The life of Usamah ibn-Munqidh epitomized the height of Arab civilization as it flourished during the early Crusading period. His memoirs provide a valuable non-European perspective and insight into the military and cultural contact between medieval West and East, between Christian and Muslim.

The life of Usâmah ibn-Munqidh epitomized the height of Arab civilization as it flourished in the period of the early Crusades. His memoirs present an uncommon non-European perspective and understanding of the military and cultural contact between East and West, Muslim and Christian. His writing is remarkable for its narrative clarity, its humanity, and its wealth of perceptive details.