The Saint and the Sultan: The Crusades, Islam, and Francis of Assisi's Mission of Peace

by Paul Moses

An intriguing examination of the extraordinary–and little known meeting between St. Francis of Assisi and Islamic leader Sultan Malik Al-Kamil that has strong resonance in today's divided world.

For many of us, St. Francis of Assisi is known as a poor monk and a lover of animals. However, these images are sadly incomplete, because they ignore an equally important and more challenging aspect of his life -- his unwavering commitment to seeking peace. In The Saint and the Sultan , Paul Moses recovers Francis' s message of peace through the largely forgotten story of his daring mission to end the crusades.

In 1219, as the Fifth Crusade was being fought, Francis crossed enemy lines to gain an audience with Malik al-Kamil, the Sultan of Egypt. The two talked of war and peace and faith and when Francis returned home, he proposed that his Order of the Friars Minor live peaceably among the followers of Islam–a revolutionary call at a moment when Christendom pinned its hopes for converting Muslims on the battlefield.

The Saint and the Sultan captures the lives of St. Francis and Sultan al-Kamil and illuminates the political intrigue and religious fervor of their time. In the process, it reveals a startlingly timely story of interfaith conflict, war, and the search for peace. More than simply a dramatic adventure, though it does not lack for colorful saints and sinners, loyalty and betrayal, and thrilling Crusade narrative, The Saint and the Sultan brings to life an episode of deep relevance for all who seek to find peace between the West and the Islamic world.

Winner of the 2010 Catholic Press Association Book Award for History

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Islam, Middle East, Biography, Christianity

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[El · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a funny story behind my decision to read this book, so bear with me here. I've worked in my current job for about five months now, and someone else in my department started working there a couple weeks after I did so we're pretty good work-friends as we learn the ropes together. A system-wide email went out about receiving a free book (this one) to read in preparation for a book discussion. We immediately signed up because a) free book! and b) we're major book nerds. We thought it was a book discussion that would occur on campus at some point, not realizing that this offer was coming from the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh directly, and that by receiving the book we were invited to join the program in the basement of their mosque to discuss the book.

Basically what we learned is you could open your car door, say "We have books!" and we would get just get in the car with you. Because we had no idea where this mosque was, if it was even a legit advertisement, or if it was just spam. That's how little we pay attention when you wave a book in our faces.

Francis of Assisi is fairly well-known in religion (he's the dude that all the animals flock to, like straight out of a Disney movie), but not as much is known about his meeting with the Islamic leader Sultan Malik al-Kamil. The concept that they met during the Crusades exists, but not much is known about the meeting. Moses tells the story to the best of his ability here, detailing how important the mission of peace was to Francis in a time when everyone was way too blood-thirsty and righteous (on all sides) to think of something so piddly as "peace".

However, because there's not a great wealth of information about this meeting, or how they communicated considering there would have been a vast language and cultural barrier, I felt the author filled in a lot of the holes with a bunch of supposition. Moses is clearly interested in the topic, and I applaud his effort. My lack of excitement may come from my own lack of knowledge about religion. But I do appreciate the concept of peace, I like the idea of faiths getting together and understanding each other, and not freaking out just because their beliefs are different.

Though I didn't love the book, I did have an experience at the mosque exactly like that. We were welcomed to the space, we shared food with Muslims, we discussed Islam, we were invited to observe one of their traditional prayers. And by "we" I mean myself, a non-believer, my coworker, a Catholic, several reverends, some rabbis, and at least one Latter Day Saint. We were all welcome, no one tried to convince anyone else that they were right or wrong. It was simply an invitation to share their space, have a mature conversation about what it means to be Muslim, historically and today.

