All history books should be written this well. This is an engrossing story filled with really interesting people and lots of drama. I was rooting for Saladin throughout, but Richard the Lionheart makes a damn good hero as well, particularly because of his big gay love with Philip of France, whom he later totally dumped, which started a bunch of wars between England and France. (Richard refused to marry Philip's sister, partially because of his thing with Phillip, and partially because she was sleeping with Richard's dad. Plus, Philip was kind of awful.) Every battle scene is beautifully described, all the major players are easy to remember, there are lots of maps... This is, in fact, just about a perfect historical account, and even better a well-written story. -- I realized later that the movie Kingdom of Heaven is heavily based on this book's account of the crusades, except with 100% more Orlando Bloom. No complaints.
Grade: B
Originally posted 2007
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