The Crusader

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Thrilling, grittily real historical novel set during one of the most ignominious episodes in medieval history, the Crusades... In the latter half of the 13th century, Christian Europe again sought to prise the Holy Land out of the grasp of the Infidel. Tens of thousands took up the Cross - some for the greater glory of God, others for baser motives- lust for power, for riches, for revenge. THE CRUSADER tells the story of the seventh and last Crusade, as experienced by a young Spanish nobleman, Francisco de Montcada. He is the hero of this novel, but his tale is told by his former friend and a fellow acolyte, a venal and moderately trustworthy Cistercian monk named Brother Lucas. For Francisco has returned from the Levant a broken and seemingly possessed man. The Inquisition decree that his tortured soul be exorcized and the task falls to Brother Lucas. Eschewing the Inquisition's more usual methods, the monk sits with the silent, emaciated knight in his cell and talks to him. Slowly, tentatively, Francisco begins to recount his story - a tale of how an honourable man took up the Cross and found not the glory and redemption for which he'd yearned but instead unimaginable cruelty, barbarism and bloodshed. Set against a thrillingly authentic historical backdrop, this stirring novel of religious fervour and human passions, of greed and betrayal, and love and war, brings a tumultuous era brilliantly to life.

Reviews

'A fine retelling of the travels and battles of one Francisco de Montcada' -- Giles Foden * Conde Nast Traveller *
'The thinking man's swashbuckler, a ripping yarn that packs a cerebral wallop as well' -- Steven Pressfield, author of Gates of Fire
'An impressive debut' * Independent *
'Impressive...it's a bloodthirsty, but gripping tale, told with the authority of someone who has thoroughly researched his subject' * Yorkshire Post *
''an impressive achievement' * Mail on Sunday *

Author Bio

Michael Eisner is a graduate of Yale University and Yale Law School. He has worked in refugee camps on the Thai Cambodia border and was in Chile during the transition from Pinochet's rule to democracy. An expert in international law, he worked on the Middle East peace process for the U.S. State Department. It was during a trip to Syria, he visited the massive medieval fortress, Krak des Chevaliers, and it inspired him to write a novel about the Crusades. Michael Eisner live in New York City.