During the prayer, we sat in the back of the hall to observe, which is where the women also do their prayers. It was a good vantage point because I was able to see reverends get down on their knees to perform their own prayers in their own way. And you know what? It was totally okay. No one was offended, no one told them they couldn't pray in any way they chose. No one told me I had to pray, or even cover my head (though I could have borrowed a scarf if I had so chosen). A Muslim woman took time at the end to whisper to us the details of the prayer hall and what the individuals were doing after the formal prayer was finished. It was a beautiful moment - this, coming from a non-believer as myself! Really, though, faith can be a beautiful thing, when people shut the fuck up and let people show their faith how they want.

Let me just pause to say I've been convinced to convert to every church I've visited with friends over the years, and yet no one trying to convert me at the mosque. They actually didn't care what I believe or don't believe; they just wanted me to be a part of it if I felt comfortable enough to join them.

The discussions were a little bit about the book, but more about Islam itself, crushing a lot of the myths and misconceptions surrounding it. I was encouraged to listen to the lively conversation, happy to hear Muslims sharing their own concerns about how their religion is portrayed in the media, and the political actions behind the fear-mongering created by the media and other religions. You can be all "But ISIS!", but I will be all "But Westboro!" in return, so you can actually hold your tongue.

I think we'd all benefit from experiencing as much as we can, even if it takes us out of our comfort zones. The problem seems to come out of people who are so entrenched in their own religion or beliefs that they cannot understand how someone would choose a different religion or belief. There's not likely any right answer out there, but it comes down to what is right for you. This doesn't mean it's right for your neighbor, and it doesn't mean your neighbor is wrong. Live and let live, right? It's not really that tough.

Also, read some books. Read outside your faith. Read about Islam, learn the history, not just what the media wants us to believe. Get to know your Muslim neighbors. Break some bread with them. Compare your stories and your experiences. You'll find you have a lot more in common than you initially believe.

In conclusion, my experience at the mosque was better than the book itself, but I'm grateful to the book for bringing me to that experience.

[Kyla Denae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be the first to admit that, before reading this book, I knew nothing about Francis of Assisi. Yeah, sure, I'd seen the name places, but I'd never read anything about him. This was quite an intriguing introduction to a person who I'm going to have to read more about, though. The author presents a message of peace in the face of unimaginable brutality, showing the way that two cultures can come together and hold a reasoned, friendly discussion about issues that deeply affect everyday life...without killing each other! This book is definitely worth the read.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired to look into this moment of religious persuasion in the wake of 9/11, Paul Moses elaborates, as much as he can and more given the scarcity of factual reports about the 1219-1220 encounter that found Francis of Assisi meeting with the Sultan Malik al-Kamil, a name not as mythical as his brother "Saladin," but who shared his sibling's military acumen and strategic savvy, certainly.

Moses has to expand, as so little is known about the titular summit between friar and potentate, on the backstories of not only the Poverello of Assisi, and the Muslim commander who sought to fend off the depredations of the Fifth Crusade which, naturally sought again to "liberate" the Holy City, but the circumstances around the political and secular power plays, notably Cardinal Pelagio, sent by the Pope to beef up the troops with rhetoric to rouse their flagging spirits amidst plague, hunger, and heat, as they besieged the delta fortress of Damietta, amid swamps, desiccation, fear, and spies.

The author reads into the chronicles and secondhand records, many long after the events and not intended to accurately convey but rather to romanticize, denigrate, and/or celebrate dubious claims of hagiography, score-settling, or debates roiling the Order of Friars Minor in decades after 1220. He conjectures that on his return from his talks--did he ever expect the Sultan to convert, or was it seen as an idealized harbinger of ecumenical attempts in centuries ahead to witness to the Muslims the peace of Christ instead of the elimination of Catholicism's foes?--Francis did try in his 1221 Rule to suggest conciliation with the believers of the Prophet, but that these attempts were by the Papacy then compromised in the 1223 Rule established by the Order and approved by the papal overseers.

