{"title":"Thomas Asbridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThomas Asbridge offers a vivid exploration of pivotal moments in medieval history, delving deep into the complexities of the Crusades and the turbulent era of the Black Death. His works combine meticulous research with engaging narrative, illuminating the military, political, and religious forces that shaped this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect richly detailed accounts that bring to life the struggles and triumphs of knights, crusaders, and key historical figures, reflecting on faith and conflict with clarity and insight.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-crusades","title":"The Crusades","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eThe Crusades\u003c\/i\u003e by Thomas Asbridge offers a captivating and meticulously researched exploration of one of history's most enigmatic and tumultuous periods. Spanning from the late eleventh century to the late thirteenth century, this comprehensive account delves into the bitter and often brutal conflicts that arose as Christian and Muslim armies clashed over control of the Holy Land.\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the eleventh century, a vast Christian army, summoned to a holy war by the Pope, rampaged through the Muslim world of the eastern Mediterranean, seizing the revered city of Jerusalem. This city, sacred to both Christians and Muslims, became the centre of a centuries-long battle for dominance. Over the two hundred years that followed the First Crusade, the armies of Islam and the West engaged in a relentless struggle, each side fervently believing they were fulfilling divine mandates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAsbridge's narrative not only chronicles the epic sieges, battles, and strategies of both forces, but also provides an intimate look at the lives of the people involved. Using contemporary accounts and primary sources, the author reconstructs the experiences, motivations, and attitudes of those on both sides of the conflict. This dual perspective offers a balanced and immersive insight into the era's complex social, religious, and political landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Crusades\u003c\/i\u003e brilliantly captures the full horror, passion, and barbaric grandeur of the crusading era. From the ferocious sieges of Antioch and Acre to the legendary figures of Saladin and Richard the Lionheart, Asbridge breathes life into the past, presenting a vivid tableau of heroism and villainy, faith and fanaticism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘Asbridge can't help but tell a ripping yarn, often breezily dramatic, whipping the narrative along’ \u003cem\u003eThe Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘A superb and definitive one-volume account of the Crusades, the impact of which still resonates to this day.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘A dramatic and powerful look at both sides of the story’ \u003cem\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘A compelling narrative... A masterful conclusion’ \u003cem\u003eObserver\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45686715908332,"sku":"9781471196430","price":32.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781471196430.jpg?v=1725468995"},{"product_id":"the-greatest-knight","title":"The Greatest Knight","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Greatest Knight\u003c\/em\u003e by Thomas Asbridge is an engaging biography that takes readers on a riveting journey through the life of one of medieval England's most illustrious knights, William Marshal. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, this narrative explores the meteoric rise of a man born into the minor nobility who ascended to the highest echelons of power, ultimately becoming the regent of the English realm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWilliam Marshal's life was nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days as an apprentice knight to his ultimate role as a trusted advisor and warrior for five English monarchs, William served some of the most influential figures of his time, including Richard the Lionheart and King John. Not merely a man of war, Marshal was instrumental in negotiating the terms of the Magna Carta, forever cementing his place in history. His life is a testament to the virtues of honour, loyalty, and chivalry, all while navigating the treacherous political landscape of medieval Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing upon a wealth of contemporary evidence, renowned historian Thomas Asbridge provides an authoritative and dramatic account that breathes life into this often-overlooked historical figure. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Asbridge paints a compelling portrait of William Marshal, detailing the brutal realities of medieval warfare and the inner workings of the royal court.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAsbridge does not merely recount historical events; he immerses readers in a period when the Western world was emerging from the Dark Ages and standing on the brink of modernity. The tale of William Marshal is not just a biography but a window into the formative years of England, offering insights into the social, political, and military fabric of the time. The narrative is both educational and deeply engaging, appealing to history buffs and general readers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘A rip-roaring new life of Marshal … [a] splendid account of a great medieval life' – Dan Jones, author of \u003cem\u003eCrusaders\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘A thoroughly entertaining account of England’s most colourful and courageous medieval knight’ – \u003cem\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘Skilfully done...a powerful cast of characters that fascinates still’ – \u003cem\u003eTLS\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘The medieval world...at last comes touchingly to life’ – \u003cem\u003eSpectator\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Greatest Knight\u003c\/em\u003e is more than just a biography; it is a gripping tale of chivalry, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of honour. A must-read for anyone interested in the medieval period and the individuals who shaped the course of English history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45686856253676,"sku":"9781471196447","price":23.