Saladin: The Life, the Legend and the Islamic Empire

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.

Enjoyed the read but found some of the authors comments unnecessary and a bit juvenile. Nevertheless an interesting read.

His correct name is Salauddin Al Ayubi but in the West he is called Saladin. No doubt he was one of the greatest leaders and a commander of all times. This book is very informative and would recommend to anyone who loves to know the history. A very read.

Oh dear. Overall this is a not a great effort. While the author may be an historian of China and the Mongols, he does not convince as an expert in crusading, Islamic or Middle Eastern history. The book's scattered errors, banalities and inconsistencies are forgiveable in a popular history, but the uncritical hero worship for Saladin is not. Saladin was an ambitious, ruthless potentate who indulged in all the grim violence, murder and betrayal that characterised his age. Lost in adulation for his subject, John Man ignores or skates over all the negatives. He is captivated by Saladin's propaganda, by the enduring theme of Saladin's "chivalry" and by his own views on the contemporary Middle East. How extreme does the veneration get? John Man writes that Saladin is a "medieval version of Nelson Mandela". Man does write well and has includes some interesting detail - for instance on the importance of homing pigeons - and I guess this is a useful introduction to the subject. But there are better biographies of Saladin about.

Man expertly manages to encompass all the religious motives behind all the actions that he had chronicalised about the crusades. He also quotes accounts from both sides, removing any accusations of biasness from his writing.

Not the easiest book to read - John Man tries to put as much information and context in the story telling - but it also impacts the flow and understanding. However, this is an excellent source on a great master and leader for this time period. Not to be taken as a course of how Islam and Muslims function or believe - this does provide an insight on how Saladin followed aspects of Shariah Law in confronting the Crusades and Christianity.

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 very interesting book and it really sets the scene when you have limited knowledge of the crusades

El libro se lee con facilidad, como si fuera novela histórica. La novela histórica simplifica y amplía contrastes para generar interés. Esa es la sensación que me queda. Un muy buen libro para saber quién era Saladino y los desafíos en Medio Oriente para cristianos y musulmanes en el siglo XII, pero dudo que tenga la profundidad de un libro de historia. Se lee muy fácil. Es muy atractivo. Pero la historia de Oriente Medio en el siglo XII da para entrar en más profundidad. Me quedo con la sensación de que la historia está demasiado bien contada. Tiene el ritmo e interés de una serie de TV, lo que me hace sospechar que es impreciso. He disfrutado leyéndolo, pero me queda la sensación de que había más para contar.

A very nice book. Very easy to read. John Man has used great vocab and i found in this book that he uses a lot of rhymes and emotion of sprcific situation could be understood. I believe in this book bias was at its least stage brcause crusades contains a lot of biases. Though i think its binding mya improve and cover page too. Book also includes quotations and write ups of both Saracens and Christians and at last it discusses about the past and current situation.l and Saladin's impact. A great book.

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.

This book is unbiased and well written with details of the facts and historical events. Salahuddin was undoubtedly a great leader of his time. A must read for all those who wants to have knowledge of Islamic empires.

Ok but subject a bit wearing not authors fault