Saladin: the life, the legend and the Islamic Empire

John Man has given unbiased information on Saladin and the events of the time. I'm going to read all of John Man's work.Must read book to everybody to better understand today's world. Truly, the world today is in need of Saladin. The world also needs more sincere–writers like John Man.

Ok but subject a bit wearing not authors fault

This review will be difficult to write without sounding like one of those right wing, anti Islam, 'what about the Christians?' types. You'll just have to take my word that I definitely am not one. Nor however am I one of these regressive leftists either who - with false modesty - self flagellate as a Westerner and heap ridiculous praise onto the non white. I like to think that I fall in between - or on a tangent to, either end of this spectrum of stupidity. This books narrative falls into the regressive left category very very hard - the author does not bat an eyelid when accusing the Franks of eating babies, every act by Christian is a monstrous and unnecessary act of violence. Every horrible act by a Muslim is either dismissed, overlooked, caused by a Christian - or most ridiculously welcomed by the population. The crusades were horrible and brutal - the Islamic conquest of the region? Lets not talk about it. To be fair, I did expect this when I purchased this book. I could find nothing else in my local bookshop and needed something to tide me over. I did not purchase this book as a serious inquiry into an area of history I want to know more about. I was hoping to learn a thing or two about the time - but for me it was more a study into the inaccurate view of history that some of the Islamic world has (read ISIS propaganda) - this view of Paradise lost - that they didn't steal Spain, Spain was stolen from them - that the Crusades were the Christians brutally assaulting their religion, not trying to regain what was assaulted from them. The view that looks back and sees these high water marks, such as under Saladin and contrasts them without nuance to the 'dark ages' in Europe. The regressive left buys into this - but instead of seeing this era as one of purity and piety instead ridiculously portrays as an era of enlightenment and every bit the equal of the renaissance. It was not - of course - it was a pre enlightened medieval era. We shouldn't moralise as much as we do in history, but if we do we should place the morality on both sides of the ledger equally. Good guy / Bad Guy narratives are not only the most simplistic narratives - they are also the most inaccurate. This book gets an extra star from the lowest mark because it allows one to imagine how a part of the Islamic world sees itself - as a pure victim, and because it allows one to see how the regressive left portray the Islamic world - as a pure victim. Nothing captures this better the opening foreword - "then the crusaders, now the USA, working through its proxy, Israel". Say what you want about American foreign policy - I challenge its effectiveness and its morality all the time - but there are no real similarities between the two. It does a disservice to both to say so. Pathetic.

I stopped reading at page 6.For someone who claim to have special interest in the Islamic world, he got the basic Facts of Islam wrong. I'm just gonna highlight 2 here.Firstly, at page 2: implying violence with Islam.To know Islam, read the Quran, simple as that. Don't judge based on media reports or even the Muslims, as not all are potraying the true teachings. If I want to learn about Christinanity, i will read the bible, old testament, new testament. I won't judge a religion based on the practitioners.Secondly at pg 6: the definition of Sunnah.C'mon John..this is so basic.Sunnah is the deed and sayings of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. Full stop.It ends there.It does not include that of his successors.Sad to say, i was actually looking forward to read this book, anticipating factual narrative and true accounts, not the author's personal views or understanding.

This book was not objective nor factually correct. The author never failed to put condescending comments on Arabs or Islam wherever he could, while still trying to appear factual. Even his "facts" on Arab culture, language interpretations, or Islamic history were incorrect. Not worth the read AT ALL.

A great short sharp book that helped me understand who Saladin was, highly readable and densley packed with insightful information.

Not as a light read as I thought. It takes a bout a 1/3 of the book till we get to talk about Saladin. The first part is about the history of the people and his family but I think they could be done in one chapter. I just wanted to get to find out about Saladin himself.

A good balance between giving detail and a brisk pace. Gives you a real feel for all the key players in the era. Battles nicely describe, though YouTube videos ultimately much more vivid. An excellent overview though I'm sure won't satisfy real scholars looking for all the details.

A brilliant book written in a captivating style. John Man is able to bring history to life and tell a riveting story at the same time.I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page of this informative and entertaining book; and I learned a great deal of wisdom from it too.

Really enjoyed this book ,just right size ,found this really interesting,could actually remember other key players,and found myself linking it to other historical periods ,been reading a bit of history especially at moment (covid)and it’s great to see a bigger picture begin to happen ,one chapter in world history

A great read for someone interested in the man and the events around the crusades

Good interesting read

Excellent book on a very important historical character.

Was delivered within the time advised.

Four star because not as lengthy or detailed as expected . But exceptional insight in to history non the less.

Very good read

Excellent read

Good reading

Excellent details and very impressively presented......characteristic of a mature writer

There is a great story here, but this book is screaming out for a good editor. One with enough time to turn it into readable prose.