Faith Resources and More

Rarely have I willingly read a book that describes the intricacies of war and the strategies or horrors of battle. On the other hand, I love books on history, religion and art, devouring them with great joy. The Saint and the Sultan: The Crusades, Islam and Francis of Assisi’s Mission of Peace by Paul Moses combines two polar extremes of my affections in a remarkably engaging volume. The author’s point is well rendered; that is, that though St Francis is universally respected as one of the premiere figures of Christendom, his aversion to war and hunger for peace is often overlooked. In the medieval world enamored of chivalry and honor, Francis had his fill at a young age and chose a life of humility, poverty and obedience that drew ridicule and alienation. Eventually gaining the respect and sanction of the pope, the future saint was honor bound to support him.

And yet, Francis chose to seek a peaceful alternative to the Fifth Crusade, directly defying the aspirations of the Innocent III and his successor. The monk’s mission to Egypt was a journey of conscience. In this book, the dominant characters and their motivations come alive with well-chosen contemporary quotes from biographers, correspondence and slanderous propaganda. Most importantly, the author, whose professional background is in journalism, adeptly reminds us that little has changed 800 years later. Religious extremism and underlying motivations of greed and power remain commanding obstacles to peacemaking today. Scholarly but approachable, The Saint and the Sultan offers a rich story and moral dilemmas to ponder after the pages are closed.