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Raymond Ibrahim
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Defenders of the West: The Christian Heroes Who Stood Against Islam Paperback – February 7, 2024

by Raymond Ibrahim (Author), Victor Davis Hanson (Foreword)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 479 ratings
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A riveting account of the lives and epic battles of eight Western defenders against violent Islamic jihad that sheds much-needed light on the enduring conflict with radical Islam.

In Defenders of the West, the author of Sword and Scimitar follows up with vivid and dramatic profiles of eight extraordinary warriors—some saints, some sinners—who defended the Christian West against Islamic invasions. Discover the real Count Dracula, Spain's El Cid, England's Richard Lionheart, and many other historical figures, whose true and original claim to fame revolved around their defiant stance against jihadist aggression. With sixteen full color pages of photos and illustrations, Defenders of the West is an instructive and inspiring read. Whereas Sword and Scimitar revolved around decisive battles, this book revolves around decisive men.
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  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    February 7, 2024
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.83 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-13
    979-8888456460
  6. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
479 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides great information on a timely topic. They appreciate the well-documented research and historical account focused on facts. The book is written in an engaging style using accessible language. Readers praise the captivating journey into the valorous tales of those who stood as unwavering guardians of their countries, people, and faith. They find the stories inspiring and riveting, with detailed accounts of battles and campaigns. The author breathes life into the stories of the crusaders, painting a vivid portrait of their lives. Readers appreciate the amazing bravery and strength shown by Kings and soldiers to repel the onslaught of the Muslims.

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Information qualityReadabilityNarrative qualityCourageVisual appeal
36 customers mention "Information quality"36 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's information quality. They find it refreshing to read a historical account focused on facts and including both sides. The author provides excellent, scholarly research into a timely topic that recaptures a more clear view. Readers appreciate the author's well-documented research and cites sources from both sides of the conflict.

"...The book is not only informative but also deeply moving, evoking a range of emotions as it explores the resilience and determination of those who..." Read more

"...What further sets the book apart is that it sets the record straight about the Crusades – widely maligned by certain interest groups and lobbies as..." Read more

"...Captivating, well written with fascinating, first hand account sources." Read more

"...from both sides (which surprisingly often agree), not spurious musings of modern scholars...." Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and accessible. They appreciate the author's fluency in Arabic, which helps locate rare early sources. The narrative is described as almost novel-like, with vivid descriptions and explanations. Readers also mention that the book should be required reading for high school students.

"...clear printing and a visually appealing layout that enhances the overall reading experience...." Read more

"...Written in an engaging style using accessible language, these remarkable, factual incidents leave the readers on the edge of their seats...." Read more

"...Captivating, well written with fascinating, first hand account sources." Read more

"Raymond does a great job at creating an almost novel like narrative for each subject, with plenty of footnotes and reference material." Read more

14 customers mention "Narrative quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the gripping narrative and detailed accounts of battles and campaigns in this book. They find it a captivating journey into the valorous tales of those who stood as unwavering guardians of their countries and people. The author breathes life into the stories of the crusaders, painting a vivid portrait of their lives. Readers appreciate the well-documented research and insightful analysis, which sheds new light on the historical events. Overall, they describe the book as a great history book about the Christian crusaders and where they fought.

"...From the very beginning, Ibrahim weaves a captivating narrative that takes readers on a historical journey through the lives of Christian heroes who..." Read more

"...an engaging style using accessible language, these remarkable, factual incidents leave the readers on the edge of their seats...." Read more

"This is captivating journey into the valorous tales of those who stood as unwavering guardians of their people, lands, and beliefs during one of the..." Read more

"...Very informative and with very interesting and detailed accounts of battles and campaigns, even though the focus is on each individual defender of..." Read more

9 customers mention "Courage"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a riveting tale of courage and strength. They describe it as timeless symbols of courage, conviction, and resilience. The stories of the crusaders are described as great chronicles of truly heroic men who risked everything and helped resist the onslaught of invasions. Readers say the book will rouse them to courage and faith.

