Ok so I watched this video and it actually did a really good job at explicating the context of the crusades in ways that a lot of school history readings didn’t for me. I've been notified that the channel is apparently a MAGA pipeline, and I don't necessarily endorse all views held in that channel, but I had to admit: it was refreshing seeing the Crusades explained through a rational, realist lens rather than just chalking it up to "evil bad man kill nice foreign people". And it got me wondering: does anybody here know any good books or book series on ancient European history - the Crusades, the Inquisitions, etc. - that don’t use objectivity as a facade for bashing Western culture? Like, books that use realism and rationality to explain the choices made and provide context into them? I'm looking for stuff as comprehensive as possible. I’m thinking something similar to Shelby Foote’s Civil War trilogy but with European history. Fairly detailed, objective, etc. Thanks in advance!
Why?
I literally just told you I don't have one...
Which is kind of proving my point:
still waiting for that book rec.