The Long Sword is another excellent entry in the Chivalry series. It has the same gritty, visceral writing and colorful cast of character as the first book, and develops William Gold into a more interesting, refined character.

Christian Cameron is one of my favorite historical fiction authors, and while his writing isn't as eloquent or as deeply evocative as someone like Guy Gavriel Kay, his novels have such a genuine respect for the eras they're set in and are so authentic that you can't help but be impressed. You can tell Cameron loves the Medieval era; he loves arms and armor and religion and chivalry. It's great stuff, and as I've drifted a bit away from high fantasy as I've gotten older it's exactly the kind of novel I'm looking for.

This novel deals with some of Gold's escapades in Italy, but is mostly focused on the Alexandrian Crusade, an event I had never previously heard of. A relatively minor event in history - this was no First or Third Crusade - but Cameron does a great job describing the battle, the aftermath, the feelings those men must have felt holding a city for 3 days, killing thousands, and then leaving, all for nothing. 

Highly recommended to anyone interested in the politics and warfare of the Medieval world.