The Book of Saladin: A Novel

Amazon.com

Tariq Ali has been a British national treasure for almost five decades. Revolutionary, writer, broadcaster, filmmaker, polemicist--fighter in the street--and general all-round trouble-maker (in the nicest possible sense), he's been them all, and usually at the same time. Since 1990 Ali has also worked in fiction, firstly with Redemption, and now with a planned quartet of historical novels, of which The Book of Saladin is the second. (The first was the award-winning Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree.)

Ali's passion for life, and his humor, are found all over this latest work, which is set in the 12th century--with eerily prescient echoes of modern times. It shows us the conflict between Christian and Islamic civilizations set to a sometimes bawdy, sometimes brutal background where all of life is in flux. As in his previous novel, Ali shows the depth and breadth of his learning and humanity on every page. Like his central character, Saladin, or Salah-al-Din (the Kurdish liberator of Jerusalem), he has been a fighter of many causes, a maker of alliances, who has made an impact on the world around him. Unlike his hero, Tariq Ali has never been a Sultan, or a warrior, except a class one, of course. But between them--Ali and his warrior king--readers can discover much of both history and contemporary life in the melting pot of world religion. --Robin Hunt, Amazon.co.uk

Book Description

Tariq Ali's latest novel is a rich and teeming chronicle set in twelfth-century Cairo, Damascus and Jerusalem. "The Book of Saladin" is the fictional memoir of Saladin, the Kurdish liberator of Jerusalem, as dictated to a Jewish scribe, Ibn Yakub. Saladin grants Ibn Yakub permission to talk to his wife and retainers so that he might present a full portrait in the Sultan's memoirs. A series of interconnected stories follows, tales brimming over with warmth, earthy humor and passions in which ideals clash with realities and dreams are confounded by desires. At the heart of the novel is an affecting love affair between the Sultan's favored wife, Jamila, and the beautiful Halina, a later addition to the harem. The novel charts the rise of Saladin as Sultan of Egypt and Syria and follows him as he prepares, in alliance with his Jewish and Christian subjects, to take Jerusalem back from the Crusaders. This is a medieval story, but much of it will be uncannily familiar to those who follow events in contemporary Cairo, Damascus, and Baghdad. Betrayed hopes, disillusioned soldiers and unrealistic alliances form the backdrop to "The Book of Saladin."

Customer Reviews:

Very well written.......2007-06-13

A fascinating and well told tale of the Muslim ruler Saladin who recaptured the city of Jeruselum from the Christians, a feat he accomplished by bringing together, or crushing, the various Arab tribes that hated and mistrusted each other more than the enemy that had invaded their lands. A great insight into a person of power, savvy,strength and faith in a time and place of great interest and dynmaics.

A must read for anyone interested in the stories of this epoch.

Riveting Reading.......2006-11-10

Tariq Ali is a gifted author and makes for a colorful tale - in fact I have the trilogy. A must read !

Astra Z

Salah al-Din : a life.......2006-08-21

A beautifully written novel: Tariq Ali gives us a fictionalised reconstruction of the life of Salah al-Din (Saladin), who regained Jerusalem in 1187.

The novel will be best enjoyed if readers can suspend any negative personal views and perceptions of the life and times of Salah al-Din and read this as fiction in an historical setting.

The language enables the reader to participate as an observer in events of the time and to appreciate the events from a different perspective. The major characters are well drawn, and much of the reasoning seems entirely plausible.

After reading this novel, I found I wanted to know more about the life and times of Salah al-Din.

All of the books of the Islam Quintet are worth reading: this novel stands out because many of us have some knowledge (or think we do) of the events depicted in the novel.

Highly recommended.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

A Superb Piece of Work.......2005-09-04

Tariq Ali's "The Book of Saladin" is the second in his "quintet" about Islam. Don't let that put you off, though, as there is no set order to read the series in - no characters carry over from one book to the next and the continuity throughout is in fact the relationship between Islam and other religions during times of upheaval.

