanced society in the world.
The world would be a different place today if the next emperor, a few years later, had not decided to cut China off from the world. Left with a repository of mechanical drawings explaining hydraulics, astronomy, weapons, manufacture etc, but no-one to explain the (Chinese) instructions, the handful of Italians with this gold dust then spent the next decades trying to decipher the knowledge the Chinese had donated to them.
Decades of analysis let eventually to the "invention" by the Italians of all the things that the Chinese had actually invented hundreds of years before.
So Leonardo Da Vinci was just a fine illustrator and a blatant plagiarist, however it will take some time for us Europeans, brought up believing that Leonardo and his ilk are heroes, to accept a less Eurocentric view of world history.
Gavin Menzies has pursued a line of inquiry as unique as it is astounding, yet in the process has turned up masses of evidence and convinced me that he is on the right track. It will be interesting to see if others agree.
By the way, if you are going to read 1434, I recommend you read 1421 first.


A compelling new alternative history from Gavin Menzies!, 09 Jul 2008
In this follow up to '1421' Gavin Menzies convincingly argues that much of the basis of the European Renaissance was heavily reliant on Chinese influences. Menzies argues that the Chinese delegation that visited the Pope in Florence in 1434 handed over a wealth of knowledge which was to provide the spark which set the Renaissance, and subsequently the development of our modern world, ablaze.
The book is well written and illustrated, though I found some aspects rather complex (astro-navigation is not one of my strong points!)
All-in-all, a thoroughly engaging and plausible alternative history. Bravo Gavin (again)!

Best I've read in a long time, superb!, 27 Feb 2008
An excellent read. Think of the sieges in LOTR's the twin towers and return of the king rolled into one, but this actually happened!. This is one of the most exciting, enthralling and entertaining histories I've ever read.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, buy it and be amazed.

Colourful and unbiased, 04 Dec 2007
This is an even-handed account of the fall of the Byzantine empire and, less common in books on this subject, the rise of the Ottoman empire. It doesn't shy away from detailing the many cruelties of the Ottomans and the lesser and smaller number of cruelties committed by the Byzantines, but nor does it pitch the contest as a clash between light and dark.

It is well illustrated with both black and white line drawings and colour plates and contains annotated references, a discussion of the source material and a bibliography. I particularly liked the use of an epilogue to address the fates of both people and things present at the siege.

I concur with those who suggest reading this alongside Runciman for a rounded view.

Reads like fiction, informs like non-fiction should, 24 Apr 2007
The historian brings personages to life by telling the story of their times - illuminating them and their deeds. The novelist brings history to life by telling the stories of the people who made it - real and imagined, by painting a more colorful and sometimes, complete picture.

As Napoleon said, "history is the agreed version of events by the victors." Much of what happened before photography and film made accurate recording possible can be disputed. With that in mind, Roger Crowley has done a commendable job. How would I know? Because this reviewer has encountered the same challenge!

I am a novelist and my first book, "The Lion of St. Mark (St. Martin's Press, 2005), was written before I read Roger Crowley's 1453. I only wish I had his wonderful book by my side when I was toiling over disputing sources as I wrote my fictional (but historically accurate, I trust) account of the great siege of Constantinople and what happened afterwards.

I appreciate his decision to go with his gut when disparate versions of history irreconcilably collide and avoid the use of "perhaps", "possibly", and "might have", which can drag historical storytelling to a standstill.

Crowley's style is highly readable and skillfully blends history with many illustrative anecdotes to bring the siege to life. Who can deny the courage of the Ottoman's and the Christians as they contended in their supreme struggle after reading "The Last Great Siege, 1453"? Their move/counter-move contest reminds me of the Battle of the North Atlantic in WWII that saw the Allies and Germans constantly one-up each other to achieve supremacy.

Traditional histories suffer from the readers' foreknowledge of how things end. Only a first-rate writer is able to make history "read like a novel" to maintain the suspense and show that, despite the strength of the Ottoman army, the siege really was a near run thing."

I understand from his website that Crowley's next work will detail the continuing struggle between the Ottomans and the West that culminated in the epic battle of Lepanto in 1571 and a decisive Christian victory.

I will definitely buy it before beginning my third novel in my Venetians series.


A great tale rendered brilliantly, 23 Feb 2007
Loads of high-profile historical books are praised to the rafters these days, and yet when you read them you often find that the writer has not fully got to grips with the subject matter, and you end up absorbing little real knowledge or deriving much entertainment.

This book is an exception. Lucid, exciting and thoroughly entertaining, this is one of the best I've ever read.

Outstanding Narrative History, 18 Jan 2007
I had recently completed John Julius Norwich's excellent 3 volume history of the Byzantine Empire, but when he reaches the climax of his story, the Fall of Constantinople, he muffs it with a rushed account. This fills the gap and does it's subject full justice.

Exciting, gripping and written in an almost cinematic style I cannot recommend this book highly enough, both to those interested in history and those who simply like a good story.

How did this ever get published?!, 07 Sep 2008
Garbage.
That's what this is. Garbage. It's bad enough that the fore-runner to this book was swallowed hook, line, and sinker by the gullible thousands; but for a sequel, even more outlandish in its thesis, to receive a similar welcome is a poor reflection on the intelligence of the average reader.
There are thousands, if not millions, of academic books, papers, theses, and disseratations that paint a different image of how China and Europe shared knowledge. None of them mention this armada.
Garbage.

I Am Chinese!, 15 Aug 2008
This literally unbelievable book has shown me that my whole upbringing was a lie - I am actually Chinese and everything I have enjoyed about life has come from China. Amazing. Where was the computer that I am typing this review on made? Why, China of course. What more proof do you need?

What has it taken so long for the indisputable facts of the Chinese creation of everything to come to light? One can only surmise that a long running conspiracy between the Knights Templar, the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei has been running things behind the scenes. No coincidence I'm sure that Gavin Menzies' books contain exactly the same kind of selective historiography, illogical leaps of reasoning, reasoning from effect to cause and all the other deductive confidence tricks readers of the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail et.al have embraced for years.

Highly recommended for the gullible.


Definitely worth reading, 16 Jul 2008
Gavin Menzies is neither an academic nor a lawyer, so his writing may occasionally be repetitive and he does not produce a watertight case, but do not let this put you off - in the core of this book is the fascinating theory that the Chinese donated their encyclopedia of knowledge to the Venetians as a gesture of magnamity and to prove to the world that the Chinese were the most advanced society in the world.
The world would be a different place today if the next emperor, a few years later, had not decided to cut China off from the world. Left with a repository of mechanical drawings explaining hydraulics, astronomy, weapons, manufacture etc, but no-one to explain the (Chinese) instructions, the handful of Italians with this gold dust then spent the next decades trying to decipher the knowledge the Chinese had donated to them.
Decades of analysis let eventually to the "invention" by the Italians of all the things that the Chinese had actually invented hundreds of years before.
So Leonardo Da Vinci was just a fine illustrator and a blatant plagiarist, however it will take some time for us Europeans, brought up believing that Leonardo and his ilk are heroes, to accept a less Eurocentric view of world history.
Gavin Menzies has pursued a line of inquiry as unique as it is astounding, yet in the process has turned up masses of evidence and convinced me that he is on the right track. It will be interesting to see if others agree.
By the way, if you are going to read 1434, I recommend you read 1421 first.


A compelling new alternative history from Gavin Menzies!, 09 Jul 2008
In this follow up to '1421' Gavin Menzies convincingly argues that much of the basis of the European Renaissance was heavily reliant on Chinese influences. Menzies argues that the Chinese delegation that visited the Pope in Florence in 1434 handed over a wealth of knowledge which was to provide the spark which set the Renaissance, and subsequently the development of our modern world, ablaze.
The book is well written and illustrated, though I found some aspects rather complex (astro-navigation is not one of my strong points!)
All-in-all, a thoroughly engaging and plausible alternative history. Bravo Gavin (again)!

Best I've read in a long time, superb!, 27 Feb 2008
An excellent read. Think of the sieges in LOTR's the twin towers and return of the king rolled into one, but this actually happened!. This is one of the most exciting, enthralling and entertaining histories I've ever read.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, buy it and be amazed.

