let the greatness be followed...

assalamualaikum…

I don’t know whether this book will be the good reading material for you, but it certainly is for me. it’ll obviously take you for a while to finish it…but I believe it’s worth doing so. Salahudin Al-Alyubbi or as they called him ‘Saladin’ is a great sultan…or maybe the greatest of all times. doesn’t care about gathering wealth or whatsoever, but his empire was so huge. he’ll be in the front of his soldier in any battle. he can be approached easily, he listens to his people…and the best of all - he really care for his people. below is one of the views about this book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

A Great Biography, March 15, 2007

By	D. A Wend (Buffalo Grove, IL USA)

Stanley Lane-Poole's biography of Saladin was published in 1898 but remains the best source of information about the sultan. The author has done his research consulting Christian and Muslim contemporary sources - some of which he quotes from - and conveys Saladin's life in beautiful prose. An excellent example is the following except concerning Crusader ambassadors given the unique privilege of seeing the Fatimid Caliph of Egypt.

"They were led by mysterious corridors and through guarded doors, where stalwart Sudanis saluted with naked swords. They reached a spacious court, open to the sky, and surrounded by arcades resting on marble pillars; the paneled ceilings were carved and inlaid in gold and colours; the pavement was rich mosaic. The unaccustomed eyes of the rude knights opened wide with wonder at the taste and refinement that met them at every step; - here they saw marble fountains, birds of many notes and wondrous plumage, strangers to the western world..."

Mr. Lane-Poole provides an invaluable look at the world of Saladin giving us the history of the Seljuk Turks and the First Crusade, and the life of Saladin is presented with no information lacking and with a critical eye for his subject. The struggle between Christians and Muslims is well presented and we are given completed accounts of the Third Crusade from both sides. The book is illustrated with many photographs, maps and drawings; it also includes a list of the principle contemporary historians of the period. I wanted to know more about Saladin having seen the film Kingdom of Heaven, and this book was perfect.

happy reading!!...wallahualam.