OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Fifth Crusade" by Mark Butler.]

The Fifth Crusade by Mark Butler is dedicated to historical events of 1217 – 1221, when Pope Innocent III launched yet another expedition to the Holy Land. The book combines a detailed historical background of the Fifth Crusade and an exciting story. On the one hand, it is a serious study which shows that author has conducted an extensive research on events’ reconstruction and analysis. At that, all historical facts: political conflicts and intrigues; military strategies and campaigns are shown on the background of a thrilling tale of adventures of the main characters. Amir Stonefist, a Viking from Iceland, and Reddlin, a traveling hunter and tracker, like many others, joined the Crusaders army wanting to be involved in such a great and honorable event. Amir’s good blacksmith skills and Reddlin’s talents were sought after in the army, so both of them were held in high esteem. Alongside European forces Amir and Reddlin came all the way from Italy to Egypt, where they took part in all battles against Muslims and Ayyubids until the tragic defeat and capitulation of Crusaders.

I was impressed by the book’s density. Author has managed to provide a fair and realistic picture of historical facts in such a small book. After reading the book I’ve got a clear understanding of not only the Fifth Crusade, its causes and consequences, but of political and religious situation in Europe in general.

I like that the main character, Amir, through whose eyes we see the fifth Crusade events, does not belong to the Catholic Europe. Amir is not affected by the influence of the Vatican and the Pope, because as a Viking he believes in his own gods. He is kind of independent and neutral observer, who can see an objective picture of the situation. At first when reading the book I thought that Amir is sometimes too philosophical for a simple Viking warrior and blacksmith (especially, when he criticized the Pope). But then I understood that author has conveyed his own ideas through the protagonist.

I would like to highlight as a strong suit of the book how vivid the medieval atmosphere is conveyed. The Dark Ages is described without extra romanticism and idealization of the chivalry (as for example in Ivanhoe by Walter Scott). When reading The Fifth Crusade I plunged into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages completely; I was in real European 13th-century towns and villages; I saw real men: rude and uncouth; I saw real battles with no romanticism, only with fear, death and blood.

I rate The Fifth Crusade by Mark Butler 4 out of 4 stars. I read this book with pleasure, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in history and wants to get a sense of the medieval Europe in general and of the fifth Crusade in particular. The book is written in simple and interesting language and is easy to read.

However, those who like love stories about fearless knights and fair ladies may not appreciate this book. There are brave warriors and beautiful ladies, but, as I mentioned before, like they were in fact: simple European people from 13th century. If you want to plunge into their world, the book The Fifth Crusade is for you.

******
The Fifth Crusade
View: on Bookshelves

Like Aldonsa's review? Post a comment saying so!

it is a wonderful book reminding people of historical events

kushmundu wrote:it is a wonderful book reminding people of historical events

Yes, I agree. However I hated history as a school subject, I like learning about the past from books. The Fifth Crusade is not only an exciting book, but a very cognitive one as well.

It sounds a little too much like a history book to me. I don't think it's something I would enjoy, but I'm glad you did. Thanks for the review.

I always enjoy reading the history of the church. Great review.

History is great since it depicts much on what transpired on late date and compare the impact it has now. In The fifth crusade by mark Butler there is a clear paint on historical events on fearless character as Amir who believed on her gods and an independent and neutral observation.

kandscreeley wrote:It sounds a little too much like a history book to me. I don't think it's something I would enjoy, but I'm glad you did.

Don't you like history books at all? How about books written by Maurice Druon?

-- 09 Jun 2017, 15:05 --

Jaime Lync wrote:I always enjoy reading the history of the church./quote]
The same is with me

-- 09 Jun 2017, 15:15 --

baley wrote:History is great since it depicts much on what transpired on late date and compare the impact it has now. In The fifth crusade by mark Butler there is a clear paint on historical events on fearless character as Amir who believed on her gods and an independent and neutral observation.

I like Amir too, but in this book even lesser characters are interesting and meaningful

Sounds like one great book. I love that you mention the vivid description of the medieval atmosphere. It's a great aspect of a book when the setting is so realistic the reader can feel he's part of the story. Great job on the review. Congratulations to Mark Butler on such an obviously well written book.

Great review! I'm going to have to read this one as I am a huge History geek. I didn't realize that Vikings were involved in the Crusades because as you said they had no loyalty to the Pope. Thanks for introducing us to this book.

kimmyschemy06 wrote:Sounds like one great book. I love that you mention the vivid description of the medieval atmosphere. It's a great aspect of a book when the setting is so realistic the reader can feel he's part of the story. Great job on the review. Congratulations to Mark Butler on such an obviously well written book.

Yes, I liked the atmospere of the Middle Age in this book very much I'm looking forward to read other books of this series

-- 11 Jun 2017, 23:36 --

Jazzed063 wrote:Great review! I'm going to have to read this one as I am a huge History geek. I didn't realize that Vikings were involved in the Crusades because as you said they had no loyalty to the Pope. Thanks for introducing us to this book.

I don't think that Vikings took part in the Crusages. I think that Amir is a fictional character, a very interesting one

Even though it is a historical fiction, it seems like a great story with an interesting plot. I'm also interested in learning more about the 13th century.

Great Review! ?

Amagine wrote:Even though it is a historical fiction, it seems like a great story with an interesting plot. I'm also interested in learning more about the 13th century.
Great Review! ?

Thank you! I like reading about the Middle Ages, but I' ve found too few books so far
This book is one of the best in my opinion

I'm not a big history person, but hearing the history of the church through an outsider's perspective sounds interesting. I never did understand much about the crusades. Maybe this is my chance to learn more about it. Thanks for the review.

Mrsbellaz wrote:I'm not a big history person, but hearing the history of the church through an outsider's perspective sounds interesting. I never did understand much about the crusades. Maybe this is my chance to learn more about it. Thanks for the review.

Thank you! I recommend you to read the whole series about crusades by Mark Butler.