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In his remarkable book- Jonathan Phillips explores the conflict of ideas- beliefs and cultures and shows both the contradictions and diversity of holy war. He draws on contemporary writings - on chronicles- songs- sermons- travel diaries and peace treaties - to throw a brilliant new light on people and events we thought we knew well. Although the notion of fighting for ones faith fell into disrepute in the Enlightenment- Phillips traces the crusading impulse from the bloody conquest of Jerusalem in the First Crusade and the titanic struggle between Richard the Lionheart and Saladin up to the present day - to George W. Bushs characterisation of the war on terrorism as a crusade....