Thomas F. Madden ( born 1960 ) is an American historian , a former Chair of the History Department at Saint Louis University in St. Louis , Missouri , and Director of Saint Louis University 's Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies . A specialist on the Crusades , he has often commented in the popular media after the events of September 11 , to discuss topics such as how Muslims have viewed the medieval Crusades and their parallels to today 's interventions in the Middle East . He has frequently appeared in the media , as a consultant for various programs on the History Channel and National Public Radio . In 2007 , he was awarded the Haskins Medal from the Medieval Academy of America , for his book '' Enrico Dandolo and the Rise of Venice '' , also a " Book of the Month " selection by the '' BBC History '' magazine . In 2012 , he was named a Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
events of September 11
September 11 attacks
Thomas F. Madden