Crossed: A Tale of the Fourth Crusade by Nicole Galland

I loved this book! As a medieval historian, I thought the take on this moment in history was superb, but also laugh-out-loud funny--like a marriage of Eugen Weber with Monty Python. Galland's character development is wonderful! While the events highlighted in the story present the sometimes tragic stupidity of western thought (and the voracious hunger for western power), the story remains hopeful and optimistic. I will definitely be recommending this to friends and library patrons!