Reconquest and Crusade in Medieval Spain

Joseph F. O'Callaghan's Reconquest and Crusade in Medieval Spain covers the time frame from 1063, when Spain was largely Muslim except for some small Christian kingdoms in the north, to 1248, when the Christian powers directly or indirectly controlled the entire Iberian Peninsula.

The narrative can be a bit confusing to someone who's not familiar with the general history and geography of the region, though the maps and the genealogical charts of the monarchs were quite helpful. Since kings Alfonso VII of Leon-Castile, Alfonso I Henriques of Portugal, and Alfonso I of Aragon all reigned at the same time, it's naturally difficult to keep everyone straight.

Later chapters covered the warfare techniques, which were interesting, along with finance and liturgy, which were too esoteric for my taste. O'Callaghan largely presented the Christian perspective, though he does quote some Muslim writers bemoaning the fact that the horrific Christians had taken over their glorious cities. He carefully examines the extent to which the Reconquest was a crusade, a topic I really didn't care about.

It's a decent book, and it may be the best treatment of the Reconquest.