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Richard the Lionhearted has won battles, but victory in his Crusade is far from clear. Saladin and his brother Ahmad command powerful armies of Islam--Arabs, Turks, Egyptians, and Kurds, all sworn to defend the holy city of Jerusalem. More dangerous still, to both Crusader and Jihad, is the Old Man of the Mountain, Sinan, chief of the Assassins. The dark lord he serves would destroy both Richard and Saladin. And Richard's mother, Eleanor, has promised Sinan Richard's soul if he will help Richard win Jerusalem.

Richard's bastard sister Sioned, heir to the magics of Britain and the Celts, along with Richard's moorish servant Mustafa, stand against the assassins and the dark magic that they command. Yet, for Mustafa, aid for Richard means aid for the enemies of his faith. And will Sioned, relatively untrained in the ways of magic, be able to confront both Eleanor and Sinan? Or will her growing love for Ahmad force her to turn against the family that has always denied her?

Author Judith Tarr has created an emotionally compelling and exciting story of the third crusade. Her depiction of Richard, a noble warrior who holds the seeds of magic within him but denies them, is convincing and sympathetic. Sioned, with her celtic magics and her love for Achmad, is attractively conflicted. Mustafa is probably the most interesting character, uniquely able to penetrate both Islam and Crusader camps and learn secrets that swing the course of history.

As Tarr notes in the Author's Note, the Third Crusade was something of a let-down. It petered out without resolving anything except for Europe's inability to unite long enough to accomplish anything. Yet, with a few shifts, it could have led to a decisively different present--and Tarr's magic certainly delivers those shifts. One major glitch stood out--why, exactly, did Ahmad visit Sinan and put himself in the Assassin's debt? Surely he could have accomplished everything Sinan did without the risk to his own soul. In this case, I think Tarr's author-desire to put more at stake detracted rather than added to the story. Still, DEVIL'S BARGAIN more than redeems this one flaw delivering an exciting and satisfying read.

A seamless alternate history that appears to be so close to 'real' history, that you could be left believing that the events portrayed actually happened. Sioned, an illegitimate sister of Richard the Lionheart, is the heroine of the novel. Eleanor, queen mother of Richard, has used her black arts to ensure that Richard's Crusade against Saladin is successful. Sioned works in the crusader's hospital, and does diplomatic work when Richard requires it. Sioned rather inconveniently falls in love with a diplomat on the opposite side. The novel revolves around Sioned's loyalty to her brother and her wish to be with Ahmad, Saladin's brother and prime Muslim negotiator with the Christian side. Sioned is called upon to resolve the problems that Eleanor has created with her black magic when the consequences of the bargain that Eleanor has made with the demonic forces coincide with the Crusade to endanger the whole Crusade and the Crown of England. A well written and absorbing alternate history fantasy that is worth your time.

I have been a Tarr fan since I was about 14 years old. I have read most of her fantasy series and her historical novels. So when I saw this one, I grabbed it. Sadly, this book is very dissappointing. It is so lacking in freshness and originality that I was bored to senselessness. I found myself skipping pages and pages in this book. It felt like it would never end. And by the way, skipping those pages did not detract from this slow moving tale at all. The characters are all people you have met before in other of her works and better portrayed. It is hard to say exactly what is it that makes this book so poor except to say that in reading it you definately have a feeling of "been there, done that". I felt as if the author was sleep walking thru this one-- doing it to satisfy a contract or something. If you are a Tarr fan, this is one book that you can skip. I have faith that she will be better next time.

In 1192 on an Earth much like our own in most respects, Richard I is leading the third crusade to take the Holy Lands. His Majesty expects the battle to be fought on the mortal plane. However, he doesn't know that his mother, Queen Eleanor, a dark sorceress in her own right, has made a pact with Sinan, beloved of Ibris and all the other dark Gods that have ever lived. The Lionheart will win the war and take Jerusalem but the price will be very high.

Sioned, Richard's illegitimate half-sister is traveling with him on the campaign. She has the sight and power of magic that she will learn how to use from Ahmad, Saladin's half-brother who also possesses the talent. Enemies and lovers, the pair fights the powers of darkness that surround them, hoping that Richard will be able to fight off Sinan's power with the Seal of Solomon that Sioned stole from the enemy.

