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Poitiers AD 732: Charles Martel turns the Islamic tide (Campaign, 190) Paperback – Illustrated, February 19, 2008

by David Nicolle (Author), Graham Turner (Illustrator)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 44 ratings
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In the early decades of the 8th century AD, Islamic forces were flooding into Europe through the Iberian peninsula, threatening Frankish and Burgundian territory and raiding it with ever-increasing ferocity. At the battle of Poitiers, also known as Tours, Christian forces under the Frankish leader Charles Martel "The Hammer" (grandfather of Charlemagne) confronted a massive invading Islamic army. The Franks were victorious, effectively halting the northward advance of Islam and preserving Christianity as the dominant faith in Europe. Expert medievalist David Nicolle draws on contemporary sources to reconstruct this turning-point battle, places it in its historical context and reviews its background and immediate and longer-term historical consequences.
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  1. Part of series
    Campaign
  2. Print length
    96 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Osprey Publishing
  5. Publication date
    February 19, 2008
  6. Dimensions
    7.24 x 0.24 x 9.88 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    184603230X
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1846032301
  9. See all details
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From the Publisher

military history;campaign;Osprey

military history;campaign;Osprey

military history;campaign;Osprey

military history;campaign;Osprey

Full colour battlescenes

Beautifully illustrated battlescenes are included to bring the narrative of the conflict to life.

Three-dimensional ‘bird’s-eye-views'

Each three-dimensional 'bird's-eye view' is meticulously researched to recreate the actual battlefield at that point in history with accurate contour detail, scaling, landscaping and terrain features.

Maps

Detailed historical maps frame each battle or campaign, and provide the key historical context.

military history;campaign;Osprey

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[Moslems] operated by staging rais varying from small to massive, and turned a greedy eye on what is now France. Here is the story of their largest and last raid, looting, burning and murdering the towns and their inhabitants until brought to bay at Poitiers. Although a large part of their army escaped, they never came back as a serious threat and the slow recover of Spain and Portugal began from the unconquered territories in northwest. Very highly recommended.” ―John Prigent, Internet Modeler (March 2008)

About the Author

David Nicolle is Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Medieval Studies, Nottingham University. He is the author of numerous books on aspects of medieval military history, including many for Osprey.

Graham Turner is a leading historical artist, specializing in the medieval period. He has illustrated numerous titles for Osprey, covering a wide variety of subjects from the dress of the 10th-century armies of the Caliphates, through the action of bloody medieval battles, to the daily life of the British Redcoat of the late 18th century. The son of the illustrator Michael Turner, Graham lives and works in Buckinghamshire, UK.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Osprey Publishing (February 19, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 96 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 184603230X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1846032301
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.24 x 0.24 x 9.88 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 44 ratings

About the author

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David Nicolle

David Nicolle

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David Nicolle was born in London in 1944. He worked for BBC Television News from 1963 to 1967. Having travelled widely in the Middle East, David Nicolle transferred to the BBC Arabic Service where he worked as a topical-talks writer from 1967 to 1971. In 1972 he returned to university, eventually receiving a PhD from Edinburgh University.