Colourful and unbiased, 04 Dec 2007
This is an even-handed account of the fall of the Byzantine empire and, less common in books on this subject, the rise of the Ottoman empire. It doesn't shy away from detailing the many cruelties of the Ottomans and the lesser and smaller number of cruelties committed by the Byzantines, but nor does it pitch the contest as a clash between light and dark.

It is well illustrated with both black and white line drawings and colour plates and contains annotated references, a discussion of the source material and a bibliography. I particularly liked the use of an epilogue to address the fates of both people and things present at the siege.

I concur with those who suggest reading this alongside Runciman for a rounded view.

Reads like fiction, informs like non-fiction should, 24 Apr 2007
The historian brings personages to life by telling the story of their times - illuminating them and their deeds. The novelist brings history to life by telling the stories of the people who made it - real and imagined, by painting a more colorful and sometimes, complete picture.

As Napoleon said, "history is the agreed version of events by the victors." Much of what happened before photography and film made accurate recording possible can be disputed. With that in mind, Roger Crowley has done a commendable job. How would I know? Because this reviewer has encountered the same challenge!

I am a novelist and my first book, "The Lion of St. Mark (St. Martin's Press, 2005), was written before I read Roger Crowley's 1453. I only wish I had his wonderful book by my side when I was toiling over disputing sources as I wrote my fictional (but historically accurate, I trust) account of the great siege of Constantinople and what happened afterwards.

I appreciate his decision to go with his gut when disparate versions of history irreconcilably collide and avoid the use of "perhaps", "possibly", and "might have", which can drag historical storytelling to a standstill.

Crowley's style is highly readable and skillfully blends history with many illustrative anecdotes to bring the siege to life. Who can deny the courage of the Ottoman's and the Christians as they contended in their supreme struggle after reading "The Last Great Siege, 1453"? Their move/counter-move contest reminds me of the Battle of the North Atlantic in WWII that saw the Allies and Germans constantly one-up each other to achieve supremacy.

Traditional histories suffer from the readers' foreknowledge of how things end. Only a first-rate writer is able to make history "read like a novel" to maintain the suspense and show that, despite the strength of the Ottoman army, the siege really was a near run thing."

I understand from his website that Crowley's next work will detail the continuing struggle between the Ottomans and the West that culminated in the epic battle of Lepanto in 1571 and a decisive Christian victory.

I will definitely buy it before beginning my third novel in my Venetians series.


A great tale rendered brilliantly, 23 Feb 2007
Loads of high-profile historical books are praised to the rafters these days, and yet when you read them you often find that the writer has not fully got to grips with the subject matter, and you end up absorbing little real knowledge or deriving much entertainment.

This book is an exception. Lucid, exciting and thoroughly entertaining, this is one of the best I've ever read.

Outstanding Narrative History, 18 Jan 2007
I had recently completed John Julius Norwich's excellent 3 volume history of the Byzantine Empire, but when he reaches the climax of his story, the Fall of Constantinople, he muffs it with a rushed account. This fills the gap and does it's subject full justice.

Exciting, gripping and written in an almost cinematic style I cannot recommend this book highly enough, both to those interested in history and those who simply like a good story.


Heavy going and boring, 26 Oct 2007
Big book, but does not seem to say a lot. I found it boring in the extreme without any real depth. A disappointment as I had expected more information and background on the characters involved. Instead, God's War seems to be more about the politics of the church,than the people who actually lived through the crusades. A missed opportunity for the author

A flawed masterpiece, 20 Jun 2007
Read the other reviews and you will see people either find this essential or annoyingly flawed. They are both right. No book has attempted to encompass not only the Eastern Crusades but also the crusading efforts in Northern Europe, Spain and looking at the later crusades too. Never has so much info covering so many cultures been crammed into 1 volume.

But, and it is a big but, there is an old literary saying "if you have a complex tale to tell then tell it simply" and this is where the book falls down. The language is dry and uses words such as fissiparous which means not only do you have to keep a plethora of characters, dates and events in your mind but you have to keep reaching for the dictionary too. It is also curiously unemotional when it comes to key/epic moments of the Crusades. I think Tyreman has confused being unbiased (which is appropriate given the topic)with being bland.

Also while the research is exhaustive and exhausting I do think the balance is a little odd, do we really need an exact itinerary of the preaching of the Second Crusade, Third Crusade and so on on to skim over things like what were the weapons and tactics of East versus West (this is hardly ever mentioned and never in any depth). Don't get me wrong the preaching is vital to the story but what made the crusades the crusades was the fighting and this does not get the same scrutiny as the liturgies going on in the Rhineland.

Saying that even an expert on the Crusades will find something new here, it's a very big mountain to climb (it took me months to get through and nobody can absorb it all after reading it just once) but the views from the top are spectacular.

Stay put, Sir Steven Runciman, 14 Mar 2007
It may be many decades since Sir Steven Runciman wrote his history of the crusades but his works still hold the double crown of interest and scholarliness. Christopher Tyerman's work is large, a physically heavy tome, and undoubtedly scholarly. It is however, written in a peculiarly academic style which makes much use of obscure words and written styles. Bookish, academic to a fault and clearly the product of the author's extensive understanding of the period. However, Christopher Tyerman fails to convey to me the fervour, passion and sheer excitement of this monumental period of East-West history. Sadly, I have put this book back on my shelf only one-third read.

The definitive work on the Crusades, 02 Jan 2007
Christopher Tyerman has produced the definitive work on The Crusades. Very well researched, even on the early Crusades where written records are scanty, compared to later in Crusader histery. Covers the the whole spectrum and mindworld of the men [ and women ] who for faith or greed, or a mixture of both, died and killed in pursuit of their dream of a Holy City, Jerusalem, and how once organized through preaching, propaganda and the giving and selling of indulgences through a smooth running Papal beaurocracy, the ritual of The Taking of the Cross became the mechanism for the slaughter of heretics, the pursuit of power and wealth by conquest, of Popes and Emperors and between Popes and Emperors, as well as the rise [ and fall ] of the Military Orders such as The Templars, Hospitallers and the Teutonic Knights. Well written and an excellent read.

Too long and slightly disappointing, 19 Dec 2006
This is a mammoth and very ambitious book. The range of subjects covered is impressive but unfortunately the range is not quite matched by the depth. Some of the theses are as outdated as Runciman and clearly Tyerman is not at home with the crusades outside of the Holy Land. A more concise work with fuller use of primary sources would have perhaps been better. Nevertheless the book is undoubtedly an addition to the ever growing literature on the crusades.

How did this ever get published?!, 07 Sep 2008
Garbage.
That's what this is. Garbage. It's bad enough that the fore-runner to this book was swallowed hook, line, and sinker by the gullible thousands; but for a sequel, even more outlandish in its thesis, to receive a similar welcome is a poor reflection on the intelligence of the average reader.
There are thousands, if not millions, of academic books, papers, theses, and disseratations that paint a different image of how China and Europe shared knowledge. None of them mention this armada.
Garbage.

I Am Chinese!, 15 Aug 2008
This literally unbelievable book has shown me that my whole upbringing was a lie - I am actually Chinese and everything I have enjoyed about life has come from China. Amazing. Where was the computer that I am typing this review on made? Why, China of course. What more proof do you need?

What has it taken so long for the indisputable facts of the Chinese creation of everything to come to light? One can only surmise that a long running conspiracy between the Knights Templar, the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei has been running things behind the scenes. No coincidence I'm sure that Gavin Menzies' books contain exactly the same kind of selective historiography, illogical leaps of reasoning, reasoning from effect to cause and all the other deductive confidence tricks readers of the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail et.al have embraced for years.

Highly recommended for the gullible.


Definitely worth reading, 16 Jul 2008
Gavin Menzies is neither an academic nor a lawyer, so his writing may occasionally be repetitive and he does not produce a watertight case, but do not let this put you off - in the core of this book is the fascinating theory that the Chinese donated their encyclopedia of knowledge to the Venetians as a gesture of magnamity and to prove to the world that the Chinese were the most advanced society in the world.
The world would be a different place today if the next emperor, a few years later, had not decided to cut China off from the world. Left with a repository of mechanical drawings explaining hydraulics, astronomy, weapons, manufacture etc, but no-one to explain the (Chinese) instructions, the handful of Italians with this gold dust then spent the next decades trying to decipher the knowledge the Chinese had donated to them.
Decades of analysis let eventually to the "invention" by the Italians of all the things that the Chinese had actually invented hundreds of years before.
So Leonardo Da Vinci was just a fine illustrator and a blatant plagiarist, however it will take some time for us Europeans, brought up believing that Leonardo and his ilk are heroes, to accept a less Eurocentric view of world history.
Gavin Menzies has pursued a line of inquiry as unique as it is astounding, yet in the process has turned up masses of evidence and convinced me that he is on the right track. It will be interesting to see if others agree.
By the way, if you are going to read 1434, I recommend you read 1421 first.


