Saladin: Life, Legend, Legacy -

John Man

Bantam Press

2015

320 páginas

10h 40m

ISBN-13: 9780593073728

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 12th century, he is the Islamic world’s preeminent hero. Ruthless in defence of his faith, brilliant in leadership, he also possessed qualities that won admiration from his Christian foes. He knew the limits of violence, showing such tolerance and generosity that many Europeans, appalled at the brutality of their own people, saw him as the exemplar of their own knightly ideals.

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.

Resenhas (3)

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Saladin, a bright light in times of war

Every era has its hero, that distinct personality that will take the lead in times of war and continue to inspire others trough the centuries onwards. Saladin’s virtues were unparalleled in the 12th century and still remains today.

I agree with Professor John Man’s view on the fact that he made use of a great combination of modern concepts of leadership, intercalating hard and soft power in order to achieve his goals.

This is a great book that explains the scenario in which Saladin was born, his rise to power, the unification of the Muslim territories under his rule through the use of diplomacy and military force and the reconquest of many territories which had been under the dominion of the Cruzades for almost a century.

What I most admire is not about his achievements but rather his generous and justiceful spirit through which he shows us the nature of his God. He has become like a mirror through which we can measure our own values.

As I put this book aside I call out the Heavens in the hope that a new Saladin is born so he can restore the balance and drive away the foreign vultures that feed upon those lands, thus bringing back the golden days when Virtue once divided this world in Eastern and Western.