From 1983 to 1987 Dr. Nicolle lectured in art history at Yarmouk University, Jordan. After returning to England, he continued to undertake research and has over one hundred books to his name. An independent scholar, he is an Honorary Research Fellow attached to Nottingham University as well as being a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and of the Royal Asiatic Society (both in London). David Nicolle has worked for television in the UK, the USA, Germany and Syria as an advisor and contributor. He is married to a retired American academic, Colette Nicolle, who is also now a co-author and they live in north London.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
44 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Andrew Costa
5.0 out of 5 stars A good overview of a neglected topic.
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
Any information on the Dark Ages is relatively rare, so this is a welcome book on the subject. While Dr. Nicolle's biases are something of a meme among Osprey fans, in this book it is a bit warranted in order to balance out the narrative. He makes the most of the sparse sources and archaeological evidence, though some of his picture choices aren't the best (again, biases seeping through). Graham Turner's artwork is solid as always.
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Arch Stanton
5.0 out of 5 stars The best book that can be found on this sadly neglected battle
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2009
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This book is an extraordinary look at the events leading up to the Battle of Poitiers, the battle, and the aftermath. It is superbly illustrated and it really makes you feel as if you're there, which is something that few history books manage. Even though it's an Osprey book it is of a respectable size (96 Pages) and it covers the topic with as much detail as it can without being confusing. I don't know what some of the earlier reviewers were talking about when they said that this was a dry read. I couldn't put it down. The pictures help keep it interesting of course, but it's the story itself that fascinates. Charles Martel, Mayor of the Palace under the Franks, confronts the repeatedly successful invasion of the Muslims and defeats them at the battle of Poitiers. It is, of course, a lot more complicated than that, but in its most basic form it would make for good reading. If you have any interest in the Dark Ages then buy this book.
11 people found this helpful
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Stone Dog
4.0 out of 5 stars Rare title on pivotal battle between cultures.
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2008
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Author does a good job of "setting the stage" for Poitiers not simply as a battle, but as a campaign. The treatment of the motivations and objectives for all (not simply "both") sides is well done. Author shows this conflict from a campaign standpoint and does it fairly well, showing the conflicts/rivalries between Charles Martel and Prince Eudes of Aquitaine as well as the internal conflicts on the Muslim side.

Unlike the author, who steers clear of calling this a battle between cultures, most others including myself would propose the world would be a different place had Charles Martel not won this battle.

I would like to have read more from the author in the way of weapons and tactics of the combatants, how they differed, and how they affected the battle given the terrain the battle was fought upon. But, I realize that this is a campaign book and those subjects are of secondary importance.

A good work with the usual excellent Osprey color plates and photos. Works on this battle are few and far between and this is a good overview on the subject.
5 people found this helpful
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Stephen P. Ford
5.0 out of 5 stars Well-researched information on the origin of the campaign, opposing forces, commanders, strategy and the decisive battles
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2013
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I have been very pleased with and impressed with the quality of Osprey publications. The Campaign series are focused on military campaigns from ancient times through the current era. I have found the books in the Osprey Campaign series to be a great source and frequently the only source for well-researched information on military campaigns especially in the ancient campaigns through early 20th century campaigns.
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Mike Dillemuth
3.0 out of 5 stars Historically Accurate but Confusing to Read
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2009
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If this book were rated solely on its historical content, it would receive five stars. Unfortunately, this book is reduced to a three star rating due to its confusing maps, uninformative photos, and disjointed style of writing. The content of the book appears to be very accurate. The author, David Nicolle, makes a concerted effort to distinguish between what is known and what is theory. He should be given credit for doing a good job given the limited amount of information available on this battle.

First, the maps could have been a little better. They are cluttered with too much useless information. If a place is mentioned in the text (e.g.: a certain river) then that feature should be marked on the map. Unfortunately, some useful landmarks were left off. Other landmarks, which are irrelevant to the narrative, are included on the maps. The map on pg. 54 outlines the final approach routes used by both armies prior to the battle. The map legend separates the various waypoints into two sections, one pertaining to the Islamic army and one for the Christian force. Each section has a marker for the battle of Poitiers. Thus the map itself has two markers on the same spot for the battle, one referencing the Muslim army section and one for the Christian section. The map is needlessly cluttered with two markers for the same event when one marker would do. One of the 3D graphic maps has an error that is just sloppy editing. On Pg. 66, the map text directs the reader to refer back to another map on pg. 58. Unfortunately, there is no map on pg. 58.

The photos could also have been a little better. Although the book has some very good photos, it also has useless ones. Pg. 64 has a black and white photo of a badly damaged Umayyad painting. The reader will have difficulty identifying the images. Were this a color photo, the reader might more easily identify the relevant figures. On Pg. 65, the book has a modern day photo of the city of Bordeaux. This photo, however, adds absolutely nothing to the narrative of the battle.

Despite these shortcomings, Mr. Nicolle can be given credit for writing a historically accurate book. The information on this battle is limited and written in the form of poetry. The author, however, goes the extra mile in describing what is based on archeological evidence and what is just theory. He often notes that a certain event probably happened one way but could also have happened another way at a different location. Despite this lack of information, the author did a good job of writing a coherent narrative.

