Download or read book The Damascus Chronicle of the Crusades written by Abu YA'la Hamzah Ib Ibn Al-Qalanisi and published by Courier Corporation. This book was released on 1932-01-01 with total page 390 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This outstanding work on the First Crusade was written by an Arab scholar from an old and respected family of Damascus. Well-educated in literature, theology and law, he was twice elected mayor of the city and died when he was over 90 years of age in 1160. His Chronicle, translated by H. A. R. Gibb, is of special interest because it presents a contemporary Arab account of how the Crusaders fared while in Damascus. Derived from oral and written reports, the information is remarkable for its documentation. An informative introduction sets the scene just prior to invasion by the Crusaders. Because this original work still retains much material unused by later compilers, it remains an indispensable resource for students of the early Crusades.