A simple and readable account of the clash of religions in the Middle Ages. Though short on the effects of the process on the european society, and on the Islamic, it remains a good beginner's book. ( )

A decent, straightforward telling of one of the more lamentable (of an admittedly long list of) episodes in human history. Duggan is no stylist, a la Macaulay; but a plain, unvarnished tale he can deliver. Left unspoken is the moral, although it is in evidence throughout; man is a killer, and is never more comfortable than when he has the sanction of church, state, caste, tribe and clique. ( )