Rating: 
Summary: Holy Terror in the Holy Land
Review: An amazingly broad scope of events(the Third Crusade, Western European Dynastic relationships, Royal intermarriages,
Moslem alliances and Holy Terror in the Holy Land)
are all discussed in a comprehensive, but, in my
opinion, flawed book by a skilled researcher
There is no doubt that Saladin was a great force
in unifying diverse tribes into semi nations, bringing together religiously divided Moslems while at the same time, fighting
waves of crusaders intent on recapturing Jerusalem
but to make him a paragon of "Mercy" is certainly incorrect
by today's standards
Beheading those captives he did not sell into slavery, slaughtering unarmed crusaders that surrendered, destroying
cities, farms and dividing families should have been reprehensible even during the late 1100's
Saladin had many marks of a great national leader but his actions while doing so were cruel, heartless and brutal irrespective of the bloody nature of the Crusades
It is interesting to note that if Saladin is, as the author states, revered by all Arabs and Moslems today, why is that only one leader today claims his mantle?
Interestingly so, it is Saddam Hussein of Iraq who certainly mirrors the "merciful" nature of Saladin
Rating: 
Summary: History Repeats Itself
Review: As I write this review, the dust is still settling after the terrorist attacks in New York and here in Washington. This book gives tremendous insight into the minds of those who would wreck havoc in the name of faith. This book reminds us that the struggle between faiths in the Holy Land has been going on for millenia -- since well before Saladin and Richard the Lionheart. Mr. Reston presents these leaders in an illuminating light, and provides a context for today's events. His writing style is clear, concise and informative. I enjoyed this book tremendously and learned a great deal from it.
Rating:
Summary: An exciting, informative look at Christianity's Jihad
Review: James Reston recalls a terrible, yet not unexpected blemish on Christianity's past with vivid writing, excellent portrayls of the players, the politics and the battles that led up to the Western Europe's first, and not last, self-serving conquest in the name of God and Christ.Warriors of God shows the folly of man that has been created by Judeo-Christian religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) over a region supposedly holy to all. The Unbelievers (as Richard the Lion Hearted and his troops called the Arab armies) against the Infidels (as Saladin and his soliders referred to the Christian knights) is intriguing series of battles and machinations with much in-fighting amongst the Christian Knights, as they battled for the Kingdom of Jerusalem in the latter years of the 12th Century. The facts alone are compelling enough, but Reston brings to the front lines in a most engaging way informing us on such interesting bits of information as Richard's homosexuality, the etymology of the word "assassin" and the desires of Saladin to unite the Arab kingdom from Cairo to Damascus. It's well worth read, considering all the source material is 900 years old and the actual details of the battles must have come from propaganda spewing minstrels at the time.
Rating:
Summary: Thoughly Engrossing
Review: Reston weaves a spectacular tapestry of the Third Crusade by following the heroics (and frailties) of Richard Lionheart and the great Muslim Sultan Saladin. While describing the campaign and his protagonists in detail so realistic that the reader almost feels like he is a participant, the suthor also provides the background of the politics and intrigue of 12th century Europe with its heroes and villains. The storis of Eleanor of Aquitaine would have made this a fascinating book by themselves, but intermingled with the other characters and adventures, the story reads almost like fiction. Reston is a formidable researcher and writes in a clear and flowing style that brings both the period and the individuals to life. I didn't learn a lot of new facts, but the texture provided gave ne a much clearer picture and greater appreciation of this epic period.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: I must start off with saying this book was incredible, I simply could not put it down, Reston mixes factual and historical details with a storyline that is impecible. I found such respect for Saladin in this book as the wise and Merciful leader of the Muslim army. His kindness towards the christians when he entered Jerusalem, his intelligence and wisdom. On the other side you have an almost opposite of Saladin in a leader, Young to the old, Wicked to the Kind, strength to wisdom, but he did have Intelligence in abundance. I truly felt that the crusade was a blotch on christendom after reading this book, though it appears to the eye that the crusaders are taking the blunt of the wickedness, let no man think Reston is favoring any side, he states the facts in a wonderful fasion and tells good and bad deeds on both sides. Any reader will love all the little intrigues, minor stories of certain individuals and the titanic clash of two larger than life figures. Belive me, you will love this book so much so that it will remain as a favorite in anyones library. GET IT!