A compelling new alternative history from Gavin Menzies!, 09 Jul 2008
In this follow up to '1421' Gavin Menzies convincingly argues that much of the basis of the European Renaissance was heavily reliant on Chinese influences. Menzies argues that the Chinese delegation that visited the Pope in Florence in 1434 handed over a wealth of knowledge which was to provide the spark which set the Renaissance, and subsequently the development of our modern world, ablaze.
The book is well written and illustrated, though I found some aspects rather complex (astro-navigation is not one of my strong points!)
All-in-all, a thoroughly engaging and plausible alternative history. Bravo Gavin (again)!

Best I've read in a long time, superb!, 27 Feb 2008
An excellent read. Think of the sieges in LOTR's the twin towers and return of the king rolled into one, but this actually happened!. This is one of the most exciting, enthralling and entertaining histories I've ever read.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, buy it and be amazed.

Colourful and unbiased, 04 Dec 2007
This is an even-handed account of the fall of the Byzantine empire and, less common in books on this subject, the rise of the Ottoman empire. It doesn't shy away from detailing the many cruelties of the Ottomans and the lesser and smaller number of cruelties committed by the Byzantines, but nor does it pitch the contest as a clash between light and dark.

It is well illustrated with both black and white line drawings and colour plates and contains annotated references, a discussion of the source material and a bibliography. I particularly liked the use of an epilogue to address the fates of both people and things present at the siege.

I concur with those who suggest reading this alongside Runciman for a rounded view.

Reads like fiction, informs like non-fiction should, 24 Apr 2007
The historian brings personages to life by telling the story of their times - illuminating them and their deeds. The novelist brings history to life by telling the stories of the people who made it - real and imagined, by painting a more colorful and sometimes, complete picture.

As Napoleon said, "history is the agreed version of events by the victors." Much of what happened before photography and film made accurate recording possible can be disputed. With that in mind, Roger Crowley has done a commendable job. How would I know? Because this reviewer has encountered the same challenge!

I am a novelist and my first book, "The Lion of St. Mark (St. Martin's Press, 2005), was written before I read Roger Crowley's 1453. I only wish I had his wonderful book by my side when I was toiling over disputing sources as I wrote my fictional (but historically accurate, I trust) account of the great siege of Constantinople and what happened afterwards.

I appreciate his decision to go with his gut when disparate versions of history irreconcilably collide and avoid the use of "perhaps", "possibly", and "might have", which can drag historical storytelling to a standstill.

Crowley's style is highly readable and skillfully blends history with many illustrative anecdotes to bring the siege to life. Who can deny the courage of the Ottoman's and the Christians as they contended in their supreme struggle after reading "The Last Great Siege, 1453"? Their move/counter-move contest reminds me of the Battle of the North Atlantic in WWII that saw the Allies and Germans constantly one-up each other to achieve supremacy.

Traditional histories suffer from the readers' foreknowledge of how things end. Only a first-rate writer is able to make history "read like a novel" to maintain the suspense and show that, despite the strength of the Ottoman army, the siege really was a near run thing."

I understand from his website that Crowley's next work will detail the continuing struggle between the Ottomans and the West that culminated in the epic battle of Lepanto in 1571 and a decisive Christian victory.

I will definitely buy it before beginning my third novel in my Venetians series.


A great tale rendered brilliantly, 23 Feb 2007
Loads of high-profile historical books are praised to the rafters these days, and yet when you read them you often find that the writer has not fully got to grips with the subject matter, and you end up absorbing little real knowledge or deriving much entertainment.

This book is an exception. Lucid, exciting and thoroughly entertaining, this is one of the best I've ever read.

Outstanding Narrative History, 18 Jan 2007
I had recently completed John Julius Norwich's excellent 3 volume history of the Byzantine Empire, but when he reaches the climax of his story, the Fall of Constantinople, he muffs it with a rushed account. This fills the gap and does it's subject full justice.

Exciting, gripping and written in an almost cinematic style I cannot recommend this book highly enough, both to those interested in history and those who simply like a good story.


Heavy going and boring, 26 Oct 2007
Big book, but does not seem to say a lot. I found it boring in the extreme without any real depth. A disappointment as I had expected more information and background on the characters involved. Instead, God's War seems to be more about the politics of the church,than the people who actually lived through the crusades. A missed opportunity for the author

A flawed masterpiece, 20 Jun 2007
Read the other reviews and you will see people either find this essential or annoyingly flawed. They are both right. No book has attempted to encompass not only the Eastern Crusades but also the crusading efforts in Northern Europe, Spain and looking at the later crusades too. Never has so much info covering so many cultures been crammed into 1 volume.

But, and it is a big but, there is an old literary saying "if you have a complex tale to tell then tell it simply" and this is where the book falls down. The language is dry and uses words such as fissiparous which means not only do you have to keep a plethora of characters, dates and events in your mind but you have to keep reaching for the dictionary too. It is also curiously unemotional when it comes to key/epic moments of the Crusades. I think Tyreman has confused being unbiased (which is appropriate given the topic)with being bland.

Also while the research is exhaustive and exhausting I do think the balance is a little odd, do we really need an exact itinerary of the preaching of the Second Crusade, Third Crusade and so on on to skim over things like what were the weapons and tactics of East versus West (this is hardly ever mentioned and never in any depth). Don't get me wrong the preaching is vital to the story but what made the crusades the crusades was the fighting and this does not get the same scrutiny as the liturgies going on in the Rhineland.

Saying that even an expert on the Crusades will find something new here, it's a very big mountain to climb (it took me months to get through and nobody can absorb it all after reading it just once) but the views from the top are spectacular.

Stay put, Sir Steven Runciman, 14 Mar 2007
It may be many decades since Sir Steven Runciman wrote his history of the crusades but his works still hold the double crown of interest and scholarliness. Christopher Tyerman's work is large, a physically heavy tome, and undoubtedly scholarly. It is however, written in a peculiarly academic style which makes much use of obscure words and written styles. Bookish, academic to a fault and clearly the product of the author's extensive understanding of the period. However, Christopher Tyerman fails to convey to me the fervour, passion and sheer excitement of this monumental period of East-West history. Sadly, I have put this book back on my shelf only one-third read.

The definitive work on the Crusades, 02 Jan 2007
Christopher Tyerman has produced the definitive work on The Crusades. Very well researched, even on the early Crusades where written records are scanty, compared to later in Crusader histery. Covers the the whole spectrum and mindworld of the men [ and women ] who for faith or greed, or a mixture of both, died and killed in pursuit of their dream of a Holy City, Jerusalem, and how once organized through preaching, propaganda and the giving and selling of indulgences through a smooth running Papal beaurocracy, the ritual of The Taking of the Cross became the mechanism for the slaughter of heretics, the pursuit of power and wealth by conquest, of Popes and Emperors and between Popes and Emperors, as well as the rise [ and fall ] of the Military Orders such as The Templars, Hospitallers and the Teutonic Knights. Well written and an excellent read.

Too long and slightly disappointing, 19 Dec 2006
This is a mammoth and very ambitious book. The range of subjects covered is impressive but unfortunately the range is not quite matched by the depth. Some of the theses are as outdated as Runciman and clearly Tyerman is not at home with the crusades outside of the Holy Land. A more concise work with fuller use of primary sources would have perhaps been better. Nevertheless the book is undoubtedly an addition to the ever growing literature on the crusades.

Probably the best Travel Guide in the World :), 27 Aug 2008
Ibn Battuta was a medieval traveller from modern day Morocco. He was a Qadi (judge) who travelled, lived and worked in large swathes of the ancient world ranging from China, India, Ceylon, Sub Saharan Africa, and the Middle East! A feat one wonders if ever has been repeated.

