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The Galleys at Lepanto
On 7 October 1571, the Holy League fought the Ottoman Empire in the Bay of Lepanto. This battle, in which more than 30,000 men lost their lives, decided the most momentous question of the sixteenth century: whether the Mediterranean would be an Islamic sea and most of Europe an Islamic province. The victory of the Holy League reverberated joyfully throughout Europe.
Remarkable men fought on both sides-the young and princely John of Austria leading the Christian forces; the many-sided genius who was the sultan’s grand vizier leading the Turks. The twenty-four-year-old Cervantes and the infamous Englishman Thomas Stukeley were also among the soldiers.
Most of the ships present on both sides were galleys, their motive power the arms and backs of thousands of men: prisoners of war, slaves, convicts, and volunteers, living in abominable conditions. The Galleys at Lepanto is not merely a detailed account of the battle, but the story of the men who brought it about, those who commanded the galleys and who rowed them. Jack Beeching paints a compelling portrait of an era of Western history that was rife with religious and ideological conflict. Epic in scope and textured with finely wrought details, here is history at its most vivid and absorbing.
Remarkable men fought on both sides-the young and princely John of Austria leading the Christian forces; the many-sided genius who was the sultan’s grand vizier leading the Turks. The twenty-four-year-old Cervantes and the infamous Englishman Thomas Stukeley were also among the soldiers.
Most of the ships present on both sides were galleys, their motive power the arms and backs of thousands of men: prisoners of war, slaves, convicts, and volunteers, living in abominable conditions. The Galleys at Lepanto is not merely a detailed account of the battle, but the story of the men who brought it about, those who commanded the galleys and who rowed them. Jack Beeching paints a compelling portrait of an era of Western history that was rife with religious and ideological conflict. Epic in scope and textured with finely wrought details, here is history at its most vivid and absorbing.
251 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1982
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August 30, 2023The sixteenth century Mediterranean was a theatre of such conflict between Muslims and Christians that it threatened to become a sea of blood. On the surface it was a religious war, arguably the latest phase of the Crusades. Religious passions undoubtedly did play a crucial role in motivating the combatants of both sides.
But lurking beneath, as always, were cold economic considerations. The opening of the North Atlantic sea lanes had marginalized the ancient overland trade route: the famous "Silk Road." Constantinople, capital of the Ottoman empire and the traditional emporium of east-west commerce, faced financial devastation. If the Ottomans were to compete with the rising empires of western Europe, they also had to establish themselves as an oceanic power. They'd tried to break into the Indian Ocean earlier in the century, only to be stifled by the Portuguese.
That left the Atlantic, which the Ottomans could access only via the Mediterranean. Barring their way was “the Holy Alliance” of Spain, a consortium of Italian city states led by Venice, and the Knights of St. John, a religious order of Crusaders-turned-pirates from all the nations of Catholic Europe.
The conflict crescendoed in 1571, at Lepanto, off the coast of Greece, where the full Christian and Muslim forces collided in apocalyptic battle. Hours of savage, ship-to-ship fighting left tens of thousands of men butchered, shot, or drowned—and the Christians with a resounding victory that ended for all time the Ottoman dream of an oceanic empire.
The Galleys at Lepanto isn't the best book I've read on the sixteenth century struggle for the Mediterranean. That would be—and by a substantial margin—Empires of the Sea: Contest for the Center of the World 1521-1580, by Roger Crowley. But I did read The Galleys at Lepanto first. It's a decent enough introduction to one of history's most important naval battles.
Despite its title, this book is as much a biography of Don Juan, the admiral of the Christian forces at Lepanto, as it is an account of the battle. The imperial bastard Don Juan of Austria became so acclaimed throughout Europe for defeating the Ottomans that his half-brother, the king of Spain, was rumored to have feared him as a potential rival and had him assassinated. Don Juan's memory survived in romantic literature, most notably in G.K. Chesterton's epic poem "Lepanto." The true story of Don Juan’s short but intense life proves a relatable lens to examine this pivotal early modern conflict.
But lurking beneath, as always, were cold economic considerations. The opening of the North Atlantic sea lanes had marginalized the ancient overland trade route: the famous "Silk Road." Constantinople, capital of the Ottoman empire and the traditional emporium of east-west commerce, faced financial devastation. If the Ottomans were to compete with the rising empires of western Europe, they also had to establish themselves as an oceanic power. They'd tried to break into the Indian Ocean earlier in the century, only to be stifled by the Portuguese.
That left the Atlantic, which the Ottomans could access only via the Mediterranean. Barring their way was “the Holy Alliance” of Spain, a consortium of Italian city states led by Venice, and the Knights of St. John, a religious order of Crusaders-turned-pirates from all the nations of Catholic Europe.