The author does a great job of describing the political events that both preceded and followed the battle. These include the internal conflicts of the Islamic Umayyad Caliphate and the Merovingian Frankish Kingdom. The "Aftermath" chapter is very enlightening. It describes how Charles Martel's victory eventually led to the further expansion of Carolingian power in the region under Charlemagne. In addition, the Muslim defeat tarnished their image of invincibility and allowed for revolts in North Africa by the Berbers.

Bottom line: this is a historically accurate book. The author did a superb job of combining fact and theory into a comprehensive narrative. Unfortunately, the reader will be distracted by some of the maps, photos, and overall editing. That said, if the reader is willing to plow through these distractions, they will ultimately find the book informative.
10 people found this helpful
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Philippe h Defechereux
5.0 out of 5 stars Charles Martel Really did Save Europe from Islamization!
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2015
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Excellent, thorough, well told and illustrated. Makes it clear that Charles Martel indeed saved France, and probably Europe, from full Muslim occupation.
4 people found this helpful
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Bert
5.0 out of 5 stars The Battle for Christianity
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2016
Verified Purchase
Charles Martel, in 732 AD, saves the last major Christian Bastion of Paris from hordes of Arabs, Berbers, Moors attacking From their strong whole in Spain, Portugal and southwestern France. Greatly outnumbered, Martel's military genius saved Christianity.
Francs, Greatly outnumbered, estimates a minimum of 6 to1, Francs, Germanic Fighters, others, well disciplined Christians fighting for their lives as ancient Jihadist, defeated the Moslems. The Battle of Tours, seldom discussed today, show the earthly power of education, faith, organization, and strong leadership can defeat much larger aggressors. Considered by some as the most important battle in history, educationally sidelined from today's military study due to lack of "political correctness".
7 people found this helpful
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R. Muxlow
5.0 out of 5 stars great pics and maps
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2015
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Very informative, great pics and maps.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Ruffino ivan
5.0 out of 5 stars Gut
Reviewed in Germany on February 18, 2024
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Poitiers AD 732
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 2010
Verified Purchase
An excellent book giving a good overview and some detail of this often forgotten period. Not many books on this battle available and this one fills the gap admirably. A good value for money item from Amazon
3 people found this helpful
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JPS
3.0 out of 5 stars Partly good and partly confusing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2013
Verified Purchase
I had somewhat mixed views after finishing this Campaign title, because it contains some good or even very good elements alongside some others that are rather questionable.

Starting with the positive elements, the bibliography, although short as usual for Osprey titles, contains all of the main references and tends to show that the author had well-researched his topic. The rather long introduction (when compared to similar titles) is both valuable and necessary, since it allows David Nicolle to set the scene and gives him just about enough space to mention the main features of the Islamic conquests, including that of Spain, and of the Merovingian Monarchy (which he oddly restricts to France) and the Duchy of Aquitaine.

Another good point is the detailed and helpful chronology of events, although I found it rather odd to stop it at AD 740. A more logical choice would have been to end it in either AD 741, with the death of Charles Martel, or perhaps even with the conquest of Narbonne by his son Pepin. Also good are the colour plates by Graham Turner. I particularly liked the one illustrated the death of Abd Al Rahman Al-Gafiqi, the governor of Spain. Finally, the narrative of the battle itself, or rather, as the author shows, the series of clashes that made up the battle and its aftermath, is also well told. It also shows that despite the death of their leader and their defeat, the Islamic army was not destroyed. Most of it retreated, got away and was not pursued by the Franks.

There are however three sets of problems with this book. The first is minor. It concerns the photographs that the author has selected as illustrations. I found that many of these were rather unhelpful and did not have much added value, such as the ones of the battlefield nowadays and in particular the one with a cow in a field!

My second issue is a bit more serious, because it tends to reveal the author's bias when he depicts the Franks as "primitive" in warfare when compared to the Muslims, as if they were still dealing with a horde of half-naked "barbarians" armed with javelins, axes and a few swords. This happens to be perfectly incorrect, as the author should well know given the books he lists in his bibliography (particularly those of Bernard Bachrach) and given his own comments about most of the Muslim army being made up of Berber warriors.

