History of the Crusades Volume 1: Gustave Doré Restored Special Edition

This is a fantastic reproduction of Dore’s best work. The text is easy to read and the engravings look terrific. The cover is colorful and well made.I haven’t finished the book entirely, but have enjoyed leafing through and picking out different anecdotes and stories from that time.Definitely recommended for anyone else interested in this period of history.

If you're buying this solely for Doré's illustrations, don't. The intricate line work of the engravers is rendered as mushy fields of grays, sometimes with moires. My copy actually has white lines running through some of the illustrations, like you get when the heads of an inkjet are clogged. Volume 2 looks marginally better (no white lines), but the lines are still mushy and gray.I will be keeping the books as I do intend to read the text, but will likely be supplementing this with an old Dover edition. Comparing them to other versions, they still appear to be the best reproductions of Dore available.

Table of Contents is in the back of the book, a highly unusual location. Is this a product defect or reflecting original publication?. Otherwise the book appears satisfactory.

Everything arrived on time and as advertised

Book in great shape, Dore's art is superb, good information. Printing a little dull.

Hardcover appear to be print on the demand. Steep price for low quality printing on thin paper.