Presents a major reevaluation and extension of Gaston Paris' pioneering study of Saladin, a chivalric Muslim adversary-hero in legends surrounding the Crusades. Gives due consideration to both chronological development and to geographic variety in treatment. Early chapters trace how the initially hostile presentation of Saladin gave way to a more positive view, and later chapters examine legends about his supposed noble French antecedents and his knighthood, and look at fictional and semi-historical accounts. Jubb teaches French at the University of Aberdeen. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)