The Talisman

By Sir Walter Scott and Sir Walter Scott

Book Overview

When King Richard the Lionheart's health began to decline, the English leader organized a truce with the leader of the Islamic forces, Saladin. Agreeing to cease the battles on the condition that Jerusalem would be under Muslim control, the two leaders gave orders to their troops to return to their homes. However, Sir Kenneth, a Scottish knight, was in the search of a certain monk rather than his home when he encounters Emir, a cavalryman for Saladin's forces. At first distrustful of each other and used to warfare, the two soldiers engage in a one-on-one battle. But when both refuse to surrender, the men realize that they are equally matched, and with the truces between their leaders, there was no reason to fight. Apon this realization, Amir and Kenneth become friends. When Kenneth later mentions that he is on a quest to find a Christian monk, Emir offers to accompany him, as he knows the terrain better than Kenneth. After happily accepting the offer, the two fighters set off on their journey, facing villains, deception, romance, and duels. Admired for its rich prose and skillfully portrayed plotline, Sir Walter Scott's The Talisman is an intricate and theatrical work of literary art. With well-presented characters and an engrossing setting, The Talisman offers the rare depiction of a friendship between an Arabic and English soldier in the 11th century as well as the seldomly portrayed time of peace during the crusades. With themes of chivalry, virtue, and violence paired with compelling representation and a well-executed plot, Sir Walter Scott's The Talisman exceeds high expectations. This edition of The Talisman by Sir Walter Scott now features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition of The Talisman crafts an accessible and pleasant reading experience for modern audiences while restoring the original mastery and drama of Sir Walter Scott's literature.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1513280430
• ISBN13: 9781513280431
• Release Date: May 2021
• Publisher: Mint Editions
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

a good study of religions

I read this book more than forty years ago and still can see the way men become swayed by religious pressure and how some men see through the politics and remain with clean hands.This and other books cause me to understand how religions fall and others leap to be the next world power.What religion was the father of the muslims before he was a muslim;what religion past did the first pope [not peter] really come from?The TALISMAN is still a good read today.

Have a copy of the original Waverly novel of the Talisman

I found the book wonderfully refreshing. A nice change from the modern versions of the crusades. Also I am curious about the rarity of the particular book I own. Anyone with any info please email me.

Right up there w/Scott's Ivanhoe!

This is a wonderful adventure set in the Holy Land of Crusader fame, a tale of Richard the Lionheart, of his noble knight Sir Kennethof the Leopard (the prince royal of Scotland in disguise) and of the great Saracen ruler Saladin who fought the historical Richard to a stand-still in Palestine and showed his chivalry and nobility in the process. In fact, Scott's tale makes it clear that it is Saladin, not Richard, who is the nobler and wiser chieftain through a series of intrigues which see Saladin playing physician, matchmaker and spy all the while Richard is being gulled by traitors and self-interested allies around him. In fact, the great hearted Richard is moved to condemn to death his greatest knight and supporter, but for the machinations of Saladin and the loyalty of one good dog. This is a fun tale, full of adventure and exotic locales, every bit as strong as Ivanhoe, but, perhaps, just a shade less rich in colorful characters and mayhem. Read it anyway. It's worth it. -- Stuart W. Mirsky The King of Vinland's Saga