One shortcoming, although admittedly in a book about Islam and Christianity, it may be inevitable. What about the Jews across Europe and in the Near East who were caught, in proto-pogroms, in the uneasy treaties upheld or broken by the authorities as to their protection against antisemitic mobs, in their "dhimmitude" as a second-class polity doomed to be taxed to death? (Moses is good on the context of the Copts and their plight just prior to Francis' arrival in Egypt.) And the narrative oddly isn't clear to me as to how and when the "custody of the holy places" still conducted by friars today began, as to its initial implementation. He commendably in his aftermath sketches out the efforts of Muslims and Christians in the past 150 or so years to greet, pray, and meet in interfaith dialogue. He pays attention to how art has represented or distorted the probable real-life truth by the Nile.

So, a mixed result. Moses incorporates a lot of scholarship into his popular version. The book does fill a niche for those likely to find appeal in this presentation. Nobody can deny it's a timely need.

[htanzil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pada 1219. Di terngah kecamuk Perang Salib V berlangsung. Fransiskus, (yang kelak menjadi seorang Santo) dari Asisi menyeberangi garis pasukan Muslim untuk menemui Sultan Malik al-Kamil di kamp-nya di tepi Sungai Nil guna menawarkan perdamaian. Fransiskus yang pernah menjadi seorang tentara Perang Salib, tidak asing lagi dengan kekejaman manusia dalam peperangan, ia tahu betul akan penyiksaan dan mutilasi yang dilakukan kedua pasukan terhadap orang yang dicurigai sebagai mata-mata. Sadar akan segala resiko yang bakal dihadapinya ia dan rekan seperjalannnya Bruder Illuminatus tetap pergi menemui Sultan.

Sang Sultan berkenan menemui Fransiskus, tidak hanya menemuinya bahkan terjadi sebuah dialog damai antara Fransiskus, Sultan dan para pasukannya, sayangnya apa yang diinginkan Fransiskus tidak tewujud. Setelah pertemuan itu Perang Salib terus berkecamuk dengan hebatnya. Namun pertemuan sang Santo dan Sultan itu menciptakan sebuah hubungan yang baik antara sang Santo dan Sultan, keduanya saling menghormati dan mengagumi. Pertemuan itu juga mendorong sebuah gagasan revolusioner bagi Fransiskus dan ordo Hina Dina yang dikembangkannya. Fransiskus menganjurkan pengikutnya agar hidup damai dengan umat Muslim jika memang ingin mengabarkan injil di dunia Arab. Sebuah anjuran yang sangat tidak populer karena di masa itu telah terbentuk sebuah paradigma bahwa untuk mengubah keyakinan suatu bangsa haruslah melalui peperangan. Gagasan itu tidak mendapat restu dari Paus sehingga tidak heran kisah pertemuan dan gagasannya itu tidak bergema di kalangan Kristen pada masa itu.

Seiring berjalannya waktu, kisah pertemuan Sang Santo dan Sang Sultan lambat laun semakin menguap, informasi resmi dari sumber-sumber sejarahpun sangat sedikit yang menceritakan peristiwa tersebut hingga akhirnya Paul Moses mencoba menggali berbagai literatur sejarah guna mengungkap kembali perihal diplomasi damai antara Sang Santo dan Sang Sultan hingga akhirnya pada 2009 terbit sebuah buku berjudul Saint and the Sultan : The Crusades, Islam, and Francis of Assisi's Mission Peace ketika Perang Teluk yang oleh sebagian orang dianggap sebagai sebuah Perang Salib di abad modern ini sedang berkecamuk.

Dalam bukunya ini Paul Moses tidak hanya mengungkap kembali peristiwa bertemunya Sang Santo dan Sultan dan bagaimana dahsyatnya Perang Salib yang menelan banyak korban. Lebih dari itu di buku ini kita bisa membaca kisah kehidupan dua tokoh itu. Dari Fransiskus kita bisa melihat bagaimana pertobatannya dari seorang tentara menjadi seorang biarawan yang menemukan makna dari kemiskinan, makna kehidupan sederhana dan keras dalam pengabdiannya kepada Yesus. Fransiskus kelak mendirikan ordo Hina Dina yang pertahankan kemurnian ajarannya yang mengutamakan kesederhaaan secara ekstrim dan perdamaian dalam menjalankan misi ordonya.

