Osprey's Campaign series reaches 204 with this book on the Second Crusade. By the time of the mid 1100s, the established Crusader states had seen several setbacks where Islamic forces had taken back some key cities and sites. Led by Konrad III of the Germanic states and assisted by the pious Louis VII, a force was sent in to not only regain lost territory, but to capture the city of Damascus. This was to be an unfortunate choice as Damascus was considered to be friendly towards many of the bordering Crusader states and would not be an easy conquest.

Much of the fervor to instigate this campaign was the relative successes of the First Crusade. As is often the case, the European Christians were confident that their plans and their army would be victorious. It came as a huge shock when they failed to take Damascus after a long siege in 1148. It was, in all accounts a disaster that marked a turning point in the history of the Crusaders and eventually led to the Third Crusade.

David Bonk ClementDavid Nichole has been the author of a number of books from this time period and is highly qualified to tell the story of this campaign, pulling the reader into the prose. Like other books in the Campaign series, there is a look at the opposing commanders and their troops. The plans of both sides are also scrutinized as well as a look at how the battles unfolded. This is followed by a section on how this affected future events and a look at the battlefields today. The superb illustrations and maps of Christa Hook further enhance the story along with photos of the various sites as they are today, period illustrations and artifacts. The 3-D maps in particular help give a sense of the flow of the various battles.

It is a great book, especially for the student of the period and show that overconfidence is as much an enemy as are spears and arrows. A book I know you will enjoy reading.

March 2009

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