Customer Reviews

Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam

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When you look at the British involvement in that farcical escapade known as the Crusades, it seems remarkable that ANYONE living today could side with England. I mean, let's look at it soberly. They come into a country in the Middle East, take over huge swaths of it, claim it as their own, are shocked when the residents of the area don't like being oppressed, then set about hacking their way back in only to fail in the end. Just a scant overview of their actions is enough to make them look vaguely ridiculous. Once you start learning a little more about their actions (or rather, the actions of their leaders) you see just how violent and, not to put too fine a point on it, evil they were. Therefore, it's a bit surprising that a popular kid's book about Saladin hasn't been written before now. At this moment in time, circumstances have given kids a chance to learn more about the followers of Islam and their history. It seems fitting, then, that we should look at one of their greatest heroes and grant him the respect he's due. "Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam" does just that.

Saladin was born along the Tigris River well after Jerusalem fell into the hands of the marauding Crusaders from England. As a child, he attended to his studies well and learned the tenants of Islam by heart. All this gave him the understanding he required to be a good and righteous man amongst his people. As a teen Saladin became the chief aide of the Turkish sultan Nur al-Din, a fair leader who earned the respect of his subjects. From him Saladin found his role model and guide. After Nur al-Din's death, he staked his claim on the man's empire and brought together his warring brothers. This allowed him the army he needed to set out to defeat the Franks and to reclaim Jerusalem once more. To do this he faced Reginald of Chatillon, "perhaps the greatest villain in the history of the Crusade" (which is saying quite a lot), Richard the Lionhearted, and other adversaries. The book recounts a myriad of battles undertaken by both the Crusaders and the Muslims. Both sides had their wins and losses. In the end, however, Saladin was victorious and in 1291 (years after his death), "the Franks were driven out of the Holy Land altogether". So well done there.

Though it doesn't look it, this book is an excellent reference for any kid interested in battles and battle strategy. It summarizes the greatest confrontations of both sides and makes them understandable and interesting. There is also no question at any time as to who the heroes are. The Franks (to the Muslims all Crusaders were regarded as "Franks") break treaties, lie, kill for pleasure, and remain the greediest of no-goodniks. Saladin would often spare his captured enemies or give them a chance to pay a price to avoid being sold as slaves. King Richard, on the other hand, was prone to slaughtering three thousand Muslim men when he captured them. A cruel barbarian, he met a violent death, as was his due. Saladin died in his bed, having ended his life to his own liking. Touche.

I suspect that there are people out there who can't imagine a man like Saladin being far more generous and compassionate than a man like Richard. To back up her information, therefore, author Diane Stanley has included an excellent Bibliography for further reading. Terms that might not be readily recognizable to readers are included in a Glossary in the back. Accompanying the text itself are beautiful glossy illustrations that perfectly compliment the book's plot and storyline. All this and the book is respectful to the people of the Islam faith.

Biographies of historical figures well known in their native lands but little known in American schools are difficult to create. With that in mind, Stanley has done a remarkable job. She even ties in the events of the book to the modern day, commenting that, "Two hundred years of Frankish invasion, senseless slaughter, and religious fanaticism left a tragic legacy. A shadow of hatred and mistrust had fallen over this great land, holy to three faiths. A thousand years later, it is still there". And not likely to leave soon. Let us hope then that beautifully written biographies like "Saladin" dispel the myths that remain about the man, his life, and his religion. This book should be in every school library in America.

This is a fine book for young readers who seek an introduction to a hero revered to this day in the Arab and Islamic world and highly respected by historians of the Crusades. Diane Stanley shows how compassionate Saladin was with his enemies even after tens of thousands of civilian Muslims were massacred in cold blood in Jerusalem by the Crusaders (who were fighting for the cross as directed by that era's Pope). His rise to power, struggle to unite Muslims of Greater Syria and Egypt, cunning military leadership and passion to liberate Jerusalem are well explained to the young audience. His adversaries (like King Richard) invovement in the Crusades are well covered, while illustrations that acompany the book are of high quality. Overall, a recommended book for those who would like to know about an enlightened Muslim leader and legend.

Once again Diane Stanley has written a splendid, gripping, dramatic history. Once again the illustrations are gorgeous. Once again the book dares to challenge children to grasp complex and deep content. Once again the prose and flow make the book hard to put down.

The author is careful and tactful in handling certain rather gruesome and brutal details. She does not bowdlerize, or skip or gloss over; nor does she dwell on the horrors. They are quietly and neatly related as required to understand the story; then she moves on.