Harry Turtledove is well known for his alternate history novels but Judith Tarr, is his equal in every respect. On a world that never was but could have been, magic play a key role in the affairs of mankind with one woman's burning ambition capable of destroying an empire. DEVIL'S BARGAIN is a masterpiece of intrigue, sorcery and romance.

Harriet Klausner

"This is a handsome, two-volume edition of a prized early printed book, William Caxton's translation of the Old French (OF) account of the First Crusade, L'estoire de Eracles empereur et la conqueste de la terre d'Outremer, itself a translation of the first nine books of William of Tyre. Dana Cushing has provided a revised Middle English (ME) text and a facing-page modern English Translation, with the intention of making "accessible to the scholar of present day a text significant not only for its story but its history"(p.viii)." - Crusades, Volume 2 (Ashgate, Aldershot 2003)

The editor should be congratulated for making this chronicle available to the reading public, but I'm not sure who it's really aimed at. This work is a modern English translation of a Middle English translation of a French translation of a Latin work (which is itself based in turn on other chronicles), so it is unlikely to be consulted by scholars who wish to know about the events of the First Crusade. It is of more interest as a piece of late-medieval English literature, and as an example of how there was a continuing demand for crusade literature long after the Frankish occupation of the Holy Land had ended.

I thank "a reader" for his/her frank opinion of my book. I agree wholeheartedly that my Introduction failed to make clear for my audience what I inteded by publishing this text. However, I found 2 stars a bit harsh if I were to be congratulated. Therefore, allow me please to clarify here what my Introduction did not:

The main purpose of my work is to provide as comprehensive an edition as possible, so that the historian or general reader may understand the text's own history, in addition to providing a Modern English version for accessibility of the Crusader history told. There are approximately 140 pages of footnotes in Vol. 2 which clarify important historical and military considrations of the text, in addition to a groundbreaking essay discussing a new theory of Crusader campaign organization.

Thus, while admittedly lacking the expertise of a literary history (being a military historian) which I admit "a reader" makes an excellent point that I ought to have discussed the late medieval appetite for Crusader histories, there are many historically valid and unique points within my work which will be of interest to a research or student, as well as to the broader military and general readership.

My dear readers, please do not hesitate to contact me in care of the publisher should you have any questions or suggestions regarding my work. I am always anxious to learn and improve!

PRICING NOTE: While it seems expensive even to me, this cost of this book is actually cheaper than photocopying it. EMP prodcues an excellent archive-quality hand-bound book that you will find both informative and long-lasting.

Yours sincerely, Cpl Dana Cushing USMCR

...

This two-volume set is the first treatment of Caxton's work in over a century. It is the first-ever modern English translation of the work, providing an easily accessible translation combined with contextual and critical information.

It examines two aspects of the Eracles chronicle. First, the book illuminates the history of the text by referring to the Latin and French ancestors of Caxton's Eracles, as well as investigating Caxton's methods, abilities and motivations. Previous treatments of the chronicle are examined, correcting discrepancies and providing alternative interpretations. Second, the book investigates the history in the text by using the latest research to further contextualize and clarify the military events described. The author has developed a striking new concept of understanding the interpersonal relationships between the Crusaders, allowing the reader to perceive the inner workings of the Crusade itself.

The Eracles text, a condensed Crusader chronicle driving from William of Tyre's "A History of Deeds Done Beyond the Sea", concerns the march to and campaigning in the Holy Land, focusing on the suffering and heroism of the First Crusaders as they sought to gain glory for God and establish a Christian state in a distant and misunderstood environment. In 1481, William Caxton produced a Middle English translation of this text, which he named A Boke Intituled Eracles, or Godeffroy of Boloyne.

Dana Cushing holds a degree in Medieval Studies from the University of Toronto. She is interested in all aspects of medieval and military history, specializing in the Third Crusade. She has published articles on early Crusader genealogy and Joanna Plantagenet, Queen of Sicily.

