[bert]

.....For variations on this theme, one need not look far. See, for example, Steven Runciman’s famous three-volume epic, History of the Crusades, or the BBC/A&E documentary, The Crusades, hosted by Terry Jones. Both are terrible history yet wonderfully entertaining......

.....I'm reading a book by Hillaire Belloc about the Crusades. It is so refreshing to get the REAL story ......

I guess I need to read some more. I thought when I was ploughing through Runciman I was getting the straight poop.

What is the Belloc title?

[Ben Ficklin]

There is nothing wrong with reading the newer authors but only after reading Runciman. At the very least, when you read Runciman, you don't have to read Comnina(sp?), the arab historians, or many, many other older sources because he faithfully represents those works.

As for the above author's dis-agreement with Runciman on the financial status of many of the crusaders, you don't have to depend on Runciman to know that at this time in history, land was the only basis of wealth and primogenitor was in effect.