Also recommended: by the same author, biographies of Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth

A beautiful book and well illustrated, sure to be a classic. As I note, the book is certainly one-sided. It seems the author cannot say anything negative at all about Saladin, and cannot say anything good about the Christians. This is not to say that the book is not historically accurate, but the historical details depicted are very selective, and sometimes misleading. The book begins, e.g., by noting that the Muslims had been in possession of the Holy Land for several hundred years, and that Saladin ruled peacefully and treated Christians fairly. This is true, but it could also be mentioned that (1) the Muslims had taken the land by force from Eastern Christians who had previously lived there peacefully, (2) Christians had held Jerusalem peacefully for several decades before Saladin invaded and took it by force; (3) previous Muslim rulers, before Saladin, were far from fair and peaceful, and often sanctioned the massacre of Christian pilgrims, and (4) so great was the distress of the native Christians that the Emperor of the East, Alexius, wrote to the Pope to request a Crusade in the 11th century to liberate the region from the occupying power of the Muslims. None of this is even alluded to. Also, less peaceful episodes of Saladin's rule, such as his mass execution of Christian prisoners of war at Hattim in 1187, are not mentioned. Less savory aspects of his life, such as his polygamous marriages to multiple (very young) wives, are glossed over as acceptable ('...because Islam allows four marriages'), without noting the rather disturbing aspects of such practices. While the author praises Saladin for not killing prisoners of war taken in Jerusalem, she does not mention that they were sold into slavery instead.

This is not to say the book is not without its value, or that I would expect such details in a book like this, but I think the book could have been a little more 'fair', or historically accurate, while retaining a basically positive outlook on Saladin, whom I do not deny is certainly a chivalrous man for his time. But he was, nonetheless, a man of his time, and the author seems determined to make him more than that.

Having finished "The Crusades of Richard the Lionheart" by Fiona Clarke, I thought it was important that my seven year old get the opportunity to see the other side of the story. Diane Stanley's "Saladin: The Noble Prince" is a first rate biography of the Muslim hero who took and then defended Jerusalem from the Christians. Seeing that there is always another side in history is a great lesson for a young child. But note, this is definitely not a book for those who see the West engaged in a manichean struggle with Islam. Saladin is just too sympathetic a character to fit into this world view. This is a great book and I would highly recommend it for anyone studying the Middle Ages.

Many people have seen the excellent PBS documentary, "Holy Warriors", about Saladin and Richard the Lionheart in the Third Crusade. For me it opened up a whole new field of inquiry, for although I am myself an historian, my field is not the Middle Ages. I sought out and read many books on Saladin, and found him a fascinating and admirable character, and an excellent antidote to the hatred of Islam which is presently being fomented by our government. It seemed to me that it was important to get the word out-- especially to the next generation-- about this Muslim whose character was so contrary to prevalent stereotypes. Diane Stanley's book fulfills this need. It presents the true history of Saladin and the Third Crusade in a manner which is readily understandable to children and accompanied by beautiful illustrations. It seems unlikely that any child who has read this book will grow up feeling the hatred that our government wants us to feel for all Muslims, and in that lies its greatest virtue.

Meeting the high standards set by her previous picture-book biographies, Stanley here forcuses on the 12th century ruler known as "The Muslim Saint-King" who was praised by his enemies as "the marvel of his time" and crystalized many of the issues still at the root of conflicts today.Here is Saladin, the Kurdish warrior who liberates Jerusalem from the crusaders. A devout Muslim, a young Saladin upon learning of Jerusalem's importance to the "three great religions" asks simply "couldn't everyone just share it?" In her vibrant narrative and magnificently detailed illustrations inspired by the Islamic art of the time, Diane Stanley presents a hero whose compassion, piety, tolerance, and wisdom made him a model for his time - and for ours.

Teachers/Librarians: this is a great book for 4th - 7th grades, Social Studies/Language Arts/Art.
And look also for an unexpected Diane Stanley work, Fortune, the story of a young Persian woman who teaches her fiance (and us) important lessons. Is this an unusual female for this part of the world? Not to anyone who knows Middle Eastern women! In true Stanley detail, the illustrations are like fine Persian miniature paintings! Long out-of-print (but available from amazon!) this is a favorite of this reviewer.

Beautifully produced piece of literature/art specifically for young people. A rarity amongst Islamic history/youth literature.

We liked Diane Stanley's "Cleopatra" very well, and this book was another great one by a talented author and illustrator.

Saladin was the Muslim opponent of Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade. Saladin was a unifying general, and of course, the crusades were ultimately unsuccessful in putting the Holy Land into Christian hands.

This book repeats the mistake (a heresy in all three religions) that Jews, Muslims, and Christians all venerate the same god -- this is not true.

This book has a pro-Saladin flavor which is a nice change from the typical, pro-Richard the Lionheart point of view (think Robin Hood). However, it also places *all* the blame for the still-continuing Christian-Jew-Muslim mistrust, hatred and bloodshed on... the Christians.

I bought this book as an ex-library book and just received it two days ago. My boys, 8 and 10, started reading it straight away. We love it! However, it was slightly difficult for my 8 yr old to follow as the book is for children for about age 10. We haven't finished reading it as I need to fill in gaps of historical knowledge my boys don't have as yet, but it's fine because the book is of excellent quality. I am happy for us to take our time and absorb the story of this amazing King. Once we finish, I will write a thorough review with pros and cons, but no cons so far!
Would recommend to all Muslims, Christians, Jews, and all other faiths.