Saracen Strongholds 11001500: The Central and Eastern Islamic Lands

(Paperback)

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By the time of the Crusades, the Islamic world had already developed its own sophisticated styles of fortification. Distinctive and highly effective, the region's unique military architecture continued to evolve in response to the Crusader and Mongol threats, and also drew upon the traditions of their foes and neighbours. The resulting Islamic concepts of military architecture had an influence upon fortifications in Western Europe, including Italy and the Iberian Peninsula. However, Islamic fortifications continued to focus upon the defence of cities and frontiers rather than providing security for feudal aristocracies, as was increasingly the case in Europe. Covering fortifications as far apart as North Africa, Afghanistan and northern India, this volume focuses on the Islamic side of the conflict, highlighting the fortifications in use when the Crusaders sought to reconquer the Holy Land, as well as the eventual absorption of the territories of Byzantium into the Islamic world.

Reviews

"One interesting point of this book is the influence of Moslem fortifications on Europe, especially Italy and Iberia. For those willing to make the effort, this book offers an insight into European fortifications before and during the introduction of gunpowder." --Bolling Smith, Coast Defense Journal (December 2009)

"The author covers the wide array of fortifications built in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent by the Sljuks, Ayyubids, Mamluks, Mongols, Timurids... For those interested in the military history of the regions covered, this book makes an excellent illustrated reference at an introductory level." --J.E. Kaufmann, SiteO, siteo.net (January 2010)

"Overall, a fascinating look at these ancient constructs and how they fared over the years. As with other Osprey titles, this is one that I know you will enjoy reading." --Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness, modelingmadness.com (February 2010)

Author Bio

Born in 1944, David Nicolle worked in the BBC's Arabic service for a number of years before gaining an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a doctorate from Edinburgh University. He has written numerous books and articles on medieval and Islamic warfare, and has been a prolific author of Osprey titles for many years.