Rating:
Summary: Hear the Battle
Review: You can almost hear the battles being fought this book is so well written. Now I know why Richard was called "The Lionhearted." Saladin prooves his own greatness and does not come off second best in this clash. Very detailed concerning the politics, cultural and social customs of the time. Considering the current troubles in the Mid-East this book provides an excellent background for viewing it in the context of history. If you are interested in more than a drab military history of the Crusades this is a must buy.
Rating:
Summary: If you are looking for a great book you can't put down....
Review: This is it. Reston has taken an important piece of history and its main characters, Richard the Lionheart and Saladin, and brought them to life. With clarity and detail, we are taken into 12th Century Middle East and European politics surrounding Jerusalem. At the same time we also learn new facts exposing a critical component of the conflicts gripping the same region today. The Third Crusade was sparked by the actions of Chatillon, Price of Kerak, a European stronghold in the Middle East. Despite a peace treaty, Chatillon attacked a camel train belonging to Saladin. When the European King of Jerusalem demand Chatillon make restitution, Chatillon replied: "Just as he is the lord of his land, I am the lord of my land. I have no truce with the Arabs." As Reston writes, "Chatillon's treachery had elevated Saladin prestige throughout his empire and made his cause righteous...A chain reaction began." Change a few words and this could be written about the conflict in the Middle East during the last year. From this starting point the book just gets better with an understanding that only an experienced historian can develop and a storytelling that only a gifted writer can produce. Reston has proved himself both. This is a worthy companion to his earlier books, Galileo, A Life and The Last Apocalypse.
Rating:
Summary: Great History
Review: Exellent! Great history of the two parties, Explained some less than glorifiable deeds of both Leaders, particularily Richard the Lionheart. More interesting is the Valor of the leaders however, Saladin was Briliantly portraid as a great Tactition. It also talked more on Richard the Lionhearts Homosexuality, didnt find that much on any other books I had read. I found it great because it had lots of good information and wasn't biased to any side. Great read, GET THIS BOOK!
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Crusades Book, but....
Review: I have always been interested in the era of the Crusades or the Middle Ages if you will. I don't pertain to be an expert on the topic, but I do know a fair bit about the historical events surrounding this era. First off I did enjoy the book. It gave interesting insight into the main figures of the third crusade. (Richard and Saladin) I have seen reviews were people lambaste the author because at times he appears to overly fawn over these two characters, but then again both had traits worth admiring. Saladin whom had inherited the lands of Zangi and Nur'al Din, had managed to cohesively control both Egypt and Syria. An amazing feat in itself aside from the Sunni and Shi feud. From there he was able to unite Islam and nearly expunged the Crusaders and extinguish the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Had it not been for Richard he would have completely succeeded. For a good read this book is fine, for a history student I find this book to be lacking in that area. I also found it to be overly expensive for a relatively short novel and would have preferred that it be a hundred pages or so longer.
Rating:
Summary: The Original Warriors of God
Review: The book "Warriors of God: The Great Religious Orders and Their Founders" by Walter Nigg 1959, was very helpful before I read Jr. James Reston's "Warriors of God". One of the original warriors of God in Nigg's book summarized Jr. James Reston's type of Christendom very nicely.
Religious obedience-which has no analogy with military obedience-was the highest law. The reason for this incomprehension is doubtless that religious obedience has to often been mistaken for cringing subservience, an unfortunate error that has inflicted untold harm on Christendom.
Walter Nigg's book, which is very hard to find, should be a foundation to any true historian of Christianity. The Chapters are; St. Anthony and the Hermits of the Desert, St. Pachomius and Cenobitism, St. Basi and Eastern Monasticism, St. Augustine and the Communal Life of the Clergy, St. Benedict and His Rule, St. Bruno and the Carthusians, St. Bernard and the Cistercians, St. Francis and the Friars Minor, St. Dominic and the Order of Preachers, St. Teresa and Carmel, St. Ignatius Loyola and the Society of Jesus.
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