The book is an autobiography written in the first person that details and describes his extensive travels in the form of a journal, dictated in the first person. The book gives an incite of the Islamic culture, customs and habits, as well as his perception (from the prospect of a Medieval Muslim) of his interactions and private thoughts with and of other cultures, be it Christendom, China, or even different Muslim regions.

I found that it opened up my eyes to the world, and to metaphorically see, and walk through other peoples shoes, whom although long gone come to life as the book touches on the political, as well as the social and cultural habits of the time.

Well worth the read, if you have any interest in travel, history or other cultures. An interesting contrast to Marco Polo.


Epic travel, 09 Mar 2007
In contrast to the numerous modern travel books which seem to focus on the 'personality' of the writer or trivial observations, this is an epic in every sense of the word. The scale of the journey is immense in distance and time, IB stayed to work as a Qadi (judge)in several places along the way, this means that you really get a deep sense of the politics and the people in each destination. This depth is unlike some of the more superficial accounts of present books which rely on novelty and humour. Although travels is not without humour itself.
I like travelling and read travel books frequently, so it's no suprise that I enjoyed the descriptions of distant lands and strange customs, however, the biggest suprise for me was the journey into the Islamic culture and lifestyle. I think it's the first account I have read from an Islamic perspective, and a Medieval one at that. With this in mind I think this is a perfect book to open the mind about other cultures and other ways of seeing the world. To get the most from this journey it is important to read 'Travels with a Tangerine' and 'Hall of a Thousand Columns' By Mackintosh-Smith.
I hope this reworked classic inspires other translators and archivists to unearth other works from centuries gone. On a final note I am deeply envious of anyone who understands Arabic as they can read the original.

A Very Stimulating Storytelling, 14 Feb 2004
The story told is based on his own true experience and worth reading. He is so honest when relaying his experiences and really open my eyes to other cultures and life that ever exist in the world. I envy his brave and courage to travel and learn about lots of things from it. Once reading his book, you can't put it down. You can even laugh and cry with him. He is so brave to with the cannibals and his story about his experience in his pilgrimage (Hajj) in Mecca, was so great that I can't find an exact word to describe it... he make us who has been there too, miss the place and want to go there again.

How did this ever get published?!, 07 Sep 2008
Garbage.
That's what this is. Garbage. It's bad enough that the fore-runner to this book was swallowed hook, line, and sinker by the gullible thousands; but for a sequel, even more outlandish in its thesis, to receive a similar welcome is a poor reflection on the intelligence of the average reader.
There are thousands, if not millions, of academic books, papers, theses, and disseratations that paint a different image of how China and Europe shared knowledge. None of them mention this armada.
Garbage.

I Am Chinese!, 15 Aug 2008
This literally unbelievable book has shown me that my whole upbringing was a lie - I am actually Chinese and everything I have enjoyed about life has come from China. Amazing. Where was the computer that I am typing this review on made? Why, China of course. What more proof do you need?

What has it taken so long for the indisputable facts of the Chinese creation of everything to come to light? One can only surmise that a long running conspiracy between the Knights Templar, the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei has been running things behind the scenes. No coincidence I'm sure that Gavin Menzies' books contain exactly the same kind of selective historiography, illogical leaps of reasoning, reasoning from effect to cause and all the other deductive confidence tricks readers of the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail et.al have embraced for years.

Highly recommended for the gullible.


Definitely worth reading, 16 Jul 2008
Gavin Menzies is neither an academic nor a lawyer, so his writing may occasionally be repetitive and he does not produce a watertight case, but do not let this put you off - in the core of this book is the fascinating theory that the Chinese donated their encyclopedia of knowledge to the Venetians as a gesture of magnamity and to prove to the world that the Chinese were the most advanced society in the world.
The world would be a different place today if the next emperor, a few years later, had not decided to cut China off from the world. Left with a repository of mechanical drawings explaining hydraulics, astronomy, weapons, manufacture etc, but no-one to explain the (Chinese) instructions, the handful of Italians with this gold dust then spent the next decades trying to decipher the knowledge the Chinese had donated to them.
Decades of analysis let eventually to the "invention" by the Italians of all the things that the Chinese had actually invented hundreds of years before.
So Leonardo Da Vinci was just a fine illustrator and a blatant plagiarist, however it will take some time for us Europeans, brought up believing that Leonardo and his ilk are heroes, to accept a less Eurocentric view of world history.
Gavin Menzies has pursued a line of inquiry as unique as it is astounding, yet in the process has turned up masses of evidence and convinced me that he is on the right track. It will be interesting to see if others agree.
By the way, if you are going to read 1434, I recommend you read 1421 first.


A compelling new alternative history from Gavin Menzies!, 09 Jul 2008
In this follow up to '1421' Gavin Menzies convincingly argues that much of the basis of the European Renaissance was heavily reliant on Chinese influences. Menzies argues that the Chinese delegation that visited the Pope in Florence in 1434 handed over a wealth of knowledge which was to provide the spark which set the Renaissance, and subsequently the development of our modern world, ablaze.
The book is well written and illustrated, though I found some aspects rather complex (astro-navigation is not one of my strong points!)
All-in-all, a thoroughly engaging and plausible alternative history. Bravo Gavin (again)!

Best I've read in a long time, superb!, 27 Feb 2008
An excellent read. Think of the sieges in LOTR's the twin towers and return of the king rolled into one, but this actually happened!. This is one of the most exciting, enthralling and entertaining histories I've ever read.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, buy it and be amazed.

Colourful and unbiased, 04 Dec 2007
This is an even-handed account of the fall of the Byzantine empire and, less common in books on this subject, the rise of the Ottoman empire. It doesn't shy away from detailing the many cruelties of the Ottomans and the lesser and smaller number of cruelties committed by the Byzantines, but nor does it pitch the contest as a clash between light and dark.

It is well illustrated with both black and white line drawings and colour plates and contains annotated references, a discussion of the source material and a bibliography. I particularly liked the use of an epilogue to address the fates of both people and things present at the siege.

I concur with those who suggest reading this alongside Runciman for a rounded view.

Reads like fiction, informs like non-fiction should, 24 Apr 2007
The historian brings personages to life by telling the story of their times - illuminating them and their deeds. The novelist brings history to life by telling the stories of the people who made it - real and imagined, by painting a more colorful and sometimes, complete picture.

As Napoleon said, "history is the agreed version of events by the victors." Much of what happened before photography and film made accurate recording possible can be disputed. With that in mind, Roger Crowley has done a commendable job. How would I know? Because this reviewer has encountered the same challenge!

I am a novelist and my first book, "The Lion of St. Mark (St. Martin's Press, 2005), was written before I read Roger Crowley's 1453. I only wish I had his wonderful book by my side when I was toiling over disputing sources as I wrote my fictional (but historically accurate, I trust) account of the great siege of Constantinople and what happened afterwards.

I appreciate his decision to go with his gut when disparate versions of history irreconcilably collide and avoid the use of "perhaps", "possibly", and "might have", which can drag historical storytelling to a standstill.

Crowley's style is highly readable and skillfully blends history with many illustrative anecdotes to bring the siege to life. Who can deny the courage of the Ottoman's and the Christians as they contended in their supreme struggle after reading "The Last Great Siege, 1453"? Their move/counter-move contest reminds me of the Battle of the North Atlantic in WWII that saw the Allies and Germans constantly one-up each other to achieve supremacy.

Traditional histories suffer from the readers' foreknowledge of how things end. Only a first-rate writer is able to make history "read like a novel" to maintain the suspense and show that, despite the strength of the Ottoman army, the siege really was a near run thing."

I understand from his website that Crowley's next work will detail the continuing struggle between the Ottomans and the West that culminated in the epic battle of Lepanto in 1571 and a decisive Christian victory.

I will definitely buy it before beginning my third novel in my Venetians series.


A great tale rendered brilliantly, 23 Feb 2007
Loads of high-profile historical books are praised to the rafters these days, and yet when you read them you often find that the writer has not fully got to grips with the subject matter, and you end up absorbing little real knowledge or deriving much entertainment.

This book is an exception. Lucid, exciting and thoroughly entertaining, this is one of the best I've ever read.