Melalui kehidupan Sultan Al-Kamil yang adalah keponakan dari Salahudin (Pahlawan Perang Salib di pihak tentara Muslim) kita melihat bagaimana di masa remajanya, di saat Perang Salib III al-Kamil dinobatkan sebagai ksatria di Acre oleh ksatria Perang Salib Richard si Hati Singa. Satu hal yang menarik adalah bagaimana Sultan al-Kamil juga sesungguhnya seorang raja yang mencintai perdamaian, selama Perang Salib V ia mengajukan beberapa kesepakatan damai guna mengakhiri Perang Salib. Buku ini juga mengungkap sosok Sultan al-Kamil yang oleh kalangan Kristen dianggap sebagai sultan yang bengis ternyata seorang Sultan yang murah hati. Di akhir Perang Salib V sebelum membebaskan tentara Kristen yang menjadi tawanan perangnya ia menjamu para tawanan yang hendak dibebaskannya dalam jamuan makan yang mewah dan melimpah.

Di bagian akhir buku ini, penulis juga mengungkapkan bagaimana kisah misi perdamaian dan biografi Fransiskus dikaburkan dari makna perdamaian demi melindungi mimpi-mimpi Perang Salib dari para Paus, contohnya pada 1266 The Mayor Legend of Saint Francis karya Bonaventura dinyatakan sebagai biografi resmi Fransiskus. Biografi sebelumnya yang ditulis oleh penulis lain dimusnahkan sehingga hanya ada dua salinan dari riwayat kehidupan Fransiskus sebelum karya Bonaventura yang selamat hingga kini.

Walaupun kisahnya telah berubah dan dilupakan orang namun benih-benih perdamaian Fransiskus yang jatuh di tanah yang berbatu tetap bertunas. Gagasan Fransiskus agar umat Kristen untuk hidup damai dengan umat Muslim akhirnya terwujud secara resmi dalam Konsili Vatikan Kedua pada 1965 dengan dikeluarkannya Pernyataan tentang Hubungan Gereja dengan Agama-Agama Bukan Kristen atau Nostra Atete, Pada Zaman Kita yang menyatakan bahwa Gereja Katolik sangat menghargai umat Islam.

Sebagai sebuah buku yang memunculkan kembali kisah yang kini hanya samar-samar terdengar mengenai misi perdamaian yang diupayakan Fransiskus saya rasa melalui buku ini Paul Moses dengan riset sejarahnya yang mendalam berhasil mengungkap informasi perihal diplomasi damai antara Sang Santo dan Sang Sultan serta peristiwa yang melatarinya dengan sangat rinci, kontekstual, berimbang (tidak memihak), dan informatif. Bagi mereka yang tertarik dengan Perang Salib, buku ini bisa menjadi salah satu sumber literatur yang baik. Dan yang lebih penting buku ini tampaknya mampu menggugah kesadaran pembacanya akan arti penting sebuah dialog antara umat bergama demi perdamaian dunia

Yang sangat disayangkan dalam versi terjemahan buku ini yang dilengkapi dengan 38 halaman catatan kaki, keterangan singkat tokoh-tokoh utama, kronologi, daftar singkatan, dan ratusan daftar pustaka ini tidak dilengkapi dengan indeks. Entah mengapa penerbit Alvabet tidak menyertakan indeks seperti di buku aslinya. Untuk sebuah buku sejarah indeks sangatlah diperlukan untuk memudahkan pembacanya mencari tokoh, peristiwa, atau apapun yang terkait dalam bahasan buku ini.

@htanzil

Versi lengkap review buku ini bisa dibaca di :

http://bukuygkubaca.blogspot.com/2014...

