Seven Myths of the Crusades

"For quite some time scholars have complained about the dissonance between current knowledge and erroneous public perceptions of the Crusades. Seven Myths of the Crusades acts as a salubrious corrective for these deeply ingrained, and deeply flawed, conceptions of the Crusades. . . . While all the chapters sparkle with insight, among the high points of the book are the excellent introduction by Andrea and Holt, Paul Crawford's treatment of the vexed issue of whether or not the Crusades were 'aggression,' Mona Haddad and Edward Peter's examination of the supposed staying power of Muslim grievances concerning crusading. Putting a fine summation on the work is the Editors' Epilogue that illuminates the fundamental historiographical issues involved in passing judgment on a series of acts as controversial as the Crusades.
"Hackett deserves praise for publishing such a worthy addition to the revolution in Crusades studies."
—Burnam W. Reynolds, Asbury University

"Seven Myths of the Crusades' rebuttal of the persistent and multifarious misconceptions associated with topics including the First Crusade, anti-Judaism and the Crusades, the crusader states, the Children's Crusade, the Templars and past and present Islamic-Christian relations proves, once and for all, that real history is far more fascinating than conspiracy theories, pseudo-history and myth-mongering. This book is a powerful witness to the dangers of the misappropriation and misinterpretation of the past and the false parallels so often drawn between the crusades and later historical events ranging from nineteenth-century colonialism to the protest movements of the 1960s to the events of 9/11. This volume's authors have venerable track records in teaching and researching the crusading movement, and anyone curious about the crusades would do well to start here."
—Jessalynn Bird, Dominican University, co-Editor of Crusade and Christendom

"Crusade historians frequently lament the wide gulf that separates modern scholarship from popular beliefs regarding the holy wars of the Middle Ages. In this lively book a group of those scholars tackle seven of the most intractable myths that obscure our view of the crusades. With erudition, energy, and a dose of humility this book makes the case that solid historical research brings us ever closer to historical accuracy—and that matters. The myths of the crusades may be legion, but breaking down seven of them is an excellent place to start."
—Thomas F. Madden, St. Louis University