Summary
Summary
In a 2010 terrorist plot, Al-Qaeda hid a bomb in a FedEx shipment addressed to Reynald de Chatillon, a knight who had died centuries ago in the crusades. A reviled figure in Islamic history, often portrayed as the very epitome of brutality, Reynald remains as controversial-and as vividly present in the minds of many in the Middle East-as the story of the crusades themselves.An epic saga set in the midst of a violent clash of civilizations, God's Wolf tells the story of Reynald's staggering rise from lowly soldier to prince of Antioch, one of the crusader kingdoms in the Near East. Jeffrey Lee argues that, despite his brutality, Reynald was a strong military leader and an effective statesman who defended his kingdom against attacks from Byzantines, Armenians, and Muslims. A tale of faith, fanaticism, and brutality, God's Wolf is the fascinating story of an exceptional crusader and a provocative reinterpretation of the crusader era.
Reviews (2)
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* The crusader knight Raynald of Châtillon (1125-87) has suffered bad press from foe and friend alike. Muslim chroniclers of the great sultan Saladin, Raynald's most effective adversary, naturally don't approve of him. Furthermore, the most esteemed Christian eyewitness to his deeds, Walter of Tyre, belonged to the other party vying for predominance in the Crusader states and isn't trustworthy on him. Lee presents a balanced account, emphatically not denying Raynald's violence and cruelty but pointing up his superior diplomacy, especially as a politically astute marriage broker, his utter loyalty unlike that of Raymond III of Tripoli, who ran out on the Battle of Hattin, ensuring Raynald's defeat and death (at Saladin's own hands, as the sultan had sworn) and, eventually, the fall of crusader-conquered Jerusalem and his fearless leadership from the forefront of battle. One particularly signal achievement of Raynald's was the raid by sea of both shores of the Red Sea, including the only sallies toward Medina and Mecca ever made by infidels. Lee's clear narration and reasonable approach vault Raynald back to the heights he deserves to occupy as a knight and a Crusader. An outstanding addition to popular literature on an enduringly influential historical epoch.--Olson, Ray Copyright 2017 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Lee (Dog Days and Butterfly Man) explores the life of Reynald de Chatillon (1120-87), a notorious fighter during the Second Crusade. Chatillon has a reputation for brutality and violence, which Lee believes is exaggerated and misplaced. After a brief background on French society and the First Crusade, Lee argues that Chatillon's ferocity was typical of a warrior at that time and that his notoriety is the result of a smear campaign by his enemies. Lee investigates his subject's most notorious exploits, such as his stint as Prince of Antioch, lengthy imprisonment in Aleppo, raids against the Hajj pilgrim routes, and eventual execution. Chatillon is portrayed as a daring and bold warrior who was respected by his king and entrusted with diplomatic and regency roles. The author also emphasizes his subject's administration and matchmaking accomplishments to prove he was more than a terrifying warlord. Lee's arguments concerning the diversity of Chatillon's roles are more effective than the contextualization of his cruelty, as he never fully demonstrates how other warriors during that time compared. VERDICT A highly readable yet general overview of Chatillon's life and the Second Crusade. Readers desiring an in-depth analysis should look elsewhere. [See Prepub Alert, 3/20/17.]-Rebekah Kati, Durham, NC © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.