I absolutely love the stories about Rashi and his girls. I find them both fascinating and inspiring. Rashi was one of the most famous rabbis and Jewish scholars of any age. He lived in France around the time of the first crusade. Unfortunately, Rashi never sired any sons to pass on his scholarly gifts. He did however have daughters. Unprecedented in his efforts, Rashi taught his daughters (and later his grandchildren) to read and write. A few even defiantly studied the torah at a time when the mere thought of this was completely unheard of.

My Guardian Angel is the story of Elvina, the grand daughter of Rashi. She too learns to read and write. She also yearns to become a writer. The book serves as a diary of sorts as the young girl as she tries to find her place in a world that is hateful towards Jews, where traditional remedies are seen as evidence of evil magic, and where woman are supposed to focus all their energies on finding a man.

I think this story will bring understanding, pride, and inspiration to a whole new generation of young women. About the only critique I could make about this book would be that I found the change of voice from Elvina to her guardian angel just a little distracting. I would have preferred that the book keep in first person for the entire story.

A Jewish girl named Elvina who knows how to read and write is living in France, 1096. Crusaders have entered her village, Troyes, and are worrying everyone in the Jewish community. During this troubling time, Elvina starts to talk to her Mazal, or guardian angel. When she hides a Crusader who does not want to fight, her life changes, but for better or for worse, you will have to read the book.

If you like historical fiction, then you would really like this book. I do not like historical fiction that much, but this book went at a nice pace and it made you want to know what happened to the characters. The only thing that I didn't like was that sometimes the narrative would change from 3rd to 1st person. Other than that, it had a pretty good plot and it was pretty entertaining. Sylvie Weil could have made the book better by keeping the narratives the same throughout the book, but it was good overall.

Reviewed by J. Plowe for Flamingnet Book Reviews, www.flamingnet.com.

This title was named a 2004 Sydney Taylor Honor Book by the Association of Jewish Libraries.

Twelve-year-old Elvina is the granddaughter of the great Rabbi Rashi. She has a curious and lively nature and a thirst for knowledge. Her goodness of heart and her knowledge of Torah lead her to assist a wounded Crusader, despite his the cruelty the Crusaders show to the Jews in 11th century France. The guardian angel of the title provides a listener for Elvina's thoughts and worries. Elvina and her grandfather are real historical figures, and the real Elvina was "highly regarded during her lifetime for her knowledge and wisdom."

This chapter book is translated from French, which may account for the strange stylistic choice to shift back and forth between Elvina's voice and an omniscient narrator. Despite this odd structure, the story is easy to follow and the language flows. Elvina is a likeable character, very lively and full of interesting thoughts. The author breathes life into the descriptions of medieval customs, so that they feel natural rather than forced and educational. Additionally, Elvina truly lives her Judaism, rather than mouthing pieties as characters in historical novels often do. It infuses her life, not only in her behavior but also in her decisions, her fears, and her joys.

This is a cute book for all Tigger lovers. Tigger "loses" his bounce & all his friends help him search for it. Young readers get a lesson in taking care of themselves (eating & resting) so they don't get too tired & lose their "bounce", like Tigger did! Enjoy!

This book is essentially a transcription of Caxton's 1481 text. There are several minor errors but overall the book is quite accurate typographically. Difficult passages have been helped by references to Caxton's French sources; however further reference to the original chronicle of which this is a part, William of Tyre's "History of Deeds Done Beyond the Sea", belies some of Colvin's work.

An introduction to Godefrey of Boloyne and his background are included -- Colvin has done some good detective work regarding the various manuscript editions available to Caxton. There is biographical index provided which tends to be inaccurate, or at least dated; the geographical index suffers similarly.

Although published over a century ago (1893) the book is really the only treatment of this manuscript available. This reviewer is translating Caxton's text and so has worked extensively with this book, and feels it serves its purpose well.

