Saladin, who was born in Iraq (Takrit) in 1138 and died in 1192 (or 1193), created a major empire in the Middle East, successfully fought the European Christian Crusaders, and defeated the Shi'i Fatimid Empire based in Egypt. Author Peter Gubser, in his deeply scholarly biography, cites innumerable examples of Saladin's chivalry, his humanity, skills as a warrior and his talents as a diplomat.

As Saladin's empire grew, continuing questions arose as to whether his intent was Holy War (fighting against the Crusaders, or Franks) or whether he was just an ambitious conquerer. From time to time as his empire spread he had to reassure the Caliph in Baghdad that he was dedicated to Holy War and that his success had required more territory and resources. Fundamentally, however, Saladin seemed to know that without the territory and riches of Fatimid Egypt no real push against the Crusaders would be possible.

Saladin mounted three military expeditions against Egypt. After the third effort succeeded, and was consolidated, he took over Libya. His expansion continued as he gathered Syria, Palestine, the upper Euphrates, Iraq, Lebanon, Transjordan and Damascus into his fold.

With each new acquisition Saladin placed one of his male relatives in charge: his father, uncles, sons and other kin. Each was then assigned an iqta, a right to gather revenues (or taxes) from the inhabitants. In return the holders of iqtas were committed to provide a certain number of soldiers to Saladin, as he required them. Family loyalty (plus the tax revenues) inspired loyalty to Saladin.

In 1187 Saladin and the Crusaders met in battle at Hattin (the Horns of Hattin are two adjacent small hills with a ridge in between) near the Sea of Galilee (Tiberias). Saladin was completely victorious. As Gubser writes, "Before he [Saladin] left the scene of his greatest military feat, he wrote detailed reports to the Caliph in Baghdad describing the nature of the battle, the totality of the victory and the disposition of the captives. Before closing, he also stressed that the historic meeting of the two armies at Hattin justified his many requests for diplomas of investiture that, in turn, enabled him to raise men and matériel to pursue Holy War."

After taking on and defeating the Crusaders at Hattin in July 1187, Saladin faced a dilemma: whether to try to take Jerusalem, the Holy City, or whether to go for Tyre, the only remaining Frankish port south of Tripoli, into which the Crusaders could land new forces. Pulled both ways, Saladin eventually decided on Jerusalem, for it would be easier to take.

When the Crusaders, led by Godfrey of Bouillon, conquered Jerusalem in 1099, they wantonly killed Muslims, Eastern Christians and Jews. In contrast, Saladin maintained order and the inhabitants could pay ransom for their freedom. Many who could not pay were freed by the generally chivalrous Saladin, but others were taken into slavery.

The Crusaders tried but failed to retake Jerusalem. In effect, the two sides, Crusaders and Saladin, were stalemated.

In his book, published just prior to his death (see December 2010 Washington Report, p. 74), Dr. Gubser frequently cites the great British historian Steven Runciman, whose History of the Crusades is a masterwork -- and one with which Gubser's Saladin compares favorably. The author references Arab contemporaries of Saladin as well as more up-to-date studies. In addition, Gubser lived, worked at or visited nearly all of the Middle East sites in which the action actually occurred.

Saladin is the single greatest Muslim in history after the Prophet Muhammad. In Gubser's most careful study of his life he comes out as a great and admirable man of whom Christians and Muslims alike can be proud.

- Reviewed by Andrew I. Kilgore