Buy used:
$7.94
$3.99 delivery May 21 - 28. Details
Or fastest delivery May 17 - 22. Details
Used: Very Good | Details
Sold by HPB-Ruby
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

W. B. Bartlett
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Assassins: The Story of Medieval Islam's Secret Sect Paperback – July 20, 2009

by W B Bartlett (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
See all formats and editions
The so-called 'Assassins' are one of the most spectacular legends of medieval history. In the popular imagination they are drug-crazed fanatics who launched murderous attacks on their enemies, terrorising the medieval world. Since the tales of Marco Polo and others, the myths surrounding them have been fantastically embellished and the truth has become ever more obscure. Universally loathed and feared, they were especially frightening because they apparently had no fear of death. Bartlett's book deftly traces the origins of the sect out of the schisms within the early Islamic religion and examines the impact of Hasan-i-Sabbah, its founder, and Sinan - the legendary 'Old Man of the Mountain'. This popular history follows the vivid history of the group over the next two centuries, including its clash with the crusaders, its near destruction at the hands of the Mongols, and its subsequent history. Finally, and fascinatingly, we discover how the myths surrounding the Assassins have developed over time, and why indeed they continue to have such an impact on the popular imagination.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    The History Press
  4. Publication date
    July 20, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    5.12 x 1 x 7.87 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0752452053
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0752452050
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review



"More to Lewis's story than one of terror and bloodshed . . . a fascinating glimpse into an extraordinary and unsettling world."  —Kirkus Reviews UK



"An excellent work of popular history geared to general readers, but scholars will appreciate both the accuracy and insight Bartlett displays."  —Booklist on An Ungodly War

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The History Press (July 20, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0752452053
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0752452050
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.12 x 1 x 7.87 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 12 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
W. B. Bartlett

W. B. Bartlett

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
12 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Walter
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2011
Verified Purchase
One of the most amazing books, not only on the Nizaris (Assassins), but also on the changes in the balance of power in the middle east.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Gogol
3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2010
When I originally bought this I was hoping for something more refreshing than the book by Lewis on the Assassins however on reading the preface and finding out that one of the first things the author does is pay homage to Lewis (Is this some kind of prerequisite to getting your book published these days?) I didnt hold out much hope.

If you have the Lewis book on the assassins then you almost certainly dont need to buy this one. A number of things let me down with this book not least on checking the bibliography at the back and finding largely the standard Western translations of a few of ibn Athirs books, Juwaynis and ibn Munqidh.

The book covers the well trodden ground in the history of the Assassins, largely from an entirely western perspective. The first encounters from a Western crusader to the early history of the Ismailis in Egypt and the split causing the Nizari sect. The establishment of their castles in Persia and Syria and the various assassinations that took place leading up to their eventual fall and spread into India.

Unfortunately this book offers nothing new. There is no study of the Ismaili philosophy, nothing on what happened to the religious beliefs of the Nizaris or the Ismailis beyond the Mongol invasion. Nothing on the all too obvious links with the Kizilbashi in North East Iran and East Turkey or the Alevi groups in Syria and Turkey or even their possible influence on Sufism through the Bektashi order. In short nothing.

If you really want to read something of substance about this group you may want to try the institute of Ismaili studies. This and the book of Bernard Lewis is nothing more than coffee table sensationalism.
11 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Quest
3.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in Canada on July 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
Good book to read who was old man in the mountain in history of ismailis
Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellently written, rather controversial and standpoints that historians are ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2017
Verified Purchase
Excellently written, rather controversial and standpoints that historians are moving away from, but absolutely necessary to understand the entire debate.
One person found this helpful
 Report
jayjay
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Educational
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2012
Verified Purchase
Interesting and educational however, it can seem a heavy read. A good academic text though and I can happily say that I've expanded my vocabulary. No joke, I had to have a dictionary at my side at one point. I can happily say that the brief history of Islam and then showing where this branch came from was an amazing addition. It broadens your mind to the bigger picture in many ways instead of focusing purely on the one sect. This helps avoid the elaboration of the myths, which the writer intricately wove into the story as a possibility and explains why it may not be true.

Now I know that many who have read this will have done so as a result of the fascinating realms of the Assassin's Creed series. It does not exactly turn into a rendition of the game, but to the discerning eye the influence to many aspects of the mere concept are moderately influenced by the reality of it all. For instance, the whole eagle thing in the game is most likely related to Alamut which is named after the phrase 'Aluh Amut' which means 'The Eagle's Teaching'. I would suggest that you do not read this unless you want the bleak reality of the Nizari Ismaili's. Luckily, Islam fascinates me. Marvellous read.
2 people found this helpful
 Report
tiredandgrumpy
2.0 out of 5 stars Two Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
hard work
Report