Saladin The sultan who vanquished the crusaders and built an Islamic empire

John Man, 1941-

Book - 2016

"Saladin remains one of the most iconic figures of his age. As the man who united the Arabs and saved Islam from Christian crusaders in the twelfth century, he is the Islamic world's preeminent hero. A ruthless defender of his faith and brilliant leader, he also possessed qualities that won admiration from his Christian foes. But Saladin is far more than a historical hero. Builder, literary patron, and theologian, he is a man for all times, and a symbol of hope for an Arab world once again divided. Centuries after his death, in cities from Damascus to Cairo and beyond, to the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf, Saladin continues to be an immensely potent symbol of religious and military resistance to the West. He is central to Arab me...mories, sensibilities, and the ideal of a unified Islamic state. John Man charts Saladin's rise to power, his struggle to unify the warring factions of his faith, and his battles to retake Jerusalem and expel Christian influence from Arab lands. Saladin explores the life and enduring legacy of this champion of Islam while examining his significance for the world today."--provided by Amazon.com.

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BIOGRAPHY/Saladin
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Subjects
Published
Boston, MA : De Capo Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group [2016]
Language
English
Main Author
John Man, 1941- (author)
Item Description
First published in Great Britain in 2015 by Bantam Press, an imprint of Transworld Publishers.
Physical Description
xiii, 287 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 271-274) and index.
ISBN
9780306824876
  • List of illustrations
  • Preface: The Once and Future King
  • 1. A World in Conflict
  • 2. A Teenager in Damascus
  • 3. Into Egypt
  • 4. Building a Power-base
  • 5. Back to Syria, and a Dead-end
  • 6. Enter the Villain
  • 7. Defeat and Victory: The Tide on the Turn
  • 8. Reynald's Raid
  • 9. Build-up to the Show-down
  • 10. The Horns of Hattin
  • 11. Retaking the Holy City
  • 12. The Third Crusade: The Gathering Storm
  • 13. Acre
  • 14. The End of the Third Crusade
  • 15. Death, and Enduring Life
  • 16. A Brief History of Leadership
  • 17. Legacy: A Glowing Image, a Grim Reality
  • Bibliography
  • Photographic acknowledgements
  • Index
Review by Library Journal Review

Although little is known of Saladin's early life, historian and prolific author Man (Marco Polo) skillfully sets the scene in describing the tumultuous world in which Saladin (1138-93) came of age. His rise to power began when he was appointed vizier of Egypt under his mentor, Nur al-Din. Saladin's career ascended after al-Din's death; eventually, he would unite the Muslim Middle East and reconquer Jerusalem and other Holy Land sites from the Franks. Throughout his reign, Saladin effectively faced challenges from the Christian Crusaders and from within Islam itself. Man presents Saladin as an intelligent, tactful leader who employed both a soft and hard approach to achieve his aims. He could be generous or ruthless, depending on the circumstances. At times, Saladin used force against an adversary, in other instances, persuasion. His methods worked, as he ultimately became one of the most beloved sultans in history. Man's narrative is well written and immensely entertaining. Moreover, the author introduces the reader to other fascinating characters along the way, such as Hassan i-Sabbah (leader of the Assassins), the villainous Reynaud de Châtillon, and Baldwin IV (the Leper King). VERDICT This book will appeal to anyone interested in the Crusades or medieval history. An excellent addition to a public or academic library.-Dave Pugl, Ela Area P.L., Lake Zurich, IL © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.