Saladin: the life, the legend and the Islamic empire. John Man. 2016.

Saladin remains one of the most iconic figures of his age. As the man who United then Arabs and saved Islam from Christian crusaders in the twelfth 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 saw him as the exemplar of their own knightly ideals.

In this authoritative biography, historian John Man brings Saladin and his world to life in vivid detail. Charting his rise to power, his struggle to unify the warring factions of his faith, and his battles to retake Jerusalem and expel Christian influence from Arab lands, Saladin explores the life and the enduring legacy of this champion of Islam, and examines his significance for the world today.