Bingo--Hashishin and Alamut--Foucault's Pendulum was disappointing, Alamut Castle & Garden feature in one Genghis novel by Conn Iggulden--but in reality it was invaded by a Genghis descendent.

AI Overview The primary novel associated with both the fortress of Alamut and the legends of hashish use by the Assassins (Hashshashin) is the 1938 classic Alamut by Vladimir Bartol.

Alamut by Vladimir Bartol

This novel is a work of historical fiction that deals with the story of Hasan-i Sabbah, the real-life founder of the Nizari Ismaili state, and his mountain fortress of Alamut in 11th-century Persia. Key aspects of the novel include:

The Legend of Paradise: The story famously incorporates the legend (popularized by Marco Polo but generally considered a myth by modern scholars) that Sabbah created a "virtual paradise" within the fortress, using beautiful women, lush gardens, wine, and hashish to convince his elite fighters (fedayi) that they could reach heaven by following his commands.

Philosophical Themes: The novel explores themes of power, religious fanaticism, and psychological manipulation, centered on the maxim "Nothing is an absolute reality; all is permitted".

Allegory: Originally published in 1938, the book was written as an allegory for Mussolini's fascist state and has since been interpreted as a commentary on modern political extremism and terrorism.

Cultural Impact: It became a cult favorite in the 1960s and 1990s, and served as one of the key inspirations for the popular Assassin's Creed video game series. You can find out more about the book on platforms like Penguin Random House or Barnes & Noble.

Other Related Fiction

The Assassins of Alamut by James Wasserman: This is another historical novel that focuses on the Ismaili sect during the time of the Crusades, exploring the conflict between different Muslim factions and the Crusaders.

Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco: While not centered on Alamut, this complex novel features the Hashshashin as part of a sprawling conspiracy theory explored by the protagonists. Alamut (Bartol novel) - Wikipedia

Alamut (Bartol novel) ... Alamut is a novel by Vladimir Bartol, first published in 1938 in Slovenian, dealing with the story of Ha... Wikipedia

Alamut by Vladimir Bartol - Penguin Random House Nov 19, 2007 — Book Description. Alamut takes place in 11th Century Persia, in the fortress of Alamut, where self-proclaimed prophet ... Penguin Random House