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 | | The Leper King and his Heirs: Baldwin IV and the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem by Bernard Hamilton ISBN-10: 9780521641876 ISBN-10: 0-521-64187-X ISBN-13: 9780521641876 ISBN-13: 978-0-521-64187-6 Hardcover 2000-05-22 Cambridge University Press Find Lowest Price |
Editorials | ||
Product Description The reign of King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem (1174-85) has traditionally been seen as a period of decline when, because of the king's illness, power came to be held by those who made the wrong policy decisions. Notably, they ignored the advice of Raymond of Tripoli and attacked Saladin. This book challenges that view, arguing that peace with Saladin was not a viable option; and that the young king, despite suffering from lepromatous leprosy, presided over a society that was (contrary to what is often said) vigorous and self-confident. | ||
Reviews | ||
ZZZZZZ..... There's no doubt that this is an extremely well-researched book, and very informative about the political developments in the Levant post-Baldwin, but it is light on Baldwin himself and endlessly boring. I understand that we're a bit into the weeds on Crusader history for most, but even for someone like me that has a genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter, this book is a drag, and is obviously written for a purely scholarly audience. It is not readable, or accessible as other reviewers have claimed (who are these people?), and certainly not for general enthusiasts or casual readers, rather this book is more in the vein of a thesis paper, and best suited for those who are already very familiar with the arcane political nuances of the period. | ||
A REMARKABLE RESEARCH A remarkable book, fine product of a thorough political and military research analysis. It has answered a lot of my past questions regarding the chaotic period (1174-1186)hence the period before the cataclysmic crusader defeat at Hattin. I suggested it for all those readers who are looking for a different or an alternative approach regarding the behaviors of famous crusaders like Raymond of Tripoli or the infamous Reynald of Kerak, based on comparative scientific historical data which pour new light to a supposedly known story.Not for readers without basical knowledge of the crusaders era. | ||
The Leper King and his Heirs : Baldwin IV and the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem This was a very informative book. However, contrary to what the title would lead you to believe, the Leper King and His Heirs provides very little actual material about King Baldwin IV. However, the events that occured after his death are covered in great detail and I would still recommend this title for anyone doing academic research on the Crusades (or who just enjoy reading about historical events). Well written and very detailed. | ||
Refreshing Bernard Hamilitons scholarship is unsurpassed. The book does long overdue justice to the Leper King, and goes some way to correcting the demonisation of Reynald of Chatillon. Clearly exposes the widely beleived myth that if the Crusaders would of come in line with the thinking of Raymond of Tripoli, Saladin would of lived peacefully coexsisting with the crusaders. The book is full of detailed accounts of the most intresting events of the selected period: Reynalds raid on Arabia, the details of Balwins disease, Ramond of Tripoli's ambitions, etc.. A much more credible account of the Leper Kings reign, backed up by endless foot notes and evidence, that bravely disputes the widely held, 'Steven Runicman' view on the period. | ||
An overdue Historical Revision I greatly enjoyed this book! The reign of Baldwin IV, the Leper King has been long, long overdue for a good, historical revision! The usual story: Saladin/Raymond of Tripoli good guys, everybody-else bad guys (particularly Agnes de Courtenay, the king's mother, portrayed as a cross between "Vampirella" and Marilyn Monroe), with the poor Leper King in the middle (usually portrayed as a cross between The Little Lame Prince and Count Dracula) has always been too simplistic---I thought so, even before reading this book. Hamilton gives you all the details, all the facts, and even an appendix discussing Baldwin's illness from a medical point of view. Get this book! | ||