Outstanding Narrative History, 18 Jan 2007
I had recently completed John Julius Norwich's excellent 3 volume history of the Byzantine Empire, but when he reaches the climax of his story, the Fall of Constantinople, he muffs it with a rushed account. This fills the gap and does it's subject full justice.

Exciting, gripping and written in an almost cinematic style I cannot recommend this book highly enough, both to those interested in history and those who simply like a good story.


Heavy going and boring, 26 Oct 2007
Big book, but does not seem to say a lot. I found it boring in the extreme without any real depth. A disappointment as I had expected more information and background on the characters involved. Instead, God's War seems to be more about the politics of the church,than the people who actually lived through the crusades. A missed opportunity for the author

A flawed masterpiece, 20 Jun 2007
Read the other reviews and you will see people either find this essential or annoyingly flawed. They are both right. No book has attempted to encompass not only the Eastern Crusades but also the crusading efforts in Northern Europe, Spain and looking at the later crusades too. Never has so much info covering so many cultures been crammed into 1 volume.

But, and it is a big but, there is an old literary saying "if you have a complex tale to tell then tell it simply" and this is where the book falls down. The language is dry and uses words such as fissiparous which means not only do you have to keep a plethora of characters, dates and events in your mind but you have to keep reaching for the dictionary too. It is also curiously unemotional when it comes to key/epic moments of the Crusades. I think Tyreman has confused being unbiased (which is appropriate given the topic)with being bland.

Also while the research is exhaustive and exhausting I do think the balance is a little odd, do we really need an exact itinerary of the preaching of the Second Crusade, Third Crusade and so on on to skim over things like what were the weapons and tactics of East versus West (this is hardly ever mentioned and never in any depth). Don't get me wrong the preaching is vital to the story but what made the crusades the crusades was the fighting and this does not get the same scrutiny as the liturgies going on in the Rhineland.

Saying that even an expert on the Crusades will find something new here, it's a very big mountain to climb (it took me months to get through and nobody can absorb it all after reading it just once) but the views from the top are spectacular.

Stay put, Sir Steven Runciman, 14 Mar 2007
It may be many decades since Sir Steven Runciman wrote his history of the crusades but his works still hold the double crown of interest and scholarliness. Christopher Tyerman's work is large, a physically heavy tome, and undoubtedly scholarly. It is however, written in a peculiarly academic style which makes much use of obscure words and written styles. Bookish, academic to a fault and clearly the product of the author's extensive understanding of the period. However, Christopher Tyerman fails to convey to me the fervour, passion and sheer excitement of this monumental period of East-West history. Sadly, I have put this book back on my shelf only one-third read.

The definitive work on the Crusades, 02 Jan 2007
Christopher Tyerman has produced the definitive work on The Crusades. Very well researched, even on the early Crusades where written records are scanty, compared to later in Crusader histery. Covers the the whole spectrum and mindworld of the men [ and women ] who for faith or greed, or a mixture of both, died and killed in pursuit of their dream of a Holy City, Jerusalem, and how once organized through preaching, propaganda and the giving and selling of indulgences through a smooth running Papal beaurocracy, the ritual of The Taking of the Cross became the mechanism for the slaughter of heretics, the pursuit of power and wealth by conquest, of Popes and Emperors and between Popes and Emperors, as well as the rise [ and fall ] of the Military Orders such as The Templars, Hospitallers and the Teutonic Knights. Well written and an excellent read.

Too long and slightly disappointing, 19 Dec 2006
This is a mammoth and very ambitious book. The range of subjects covered is impressive but unfortunately the range is not quite matched by the depth. Some of the theses are as outdated as Runciman and clearly Tyerman is not at home with the crusades outside of the Holy Land. A more concise work with fuller use of primary sources would have perhaps been better. Nevertheless the book is undoubtedly an addition to the ever growing literature on the crusades.

Probably the best Travel Guide in the World :), 27 Aug 2008
Ibn Battuta was a medieval traveller from modern day Morocco. He was a Qadi (judge) who travelled, lived and worked in large swathes of the ancient world ranging from China, India, Ceylon, Sub Saharan Africa, and the Middle East! A feat one wonders if ever has been repeated.

The book is an autobiography written in the first person that details and describes his extensive travels in the form of a journal, dictated in the first person. The book gives an incite of the Islamic culture, customs and habits, as well as his perception (from the prospect of a Medieval Muslim) of his interactions and private thoughts with and of other cultures, be it Christendom, China, or even different Muslim regions.

I found that it opened up my eyes to the world, and to metaphorically see, and walk through other peoples shoes, whom although long gone come to life as the book touches on the political, as well as the social and cultural habits of the time.

Well worth the read, if you have any interest in travel, history or other cultures. An interesting contrast to Marco Polo.


Epic travel, 09 Mar 2007
In contrast to the numerous modern travel books which seem to focus on the 'personality' of the writer or trivial observations, this is an epic in every sense of the word. The scale of the journey is immense in distance and time, IB stayed to work as a Qadi (judge)in several places along the way, this means that you really get a deep sense of the politics and the people in each destination. This depth is unlike some of the more superficial accounts of present books which rely on novelty and humour. Although travels is not without humour itself.
I like travelling and read travel books frequently, so it's no suprise that I enjoyed the descriptions of distant lands and strange customs, however, the biggest suprise for me was the journey into the Islamic culture and lifestyle. I think it's the first account I have read from an Islamic perspective, and a Medieval one at that. With this in mind I think this is a perfect book to open the mind about other cultures and other ways of seeing the world. To get the most from this journey it is important to read 'Travels with a Tangerine' and 'Hall of a Thousand Columns' By Mackintosh-Smith.
I hope this reworked classic inspires other translators and archivists to unearth other works from centuries gone. On a final note I am deeply envious of anyone who understands Arabic as they can read the original.

A Very Stimulating Storytelling, 14 Feb 2004
The story told is based on his own true experience and worth reading. He is so honest when relaying his experiences and really open my eyes to other cultures and life that ever exist in the world. I envy his brave and courage to travel and learn about lots of things from it. Once reading his book, you can't put it down. You can even laugh and cry with him. He is so brave to with the cannibals and his story about his experience in his pilgrimage (Hajj) in Mecca, was so great that I can't find an exact word to describe it... he make us who has been there too, miss the place and want to go there again.

The She-Apostle, 18 Nov 2008
The She-Apostle is a fascinating book, about a fascinating character, who is arguably one of the lesser known figures of conventional history. Her remarkable story is beautifully conveyed by Redworth's distinctive style of writing which is skillful and detailed, yet easy to follow and engaging. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in history.

The She-Apostle, 03 Nov 2008
The She-Apostle; The Extraordinary Life and Death of Luisa de Carvajal, by Glyn Redworth, is an informative and entertaining examination of the evolution of a young girl into a devoted and daring advocate of the Catholic cause in Spain and then England, during the early 1600s. Luisas life provides an interesting and riveting view of the lengths to which devoted Catholics went to practice and preach their religion. Luisas journey to England begins long before she stepped foot on the ships that would carry her there, and Redworth provides a detailed and engaging study of how she came to set her heart on martyrdom, and how this led her to England. Luisa was a controversial figure both in life, and in death, and this book successfully navigates both sides of the argument, while offering new insights and questions. Redworth's expertise on the subject is evident and his writing is in top form. I highly recommend this book.

The Nun of Spitalfields, 01 Nov 2008
Redworth's writing is always excellent and this is no exception. Weaving skilful prose from the fascinating primary evidence, his writing bounces along sharing new insights into the London of James I and the politics of England and Spain in the early modern period, without losing sight of the personal experiences of this singular woman. As well as being academically impeccable, the book is easy to read! 'The She-Apostle' is excellent.

Excellent history writing, 03 Oct 2008
Redworth is one of the most readable and interesting of early modern historians and has a remarkable affinity with Spanish culture. This is another success for him.

Brilliant evocation, 26 Sep 2008
This is an amazing evocation of the sights, smells, fears and politics of London in the early 17th century, seen through the eyes of one of its most peculiar inhabitants, as well as the story of her life before coming to London - a Roman Catholic ascetic at the heart of the Catholic paranoia that followed the Gunpowder Plot. It is very readable and throws unexpected light onto the present day.