On the side of the Franks, Charles Martel's and Duke Eudes' forces were, by this time, made up mostly if not only of mounted infantry who could fight on horseback but would mostly fight on foot. They were mostly made up of the followers and retainers of the magnates and they would be well-armed and equipped. On the Muslim side, while a minority of heavily equipped Arab cavalry was probably as sophisticated as it gets, and recently converted Visigothic horsemen would be a match for the Franks, the vast majority of the Muslim army was made up of more lightly armed Berbers. These, while undoubtedly brave, would perhaps not be a match in hand-to-hand fighting against the more heavily equipped Frankish infantry.

Moreover, since the Franks had been fighting as auxiliaries and then federates for the Roman Empire for over four centuries (and some of their constituent tribes for even longer than that), it is a bit of a sweeping statement to qualify them of "primitive". This is in fact a myth that was dominant some forty years ago and which Bachrach, among others, has done so much to dispel.

Also questionable is the explanation for the lack of pursuit by the Franks, with the author contending that they were too busy pillaging the camp that the enemy had abandoned to bother, and the implicit allegation that they were just a bunch of undisciplined "barbarians". Charles Martel clearly thought better than to pursue the retreating army and the reasons for this would have been worth explaining and are lacking.

My third issue is, however, even more serious. It cuts across the whole volume and makes it rather confusing, at times. This is because the campaign, the battle, and its consequences are rather controversial and have been for centuries. Added to this, the author does not explain and discuss these controversies, probably because of a lack of space. Instead, he picks bits and pieces and makes somewhat confusing and contradictory statements. One example of this is the statement that the Islamic expedition was a large scale raid, a plundering expedition as opposed to an invasion, and that the Muslims had no intention to stay. While this is most likely to be true, it conflicts with the book's sensationalist subtitle: "Charles Martel turns the Islamic tide".

Also, he evaluates the Islamic army at 15000, before stating that it was very likely smaller but that the army also included large numbers of camp followers because the Berbers went on raids with their families. Since such raids depended on speed, and families could only reduce the army's speed, there is somewhat of a contradiction here that the author fails to explain or even discuss.

A further example is to mention that the army had no siege train, again because speed was of the essence, but that it might have brought some over the Pyrenees. So, did it have siege equipment or not? There are quite a few other rather annoying and similar examples where the author just does not seem to be able to make up his mind, and this almost spoiled it for me.

Another point which would have deserved to be clarified is the rather tense relations between the Duke Eudes of Aquitaine and Charles Martel, who was in fact his enemy. This would have implied explaining in more detail the political situation in the Frankish Kingdom and showing, for instance, that Eudes had sided with a large part of the Neustrian nobility against Charles Martel and most of the Austrasians.

One final point which is missing is to explain why the battle of Poitiers which, historically, was a second order clash, became so famous worldwide. This is largely because this success was blown out of all proportion by Charles Martel and his Carolingian successors to burnish their credentials as defenders of the (Christian) faith. It was not, by far, the last Muslim raid into France. In fact there was another one the very next year and the Muslims would not be expelled from Septimania and Narbonne reconquered before another couple of decades.

Three stars. For those wanting to learn more about the context surrounding the battle and the military organization of the Franks, I can recommend the two following books:
- The Arab Conquest of Spain 710-797, by Roger Collins, which is rather excellent and readable
- The Age of Charles Martel, by Paul Fouracre, which, although perhaps a bit more difficult to read, is well worth it and dispels a number of myths about the period and the first of the Carolingians.
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Thomas Raymann
2.0 out of 5 stars Usual long Dr. Nicholle intro waffle...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 19, 2008
Verified Purchase
Poor Dr. Nicholle has so much to tell us from his vast historical knowledge that, as always, he runs out of pages for the actual subject.
Of the 97 pages only pages 63-83 are on the battle and each page has a halve page photo to use up space and there's a double side plate included also in this number.
At the end of the day there's nearly nothing to go round.
As there is hardly any historic sources for the battle the book has not much to say either. Very general and sketchy picture.
Three raiding maps where okay and made for better reading than the book itself which got tedious after 10 pages.
Plates better than Christa Hook any time, but still not the old quality.
Explanations for plates left 1/3 of page blank...what a waste...but again what to fill it with!?
A book you dont need.
Overpriced as all Osprey books.
7 people found this helpful
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