The History of the Crusades (vol. 2 of 3)

"The History of the Crusades (vol. 2 of 3)" by J. Fr. (Joseph Fr.) Michaud is a historical narrative about the Fourth Crusade and following conflicts between Christian and Muslim groups. The story begins after Saladin's death, showing the chaos of the civil wars that broke out in his former empire. It explores the ambitions of Western leaders, like Henry VI, emperor of Germany, who wanted to use the conflicts for their own advantage. The book examines the disagreements and battles between Christian groups and how their fighting helped Muslim leaders, such as Malek-Adel, gain more power. It generally examines the reasons behind the Crusades, their problems, and how they were affected by struggles from both inside and outside. The overall tone is informative, aiming to explain the political and social effects of the Crusades.