How did this ever get published?!, 07 Sep 2008
Garbage.
That's what this is. Garbage. It's bad enough that the fore-runner to this book was swallowed hook, line, and sinker by the gullible thousands; but for a sequel, even more outlandish in its thesis, to receive a similar welcome is a poor reflection on the intelligence of the average reader.
There are thousands, if not millions, of academic books, papers, theses, and disseratations that paint a different image of how China and Europe shared knowledge. None of them mention this armada.
Garbage.

I Am Chinese!, 15 Aug 2008
This literally unbelievable book has shown me that my whole upbringing was a lie - I am actually Chinese and everything I have enjoyed about life has come from China. Amazing. Where was the computer that I am typing this review on made? Why, China of course. What more proof do you need?

What has it taken so long for the indisputable facts of the Chinese creation of everything to come to light? One can only surmise that a long running conspiracy between the Knights Templar, the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei has been running things behind the scenes. No coincidence I'm sure that Gavin Menzies' books contain exactly the same kind of selective historiography, illogical leaps of reasoning, reasoning from effect to cause and all the other deductive confidence tricks readers of the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail et.al have embraced for years.

Highly recommended for the gullible.


Definitely worth reading, 16 Jul 2008
Gavin Menzies is neither an academic nor a lawyer, so his writing may occasionally be repetitive and he does not produce a watertight case, but do not let this put you off - in the core of this book is the fascinating theory that the Chinese donated their encyclopedia of knowledge to the Venetians as a gesture of magnamity and to prove to the world that the Chinese were the most advanced society in the world.
The world would be a different place today if the next emperor, a few years later, had not decided to cut China off from the world. Left with a repository of mechanical drawings explaining hydraulics, astronomy, weapons, manufacture etc, but no-one to explain the (Chinese) instructions, the handful of Italians with this gold dust then spent the next decades trying to decipher the knowledge the Chinese had donated to them.
Decades of analysis let eventually to the "invention" by the Italians of all the things that the Chinese had actually invented hundreds of years before.
So Leonardo Da Vinci was just a fine illustrator and a blatant plagiarist, however it will take some time for us Europeans, brought up believing that Leonardo and his ilk are heroes, to accept a less Eurocentric view of world history.
Gavin Menzies has pursued a line of inquiry as unique as it is astounding, yet in the process has turned up masses of evidence and convinced me that he is on the right track. It will be interesting to see if others agree.
By the way, if you are going to read 1434, I recommend you read 1421 first.


A compelling new alternative history from Gavin Menzies!, 09 Jul 2008
In this follow up to '1421' Gavin Menzies convincingly argues that much of the basis of the European Renaissance was heavily reliant on Chinese influences. Menzies argues that the Chinese delegation that visited the Pope in Florence in 1434 handed over a wealth of knowledge which was to provide the spark which set the Renaissance, and subsequently the development of our modern world, ablaze.
The book is well written and illustrated, though I found some aspects rather complex (astro-navigation is not one of my strong points!)
All-in-all, a thoroughly engaging and plausible alternative history. Bravo Gavin (again)!

Best I've read in a long time, superb!, 27 Feb 2008
An excellent read. Think of the sieges in LOTR's the twin towers and return of the king rolled into one, but this actually happened!. This is one of the most exciting, enthralling and entertaining histories I've ever read.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, buy it and be amazed.

Colourful and unbiased, 04 Dec 2007
This is an even-handed account of the fall of the Byzantine empire and, less common in books on this subject, the rise of the Ottoman empire. It doesn't shy away from detailing the many cruelties of the Ottomans and the lesser and smaller number of cruelties committed by the Byzantines, but nor does it pitch the contest as a clash between light and dark.

It is well illustrated with both black and white line drawings and colour plates and contains annotated references, a discussion of the source material and a bibliography. I particularly liked the use of an epilogue to address the fates of both people and things present at the siege.

I concur with those who suggest reading this alongside Runciman for a rounded view.

Reads like fiction, informs like non-fiction should, 24 Apr 2007
The historian brings personages to life by telling the story of their times - illuminating them and their deeds. The novelist brings history to life by telling the stories of the people who made it - real and imagined, by painting a more colorful and sometimes, complete picture.

As Napoleon said, "history is the agreed version of events by the victors." Much of what happened before photography and film made accurate recording possible can be disputed. With that in mind, Roger Crowley has done a commendable job. How would I know? Because this reviewer has encountered the same challenge!

I am a novelist and my first book, "The Lion of St. Mark (St. Martin's Press, 2005), was written before I read Roger Crowley's 1453. I only wish I had his wonderful book by my side when I was toiling over disputing sources as I wrote my fictional (but historically accurate, I trust) account of the great siege of Constantinople and what happened afterwards.

I appreciate his decision to go with his gut when disparate versions of history irreconcilably collide and avoid the use of "perhaps", "possibly", and "might have", which can drag historical storytelling to a standstill.

Crowley's style is highly readable and skillfully blends history with many illustrative anecdotes to bring the siege to life. Who can deny the courage of the Ottoman's and the Christians as they contended in their supreme struggle after reading "The Last Great Siege, 1453"? Their move/counter-move contest reminds me of the Battle of the North Atlantic in WWII that saw the Allies and Germans constantly one-up each other to achieve supremacy.

Traditional histories suffer from the readers' foreknowledge of how things end. Only a first-rate writer is able to make history "read like a novel" to maintain the suspense and show that, despite the strength of the Ottoman army, the siege really was a near run thing."

I understand from his website that Crowley's next work will detail the continuing struggle between the Ottomans and the West that culminated in the epic battle of Lepanto in 1571 and a decisive Christian victory.

I will definitely buy it before beginning my third novel in my Venetians series.


A great tale rendered brilliantly, 23 Feb 2007
Loads of high-profile historical books are praised to the rafters these days, and yet when you read them you often find that the writer has not fully got to grips with the subject matter, and you end up absorbing little real knowledge or deriving much entertainment.

This book is an exception. Lucid, exciting and thoroughly entertaining, this is one of the best I've ever read.

Outstanding Narrative History, 18 Jan 2007
I had recently completed John Julius Norwich's excellent 3 volume history of the Byzantine Empire, but when he reaches the climax of his story, the Fall of Constantinople, he muffs it with a rushed account. This fills the gap and does it's subject full justice.

Exciting, gripping and written in an almost cinematic style I cannot recommend this book highly enough, both to those interested in history and those who simply like a good story.


Heavy going and boring, 26 Oct 2007
Big book, but does not seem to say a lot. I found it boring in the extreme without any real depth. A disappointment as I had expected more information and background on the characters involved. Instead, God's War seems to be more about the politics of the church,than the people who actually lived through the crusades. A missed opportunity for the author

A flawed masterpiece, 20 Jun 2007
Read the other reviews and you will see people either find this essential or annoyingly flawed. They are both right. No book has attempted to encompass not only the Eastern Crusades but also the crusading efforts in Northern Europe, Spain and looking at the later crusades too. Never has so much info covering so many cultures been crammed into 1 volume.

But, and it is a big but, there is an old literary saying "if you have a complex tale to tell then tell it simply" and this is where the book falls down. The language is dry and uses words such as fissiparous which means not only do you have to keep a plethora of characters, dates and events in your mind but you have to keep reaching for the dictionary too. It is also curiously unemotional when it comes to key/epic moments of the Crusades. I think Tyreman has confused being unbiased (which is appropriate given the topic)with being bland.

Also while the research is exhaustive and exhausting I do think the balance is a little odd, do we really need an exact itinerary of the preaching of the Second Crusade, Third Crusade and so on on to skim over things like what were the weapons and tactics of East versus West (this is hardly ever mentioned and never in any depth). Don't get me wrong the preaching is vital to the story but what made the crusades the crusades was the fighting and this does not get the same scrutiny as the liturgies going on in the Rhineland.

Saying that even an expert on the Crusades will find something new here, it's a very big mountain to climb (it took me months to get through and nobody can absorb it all after reading it just once) but the views from the top are spectacular.

Stay put, Sir Steven Runciman, 14 Mar 2007
It may be many decades since Sir Steven Runciman wrote his history of the crusades but his works still hold the double crown of interest and scholarliness. Christopher Tyerman's work is large, a physically heavy tome, and undoubtedly scholarly. It is however, written in a peculiarly academic style which makes much use of obscure words and written styles. Bookish, academic to a fault and clearly the product of the author's extensive understanding of the period. However, Christopher Tyerman fails to convey to me the fervour, passion and sheer excitement of this monumental period of East-West history. Sadly, I have put this book back on my shelf only one-third read.

