Saladin is most famous for retaking Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187. He was a Kurd that had great battlefield success and translated this into great political success from a power base in Egypt - united (if briefly (and half-heartedly at best for many groups)), disparate Islamic factions and thus could beat the Crusader states at a time when they were in some disarray. Did not establish an enduring succession. Not of royal family.Interactions with Richard the Lionhearted and others brought him into popular literature in the West.
Among other things, the book reinforces how long the disputes between Shiite and Sunni have been going on.
Saladin as probably very sincerely religious, certainly very aware of how to use this in politics. Author discussed jihad (and heaven-via-death-in-battle) as she thought it worked in 12th century - probably not much different than now (most pay lip service, a few suckers/fanatics volunteer, most demur).
Interesting discussion of siege tactics in a pre-gunpowder era; they were able to chuck pretty large objects over walls from distance (and return fire from within the walls).
Saladin wasn't mythologized in the East until the 19th century - because his line of succession didn't last, there wasn't much of a hagiography push even for the re-conqueror of Jerusalem. Then co-opted as a figure for Islamic unity, and adopted by folks like Saddam Hussein.
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