No segundo livro veremos a reação do Islã perante a conquista cristã da Terra Santa, no contexto da Segunda Cruzada. Marcada por diferenças internas muitas vezes inconciliáveis, a religião de Maomé viu surgir grandes e míticas figuras nesse período, capazes de articular uma ofensiva mais robusta contra os cristãos - figuras como Zengui, Nur al-Din e, talvez a maior delas, o sultão e imperador Saladino.
Thomas Asbridge is an internationally renowned expert on the history of the Middle Ages and author of the critically acclaimed books The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land and The First Crusade: A New History. His latest publication is The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, the Power Behind Five English Thrones.
Thomas studied for a BA in Ancient and Medieval History at Cardiff University, and then gained his PhD in Medieval History at Royal Holloway, University of London. His is now Reader in Medieval History at Queen Mary, University of London and Founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Islam & the West.