In this authoritative biography, historian John Man brings Saladin and
his world to life with vivid detail in a rollicking good story (Justin
Marozzi).
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
memories, 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.
