Saladin is a legendary figure in the history of the Middle East. His rise to prominence in the tumultuous arena of twelfth-century Middle Eastern politics was rapid and he quickly established himself as an intrepid statesman as well as a formidable military commander of great skill, but equally a man of honour.

This detailed biography of Saladin, and history of his life and times, was written by the eminent historian Stanley Lane-Poole, who was able to access the rich and colourful chronicles of Arab historians, which provide us with a brilliant insight into the life and deeds of this warrior-monarch.

Based on a lifetime of study, Saladin and the Fall of Jersusalem examines Saladin’s youth, his military development, his conquest of Egypt and Syria, the Holy War against the crusaders and, crucially, his duel with Richard the Lionheart, including the struggle over Acre and, of course, the fall of Jerusalem.


‘Stanley Lane-Poole has rendered valuable service in his different works by presenting various phases of Oriental history and life in such a way as to interest even those to whom such subjects are ordinarily a sealed book’.
The American Historical Review

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Illustrations
• New Introduction
• Preface to the New Edition
• Preface
• PART I THE LIFE OF SALADIN
  • Chapter I Saladin’s World
  • Chapter II The First Crusade, 1098
  • Chapter III The Harbinger, 1127
  • Chapter IV The Fall of Edessa, 1127–1144
• PART II EGYPT, 1138–1174
  • Chapter V Saladin’s Youth, 1138–1164
  • Chapter VI The Conquest of Egypt, 1164–1169
  • Chapter VII Vezir of Egypt, 1169–1171
  • Chapter VIII Saladin at Cairo, 1171–1173
• PART III EMPIRE, 1174–1186
  • Chapter IX The Conquest of Syria, 1174–1176
  • Chapter X Truces and Treaties, 1176–1181
  • Chapter XI The Conquest of Mesopotamia, 1181–1183
  • Chapter XII Damascus, 1183–1186
• PART IV THE HOLY WAR, 1187–1191
  • Chapter XIII The Battle of Hittin, 1187
  • Chapter XIV Jerusalem Regained, 1187
  • Chapter XV The Rally at Tyre, 1187–1188
  • Chapter XVI The Battle of Acre, 1189
  • Chapter XVII The Siege of Acre, 1189–1191
• PART V RICHARD AND SALADIN, 1191–1192
  • Chapter XVIII The Loss of Acre, 1191
  • Chapter XIX The Coast March, Aug.-Sept.,1191
  • Chapter XX In Sight of Jerusalem, Sept., 1191-July, 1192
  • Chapter XXI The Last Fight at Jaffa, 1192
  • Chapter XXII At Rest, 1192–1193
  • Chapter XXIII Saladin in Romance
• APPENDICES
  • Appendix I Dynasties of Western Asia
  • Appendix II The Family of Saladin
  • Appendix III Kings of Jerusalem, Princes of Antioch and Counts of Tripolis
  • Appendix IV The Great Lords of Palestine
• Plate Section