"...Ibrahim has succeeded in creating a compelling, enlightening, and inspiring work that will undoubtedly stand the test of time...." Read more

"...These heroes demonstrated great courage on the battlefield and a fierce devotion to their Christian faith...." Read more

"great chronicles of truly heroic men who risked everything and helped resist the onslaught of Islamic jihad against Christendom throughout the..." Read more

"...The stories of bravery and persistence are inspiring, and the events in the wars, horrifying...." Read more

5 customers mention "Visual appeal"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book visually appealing with clear printing and a layout that enhances the overall experience. They appreciate the vivid descriptions of historical events and colorful illustrations depicting some European figures. Overall, readers find the history simple, neat, and interesting.

"...production quality is excellent, with clear printing and a visually appealing layout that enhances the overall reading experience...." Read more

"Very eye opening and quite counter to all the garbage rewriting of crusade history we’ve had shoved down our throats for the last thirty years or so...." Read more

"...Raymond has a way of bringing old events to vivid life and describes in color how some European figures repulsed the mighty Ottoman empire as it..." Read more

"Just simple neat and fun history that I found very interesting. Like how he broke up the Chapters in each specific person discussed...." Read more

Not for weak men
5 out of 5 stars
Not for weak men
Such a good book that tells the tales of brave men who fought for Western values, many of them Christian. Gifted this to a friend and he loved it! Stories of strong men to inspire today’s men to fight for their families and values.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • john van der veen
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Riveting Tribute to Courage and Conviction!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I recently had the pleasure of delving into the pages of "Defenders of the West: The Christian Heroes Who Stood Against Islam" by Raymond Ibrahim, and I am compelled to share my overwhelming enthusiasm for this extraordinary book.

    From the very beginning, Ibrahim weaves a captivating narrative that takes readers on a historical journey through the lives of Christian heroes who fearlessly defended the West against the challenges posed by Islam. The depth of research and meticulous attention to detail in each account is nothing short of commendable, making this book an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a profound understanding of the historical intersections between Christianity and Islam.

    One of the standout features of this masterpiece is Ibrahim's ability to present historical facts in a compelling and engaging manner. The narrative unfolds seamlessly, making it accessible even to those not well-versed in history. Each chapter is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess, bringing to life the struggles, triumphs, and sacrifices of these unsung heroes.

    Moreover, Ibrahim manages to strike a perfect balance between scholarly analysis and readability. The book is not only informative but also deeply moving, evoking a range of emotions as it explores the resilience and determination of those who stood firm in the face of adversity. It is a testament to the author's skill that he manages to make history not only relevant but also immensely gripping.

    I must commend Bombardier Books for bringing this gem into the literary world. The production quality is excellent, with clear printing and a visually appealing layout that enhances the overall reading experience.

    In conclusion, "Defenders of the West" is nothing short of a masterpiece that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. Raymond Ibrahim has succeeded in creating a compelling, enlightening, and inspiring work that will undoubtedly stand the test of time. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, religious studies, or simply a riveting tale of courage and conviction.
    32 people found this helpful
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  • Catalytic Converter
    5.0 out of 5 stars WHEN CHRISTENDOM LEARNED TO FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Defenders of the West chronicles the lives of eight great Crusaders who defended Christians against Islamic extermination, savagery, occupation and slavery. These heroes demonstrated great courage on the battlefield and a fierce devotion to their Christian faith.

    Academic/author Raymond Ibrahim, an expert in Islamic history and doctrine, spotlights Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, France; El Cid (Roderick Diaz of Spain); King Richard the Lionheart of England; St. Ferdinand of Spain; St. Louis of France; John Hunyadi of Wallachia; Skanderbeg, the Albanian Braveheart; and Vlad III Dracula, the Lord Impaler of Romania. The valor of these Christian ironmen who met toe to toe with such warmongers defies belief.

    Written in an engaging style using accessible language, these remarkable, factual incidents leave the readers on the edge of their seats. Raymond Ibrahim conducted an impressive amount of research from first-hand sources to not only furnish biographies, but present what was going on historically, politically, culturally and socially to give the reader a fuller understanding of what was at stake. Ibrahim devotes particular attention to the upbringing of each protagonist to provide further insight into what shaped his character. Defenders of the West brings to life the daring and dynamic exploits of kings and knights who have either been misrepresented in modern history books -- through ignoring and even contradicting what primary sources (Muslim and Christian) have said about the times -- or by eliminating these exploits from official narratives altogether.

