Ibn al Athir's account of the Third Crusade provides numerous interesting details. For example, he notes that when Saladin approached Jerusalem, they could tell the city was packed full from the crowds on the wall and "the roar" of people erupting from within. This was likely the result of so many Christian refuges from the surrounding area either seeking protection in the city, or seeking to defend it. It is excellent details like this, concerning the Third Crusade, that makes al Athir's work so useful and readable.
Although Ibn al Athir is more balanced than many accounts in his depiction of Saladin, the work is marked by the author's obvious bias in favor of the Muslim cause. Ibn al Athir provides numerous examples of negative depictions of the Franks. In seeking to provide a selection of the author's spirited writing style, a brief snippet of his commentary on the Christian ruler of Tyre follows: "In this year, on 13 rabi II, the Frankish Marquis, the ruler of Tyre-- God damn him!-- was killed. He was the greatest devil of all the Franks."
Dr. Niall Christie notes that Ibn al Athir's account is the third major source for the life of Saladin, but also an excellent account of Muslim-Christian interaction during the crusades. Interestingly, his account also claims that women were among the Christian fighting forces, but this is likely untrue as women and warfare were taboo in the West. No crusader sources makes such a claim and it would have been an effective way for al Athir to shame his enemies. While Christian women almost certainly participated in various aspects of defensive siege warfare, they did not march into battle with the army.