The clash between King Richard I 'The Lionheart' of England and Saladin has become legendary. Throughout the ages, military enthusiasts have been fascinated by the strategy of the resolute, heavily armed Anglo-Saxon army versus their more lightly armed opponents. Richard's inability to recapture Jerusalem was disappointing, but it proved to the crusaders that Saladin was not invincible. This book describes the struggle that has evolved into a mythic campaign for the Holy City of Jerusalem, providing an in-depth look at the battle, the personalities involved and the tactics employed by each army.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Intro to the 3rd Crusade:
Really have nothing to say that the previous two reviewers didn't cover. It is the best introduction to Richard Coeur d Leon's war with Salah al-Din, covering the politics of the time as well as some finer details of Richard's battles. The color plates are pretty good.
Good Overview:
These small Osprey books on various historical events pack in a lot of information and present it in a very easy to understand language that the casual reader may find a good source for research. David Nicolle is a good historical writer, speaking in plain English and keeping the reader interested. The material in this particular offering is well balanced. There are books that have focused on one side of the story, or the other. Nicolle very successfully attempts to keep both sides focused, discussing... more info
Offers Cultural Perspectives, but less on military side:
Dr. David Nicolle continues his survey of Medieval battles in Osprey Campaign #161, The Third Crusade 1191. Certainly the clash between two charismatic opponents - Saladin and Richard the Lionheart - make for an interesting subject and Nicolle handles it with admirable balance. However, Dr. Nicolle's primary interests lie in the cultural realm - particularly Islamic art and architecture - and readers seeking more detail on the military aspects of the campaign will find these matters covered in a more... more info