As the name suggests, "The Book of Saladin" is about that famous adversary of the Crusaders, the Kurdish Yusuf Salah-ad-din Ibn Ayyub who founded the Ayyubid dynasty of Egypt. The basis of this novel is that Saladin has hired a Jewish writer to record his life and times as he leads the battle to re-take Jerusalem from the "Franj" (Crusaders, one of the many Arabic words used in the book and explained in the glossary).
The reader is therefore treated to a series of stories-within-stories, and knowing Ali's sense of humour (he is an electric public speaker) the parallel to the "Arabian Nights" is probably more than a fortuitous coincidence. Our narrator leads his own life over the years of his acquaintance with Saladin, along with its attendant highs and lows while recording Saladin's memories and hearing stories from his loyal retainers and members of his harem. All of these strands combine and separate in various ways to create a narrative experience quite hard to describe in words.
While the novel ends on a somewhat pessimistic note, this is probably only to be expected, as this was hardly a glorious time for either side involved in the conflict.

While certain characters - particularly Maimonides, who makes a cameo appearance - suffer from being relatively two-dimensional, the central characters are all eminently believable. In the case of Saladin, this is quite a feat as the volume of ink devoted to him over the centuries is quite spectacular and separating the man from the myth is a difficult task. The reader will almost certainly find themselves cheering when the Sultan wins a victory, whether on the battlefield or in the court chambers.

Ali's eye for detail is also deployed to great effect here. Ayyubid Cairo is evoked lovingly, as are the other locations which play important roles in the plot. Similarly, while the court intrigues of the time are confusing at best, Ali makes a noble attempt at simplifying things for the casual reader without an interest in the politics of the time. The frequent use of Arabic terms for events and places can be disconcerting to the reader with no background in the history of the region, however the glossary will help to overcome that - and the terms become easy to understand soon enough.
His sense of humour, too, plays an important part in this novel. Ali has a particular fondness for what can sometimes be described as "dirty jokes", as his description of Richard I of England clearly demonstrates. His dialogue between a heretical (Cathar, I believe) crusader and Saladin is hilarious, even to the extent of offensive comments being made in perfect Latin.

In short, this is a book which can be heartily recommended. For newcomers to Ali's writings, this is as good a place to start as any - possibly better than some other offerings, at that. This is also a great demonstration of "how the other half lives", in that the humanity of the "saracens" during the crusades is often overlooked. Knowledge of that humanity is, in my opinion, something we need now more than ever.

A good sleep aid.......2003-01-14

It took me a long time to read this book, as I kept falling asleep after a few pages. Despite the dramatic historical events, the narrative itself is quite flat. The author tries to counteract this with a liberal sprinkling of sexual exploits...many of them homosexual. This recurring theme became as tedious as the rest of the narrative. I found myself losing track of characters and having to constantly search for earlier references to try to figure out who they were. Perhaps the rather pedantic writing of the narrator was a deliberate literary device. The book has a lot of archaic-sounding phrases and reads like it was translated from another language...all of which was probably intentional. Deficiencies of style, plot construction, and focus have been noted by other reviewers. For some people, the political merit seems to outweigh the literary failings, but this wasn't the case for me.

Average customer rating:

The Book of Saladin ; A Novel
Tariq Ali
Manufacturer: Seagull Books Pvt. Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 8170462967

Customer Reviews:

Not that great.......2007-03-26

Lots of repetitions, over use of adjectives, not too funny humour, all together a disappointing read.

horrendous heroine spoils book for me...........2005-12-19

What started as quite funny, QUICKLY got extremely annoying-I quit this book 50 pages in. The heroine is extremely vain, self centered, and will use anyone, even close friends, to get what she wants. In short, she's an absolute brat!

I would never want to deal with such a horrid person in person or in a book, and certainly not in a romance. Completely unlikable character!

no stars-save your money.

Crude Language Doesn't Make it Better.......2005-01-13

Not only were the characters boring and silly, I thought the crude words totally out of place. It was a chore to finish this book.

Well, K.M. is no Barbara Metzger.......2005-01-13

This book ended up being annoying more than intertaining. The author tried too hard to be funnny, forcing upon us endless dialogue of the same thing.

Another Winner!!.......2004-05-19

This is a sequel to Noble Intentions. Previous characters are revisited. This is a warm, funny read. Another excellent book by Katie MacAlister. I am looking forward to the next book in the series-The Trouble with Harry.

