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I am writing a book about the Crusades so dull that I can scarcely write it.

During the crusades all were religious mad, and now all are mad for want of it.

If you are an Arabic-speaking, Greek-Orthodox going to a French school it makes you deeply sceptical if you have to listen to three different accounts of the Crusades - one from the Muslim side, one from the Greek side and one from the Catholic side.

I'm not a religious person by any means.

I am not a prophet.

I'm not a religious person.

I'm not really into religion.

I don't believe in hero worship.

I did not set out to convert anyone to Christianity.

I am certainly not a mainstream religious man.