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Writing with a keen sense of historical detail and drama, Reston traces the complex path by which Saladin and Richard came to face each other on the field of battle. The Crusades, he observes, began "as a measure to redirect the energies of warring European barons from their bloody, local disputes into a 'noble' quest to reclaim the Holy Land from the 'infidel'." Of the five Crusades over 200 years, only the first was successful, to the extent that the Christian armies were able to conquer their objective of Jerusalem. The Third Crusade, as Reston ably shows, was complicated by fierce rivalries among the Christian leaders, by a chain of military disasters that led to the destruction of an invading German army and its emperor, and by the dedication of an opposing Islamic army that shared both a goal and a language.
Saladin, Reston writes, was a brilliant leader and a merciful victor, but capable of costly errors; Richard was extraordinarily skilled at combat, but his lack of resolve cost him many battles, and, ultimately, Jerusalem. Richard returned to Europe, Saladin to Damascus. Neither leader has long to live, and the peace they made would soon be broken. James Reston's splendid book does them both honor while examining a conflict that has never really ended. --Gregory McNamee --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.EARLY IN The TWELFTh CENTURY, IN The city of Tovin in northern Armenia close to Georgia, there lived an eminent family of Kurds, the master of whose house was surnamed Najm ad-Din, which meant "excellent prince and a star of religion." Read the first page
Concordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent primer for the Crusades,
By A Customer
This review is from: Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in the Third Crusade (Paperback)
Warriors of God is not an extensive study of the Crusades but can serve as an excellent primer for those of us wishing to delve into the subject.James Reston Jr. turns a topic that is complex (and sometimes tedious) into a pleasant reading experience. The author's inclusion of the state of 13th century western European politics (church and monarchy) provides important depth to the story. It also will lead most readers to wonder "This was civilization?"
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good,
By
This review is from: Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in the Third Crusade (Paperback)
History at its best! The triangle of Phillip, RIchard and Saladin is a story that everyone should know. All three could be ruthless, crazy and oddly devoted (well except for Phillip of France).First time readers of the Crusdaes will learn why there are still hostilities in the Middle East. It also makes it easier to understand why Muslims would be greatly offended by saying that the USA was on a "Crusade to end terrorism" (note to George W. Bush - you may want to brush up on your history!) How factual is this book? well it is hard to say, but it seems to collaborate with everything else I have read about the Richard, Phillip and Saladin. Was Richard and Phillip homosexual lovers... where is the evidence... well from all accounts it seems like their undergoing the crusading vow was their direct punishment from the Pope. Whatever their relationship it is both clear that enjoyed each others company while young but hated each other during their time spent during their crusading alliance. Also, all of Da Vinci Code buffs out there... this makes a decent follow-up (although there are several books on the Templers that may prove to be more entertaining to you). Reston sets a very nice pace throughout the work, and is able to buid suspense. I think that this is one of the rare works taht has the ability to transcend the genre of history and become enjoyed by all readers.
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Original Warriors of God,
By lanceson long (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in the Third Crusade (Paperback)
The book "Warriors of God: The Great Religious Orders and Their Founders" by Walter Nigg 1959, was very helpful before I read Jr. James Reston's "Warriors of God". One of the original warriors of God in Nigg's book summarized Jr. James Reston's type of Christendom very nicely.Religious obedience-which has no analogy with military obedience-was the highest law. The reason for this incomprehension is doubtless that religious obedience has to often been mistaken for cringing subservience, an unfortunate error that has inflicted untold harm on Christendom. Walter Nigg's book, which is very hard to find, should be a foundation to any true historian of Christianity. The Chapters are; St. Anthony and the Hermits of the Desert, St. Pachomius and Cenobitism, St. Basi and Eastern Monasticism, St. Augustine and the Communal Life of the Clergy, St. Benedict and His Rule, St. Bruno and the Carthusians, St. Bernard and the Cistercians, St. Francis and the Friars Minor, St. Dominic and the Order of Preachers, St. Teresa and Carmel, St. Ignatius Loyola and the Society of Jesus.
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