A History of the Crusades II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem

The second volume of Steven Runciman's classic, hugely influential trilogy on the history of the Crusades'There was magic about. Saladin himself was troubled by terrible dreams...'Steven Runciman's unrivalled history of the Crusades is a classic of learning and vivid, compelling storytelling, which brilliantly brings to life the personalities, battles, massacres, triumphs and follies of these epochal events. In this second volume of his trilogy Runciman tells the story of the foundation of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the disastrous, bloody Second Crusade and the inexorable rise of the crusaders' nemesis, Saladin., 'The pre-eminent historian of the Byzantine Empire and of the Crusades ... a surefooted guide who could render the past visible and familiar' Daily Telegraph'He tells his story plain ... always pleasurable to read' Gore Vidal

Steven Runciman (1903–2000) was a British historian renowned for his works on the Byzantine Empire, the Crusades, and medieval history. His most famous work, A History of the Crusades, is a three-volume series that explores the religious and cultural conflicts between Christians and Muslims during the Crusades with a narrative style that made complex historical events accessible to general readers. Runciman’s scholarship is notable for its detail, vivid storytelling, and a sympathetic view of Byzantine culture, which challenged many Western perspectives of his time. His contributions have left a lasting impact on medieval and Byzantine studies.