Average customer rating:

Destiny's Daughter
Frances Noble
Manufacturer: Leisure Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0505514621

FANTASTIC UNIVERSE - Volume 2, number 3 - October 1954: Souvenir; The Wrong Track; Once a First Wife; Dream Damsel; Conqueror's Planet; The Wounded; Office Call; My Past Is Mine; Strangers to Straba; True to Type; Two Way Destiny; The Nobles Are Coming

Average customer rating:

FANTASTIC UNIVERSE - Volume 2, number 3 - October 1954: Souvenir; The Wrong Track; Once a First Wife; Dream Damsel; Conqueror's Planet; The Wounded; Office Call; My Past Is Mine; Strangers to Straba; True to Type; Two Way Destiny; The Nobles Are Coming
Leo (editor) (Philip K. Dick; George Whitley; Norman Arkawy; Evan Hunter; Robert Sheckley; Philip Jose Farmer; Charles E. Fritch; Gerda Rhoads; Carl Jacobi; Arthur T. Harris; Frank Belknap Long; Gene Cross Margulies
Manufacturer: King Size Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N5JU30

Parade to glory: The story of the Shriners and their caravan to destiny

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Parade to glory: The story of the Shriners and their caravan to destiny
Fred Van Deventer
Manufacturer: Pyramid Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Disabilities | Special Needs | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007FBXEK

Average customer rating:

Primal Destiny
Konrad Noble
Manufacturer: Noblesse Oblige Publishing House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0965415600

Book Description

Not since Emperor Palpatine have the Jedi battled such monstrous evil. Unless they succeed against staggering odds, the galaxy is doomed.

Luke Skywalker’s daring mission to halt the Yuuzhan Vong’s nefarious plot to overthrow the New Republic is struggling on all fronts. And time is slipping away for Han and Leia Organa Solo, trapped on a small planet whose rulers are about to yield to Yuuzhan Vong pressure to give up the Jedi rebels.

On Coruscant, Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker have made a shocking discovery that is preventing the Yuuzhan Vong from exerting complete control. But when the enemy tracks them down, Luke and Mara are thrust into a fierce battle for their lives. Suddenly, the chances of escaping appear nearly impossible. And in space, another battle rages, one that holds ominous consequences for the New Republic—and for the Jedi themselves. . . .

ENEMY LINES II: REBEL STAND (STAR WARS THE NEW JEDI ORDER, NO 12)

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ENEMY LINES II: REBEL STAND (STAR WARS THE NEW JEDI ORDER, NO 12)
AARON ALLSTON
Manufacturer: Lucas Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K6NZEW

Average customer rating:

Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order)

Manufacturer: Random House Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000HNUU78

Star Wars the New Jedi Order: Enemy Lines II, Rebel Stand

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Star Wars the New Jedi Order: Enemy Lines II, Rebel Stand
Aaron Allston
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000LNR7DO

Average customer rating:

Excellent resource for mainline church leaders

Helpful, though not necessarily groundbreaking

Transforming Congregational Culture

Transforming Congregational Culture
Anthony B. Robinson
Manufacturer: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Leadership | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Leading Congregational Change : A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey

ASIN: 0802805183

Book Description

Many recent books have attempted to address the "crisis" in the mainline church. Anthony Robinson here makes a significant — and in many ways unique — contribution to this discussion by bringing his personal insights as a pastor to bear on the issue of renewing congregational life.

Writing from twenty-five years of experience in four congregations of differing size, location, and ethnic makeup, Robinson prescribes concrete changes in the practice of ministry that have been tried, tested, and lived out to great success. At the heart of his framework for church renewal is what he calls "cultural change." According to Robinson, technical or programmatic change is not sufficient to address the needs of the day. He argues for changing the very culture of mainline congregations, which involves recognizing and fostering their particular gifts and genius rather than trying to remake them into something they are not. His fruitful strategies for renewal touch every aspect of congregational life, from personal spiritual formation to church leadership.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent resource for mainline church leaders.......2007-06-03

A no-nonsense analysis of the predicament of and opportunities for old mainline churches as their leaders seek to do faithful ministry in a post-modern American culture.

Helpful, though not necessarily groundbreaking.......2006-08-12

Another book, similar to some others that I have reviewed, that articulately describes the challenges confronting us in the postmodern world, the ways that congregations need to be transformed, and the leadership skills that are necessary for the task.

