The Nomad and the Olive Branch

Saladin. The name echoes heroism, chivalry, and magnanimity. The legend has become larger than life and is loved or at least respected even by his enemies and detractors. I picked this book up, interested in the chance to review what probably was an Orientalist critique of the man himself, but I was surprised by John Man's even-handedness and fairness in covering this historic figure. Having read snippets of Saladin's life in  The Crusade through Arab Eyes by Lebanese-French historian Amine Maalouf, I found both an admiring and critical viewpoint in Man's approach. The book itself comprises just over 340 pages, but it is, as many reviews have stated, "fast-paced" and "thrilling". The language is easy to follow, and the book itself is quite a page-turner for a history-themed work. The book starts by framing the historical context in which Saladin was a part of, namely that of the early 3 Crusader Wars. The book then talks of Saladin's early...

I have to admit, the book cover and the catchy title (and the rather edgy subtitle) drew me to buy this book out of impulse. Okay, maybe not completely out of impulse. After having read her previous book "A History of God", I have been fascinated with the works of Karen Armstrong, a former Catholic nun turned atheist scholar of religion. Her previous work centered on the 3 Abrahamic faiths in a layman-like fashion of historical narration, focusing first on the Creation story of Adam and Eve right up to the humble beginnings of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) pivotal role in the initiation and spread of Islam. Being a former Catholic nun, Armstrong's works have an Abrahamic bias to them. However, this book - which delivers on its promise - tells of the history of violence in general and frames this history against the backdrop of the rise and fall of religions the world over. While I would generally say that spoilers abound, this is moot in light of the book...