The Crusades Through Arab Eyes

This is an alternative view of an era normally seen through western eyes. For such a detailed book it is amazingly easy to read.The parallels between the crusades and the present are fascinating. Put al-Qaeda in the role of the crusaders trying to destroy a culturally more advanced society. The arab mystification at the schism between eastern and western christianity and the violence between the two mirrors the schism between Sunni and Shia muslims today. The old man of the mountains sending out his assassins on suicide missions just as Osama Bin Ladin does today.Perhaps we can also find solutions in the past. The sect of the assassins was only destroyed when the arab world sickened of their violence and turned against them.

As the title clearly indicates, this book is an attempt to depict the experience of the crusades through Arab eyes; in my opinion, it succeeded.Until I read this title, my two favourite works concerning the crusades were 'The first crusade' by Thomas Asbridge and 'The sword and the scimitar' by Ernle Bradford. This book joins that short list.One of the many bonuses to this title was that it filled a lot of the gaps in the aftermath of July 1099, such as the attempts by the Fatimids to reconquer Jerusalem, how the crusaders conquered Tripoli, Acre, the impact of the Mongols and the Mamluks on Arab civilisation. You come across interesting characters including Saladin, Zangi, Nur-Al-Din, Baybars, Qutuz, to name a few.If I have any criticism, it is that some bits of information should not be taken at face value. For instance, the author asserts that Richard the Lionheart had Conrad of Montferrat killed by the Assassins - this is speculation at best.I really enjoyed reading this and have certainly developed a more informed view of the crusades.

Amazon advertises the book as an English/French edition and what they have sent is an English ONLY edition. Totally misleading. Apart from that it is always a great pleasure to read Amin Maalouf's books.

Thoroughly enjoyed this, the author conveys the story of the crusades in a very easy to comprehend fashion. Much better than I had expected.

The book does exactly what is said on the cover, written or translated into an easy to read style. Certainly an interesting perspective and well worth a read for any one interested in the period.