Robinson argues that we need the following transformations: from worship as talk about God to worship as experience of God; from Christian education to Christian formation; from givers to receivers who give; from board culture to ministry culture; from community organization to faith-based ministry; from democracy to discernment; from budget as end to budget as means; from fellowship to hospitality; and from passive membership growth to active membership growth.

Robinson didn't say a whole lot that I thought was new and different from a number of other books I have been reading recently, but on the other hand the more I wrestle with the changing world and the more I read books like this, the greater clarity I achieve about the task that lies ahead, and my role in it.

Transforming Congregational Culture.......2004-03-20

As an Elder in a Presbyterian church which has been undergoing cultural changes in the past 5-10 years, I found Mr. Robinson's book facinating. It is an easy read and it lays out so many changes that my own church has witnessed. After reading the book and finding out that Mr. Robinson lives in Seattle, I plan on visiting his church when I am there visiting my son and granddaughter. I also plan on getting other members of the church together for a book discussion and try to implement some of the suggestions layed out in the book.

Average customer rating:

Transforming Congregational Culture
Anthony B. Robinson
Manufacturer: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7JNBM

Dinnerware of the 20th Century: The Top 500 Patterns (Official Price Guides to Dinnerware of the 20th Century)
Average customer rating:

A Comprehensive Guide to the 20th Century's Top 500 China Patterns

An excellent reference book that I turn to every week.

Dinnerware of the 20th Century: The Top 500 Patterns (Official Price Guides to Dinnerware of the 20th Century)
Harry L. Rinker
Manufacturer: House of Collectibles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0676600859
Release Date: 1997-10-15

Book Description

A LAVISH, FULL-COLOR, FIRST-EVER PICTORIAL TOUR OF THE TOP 500 DINNERWARE PATTERNS OF THE 20TH CENTURY

If collecting and displaying fine china are part of your passion for gracious living, here is the only book you will ever need! Beautifully illustrated throughout with digitally reproduced full-color photographs, this lovely volume is conveniently arranged alphabetically--first by dinnerware manufacturer and then by the pattern name. Combined with short histories of each manufacturer, listings of every known piece, vital date information on when the pattern was introduced and/or discontinued, and an appendix that ranks the top 500 patterns, Dinnerware in the 20th Century will earn a welcome place at any table!

Highlights include articles on the popularity of certain patterns, feature stories on designers, behind-the-style looks at particular patterns, and much more!

AND BE SURE NOT TO MISS . . .

Stemware in the 20th Century:
The Top 200 Patterns

Silverware in the 20th Century:
The Top 250 Patterns

HOUSE OF COLLECTIBLES
Serving collectors for more than thirty-five years

Customer Reviews:

A Comprehensive Guide to the 20th Century's Top 500 China Patterns.......2006-04-24

As a fan of mismatched china, whose collection has been profiled in the Denver Post, I recommend DINNERWARE OF THE 20TH CENTURY to both expert dealers and novices who love to entertain in style.

Organized alphabetically first by manufacturer and then by pattern name, this guide is illustrated with hundreds of full-color photographs. And it contains all the the information you will need to buy, store, care for, display, replace and value every known piece of the 20th century's top 500 china patterns.

Complete with a glossary of dinnerware terms and a brief history of every manufacturer, DINNERWARE OF THE 20TH CENTURY is a highly recommended reference book for anyone who appreciates a well set table.
- Regina McMenamin

An excellent reference book that I turn to every week........1999-11-06

As a novice dealer of new and antique dinnerware, this book has been an invaluable resource for identification and valuation. You will not learn a lot about any one manufacturer in this book because it focuses on the most desirable PATTERNS, featuring clear photos and basic pricing information. I find myself leafing through it often, even when I'm not looking for a particular pattern. If you don't specialize in one manufacturer's wares, but buy and sell a lot of different patterns, you really shouldn't be without this handy reference book. I hope Mr. Rinker will team up with Replacements to produce Volume II - The Top 1000 Patterns, 501-1000.

Punch Your Art Out: Creative Paper Punch Ideas for Scrapbooks With Techniques in Color, Pattern & Dimension (Punch Your Art Out)
Average customer rating:

This book will get you PUNCHY!

Time consuming projects!