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781471196447.jpg?v=1725470293"},{"product_id":"the-black-death-by-thomas-asbridge-9780241399408","title":"The Black Death","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThomas Asbridge's remarkable new book reveals the global impact of humanity's greatest natural disaster, and the terrible human cost of this calamity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the mid-fourteenth century, a lethal plague struck the medieval world, causing unimaginable suffering and destruction. This terrifying pandemic - the Black Death - was unquestionably one of history's defining episodes, yet a critical feature of its progress has often been ignored: the disease was not confined to Europe, but rather affected almost all of the known world, including the Near and Middle East, Byzantium, north Africa and Asia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTracing the pandemic's course across the medieval globe, \u003cem\u003eThe Black Death\u003c\/em\u003e contrasts the experiences of different peoples, including Christians, Muslims and Jews, charting this catastrophe's transformative effects on diverse aspects of medieval life. Crucially, Asbridge demonstrates that the plague was often at its most destructive in the Islamic world, where it ultimately played a role in the collapse of the mighty Mamluk Empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Black Death\u003c\/em\u003e also brings the human drama of this calamitous era to life, evoking the terror and the turmoil that beset cities such as London, Cairo and Florence. Asbridge reconstructs the lives of the men, women and children who faced the Black Death—from ruling monarchs to peasant farmers—laying bare both the abject horror they endured and the courageous resolve they often demonstrated while striving to survive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUncovering a story that speaks to our own age, \u003cem\u003eThe Black Death\u003c\/em\u003e highlights humankind's capacity for compassion and resilience amidst a global crisis to explain how the medieval world confronted, and ultimately overcame, this shattering pandemic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47648335134956,"sku":"9780241399408","price":100.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780241399408-the-black-death.jpg?v=1779257114"},{"product_id":"the-crusades-by-thomas-asbridge-9780060787295","title":"The Crusades","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom a renowned historian who writes with \"maximum vividness\" (\u003cem\u003eThe New Yorker\u003c\/em\u003e) comes the most authoritative, readable single-volume military history of the brutal struggle for the Holy Land.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNine hundred years ago, a vast Christian army, summoned to holy war by the Pope, rampaged through the Muslim world of the eastern Mediterranean, seizing possession of Jerusalem, a city revered by both faiths. Over the two hundred years that followed, Islam and Christianity—both firm in the belief that they were at God's work—fought for dominion of the Holy Land, clashing in a succession of chillingly brutal wars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor the first time, \u003cem\u003eThe Crusades\u003c\/em\u003e tells the story of that epic struggle from the perspective of both Christians and Muslims. A vivid and fast-paced narrative history of the Crusades, it exposes the full horror, passion, and barbaric grandeur of the Crusading era, leading us into a world of legendary champions—such as Richard the Lionheart and Saladin—shadowy Assassins, poet-warriors, and pious visionaries; across the desert sands of Egypt to the verdant forests of Lebanon; and through the ancient cities of Constantinople, Cairo, and Damascus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on painstaking original research and an intimate knowledge of the history of the Near East, Thomas Asbridge uncovers what drove Muslims and Christians alike to embrace the ideals of jihad and crusade, revealing how these holy wars of medieval history reshaped the world and why they continue to influence events today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis essential work of scholarship reveals:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDual Perspective History:\u003c\/strong\u003e For the first time, the story is told from both Christian and Muslim viewpoints, exploring the ideals of Crusade and Jihad side-by-side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIconic Historical Figures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Journey with legendary champions like Richard the Lionheart and Saladin through the ancient and contested landscapes of the Holy Land.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Fight for Jerusalem:\u003c\/strong\u003e Delve into the two-century struggle for a city revered by two faiths, a chillingly brutal conflict that reshaped the medieval world.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLasting Historical Impact:\u003c\/strong\u003e Discover not only how these holy wars defined the era, but why their legacy continues to influence global events today.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ingram Book Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47959336059116,"sku":"9780060787295","price":60.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780060787295-the-crusades.jpg?v=1784366551"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/thomas-asbridge.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}