Birds of Prey - Wilbur Smith
VERY good historical fiction about sailing, privateering, and piracy around africa in the 1600s... mostly deals with the Dutch and English fighting each other, but also gets into the Muslim/Christian thing towards the end.
It's probably the best historical fiction book I've read, and that includes James Clavells books... highly recommended..
Start it now, it's almost sailing season for you northern types!
Thanks, Adam - I'll have to check that one out, now that I've finished "Princess, New York/Key Biscayne"... :)