What motivated the Crusaders to pick up arms and travel to the Holy Land?  How did a group of Christian soldiers succeed in winning battle after battle even when they were significantly outnumbered?   Rodney Stark, Distinguished Professor of the Social Sciences at Baylor University and co-director of the Institute for Studies of Religion, reviews a number of contemporary myths about the Crusades and offers some new and revived explanations for what happened in the conflict between Christians and Muslims in the 12th and 13th centuries.  We discuss the differences in technological innovation between the two civilizations, why the Crusaders did not focus much attention on Spain, and why the topic of the Crusades has become so salient in contemporary times.  This podcast is based upon Prof. Stark’s bestselling book, God’s Battalions: The Case for the Crusades (Harper One).  Recorded: June 17, 2010.

RELATED LINKS

Rodney Stark’s website.

God’s Battalions: The Case for the Crusades by Rodney Stark.

For the Glory of God: How Monotheism Led to Reformations, Science, Witch-Hunts and the End of Slavery by Rodney Stark.

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