[Serge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling and timely

This book breathes life into the encounter between Saint Francis and Sultan Malik al-Kamil in the midst of the inglorious Fifth Crusade. Most delightful are the accounts in Part III about the long shadow of historical revisionism that buried fact in favor of propaganda for too long. The quest for peace between Abrahamic religions has centuries-old roots.

[Caloway Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brings a famous 13th century event into the modern day through solid research laid out as a story well told. The message is very relevant to all sides of today's interfaith divide.

[Zack · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting historical event, but a poorly written book.

[Josh Mcdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

The basic story is well-established in the biography of Saint Francis of Assisi -- how at the height of the Crusades, he ventured into enemy territory to meet with the Sultan and to preach to him. Some suggest that Francis was seeking martyrdom, though the prevailing thought takes the saint at his word: he wanted to end the wars and felt that converting the Muslims to Christianity was better than trying to kill them all.

Beyond that basic summary, the details of the story can vary widely depending on who is telling it. More than any other event in Francis's life, I think, this episode tends to reflect not so much the ideals and worldview of the subject as of the biographer. In The Saint and the Sultan, Paul Moses delves deep into the history behind the incident, to try and get at the truth behind the spin.

Throughout his lifetime Francis played the role of conscience to the Institutional Catholic Church. His strict adherence to the Gospel ideals and a life devoted to Christ's teaching tended to put him in stark contrast to the Medieval Ecclesiastical Hierarchy. And nowhere was this more evident than in his reaction to the Crusades. While church authorities were beating the drums of war, Francis embraced the call to "love your enemies and pray for your persecutors." More than any other event from his life, I think, this one put him in direct opposition to the religious authorities and called them to a depth of soul-searching that they were not willing to do.

And so, while the story could not be entirely stricken from the Saint's biographies, it was watered down, reinterpreted, and revised, leading to the many variations we see today. Moses does a good and thorough job of tracing each version to its origin, picking apart the more dubious claims, and making some solidly educated speculations at the truth.

This book is more academic than most biographies I've read of Saint Francis, but I appreciated the author's thoroughness. It really gave me a deeper and more profound appreciation for the Little Poor Man of Assisi, who has always been an inspiration to me. I feel this book helped me get to know the Saint a little bit better than I had before.

[Socraticgadfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up.

First, no, this is not a short article fluffed out into a book just because we have little information about Francis of Assisi meeting with the Sultan Malik al-Kamil at Damietta in the Fifth Crusade.

Francis' pre-monastic background is relevant, even if it's modern speculation that he was a sufferer from PTSD from his war and imprisonment experience.

(That said, the author could have touched on Francis' propensity for visions, which was likely separate of this, and probably part of a larger "suggestability" axis of psychology, which we know exists in general.)

Anyway, eventually, several years later, the Fifth Crusade happens. As battle at Damietta bogs down, with Crusaders unable to capture the besieged town and Egyptian Sultan Malik al-Kamil unable to lift the siege, he offers the truce of 30 years control of Jerusalem if they'll leave. The French component is willing to agree, but the Italians, under Cardinal Pelagius, a future pope and with papal direction, refuse. The Italians also see Venice controlling Constantinople after the Fourth Crusade, and want a similar deal in Egypt and care about Jerusalem no more than their Venetian counterparts. It's all complexified by crusaders waiting for more troops from Emperor Frederick II, some of whom show up eventually, but not all that many.

At this point, Francis, with Franciscan brothers, eventually crosses the lines, is not killed or imprisoned, and dialogues with (better than "preaches to") the sultan over several days.

The sultan is not converted, and the crusaders reject another peace offer. This likely disappointed Francis more than the non-conversion.

Then, due to a backdoor revolt, al-Kalim loosens his grip on Damietta and the Crusaders take the city. But, in the long run, they never get Jerusalem.

Frederick II does negotiate a shorter-term deal for it, without fighting, in the Sixth Crusade.

Then, Jerusalem lost, another pope preaches the Seventh Crusade, against both the Muslims and also Frederick, regarded as some sort of apostate by this time.

