The Travels of Bertrandon De La Brocquière ... to Palestine and His Return from Jerusalem Overland to France During the Years 1432 and 1433

The book The Travels of Bertrandon De La Brocquiere to Palestine and His Return from Jerusalem Overland to France During the Years 1432 and 1433 by Bertrandon (De La Broquiere) is a historical account of the author's journey through the Holy Land. The book is a detailed description of the places he visited the people he encountered and the challenges he faced during his travels. The author's account includes discussions on military strategies the military force of the Turks and the means of combating them successfully. The book also touches on the political climate of the time with mentions of the croisades and the ambitions of various rulers to form alliances against common enemies. The narrative is filled with vivid descriptions of the landscapes cultures and customs of the regions he passed through providing a unique insight into the historical context of the period. The author's bold and daring journey his encounters with different cultures and his reflections on the political and military challenges of the time make this book a valuable historical document. The middle of the book describes the author's journey from Damascus to Bursa detailing encounters with various people including a Genoese merchant and a Circassian mameluke. The author learns about the customs of the Moors their horses and their way of life. The narrative includes visits to religious sites such as the church of Our Lady of Serdenay and a mosque with a miraculous image. The author faces challenges such as being detained in prison and dealing with the caravan's rules. The journey provides insights into the culture traditions and landscapes of the regions traveled. The paragraphs at the end of the book provide detailed information on military tactics geography and personal experiences of the author's travels through various regions. The author discusses the importance of maintaining a strong and united army the superiority of Turkish forces in terms of numbers and cavalry and the necessity of being constantly vigilant in the face of the enemy. The author also describes the landscapes towns and people encountered during the journey highlighting the customs architecture and notable individuals met along the way. The narrative concludes with the author's reflections on the purpose of the journey and the process of documenting his adventures for the benefit of others.