Stories from the Crusades

"Stories from the Crusades" by Janet Harvey Kelman is a historical narrative that unfurls the adventures and trials of key figures during the Crusades. It peers into the hearts of the brave, while also highlighting characters such as Peter the Hermit, Tancred, and Louis, painting a vivid picture of their experiences. At the heart of these stories, the book explores themes of faith, the hunger for power, and the thorny moral choices these individuals faced as they sought to reclaim the sacred city. One story introduces Peter, a boy filled with longing, who seeks adventure beyond his home in France. Inspired by the stories of pilgrimages to Jerusalem and fueled by accounts of the Christian pilgrims' suffering, Peter embarks on a mission to ignite support for the Crusades. Through powerful speeches, he rallies a group of unprepared followers, setting the stage for a story where his followers hope to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. It's a journey into the spirit of the Crusades and the ripple effects of those historical actions.