Punch Your Art Out 3 ASIN 1892127024

Punch Your Art Out 3- Best punch art book published to date!

Punch Your Art Out: Creative Paper Punch Ideas for Scrapbooks With Techniques in Color, Pattern & Dimension (Punch Your Art Out)

Manufacturer: Memory Makers Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1892127024

Book Description

This highly anticipated companion to Memory Makers' Punch Your Art Out 1 & 2 delivers "the next generation of paper art." Like its predecessors, this book is full of innovative and inspiring paper punch craft ideas that today's scrapbookers and paper artists crave. Through exploration of color, pattern and texture as design tools, readers will achieve added dimension to their paper crafts.

Step-by-step, easy-to-follow instructions and full-color photographs guide crafters through basic to advanced techniques. Also included are special punch techniques that incorporate various crafts with scrapbooking for truly unprecedented punch art results.

Customer Reviews:

This book will get you PUNCHY!.......2003-05-10

I have enjoyed paper crafts for some time now, but one thing I thought I would avoid is using punches. I thought that they may be complicated to work with or I didn't know how to get mroe out of them. This book is SUPER about showing all sorts of ways to decorate with punches. My favorite feature is "One Punch" pages, where a single punch is shown used several different ways. A must buy for paper crafters!

Time consuming projects!.......2003-04-10

I love Volume 1 of this series. It has simple, easy to create products. This volume contains much more time intensive projects. Even my avid scrapbook buddies agree that this book is definately not as good as the first one.

Punch Your Art Out 3 ASIN 1892127024.......2002-02-13

I have been an independent scrapbooking consultant and informant for over 3 years now. I own over one hundred punches, and have been doing punch art for over 2 years. I also own almost every punch art book available on the market. In my opinion, Punch Your Art Out 3 offers more quality and useful content than any punch art book published yet. The book contains great information, beautiful and vibrant pictures, and examples which are exciting and easy to follow. This book is worth so much more than I paid for it. It is definitely a keeper. I just can't seem to stop picking it up and looking at it over and over!

Punch Your Art Out 3- Best punch art book published to date!.......2002-02-13

Before & After Kitchen Makeovers
Average customer rating:

Perfect for considering a home kitchen project changing the entire look and functionality of the room

Before & After Kitchen Makeovers
Christine E. Barnes
Manufacturer: Sunset Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Remodeling & Renovation | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Book Description

Welcome to Sunset's all-new tell-all, in which a multitude of decorating secrets are revealed as one kitchen after another goes from dull and dysfunctional to dynamite. Whether your taste runs to French country or cutting-edge contemporary, you'll marvel at the transformations these kitchens undergo. But this beauty is more than skin deep-designers and homeowners share the why and how behind the sometimes subtle, sometimes dramatic before-and-after changes in kitchens large and small.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect for considering a home kitchen project changing the entire look and functionality of the room .......2005-10-10

Before & After Kitchen Makeovers features forty renovations which use before/after photos to display the entire transformation. This isn't just a pictorial comparison guide, however: short explanations highlight particular challenges, goals, floor plan options, and more. Perfect for considering a home kitchen project changing the entire look and functionality of the room.

Southern Living Before & After Kitchen Makeovers

Average customer rating:

Southern Living Before & After Kitchen Makeovers
Christine E. Barnes
Manufacturer: Oxmoore House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0848731328

Product Description

40 Inspiring designes to create a kitchen you will love.

Book Description

This reprint of a rare catalog contains descriptions, prices, and finely detailed engravings of customized models of a curtain coach, child's chaise, light French coupe, cabriolet, six-seat beach wagon, Portland sleigh, and many other vehicles. Rich source of royalty-free art as well as an intriguing browse.

Customer Reviews:

Misleading Book Title.......2003-12-04

This would be a good book for someone that was only interested in carriages. We were looking for information on sleighs and the book proved to be a great disappointment since it only had three illustrations of sleighs. The title is very misleading.

Excellent illustrations of 19th century carriages.......1998-09-27

Includes a wide variety of carriages for all uses, all presumably once available for purchase. Also includes catalog descriptions of each model, somewhat useful in learning about features on each item. Illustrations appear to be stylized a bit, very attractive. No photographs. The best book of its type I have seen so far.

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