It always seems counterintuitive to moderns that warfare and religion can
be consistent. Ideally, followers of the prince of peace are to avoid the
sword and shield. Clearly, this has not always been the case. Frequently
in the crosshairs of critics are the Christian wars against Muslims known
as the Crusades, commonly viewed as the birth of European imperialism and
the forced spread of Christianity. But what if we've had it all wrong?
What if the Crusades were a justifiable response to a strong and determined
foe? Stark, a prominent sociologist and author of 27 books on history and
religion, has penned a compelling argument that these bloody encounters had
less to do with spreading Christianity than with responding to an ever more
dangerous enemy - the emerging Islamic empire. There is much to be learned
here. Filled with fascinating historical glimpses of monks and Templars,
priests and pilgrims, kings and contemplatives, Stark pulls it all together
and challenges us to reconsider our view of the Crusades.

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