Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
3rd out of 10 books
—
19 voters
Empires Of The Sea: The Final Battle For The Mediterranean, 1521-1580
Empires of the Sea tells the story of the fifty-year world war between Islam and Christianity for the Mediterranean: one of the fiercest and most influential contests in European history. It traces events from the appearance on the world stage of Suleiman the Magnificent -- the legendary ruler of the Ottoman Empire -- through "the years of devastation" when it seemed possi...more
Hardcover, 341 pages
Published
May 1st 2008
by Faber & Faber
(first published January 1st 2008)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,952)
If you are going to read this book, you'd better like slaughter. It features lots of blood. Mostly, this occurs during sieges of fortified towns, but sea battles claim their fair share of victims too. All of it is described with great gusto, skill and narrative flair by the author, who clearly loves a good battle and knows how to recount it. In this, the book is similar to his previous work, 1453, which was largely devoted to the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmet the Conqueror. Fast forward t...more
This book covers a period of time in which the centuries-long, ebbing & flowing conflict between Islam in the East and the squabbling realms that comprised the Christian West began to shift in important ways that set the direction of the future. Islam had the upper hand, its conquest of Christian lands was progressing with seemingly inexorable success. Islam was, and had been for decades if not centuries united in its goal of conquest - the West was fractured and weakened, as it had been for...more
1 like · like · see review
view 1 comment
A number of years ago I gazed at the large painting of the Battle of Lepanto in the Doge’s Palace in Venice, finding the work complex and intriguing. But never having heard of the battle, I had difficulty fitting it into an historical context. So it was with interest that I encountered Crowley’s work, subtitled “The Siege of Malta, the Battle of Lepanto, and the Contest for the Center of the World.” The book accomplished what I had hoped it would, in perhaps more detail than I needed.
The period...more
The period...more
'Empires of The Sea: The Final Battle for the Mediterranean' is a truly impressive piece of writing. Despite the fact that it only covers a brief period in the history of the Mediterranean, these years were certainly eventful, as the pages of the book will attest too, as they are packed full of information. Be it the naval engagements, naval blockades, pitched battles, and sieges. In addition, there is a chapter dedicated to 'The Corsairs', the privateers of Islam who were responsible for the de...more
Coming from a very historical and war based background, I can almost always tell if a war book is good or not, and I can safely say that this book is a force of nature when it comes to telling the historical battles of the Mediterranean in a calculated and context-ed manner. This book mainly tells the stories of battles that were fought around the Mediterranean region; including the Siege of Malta and The Battle of Lepanto. One of this book's main focus is on the political and wartime actions of...more
An excellent book that fills in a gap in my knowledge of European history. It covers the events leading up to the Battle of Lepanto, perhaps the last of the great galley battles. Interestingly, the quantity of ships involved in sea battles has steadily diminished with the passage of time in inverse step, seemingly, with the concentration of firepower in vessels. Nearly 460 galleys and smaller ships took part in the battle but the galleys typically had only 5 or 6 guns mounted on the bow. Compare...more
This review was originally published in The Christian Science Monitor.
Often histories of 16th century Europe focus on the unfolding dramas of Northern Europe–the religious ferment of the Reformation, or Tudor England, that romping Renaissance soap opera featuring the ever-recognisable Henry VIII and all those wives, and his fiery daughter, Elizabeth I, patron of Shakespeare.
Yet curiously, simultaneously, a sequence of tumultuous power struggles was convulsing the southern regions of Europe–a ser...more
Often histories of 16th century Europe focus on the unfolding dramas of Northern Europe–the religious ferment of the Reformation, or Tudor England, that romping Renaissance soap opera featuring the ever-recognisable Henry VIII and all those wives, and his fiery daughter, Elizabeth I, patron of Shakespeare.
Yet curiously, simultaneously, a sequence of tumultuous power struggles was convulsing the southern regions of Europe–a ser...more
I didn't know much about this era of world history. We're perhaps more familiar with northern Europe in the 16th century (era of Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth, Shakespeare). But much drama was occurring in southern Europe, especially the Mediterranean regions.
The Ottoman Turks attempted to expand their empire under Suleiman the Magnificent; and the clashes between Muslim and Christian armies are vividly described in this well-written history. The "siege of Malta" (1565) is a central part of the sa...more
The Ottoman Turks attempted to expand their empire under Suleiman the Magnificent; and the clashes between Muslim and Christian armies are vividly described in this well-written history. The "siege of Malta" (1565) is a central part of the sa...more
Mr. Crowley paints a panoramic picture of the contest between Christendom and the Ottoman Turks for control of the Mediterranean. I listened to the audiobook which is read by John Lee. Mr. Lee even sounds like a pirate, so the effect is perfect!