Louis IX of France, the eventual St. Louis, gets captured in the area of ... Damietta. (Having failed to learn, he a few years later launches the Eighth Crusade against modern Tunisia, where he died.)

Moses' thesis is that biographies of Francis, because it could not be written out, talked about his poverty, but did write out his peacemaking efforts. The future St. Bonaventure, who had become leader of the order about 30 years after Francis' death, even claimed he offered the sultan a medieval European trial by ordeal.

These full bios start with a set of three by Thomas of Celano (the possible Dies Irae guy), with the second under papal control. Then comes Bonaventure, who uses his bio to try to increase his control of the order, while also writing under some degree of papal consultation. No spoilers beyond that.

Although "Christianity" did not exist 70-100 years after Jesus' death, nonetheless, I was reminded of the accretion of traditions in later and later canonical and non-canonical gospels, likely already starting with the oldest, Mark.

The book ends with discussion on modern Catholic-Muslim interfaith dialogue issues, the author's visit to Egypt and related matters.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very well researched and thoughtful exploration of the meeting of St. Francis and the Sultan Malik al-Kamil, presents many historical actors in their character and with their aims and goals as they related to the crusades which, thereby, framed their views of Francis and the Sultan. More than this, Moses puts the historical documents, Francis' writings, artwork of the encounter, and the various biographies of Francis in historical and political perspective, presenting the purpose of these biographies as other than historical documentation. With equal focus on the Saint and the Sultan, Moses gives a broader and more interesting perspective of what this encounter meant during the crusades bringing in many Arabic/Muslim resources as well, so the account he presents is quite full. The author concludes with a section on current efforts by the Church and Franciscans to better claim and live this commitment to peace.

By drawing from many historical documents, Moses draws attention back to the charism of St. Francis focused on poverty and peace. In doing so, Moses makes his own call to what peace-making may mean, especially between the Christian and Muslim communities.

The book contains a Map of the Damietta Region of Egypt, an Introduction, three parts divided into chapters (for a total of 19 chapters), an Epilogue, a list of Main Characters, a Time Line, a section of Abbreviations, a section of Notes, a Bibliography, a section of Acknowledgements, and an Index.

I highly recommend the book for those interested in Saint Francis the Sultan Malik al-Kamil, this encounter, the crusades and this period of history, as well as accounts of the Middle East. This book should effect a correction of erroneous views of this period of history and these historical characters as well as a more profound centering of the Franciscan charism on peace and poverty.

[Steve Gores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francis is someone that many Christians think they know but, if you are like me, you don't know much. This book is a good antidote for those who believe that he was just a simple man who liked animals and a life of and humility. While the title indicates a tight focus on Francis' trip to Egypt to meet with the Sultan Al-Kamil, there is also a lot here about his dissent from the Popes' Crusade-mongering and the danger that the Franciscan order was in from being condemned as heretical by the Vatican, not only because of Francis' lack of political tact but also because of his embrace of radical poverty and his preaching of peace, even between Christians and Muslims. It was also eye-opening to read about the aftermath of Francis' Egyptian pilgrimage, as he was increasingly alienated from his disciples, who chose in the end to reject radical poverty and instead build their own 'Franciscan' friaries and churches. His latter years were apparently spent alone, living as a hermit and suffering from a severe eye disease that made sunlight very painful. In Moses' telling, Francis dies on page 187, and the final 50+ pages are devoted to his legacy, specifically his doctrine of peace and his ecumenical outreach to Islam. This is where the book becomes a bit dated, as Moses praises Pope John Paul II for following in Francis' path and chastises President Bush for launching a holy war against Iraq. Nonetheless, this is a very good book on Francis and the early days of the Franciscan order as it chose to conform to the warlike ambitions of the Popes and to fictionalize Francis as a confronter and spiritual conqueror of Islam.