The definitive work on the Crusades, 02 Jan 2007
Christopher Tyerman has produced the definitive work on The Crusades. Very well researched, even on the early Crusades where written records are scanty, compared to later in Crusader histery. Covers the the whole spectrum and mindworld of the men [ and women ] who for faith or greed, or a mixture of both, died and killed in pursuit of their dream of a Holy City, Jerusalem, and how once organized through preaching, propaganda and the giving and selling of indulgences through a smooth running Papal beaurocracy, the ritual of The Taking of the Cross became the mechanism for the slaughter of heretics, the pursuit of power and wealth by conquest, of Popes and Emperors and between Popes and Emperors, as well as the rise [ and fall ] of the Military Orders such as The Templars, Hospitallers and the Teutonic Knights. Well written and an excellent read.

Too long and slightly disappointing, 19 Dec 2006
This is a mammoth and very ambitious book. The range of subjects covered is impressive but unfortunately the range is not quite matched by the depth. Some of the theses are as outdated as Runciman and clearly Tyerman is not at home with the crusades outside of the Holy Land. A more concise work with fuller use of primary sources would have perhaps been better. Nevertheless the book is undoubtedly an addition to the ever growing literature on the crusades.

Probably the best Travel Guide in the World :), 27 Aug 2008
Ibn Battuta was a medieval traveller from modern day Morocco. He was a Qadi (judge) who travelled, lived and worked in large swathes of the ancient world ranging from China, India, Ceylon, Sub Saharan Africa, and the Middle East! A feat one wonders if ever has been repeated.

The book is an autobiography written in the first person that details and describes his extensive travels in the form of a journal, dictated in the first person. The book gives an incite of the Islamic culture, customs and habits, as well as his perception (from the prospect of a Medieval Muslim) of his interactions and private thoughts with and of other cultures, be it Christendom, China, or even different Muslim regions.

I found that it opened up my eyes to the world, and to metaphorically see, and walk through other peoples shoes, whom although long gone come to life as the book touches on the political, as well as the social and cultural habits of the time.

Well worth the read, if you have any interest in travel, history or other cultures. An interesting contrast to Marco Polo.


Epic travel, 09 Mar 2007
In contrast to the numerous modern travel books which seem to focus on the 'personality' of the writer or trivial observations, this is an epic in every sense of the word. The scale of the journey is immense in distance and time, IB stayed to work as a Qadi (judge)in several places along the way, this means that you really get a deep sense of the politics and the people in each destination. This depth is unlike some of the more superficial accounts of present books which rely on novelty and humour. Although travels is not without humour itself.
I like travelling and read travel books frequently, so it's no suprise that I enjoyed the descriptions of distant lands and strange customs, however, the biggest suprise for me was the journey into the Islamic culture and lifestyle. I think it's the first account I have read from an Islamic perspective, and a Medieval one at that. With this in mind I think this is a perfect book to open the mind about other cultures and other ways of seeing the world. To get the most from this journey it is important to read 'Travels with a Tangerine' and 'Hall of a Thousand Columns' By Mackintosh-Smith.
I hope this reworked classic inspires other translators and archivists to unearth other works from centuries gone. On a final note I am deeply envious of anyone who understands Arabic as they can read the original.

A Very Stimulating Storytelling, 14 Feb 2004
The story told is based on his own true experience and worth reading. He is so honest when relaying his experiences and really open my eyes to other cultures and life that ever exist in the world. I envy his brave and courage to travel and learn about lots of things from it. Once reading his book, you can't put it down. You can even laugh and cry with him. He is so brave to with the cannibals and his story about his experience in his pilgrimage (Hajj) in Mecca, was so great that I can't find an exact word to describe it... he make us who has been there too, miss the place and want to go there again.

The She-Apostle, 18 Nov 2008
The She-Apostle is a fascinating book, about a fascinating character, who is arguably one of the lesser known figures of conventional history. Her remarkable story is beautifully conveyed by Redworth's distinctive style of writing which is skillful and detailed, yet easy to follow and engaging. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in history.

The She-Apostle, 03 Nov 2008
The She-Apostle; The Extraordinary Life and Death of Luisa de Carvajal, by Glyn Redworth, is an informative and entertaining examination of the evolution of a young girl into a devoted and daring advocate of the Catholic cause in Spain and then England, during the early 1600s. Luisas life provides an interesting and riveting view of the lengths to which devoted Catholics went to practice and preach their religion. Luisas journey to England begins long before she stepped foot on the ships that would carry her there, and Redworth provides a detailed and engaging study of how she came to set her heart on martyrdom, and how this led her to England. Luisa was a controversial figure both in life, and in death, and this book successfully navigates both sides of the argument, while offering new insights and questions. Redworth's expertise on the subject is evident and his writing is in top form. I highly recommend this book.

The Nun of Spitalfields, 01 Nov 2008
Redworth's writing is always excellent and this is no exception. Weaving skilful prose from the fascinating primary evidence, his writing bounces along sharing new insights into the London of James I and the politics of England and Spain in the early modern period, without losing sight of the personal experiences of this singular woman. As well as being academically impeccable, the book is easy to read! 'The She-Apostle' is excellent.

Excellent history writing, 03 Oct 2008
Redworth is one of the most readable and interesting of early modern historians and has a remarkable affinity with Spanish culture. This is another success for him.

Brilliant evocation, 26 Sep 2008
This is an amazing evocation of the sights, smells, fears and politics of London in the early 17th century, seen through the eyes of one of its most peculiar inhabitants, as well as the story of her life before coming to London - a Roman Catholic ascetic at the heart of the Catholic paranoia that followed the Gunpowder Plot. It is very readable and throws unexpected light onto the present day.

Achieved its objective!, 18 Nov 2008
As the title clearly indicates, this book is an attempt to depict the experience of the crusades through Arab eyes; in my opinion, it succeeded.

Until I read this title, my two favourite works concerning the crusades were 'The first crusade' by Thomas Asbridge and 'The sword and the scimitar' by Ernle Bradford. This book joins that short list.

One of the many bonuses to this title was that it filled a lot of the gaps in the aftermath of July 1099, such as the attempts by the Fatimids to reconquer Jerusalem, how the crusaders conquered Tripoli, Acre, the impact of the Mongols and the Mamluks on Arab civilisation. You come across interesting characters including Saladin, Zangi, Nur-Al-Din, Baybars, Qutuz, to name a few.

If I have any criticism, it is that some bits of information should not be taken at face value. For instance, the author asserts that Richard the Lionheart had Conrad of Montferrat killed by the Assassins - this is speculation at best.

I really enjoyed reading this and have certainly developed a more informed view of the crusades.

Interesting book, 20 Oct 2008
Amin Maalouf is a good French-Lebanese writer, and this, a translation from the original French, reads very well.

The occasional reviewer who says that it is one-sided is a bit unfair. It is a history of the Crusades from one point of view, as Maalouf says, and as the title makes clear. In writing the book, he says in the introduction, he has deliberately relied almost exclusively on contemporary Arabic sources. Even so, his account is fairly even-handed in that respect. Sometimes he does write as if he is cheering and jeering at the appropriate places in the story, but all even-handed historians, such as Runciman, make it clear that the Crusaders were on the whole a pretty barbaric bunch. Also although Maalouf describes Crusader-Muslim alliances as "bizarre", he makes it clear that as the Crusader kingdoms become stable, they played a role that often cut across religious lines, and few leaders on either side were consistent allies to their co-religionists, nor consistent enemies to those of another faith.

Also, at the end, after detailing the huge amount that the Europeans learnt in science, technology, art, culture, medicine and so on from the Muslim world, he then considers a few things that the Muslim world even at the time could have learnt from the otherwise less advanced west, if they had wished to.

However, the strength of the book doesn't come from its even-handedness. A good history book can be as biased as the writer wants it to be in tone, so long as it is factually accurate. Maalouf's account substantially agrees with (for example) Runciman's history, but fills it out by explaining the debates, the conflicts and the plans that the Muslims had in response to the invasion.