The Siege of Malta is protrayed in especially rich detail - since war then was so deeply personal, all the pomp, pageantry, and color were critical elements to battle. Mr. Crowley makes it easy to imagine the emotions that both sides must have felt: fear,...more
The Siege of Malta is protrayed in especially rich detail - since war then was so deeply personal, all the pomp, pageantry, and color were critical elements to battle. Mr. Crowley makes it easy to imagine the emotions that both sides must have felt: fear,...more
This book focuses entirely on the history of sea battles and piracy involving the European powers and the Ottoman Empire in the Mediterranean Sea between 1521 and 1580, with particular emphasis on the Siege of Malta and the Battle of Lepanto. Coincidentally, I had just finished a history of the Ottoman Empire, which of course included some material on this more narrow subject, so this book was particularly interesting to me. I rate this book highly, in large part because Crowley is a very engag...more
Roger Crowley focuses his book Empires of the Sea on the naval fights between the Spanish Empire and the Ottoman Empire for what was then thought to be mastery of the World. While the age of discovery was getting into full swing the galleys of the crusades were in fighting form across the Mediterranean often delving into base piracy as opposed to full naval combat. The times when naval combat did occur were some of the most devastating of the age including the Fall of Rhodes, the Siege of Malta,...more
Even though I knew long ago how the titanic clashes between Christian Europe and the Ottoman Empire turned out in the Mediterranean, this book had me on the edge of my seat, frantically turning the pages to read about the next incredible act of heroism, cruelty, idiocy or betrayal. It is another reminder that Turkish, not English, would probably be the lingua franca today, but for the bravery of a few Knights of St. John holding out against incredible odds on Malta, or for the Spanish, Venetians...more
For a major part of the sixteenth century the Muslim Ottoman Empire was at war with the Christian states of western Europe. The obscure history of major sea battles is related by the author in play by play details. He also delves into the politics of the era. Apparently getting the Hapsburgs of Spain, the Roman Catholic Pope, and the mercantilist Viennese to form a workable military alliance was like herding cats. These were bloody times. Although the warring parties lacked modern weapons, they...more
Roger Crowley faced a real challenge to cover in a unified way these 60 years when war in the Mediterranean ebbed and flowed, with the protaganists changing. The cast of characters is too large, and the span of time too wide, to create a satisfactorily unified story. The highlights of the book are the great set pieces : the Siege of Malta and the Battle of Lepanto in particular. These are described in great detail with flair and style. As a whole, the book hangs together less well, but that is b...more
Feb 03, 2013
Burnley Richmond
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
european-history
This is no tired, dusty, academic history. It reads like a rollicking matinee movie full of slave-traders, pirates, adventurers and traitors. The battles swing back and forth with hopeless causes turned into improbable wins, and feature moments of both noble chivalry and unspeakable brutality.
Crowley's description of the Siege of Malta is a real page-turner; positively cinematic in its drama and daring-do. The Battle of Lepanto being shorter and crueler sort of feels a little under-told in contr...more
Crowley's description of the Siege of Malta is a real page-turner; positively cinematic in its drama and daring-do. The Battle of Lepanto being shorter and crueler sort of feels a little under-told in contr...more
Apr 12, 2012
TheIron Paw
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
military-history
Crowley has written a history book that reads like a novel. This may be in large part because it covers a period and location we in the English speaking world have paid little attention to: the 16th Century struggle for control of the the Mediterranean. The characters are all brought to life and the events vividly displayed (even in the full cruelty and barbarism of both Christendom and the Ottomans). This provides a vivid picture of the fears and ambitions of this time as well as military and p...more
This book really helps put the ebb and flow of the Muslim and Christian conflicts into perspective. It makes the current Israel-Palestinian conflict look like a schoolyard tussle.
It also makes you realize that human nature hasn't changed too much in 500 years. Maybe a few less decapitations, but yes it still happens. The political maneuverings are also eerily similar to what is going on now.
These battles also illustrate the technological progress comes from war.
Religion is the best tool to motiv...more
It also makes you realize that human nature hasn't changed too much in 500 years. Maybe a few less decapitations, but yes it still happens. The political maneuverings are also eerily similar to what is going on now.
These battles also illustrate the technological progress comes from war.
Religion is the best tool to motiv...more
Very good book. I'm interested in further exploring the Middle Ages, if anyone has recommendations. The thing that jumped out at me: the Knights of Saint John are such a mind-blowing concept. A group of nationless soldiers who, empowered by some Christian or Godly imperative, took an island in the Mediterranean to fortify and live on. Their only real mission was to exist, and with that end in mind had essentially no limits on the means with which they could accomplish it. They chose piracy. I me...more
This book is about the battles in the Mediterranean between the Muslims and the Christians (mainly Catholics) in the sixteenth century. Roger Crowley writes clearly and the story moves right along. The book begins in 1521 when Suleiman the Magnificent is ruler of the Ottoman Empire and captures Rhodes, one of the centers of the Knights of the Order of Saint John and ends with the Treaty of 1580 when the Ottomans and Christians recognize their stalemate. In between, there is a lot of piracy, the...more
I have read extensively about the Great Siege of Malta and I read Crowley's book as an attempt to continue to flesh out the narrative of the 16th Century Med. The style is engaging and it is an informative read. The one comment that I will make is that I was rather fascinated by the comments made by Crowley about Venice. I have read very little about the Venetians and their commercial empire but presenting them as the middle man between the two Med superpowers of Spain and the Ottomans was cleve...more
This may very well be the most exciting history book I ever read. While I did get the impression that the author has done some wide and excellent research, this book reads like an adventure story. Action-packed to the brim with extensive reports of various enormous battles, interesting characters and great storytelling, this is basically a study of the war between the Ottomans and (some of) Europe. From the early skirmishes to the defining battle at Lepanto, I couldn't get enough of it.