[Tom Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book tells the story of a little known part of 13th century history. It recounts the meeting between Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt, Malik al-Kamil. The two met outside Damietta in Egypt during the Fifth Crusade. Francis went to Egypt on a mission of peace and met with the sultan as his forces were preparing to fight the crusaders. Francis hoped to prevent a battle that would take many lives. The two individuals met and discussed many things. Although al-Kamil listened to Francis, the saint was unable to convert the sultan nor was he able to prevent the armies on both sides from fighting. This book brings to life a whole cast of interesting characters - popes, cardinals, kings, imams, and religious men - who bring their own political and personal intrigues into this story. I also found the book to be an illuminating story as it helps to explain the difficulties that have continued to exist between the west and the Islamic world, especially with regards to living in peace with each other. Anyone who loves history would find this book to be a fascinating story. I did not know of the story. I also did not know much about Francis's life. After reading this book, I have a better understanding of how and why this saint ended up living the life of a peacemaker.

[Gary Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I deeply enjoyed this book by Paul Moses. It clarifies, corrects and amplifies the life of Saint Francis through an objective, very clear lens. It explains how specific individuals altered reports of the saint’s life, efforts and concepts even the very rules of his order, to suit their own greed, personal and political wishes, instead of honoring what Francis felt God had directed. Actually destroying instead of enhancing his hopes, wishes and goals. Until now.

This book cleaned up and corrected things nicely, returning us to Francis’s original desires. For his order, the church, Islam, and crusades, in both the past and present. An extremely well researched and supported, scholarly work, I enjoyed reading. I owe the author a debt for achieving this while still making it an excellent read. I was very surprised at how relevant this book was in regard to the Muslim world today. This work of correction, and clarification with guidance for today, is badly needed. I highly recommend it.

[Sam Desir-Spinelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you only ever read one book about Francis of Assisi, read "The Saint and the Sultan." This book reminds people that Francis, the man, did a lot more courageous and important things than stand in some hippy's flower garden holding a decorative birdbath.

Most of the stories you might find about Francis are exaggerated or straight up myths. They are also often fluffy and ineffectual. This story is fact, and therefore all the more powerful. The message is peace, but it is real and pragmatic instead of preachy.

One thing I really liked about this book is that it does not feel overly religious, nor expressly Christian. I feel the emphasis on historical research might make the content in its pages more accessible and relevant to a wider audience, namely those who are not motivated by religion.

By the way hippies, sorry for the jab... I have a Francis statue in my backyard too, so I'm equally guilty of reducing the man to a lawn ornament.

[Barbara Gerold · Rating 5 out of 5]

The benefits of respect and openness

I am a Roman Catholic who has been involved in Interfaith dialogue since 1994. An admirer of St. Francis but unfamiliar with the history he had with the Sultan. I have close Muslim friends who I invited to speak our parish community about Islam several years ago. I have learned a lot about Islam and have come to believe that open dialogue strengthens and enriches our own individual faith journeys. At a time when our country and others are so divided this book lifted my spirits and affirmed my hope we are stronger when we share and inspire others with our stories.
I just recommended this book to my Interfaith book club.

[Denise Kruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully researched and written book about two remarkable men, St. Francis of Assisi and the Islamic leader Sultan Malik Al-Kamil who managed to come together in peace while the Christian side was advancing its Crusades and the opposing Muslims were warring against Christians, Mongols and others. I can’t stand to read about battles, of which there are many here, yet the author deftly balances the warring with other history and learned opinions including his own to make the story very readable. Timely, considering the politics of now.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this after viewing The Sultan and the Saint from PBS and showing it to my religion classes. I was fascinated with the story of Francis of Assisi traveling with the 5th Crusade and meeting Kamil. I was even more fascinated with the humanity Kamil showed the flooded Crusaders when he could have killed them all.

It was interesting how the story changed over the years to suit political purposes. I did not know about Francis's struggles to keep his followers on his path of poverty and peacemaking.