The late Ms Schein's book, though repetitive more often than it should be, is an admirable synopsis of the fluctuating imagery of Jerusalem in the Latin West's collective zeitgeist. From being an irrelevant distraction to the true Heavenly Jerusalem to come prior to the Crusader triumph of 1099 to a glorified repository of Christ's footsteps and life afterwards, the author describes how political forces shaped the perception of the city. Interestingly, monks showed hostility to the idea of the tonsured finding redemption in Jerusalem, while looking askance or with indifference to the layman's quest for absolution in their pilgrimage to the Holy Land. After Saladin's re-conquest in 1187, an event that traumatized the West, the earthly city gradually receded in escatological and soteriological importance, with its heavenly successor once again assuming the dominant role in European salvation culture. The story of the Crusader focus on the Temple Mount and the redemption of the Jews upon Christ's Second Coming makes interesting reading in light of the Christian fundamentalist movement in Israel today. This is a must read for anyone interested in medieval theology, the Crusading movement or the Holy Land.

This book fulfills its promise: it examines carefully the impact of the 1096 events on the Ashkenazi Jewry. The author uses striking passages from contemporary chronicles to illustrate his points while giving the reader the opportunity to form his or her own opinion about the events there described (the chronicles are found, in a highly readable translation and in full lenght, in the appendix). This book challenges the commonly held view that the first crusade lead to a wide spread destruction of Ashkenazi communities and precipitated their movement to the east. While several leading centres of Ashkenazi intellectual life were destroyed, they were quickly rebuilt and the decline of Rhine Jewry did not occur until the 13th century (in connection with the great plague). Chazan focuses of the diversity of Jewish response to immediate threat which ranged locally from the effort to disperse into the countryside to taking refuge in palaces, and individually from conversion to martyrdom. The kiddush Hashem again is far from uniform, ranging from acceptance of death my enemy's hand and suicide, to a new, activist form of taking other Jew's life to prevent him or her from falling into the hand of the enemy. The talmudic precedents for each of these patterns of behavior are discussed. Finally, this is also a highly novel view on the Jewish-Christian relation in those turbulent times. Written with erudition as well as ease, this is not only an informative, but also very absorbing reading experience.

A good book to read if you are looking for some good laughs and a healthy way to help you through the ongoing trials of life. The author uses a lot of stories she has gathered from others as examples of successful outcomes. Mostly stories of mothers going through trials brought on by their children - either in death or rebellion, even homosexuality. Although i believe the author could have used more scripture: If you are looking for encouragement, laced with some laughter, grab this book.

The medieval European presence in Asia Minor as a result of the first couple of crusades meant the imposition of the feudal system on a culture that (generally) didn't even speak Indo-European languages. The consensus has been that this meant the Kingdom of Jerusalem and its various tenant counties by conquest experienced a "pure" feudalism, with an especially powerful nobility -- but Tibble argues that this is not the case, that the balance of power was much more evenly divided between the monarchy and the aristocracy. In making his case, he examines in some detail the family connections and land holdings of the conquerors. A basic background knowledge of Outre-Mer is helpful.

The book begins with what is described as the "Faith Arena" wherein big, beautiful, risky dreams originate with God. A true seeker, one who wants to discover meaning and purpose goes to the Creator to discover specific direction. He admonishes us to focus on what is possible, not on obstacles, adding, that problems are actually possibilities in disguise.

Sales professionals can really appreciate the novel way he defines their field of endeavor. He says, "Successful selling is nothing more than communicating to people a truth they weren't aware of before." Imagine the implications. The person is trying to improve the potential client's life. That reality should lessen stress.

Overcomers are reminded that every successful person, regardless of the arena in which he or she worked faced failure at some point. Success if the process of working through failure. Persistence is essential in doing so. Every expert was once an amateur. Every possibility thinker is an adventurer. Dr. Schuller get me excited. He is inspiring, a true motivator.

He brings a clear awareness of the Bible verse, as a man thinketh in his heart so is he, but writing, "Your self-concept is the core of your personality." Another truth from the Bible of which we're reminded is that God plans and guides the circumstances and events in our lives long before we become aware of what's going on.

One of the reasons I find his books, including this one, so practical is because he clearly shows how to apply teachings from the Bible in one's daily life. Dreams is a common topic he addresses and this book includes some very pertinent comments on dreams. He says, "The size of your faith in God alone will set the ceilings and boundaries to your dream." Couple dreaming and praying. Mull your dreams over with God. Listen. Test. Think. Seek. Read. Pray some more.