Thomas F. Madden is professor of history and director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Saint Louis University. A widely recognized expert on the Crusades and Christian-Muslim relations, he is the author of numerous books, including The Fourth Crusade: The Conquest of Constantinople, Enrico Dandolo and the Rise of Venice,and Venice: A New History. Awards for his scholarship include the Haskins Medal (Medieval Academy of America) and the Otto Gründler Prize (Medieval Institute). He resides in St. Louis, Missouri.

Madden’s clear text invites readers at all levels of knowledge into this commentary on how the crusades shaped our modern world. [He] convincingly shows how the crusades prove useful in understanding the political, cultural, and religious wars waged in today’s society. True to the book’s title, Madden manages to deftly discuss his research while maintaining a clear, approachable style that makes this text accessible to all levels of readers. . . . His ability to set the scene breathes life into the history. . . . The extent of Thomas Madden’s research is evident, and his ability to describe history in an interesting and clear manner will appeal to all readers who enjoy reading about the past, especially where it is examined within a modern context.

• Chapter 1: The Call Chapter 2: The First Crusade Chapter 3: The Rise of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Second Crusade Chapter 4: The Decline of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Third Crusade Chapter 5: The Fourth Crusade Chapter 6: Crusading at HomeChapter 7: The Fifth Crusade and the Crusade of Frederick IIChapter 8: The Crusades of St. LouisChapter 9: The Later CrusadesChapter 10: The Legacy of the Crusades