The Saint and the Sultan
Winner of the 2010 Catholic Press Association Book Award for History.
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Advance Comments
“In this sprightly and smart book, Paul Moses rediscovers an ancient moment in time that, in his telling, has timeless resonance.” – Jon Meacham, author of American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House.
"This brilliant retelling of a largely forgotten chapter in the life of the most beloved of saints comes just when we need it most. Too often, St. Francis of Assisi is seen as a kind of well-meaning hippie, but in his new book Paul Moses carefully sifts the evidence surrounding the saga of Francis's incredible encounter with the Sultan to reveal a courageous and energetic man whose love for peace made him willing to risk his life. The Saint and the Sultan shows that faith leads to action, and that true holiness can lead to actions that provoke, astonish and even baffle the world. This is essential reading for Christians, Muslims, and all people of good will." - James Martin, S.J., author of My Life with the Saints.
"The Saint and the Sultan is a MUST read, supremely relevant today in relations between the Muslim world and the West. Despite recent books on Francis of Assisi, Paul Moses' outstanding and engaging portrayal offers a unique insight into Francis' overlooked counter-cultural role as a peacemaker during the Crusades for whom Christianity was a religion of peace not conflict." - John L. Esposito, University Professor of Religion & International Affairs, Georgetown University, author of What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam and Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think.
“The Saint and the Sultan is an important and timely book. Paul Moses reminds us that the true agents of dialogue and constructive encounter must be courageous enough to talk as well as to listen, even opposing their own people, in the name of justice, dignity and love. Such religious voices are very much needed today, to help us follow the demanding path of peace while avoiding the traps of undignified wars.” – Tariq Ramadan, Oxford University Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies, and author of In the Footsteps of the Prophet.
"Pope John XXIII said history is the great teacher of life, and Paul Moses has taken that reminder to heart. In The Saint and the Sultan he delivers a fascinating lesson from a lost episode of history, and shows how critical it is to understanding today's global conflicts - and the possibility of peace through religious dialogue. In the process, he also delivers a terrific story about a Christian saint everyone thought they knew - Francis of Assisi - and a Muslim world that few realize existed." - David Gibson, author of The Coming Catholic Church and The Rule of Benedict.
“Paul Moses' fascinating book throws new light on St. Francis' exemplary ministry of reconciliation. In the midst of widespread ignorance and war the efforts of St. Francis to build trust and overcome mutual antipathy speak powerfully to us today, when misunderstanding and conflict between Christians and Muslims threaten all who share our planet.” – Charles Kimball, author of When Religion Becomes Evil.
“The Saint and the Sultan sheds new light on spiritual vision’s power to transcend conflict. Through this book we learn not only about a remarkable set of events of medieval history, but also a lesson in peace making that is of the greatest importance for both those Westerners and Muslims who seek to create better understanding of each other across religious and cultural frontiers rather than simply vilifying one another.” — Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University, and author of The Heart of Islam.
Reviews and Articles
"Moses’ lively account of a little-known but significant chapter in the life of the popular saint of Assisi deserves a wide readership, resonating as it does with world events of our own time." - Lawrence S. Cunningham, professor of theology at University of Notre Dame and author of Saint Francis of Assisi: Performing the Gospel Life, America Magazine [registration required].
"The story of these two men—Francis and the sultan—is told engagingly in this well-researched, timely and fascinating book ... dramatically narrated." - Murray Bodo, O.F.M., author of Francis: The Journey and the Dream, St. Anthony Messenger.
"Moses's realistic and powerful book gives readers an informed idea of how difficult it was to follow Francis in an age of papal power and the broad acceptance of violence." - Joseph Cunneen, History News Network.
"Paul Moses' fascinating account of St. Francis of Assisi's meeting with Sultan Malik al-Kamil in the midst of the Fifth Crusade not only details the historical record, puts it into context, and tries to strip it of centuries of tendentious distortions, it also documents how its true significance has recently come to blossom and bear fruit in Christian-Muslim relations. In his thoroughly researched and engaging book Moses uncovers and retells the true story of the Christian saint's audience with the Muslim ruler." - Meinrad Scherer-Emunds, Executive Editor, U.S. Catholic.
"Moses ... has blended history and political commentary into a spiritual statement about the bonds of humanity." - Raymond A. Schroth, National Catholic Reporter.
"Paul Moses ... jumps into the story of St. Francis of Assisi and the 13th-century Islamic leader Sultan Malik al-Kamil with a doggedness, and a storyteller's ability that makes the whole thing jump in way I would not have imagined possible ...I learned something and enjoyed myself immensely in the process and I'm betting you will, too." - Eric Alterman, author of What Liberal Media? and professor at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, TheDailyBeast.com.
A "superb account of Francis during the Crusades." - Charles Lewis, National Post.
"Fantastic ... If you enjoy well written (and argued) history -- especially in this era -- you'll definitely want to pick up a copy of this book." - Zoe Romanowsky, InsideCatholic.com.
"The care and – there is no other word for it – love with which Moses has drawn the scene for us is really a prayer for ... peace." - Melinda Henneberger, editor-in-chief, PoliticsDaily.
"This is a wonderfully written, well researched and timely book. It will surely serve to bring the message of peace that is exhibited in the encounter between Francis and the Sultan to a world desperately in need of recalling such possibilities ... This is a book that belongs in the personal libraries of all Franciscans and all who strive to encounter the other in a loving, Christian and respectful manner." - Daniel P. Horan, O.F.M., The Cord (60).
"Paul Moses has written a very important book about peace as we pass the tenth anniversary of September 11th and our unending wars. We are indebted to him." Bill Griffin, The Catholic Worker.
"Realistic and powerful ... The Saint and the Sultan is above all a story about peace (and the art of peace-making) - a story that is nearly 800 years old but still resonates in an era where Christians and Muslims look at each other with suspicion. Moses' account of St. Francis' meeting with the sultan in the midst of the Fifth Crusade not only details the historical record, puts it into context, and tries to strip it - in Moses' view - of centuries of distortions. It also documents how its true significance has recently come to blossom and bear fruit in Christian-Muslim relations." - Christoph Marcinkowski, International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies, in Islam and Civilisational Renewal.
"Moses not only tells a fascinating story but enables the reader to make sense of the conflict between the Christian invaders from Europe and the Muslim armies of the Middle East ... He is a talented storyteller with an eye for the memorable detail and perfect anecdote, as well as a careful historian who has done enormous research and made judicious choices about what is important." - Tom Hartmann, Living City.
"An important book ... The Saint and the Sultan is fascinating reading that will change the reader’s concept of who St. Francis of Assisi was ... It’s sure to stir a lot of conversation in religious circles." - Ed Wilkinson, editor-in-chief of The Tablet, newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.
"The Saint and the Sultan is a provocative, in-depth examination of that little-known but powerful meeting between St. Francis and the 13th century Islamic leader Sultan Malik al-Kamil...Moses ... shows how the encounter between them is of great relevance to our divided world today." - Brooklyn Daily Eagle.