I admit I do not know all that much about Saladin, just enough to get me in trouble if I to try and discuss the issue.
I think you and my father would get along very well. My father joined the navy at 17-years of age and earned his GED while serving six years there; three on an aircraft carrier. After being married to my mother ad then divorcing after 7-years he joined the merchant marines as his father had, this is where he spent most of his free time reading/studying world history; his favorite being military history.
I garnered much of my earlier education and thirst of knowledge from our lifetime of interesting discussions in which I learned much.
**************** Progressiveness Must Die Today, In Order That We May Be Free Tomorrow