I read th...more
I read th...more
I knew little of the sea battles between the Ottoman empire and what was called the Holy League of Spain, France, Venice and Italy in the mid-1500s.
This is a gripping and bloody account of two major battles, at Lepanto and the siege of Malta.
The siege in particular is one of the most compelling and exciting descriptions of battle I have ever read. For me, since I didn't know how the siege would turn out, it was a real page turner.
The other very good thing about this book is the descriptions of t...more
This is a gripping and bloody account of two major battles, at Lepanto and the siege of Malta.
The siege in particular is one of the most compelling and exciting descriptions of battle I have ever read. For me, since I didn't know how the siege would turn out, it was a real page turner.
The other very good thing about this book is the descriptions of t...more
Reading this is not nearly as history-geeky as you might think. Beyond descriptions of siege battles is insight on the history of western European and Ottoman/Middle Eastern relations that probably still taint how we get along. Piracy, wholesale slaughter or sale of entire cities into slavery, religious zealotry, the corruption of power, weakness of European unity, double- dealing by Venetians, the effect of New World riches on Spain's power and on the cost of feeding an army. . . It's a surpris...more
Very rich book. Roger Crowley keeps zooming in and out focusing on places, people, events and battles across the Mediterranean. I was overwhelmed by the number of characters who appeared and died through the chapters, from oarsmen consumed to death as the fuel of that time, to the competitive Emperors in Istanbul and Madrid. Events and people are well connected. Time is slow during battles and faster between them, giving the space to provide fine details of the events and good comprehension to w...more
The clash of the Christian (Spain, the Papacy, Venice) and the Ottoman worlds in the Mediterranean - still, but not for long, the center of the world. Spans the period between Suleiman's siege of Rhodes in 1522 to the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 with a few final skirmishes to 1580. I have no background in this history and this was a good readable introduction. Although there is much sailing to and fro in argosies of slave-rowed galleys most of the fighting until Lepanto is siege warfare. Gunpowder...more
Crowley does a great job of framing the dramatic struggle for control of the Mediterranean in the 16th Century. In the East, Suleiman the Magnificent, the absolute ruler of the vast Ottoman empire, united, organized, and expanding to conquer Christian lands. In the West, Philip of Spain, the titular political and military leader of a Christendom divided by myriad conflicting loyalties, rivalries, and interests.
The story begins with the siege of Rhodes, the last outpost in the East of the crusadi...more
The story begins with the siege of Rhodes, the last outpost in the East of the crusadi...more
Empires of the Sea recounts the oft forgotten struggle between the Ottomans and Europeans for the dominance of the Mediterranean in the mid 16th century. Although this conflict was waged on many levels (economic, cultural, religious, political, etc.), Crowley chooses to focus primarily on the military developments of the period.
The first third of the book presents a general overview of the key players and outlines the escalation of the conflict from 1520-1560. This section, though interesting a...more
The first third of the book presents a general overview of the key players and outlines the escalation of the conflict from 1520-1560. This section, though interesting a...more
After reading this book, I was genuinely shocked that I had never come across a widely published history of this period before. In a time when histories are becoming increasingly narrow and specialized, it is refreshing to find a sweeping account of an era and arena that has not already been memorialized to death.
If not for the first eighty or so pages of this book, I would have given it five stars. The buildup to Malta and Lepanto are quite necessary, but Crowley seems to fall into a no-man's-...more
If not for the first eighty or so pages of this book, I would have given it five stars. The buildup to Malta and Lepanto are quite necessary, but Crowley seems to fall into a no-man's-...more
This is an astoundingly well-written history. Rousing, fascinating and with the pace of an action novel Crowley charts the ever growing conflict between the scattered and unallied states of Christendom and the ever-growing power of the Ottoman Empire. Crowley minces no words, his dramatic contention that this was a war for the center of the world reverberates on every page. The center of the world here is the Mediterranean for as the Ottoman Empire expands it comes into more and more brutal conf...more
this is an excellent history book describing the period of time from the late 1400's to mid-1500's when the battles between the muslim Ottoman Empire and the Christian Europe raged across the Med from Turkey to Gibraltar. the book is a stark reminder that the conflicts we are living through today are but an echo of centuries of war on a scale that dwarfs anything but the modern World Wars. tens of thousands of men and hundreds of ships were marshalled to take or protect keys bases in the Med, cu...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Roger Crowley was born in 1951 and spent part of his childhood in Malta. He read English at Cambridge University and taught English in Istanbul, where he developed a strong interest in the history of Turkey. He has traveled widely throughout the Mediterranean basin over many years and has a wide-ranging knowledge of its history and culture. He lives in Gloucestershire, England.
More about Roger Crowley...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
