Yes, I know there are quite a few listed in the pinned books thread but I'm not sure any of the books are what I am looking for.

I'm searching rather casually for a good book or two; I got a bit curious and feel like stretching out a bit in my reading. I've got vague knowledge of both the Crusades and of medieval France, but I'd like to learn a bit more.

On the crusades: I want something readable, detailed, accurate and fair to both sides. I want a general history right from the beginning of the Crusades to the end, a nice overview of the political situations both in the Holy Land and in the European homelands where appropriate. I want to know about the many various people involved, both military and more peaceable. A book with loads of handy maps. A book which covers everything from military aspects, armour, warrior training etc, to local economy, daily life, etc. Something about the assorted Crusader orders is obviously a must.

On medieval France: Er .... think of much the same but as applicable to medieval France. I'm thinking 1000 - 1500AD.

A tall order, but I've found no shortage of books covering all these things in one volume about Medieval England and Britain, so I think it reasonable to assume other, quite similar subjects have received this kind of treatment. If you have encountered any of the ‘Oxford (New) History of England’ books, or 'The Struggle for Mastery: The Penguin History of Britain 1066-1284', or 'The Feudal Kingdom of England 1041-1216' or similar books then you know exactly what I am looking for.

I'm not a linguistic frog; any books have to be in English. That probably rules out the best histories of France for a start.

Thanks