An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades

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An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades:  Memoirs of Usāmah Ibn-Munqidh
Usāmah Ibn-Munqidh
Philip K. Hitti
1929

The Summary
Written near the end of his life, this book serves as the one and only memoir for Usāmah Ibn-Munqidh, an Arab-Syrian nobleman and warrior.  Living from 1095 to 1188, this particular autobiographical work chronicles much of Usāmah Ibn-Munqidh's life and activities as a warrior and aristocrat during the Crusades, as well as provides intimate insight into the medieval Islamic culture of Syria.

The Good
An Arab-Syrian Gentleman is a well-written piece of literature that allows you to gain a full appreciation of medieval Muslim society and cultural habits, including glimpses into the medicine, superstitions, religion, society, and war of this time period.

Since Usāmah Ibn-Munqidh was a man at the center of many important events during the Crusades, his narrative provides valuable historical insight into many crucial events.  Additionally, his memoir provides an honest interpretation of not only his own culture, but his understanding of western culture.

Phillip K. Hitti, furthermore, introduces a very good translation of Usāmah Ibn-Munqidh's memoirs with informative footnotes and an extensive introduction to give readers a firm understanding of events.  You can easily jump into the pages and read without much trouble.

The Bad
Despite the extensive footnotes and textual explanations carefully provided by Hitti, Usāmah Ibn-Munqidh's memoir can occasionally become confusing without a proper background of knowledge of this particular time period and culture.

Not that the translator doesn't try, of course, but his footnotes do not always provide enough for complete understanding.

The Ugly
The time in which Usāmah Ibn-Munqidh writes his memoir, and the stories and memories he carefully selects to include within his writing, occurs during some of the most turbulent times in medieval Syria:  the Crusades.

To be perfectly honest, war isn't an uncommon topic for the writer, and some of his stories can be pretty graphic.