[Mitch Radakovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a protestant, I really had no idea who St. Francis was aside from the fact that he inspired a Mumford and Sons song. Now, I am inspired by his story and am also interested in the varying interpretations of his life over the centuries.

This book is an interesting mix between popular and academic history- written by a journalist, the book has more of an emphasis on sources than a typical 'non-fiction' book, but less analysis and more breadth than an academic book. Thus, it is walking a fine line and certainly has some issues from the academic perspective- namely a number of assumptions based on sources not related to St. Francis.

Regardless, the story is extremely interesting. We learn not only about Francis' life but also about Sultan al-Kamil and the fifth crusade, all in a succinct and easy-to-read book. I like how accessible the text is- a good entry into medieval history and the crusades for anyone who is wanting to start learning on the subject!

[Don Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a real page turner and it's a wonderful book that highlights the encounter between St. Francis and the Sultan. It's a book about how Franciscans rediscovered their roots and have returned to the peacemaking vision of St. Francis of Assisi. It is well researched and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for more information about the roots of our Franciscan charism as peacemakers.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this made me reflect on how rare true peacemaking is. Francis risking his life to speak to the Sultan, not to convert but to understand that’s the kind of faith in action I admire. The storytelling was rich, heartfelt, and timely. It made me question what courage looks like today.

[Doug Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical and inspirational call to Christian-Muslim dialogue through a study of the life of St. Francis.

[Greg Soden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. The meeting of Francis and Sultan al-Kamil amidst the insane violence of the Crusades still has much to teach us about dialogue with those with whom we disagree.

[Athar Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love , compassion, mercifulness,kindness and generosity is everything.

[Mohamed · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب رائع

[Anthony V. Salerno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Well written and readable. Shows saint Francis as a human being with problems like all of us, although very devote

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this bit of history I didn't know.

[Jim Woolwine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is probably more fiction than fact. A good story, though.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked about this book is that it was easy to understand and follow. The Who's Who and timeline in the back of the book I are very helpful. I learned a lot about the Third and Fourth Crusades and the Catholic Church's power and politics. I think the author's information on Francis was excellent. I had this book on my shelf for a long time and am gladI pulled it off to read.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The former senior religion journalist Paul Moses book, The Saint and Sultan is a dual biography of Saint Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malik al-Kamil of Egypt. Saint Francis and Sultan al-Kamil met in 1219, during the Fifth Crusade. Moses believes that the peaceful interfaith meeting between The Saint and The Sultan was one of the important events in Saint Francis’s life. Moses believes that one of the main points of Francis’s ministry was the idea of “blessed are the peacemakers” from the Gospel of Saint Matthew 5:9. I believe from what I know of Francis’s life that Moses’s idea of Francis wanting the Franciscans to be “peacemakers” makes sense. Sultan al-Kamil, the nephew of Saladin, seem to believe what the Qur’an said about respecting People of Book if they are “righteous.” This set the stage for what appears to be a friendly interfaith discussion between a devout Roman Catholic and a devout Sunni Muslim. Moses does an interesting job of showing how Francis seemed to admire parts of the Islamic faith after his interaction with al-Kamil. Moses also does a good job of showing how the story of The Saint and The Sultan was changed and to suit the politics of Roman Catholic Church of the time and how the story was embraced by Pope Saint John Paul II as an example of “interreligious dialogue.”

[Leroy Seat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book I would give a 4.5 rating to, if possible. It is well researched and well-written, and is a very timely work in this post 9-11 world.

In the Introduction, Moses writes, “The story of Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malik al-Kamil says there is a better way than resentment, suspicion, and warfare. It opens the door to respect, trust, and peace" (p. 11).

And then in the Epilogue he avers, “Anyone seeking an answer to the question ‘What would Jesus do?’ would be better advised to look to Francis than to those Christian leaders in the United States who supported the decision to go to war” (p. 234).

I highly recommend this book to those who are interested in Francis of Assisi and his peacemaking activities as well as to those who are interested in working toward religious peace and harmony at the present time.