Makes an important contribution to historical writing on those states by advocating the insights which may be gained from expanding the scope of enquiry beyond the kingdom of Jerusalem.
ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW
In all, this is a well-written, thoroughly researched, and interesting account of Antioch's decline during the twelfth century. Scholars of Antioch will obviously have reason to read it, but it also has much to offer researchers in the Crusader States more generally, as well as anyone interested in medieval borders, or the practicalities of exerting control over medieval territories.
JOURNAL OF MILITARY HISTORY
Buck's thoughtful revision of the traditional historiography is based on solid research of the primary sources.
AMERICAN HISTORICAL REVIEW
[An] impressive and highly revisionist monograph.. It has a wealth of detail, it offers careful and balanced argument, and presents some genuinely significant revision. Consequently, this book represents a major contribution to its field.
AL-MASAQ
A valuable addition to the body of work on Outremer...[It] will find a ready audience amongst students and researchers of the eastern Mediterranean and frontier societies as well as of the Crusades and the political culture of the central Middle Ages.
HISTORY
Provides a useful examination of the concerns of a frontier state in a state of frequent crisis.
DE RE MILITARI
Through his analysis, Buck highlights and addresses how the principality - with its systems and governments, survived and adapted to losses in territory and changing circumstances around it - and what it fundamentally meant to rule in the east of Latin Christendom.
MIDDLE EAST JOURNAL