    Audiences may recognize the names El Cid, Richard the Lionheart, St. Louis and Vlad the Impaler (who was not a vampire like the fictional Count Dracula created by Bram Stoker). In the last century, these individuals have been subjected to discrediting campaigns in films, books and even protests (think St. Louis, Missouri). The rest have mostly slipped into oblivion due to a blind-eye treatment, thus making the case for why these eight giants richly deserve to be exhumed and reanimated from the dustbin of history.

    What further sets the book apart is that it sets the record straight about the Crusades – widely maligned by certain interest groups and lobbies as being inspired by greed, xenophobia, racism, colonialism, and a penchant for violence, humiliation and conquest. That false assertion actually describes the mission of the Jihadists. Using copious eyewitness testimonies, Ibrahim backs the thesis that the Crusades -- which sought to restore lands that were Christian before Jihadists invaded and forcibly Islamized them -- were a defensive response and a form of resistance against Islamic attacks on Christendom.

    Defenders of the West also shows a continuum of Jihadist behavior beginning in ancient times, which is sure to open the eyes of those who view and even excuse the atrocities of the 1915 Turkish Genocide of indigenous Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks as a singular event mired in the circumstances of the times. By allowing the primary sources to speak for themselves, the author gives the opportunity to readers to compare the moral values held by the Jihadists to those held by the Crusaders in order to draw their own conclusions.

    Once read, these stirring, heartbreaking and fantastic tales are not easily forgotten. Rather than elaborate on the incredible and often terrifying exploits, suffice to say that these monarchs and military leaders learned from history and bitter experience that only by fighting fire with fire could they hope to establish peace and protect fellow Christians.

    This book is perfect for anyone who is fascinated by the power of knighthood and wishes to witness how far some Christians were willing to go to secure their rights to live and worship in freedom and dignity.
    Ibrahim concludes by evaluating what is taking place now, including the mainstream media suppression of the global war on Christians. If we ignore his cautionary words, we do so at our own peril. Today, powerful nations employ erroneous “both-siderism” in what they think will placate Jihadists while civilians are physically and spiritually devoured as peace offerings to their oppressors. A decline in morality, virtue and discipline in the 21st century means that it will be difficult to imagine the courage of these eight great heroes appearing again in the modern day.

    Raymond Ibrahim was born and raised in the U.S. by Coptic Egyptian parents who were born and raised in the Middle East. This review originally appeared in The American Thinker.
    87 people found this helpful
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  • Bradley
    5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    great chronicles of truly heroic men who risked everything and helped resist the onslaught of Islamic jihad against Christendom throughout the middle ages. Captivating, well written with fascinating, first hand account sources.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Truth of the West's stuggle with Islam
    Reviewed in Canada on December 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Well written. Citizens of Western Nations wondering about the aggesivness of Islam need to read this book.
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  • Bojan Livancic
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very importent history
    Reviewed in Sweden on November 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is a must have book for any Christian out there. I repeat a MUST HAVE! Often times not only do we never learn about our Christian heros but many of today have twisted their stories so much, that this book is a must have for every true Christian!
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  • P
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read history book
    Reviewed in India on February 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Sidelined history of how men of courage stood up against tyranny of Islamic invasion and altered the course of history. Sad these are not taught in history books. Most read history book.
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  • Reviewer in Warsaw
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heroes who saved Europe deserve our thanks
    Reviewed in Germany on December 20, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I hope the courage of those who saved Europe from darkness will someday reclaim the appreciation of Europeans who have forgotten their sacrifice--and why the onslaught, murder and enslavement of Europeans by Muslims had to be stopped.
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  • marzijac
    5.0 out of 5 stars Spiffing read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 8, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A very interesting book of history where Christian leaders, despite being facing overwhelming numbers, still won and changed the course of history. I would thoroughly recommend reading it.
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