The Crusades Through Arab Eyes
The Crusades Through Arab Eyes is a historical book written by the French-Lebanese author Amin Maalouf. It was first published in 1983. The book tells the story of the Crusades, but instead of focusing on the European or Western view, it shows how these events were seen by Arab historians and people at the time. This makes the book very unique and important for understanding both sides of history.
This book is like a gripping historical novel. But it is not a novel. You will see a similarity to today’s Middle East problems. The failure of Muslims to come together and resist the approaching danger. Just like today…
The Crusades were a series of religious wars that took place between the 11th and 13th centuries. European Christians came to the Middle East to take control of Jerusalem and other holy lands. Most history books in the West describe the Crusaders as heroes or brave warriors, but in this book, we learn how the Arabs experienced these invasions. For them, the Crusaders were violent invaders who destroyed cities, killed innocent people, and brought chaos to the region.
Maalouf uses real Arab sources, such as letters, chronicles, and writings from Muslim scholars and leaders. Such as; Salahuddin Eyyubi, Baibars, Nuraddin Zengi… Not only Muslim leaders, you can find the Christian commander and leaders: King of Jerusalem Baldwin, Renaud de Chattilon, Guy de Lusignan… He presents their thoughts, emotions, and reactions. For example, we read about how Arab society was shocked and confused by the arrival of the Crusaders. They were not only surprised by their violence, but also by their strange behavior and customs.
One of the most interesting parts of the book is the focus on famous Arab figures, such as Saladin. Saladin became a hero in the Muslim world for his intelligence, leadership, and ability to unite different Muslim groups. The book also explains the weaknesses and divisions among the Arab leaders, which made it easier for the Crusaders to win battles at first.
Although the book is based on historical facts, it is written in a clear and engaging way. Amin Maalouf’s writing style makes it easy to follow the events, even for readers who are not experts in history. He does not try to prove one side is better than the other. Instead, he helps readers understand the human side of history – the fear, the courage, the mistakes, and the hopes of people on both sides.
In conclusion, The Crusades Through Arab Eyes is a great and eye-opening book. It helps readers see history from another perspective, which is very important for building understanding between cultures and the Turkish, Arab, Kurdish history. Anyone who is interested in history, the Middle East, or intercultural dialogue should read this book. Last episode of this book, Amin Maalouf explained the view of the people of this geography towards the West.
I recommend you read this book and watch the movie Kingdom of Heaven directed by Ridley Scott, which shows the recapture of Jerusalem by the Muslims.
Thank you.