The single perspective of the narrative would be a weakness if someone were to take this as the last word, or the most complete account of the Crusades. At times it reads almost like Hamlet without the prince, as the driving force of the narrative, necessarily, is the Crusaders themselves. Maalouf's account of them is very thin, especially when it comes to explaining their motivations, the plea for help of the Byzantine emperor, the preaching of Peter the Hermit, the mass hysteria, the hopes and the fantasies and so on. This is not really a weakness of the book, but just something you should bear in mind. Whatever the grounds for your interest in the Crusades, you would need to read an account of how it all came about. Runciman's history is the standard work, and still well regarded. Maalouf however, will add much vital information that Runciman doesn't cover, however limited Maalouf's book would be considered in itself.

The great strengths of Maalouf's book come when he is explaining the political and social context of the Muslim world at the time. His explanation of the divisions between Turkish military commander and Arab civilian, burgher and villager, qadi and officer, Sunni and Shia gives you a deeper understanding of the Crusades than you would have if you only read other sources. He also explains the Assassins in a way that treats them not as an exotic curiosity, but an important social movement.

This book will enrich whatever else you have read about the Crusades. Although many of the original Arabic texts have now been translated, his overview and narrative is based on a wide variety of Arabic sources, and gives a broad understanding of what the Muslims thought of the event, and how they reacted to it.


Overated pseudo-history, 04 May 2008
This book highlights the dangers inherent in journalists writing history. The author has a lively style and the book is ceratinly readable (one previous reviewer even fooled into thinking it's a novel!) but it is very poor as history. It lacks objectivity and although presents us with a very interesting account of events from the Arab point of view and is critical of the Muslim states and their inability to work together, displays the author's ignorance (or deliberate lack of interest in) their opponents. Western authors have been writing more balanced views of the religious wars in the middle east for some time as any serious student of mediaeval history is well aware and this books pretensions at presenting 'the other side' is disingenuous. To sum up, it reminded me of a couple of books I read many years ago about events on the Russian front in 1943 and 44, which were written by Russian authors writing under communist rule, - go figure!

Not the best account!, 06 Sep 2007
I have to disagree with the other reviewers. The idea of the book is a very good one. We're used to reading about the crusades from the western perspective. Even the most objective account will tend to examine the motivations/ideas of the crusaders rather than the Arabs. So Ma'alouf's book is needed. However, it is, academically speaking, a bit slim. In my opinion this book is NOT well researched; however, even though it does so poorly, it touches on an understudied side of the crusades.

To use a rather odd analogy: if this was a movie I'd tell you to watch it on a plane or on TV but not to buy it!

Well researched, Acessible, Intriguing, 19 Jun 2007
I'm not much of a history buff. but this book is written in a clear accessible style. Events are detailed and accurate, and the journey through time is eyeopening. Well written, read this book!

How did this ever get published?!, 07 Sep 2008
Garbage.
That's what this is. Garbage. It's bad enough that the fore-runner to this book was swallowed hook, line, and sinker by the gullible thousands; but for a sequel, even more outlandish in its thesis, to receive a similar welcome is a poor reflection on the intelligence of the average reader.
There are thousands, if not millions, of academic books, papers, theses, and disseratations that paint a different image of how China and Europe shared knowledge. None of them mention this armada.
Garbage.

I Am Chinese!, 15 Aug 2008
This literally unbelievable book has shown me that my whole upbringing was a lie - I am actually Chinese and everything I have enjoyed about life has come from China. Amazing. Where was the computer that I am typing this review on made? Why, China of course. What more proof do you need?

What has it taken so long for the indisputable facts of the Chinese creation of everything to come to light? One can only surmise that a long running conspiracy between the Knights Templar, the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei has been running things behind the scenes. No coincidence I'm sure that Gavin Menzies' books contain exactly the same kind of selective historiography, illogical leaps of reasoning, reasoning from effect to cause and all the other deductive confidence tricks readers of the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail et.al have embraced for years.

Highly recommended for the gullible.


Definitely worth reading, 16 Jul 2008
Gavin Menzies is neither an academic nor a lawyer, so his writing may occasionally be repetitive and he does not produce a watertight case, but do not let this put you off - in the core of this book is the fascinating theory that the Chinese donated their encyclopedia of knowledge to the Venetians as a gesture of magnamity and to prove to the world that the Chinese were the most advanced society in the world.
The world would be a different place today if the next emperor, a few years later, had not decided to cut China off from the world. Left with a repository of mechanical drawings explaining hydraulics, astronomy, weapons, manufacture etc, but no-one to explain the (Chinese) instructions, the handful of Italians with this gold dust then spent the next decades trying to decipher the knowledge the Chinese had donated to them.
Decades of analysis let eventually to the "invention" by the Italians of all the things that the Chinese had actually invented hundreds of years before.
So Leonardo Da Vinci was just a fine illustrator and a blatant plagiarist, however it will take some time for us Europeans, brought up believing that Leonardo and his ilk are heroes, to accept a less Eurocentric view of world history.
Gavin Menzies has pursued a line of inquiry as unique as it is astounding, yet in the process has turned up masses of evidence and convinced me that he is on the right track. It will be interesting to see if others agree.
By the way, if you are going to read 1434, I recommend you read 1421 first.


A compelling new alternative history from Gavin Menzies!, 09 Jul 2008
In this follow up to '1421' Gavin Menzies convincingly argues that much of the basis of the European Renaissance was heavily reliant on Chinese influences. Menzies argues that the Chinese delegation that visited the Pope in Florence in 1434 handed over a wealth of knowledge which was to provide the spark which set the Renaissance, and subsequently the development of our modern world, ablaze.
The book is well written and illustrated, though I found some aspects rather complex (astro-navigation is not one of my strong points!)
All-in-all, a thoroughly engaging and plausible alternative history. Bravo Gavin (again)!

Best I've read in a long time, superb!, 27 Feb 2008
An excellent read. Think of the sieges in LOTR's the twin towers and return of the king rolled into one, but this actually happened!. This is one of the most exciting, enthralling and entertaining histories I've ever read.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, buy it and be amazed.

Colourful and unbiased, 04 Dec 2007
This is an even-handed account of the fall of the Byzantine empire and, less common in books on this subject, the rise of the Ottoman empire. It doesn't shy away from detailing the many cruelties of the Ottomans and the lesser and smaller number of cruelties committed by the Byzantines, but nor does it pitch the contest as a clash between light and dark.

It is well illustrated with both black and white line drawings and colour plates and contains annotated references, a discussion of the source material and a bibliography. I particularly liked the use of an epilogue to address the fates of both people and things present at the siege.

I concur with those who suggest reading this alongside Runciman for a rounded view.

Reads like fiction, informs like non-fiction should, 24 Apr 2007
The historian brings personages to life by telling the story of their times - illuminating them and their deeds. The novelist brings history to life by telling the stories of the people who made it - real and imagined, by painting a more colorful and sometimes, complete picture.

As Napoleon said, "history is the agreed version of events by the victors." Much of what happened before photography and film made accurate recording possible can be disputed. With that in mind, Roger Crowley has done a commendable job. How would I know? Because this reviewer has encountered the same challenge!

I am a novelist and my first book, "The Lion of St. Mark (St. Martin's Press, 2005), was written before I read Roger Crowley's 1453. I only wish I had his wonderful book by my side when I was toiling over disputing sources as I wrote my fictional (but historically accurate, I trust) account of the great siege of Constantinople and what happened afterwards.

I appreciate his decision to go with his gut when disparate versions of history irreconcilably collide and avoid the use of "perhaps", "possibly", and "might have", which can drag historical storytelling to a standstill.

Crowley's style is highly readable and skillfully blends history with many illustrative anecdotes to bring the siege to life. Who can deny the courage of the Ottoman's and the Christians as they contended in their supreme struggle after reading "The Last Great Siege, 1453"? Their move/counter-move contest reminds me of the Battle of the North Atlantic in WWII that saw the Allies and Germans constantly one-up each other to achieve supremacy.

Traditional histories suffer from the readers' foreknowledge of how things end. Only a first-rate writer is able to make history "read like a novel" to maintain the suspense and show that, despite the strength of the Ottoman army, the siege really was a near run thing."

I understand from his website that Crowley's next work will detail the continuing struggle between the Ottomans and the West that culminated in the epic battle of Lepanto in 1571 and a decisive Christian victory. <