The conflict crescendoed in 1571, at Lepanto, off the coast of Greece, where the full Christian and Muslim forces collided in apocalyptic battle. Hours of savage, ship-to-ship fighting left tens of thousands of men butchered, shot, or drowned—and the Christians with a resounding victory that ended for all time the Ottoman dream of an oceanic empire.
The Galleys at Lepanto isn't the best book I've read on the sixteenth century struggle for the Mediterranean. That would be—and by a substantial margin—Empires of the Sea: Contest for the Center of the World 1521-1580, by Roger Crowley. But I did read The Galleys at Lepanto first. It's a decent enough introduction to one of history's most important naval battles.
Despite its title, this book is as much a biography of Don Juan, the admiral of the Christian forces at Lepanto, as it is an account of the battle. The imperial bastard Don Juan of Austria became so acclaimed throughout Europe for defeating the Ottomans that his half-brother, the king of Spain, was rumored to have feared him as a potential rival and had him assassinated. Don Juan's memory survived in romantic literature, most notably in G.K. Chesterton's epic poem "Lepanto." The true story of Don Juan’s short but intense life proves a relatable lens to examine this pivotal early modern conflict.
May 10, 2008
Jack Beeching's well written novel was so good I had to go see him at his home in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Never in my life have I felt so intellectually dwarfed as when I met Jack.
We talked in his apartment, and I met his wife, too. Jack was a Royal Navy survivor of WW II, something of a poet, and had much to tell. Unfortunately, he was on dyalisis at that time and couldn't get around.
The Galleys seems like it would make a fantastic movie, and Jack and I agreed on that. Part of his earlier training was spending a few months in screenwriting in Hollywood. It wasn't a good experience for him, but I'm sure it helped make him a better writer as well.
The Galleys makes one feel like they are right there in that battle. Jack's narrative-descriptive, dramatic mix makes one fantastic book. I would have a hard time letting loose of that book.
We lost Jack on Boxing Day, 2001, as I was flying to Ireland for a holiday break from studies in London, and I doubt that I will ever forget him.
We talked in his apartment, and I met his wife, too. Jack was a Royal Navy survivor of WW II, something of a poet, and had much to tell. Unfortunately, he was on dyalisis at that time and couldn't get around.
The Galleys seems like it would make a fantastic movie, and Jack and I agreed on that. Part of his earlier training was spending a few months in screenwriting in Hollywood. It wasn't a good experience for him, but I'm sure it helped make him a better writer as well.
The Galleys makes one feel like they are right there in that battle. Jack's narrative-descriptive, dramatic mix makes one fantastic book. I would have a hard time letting loose of that book.
We lost Jack on Boxing Day, 2001, as I was flying to Ireland for a holiday break from studies in London, and I doubt that I will ever forget him.
March 16, 2025
Really enjoyed the book. 4 Stars It is centered around the life of Geronimo, the childhood alias of Charles V's illegimate son, eventually recognized as Don John (or Don Juan) of Austria. The half-brother of Philip II. Don John will be given command of the Holy League fleet at Lepanto.
Before we get to Lepanto, the book tours the Mediterranean world. We meet Soleiman the Magnificent, Charles V, Francisco Borgia, the Knights of St John who become the Knights of Malta, Dragut, Piale Pasha, the Moriscos, Sokolli, Count Zrinyi, Tom Stukely, Selim II, Joseph Micas, Pius V, Marcantonio Bragadino, Lala Mustafa, Ochiali, Cervantes, many others.
We get great accounts of the various battles of the day, the taking of Rhodes, the siege of Malta, the Morisco Revolt, the siege of Szigetvar, the taking of Cyprus, Nicosia and Famagusta, and finally the Battle of Lepanto. A very readable book. A tragic figure in Don John, some great characters and many sleazy ones.
Highly recommended!
Before we get to Lepanto, the book tours the Mediterranean world. We meet Soleiman the Magnificent, Charles V, Francisco Borgia, the Knights of St John who become the Knights of Malta, Dragut, Piale Pasha, the Moriscos, Sokolli, Count Zrinyi, Tom Stukely, Selim II, Joseph Micas, Pius V, Marcantonio Bragadino, Lala Mustafa, Ochiali, Cervantes, many others.
We get great accounts of the various battles of the day, the taking of Rhodes, the siege of Malta, the Morisco Revolt, the siege of Szigetvar, the taking of Cyprus, Nicosia and Famagusta, and finally the Battle of Lepanto. A very readable book. A tragic figure in Don John, some great characters and many sleazy ones.
Highly recommended!
August 18, 2007
The Battle of Lepanto. This was without a shadow of a doubt one of the Top 4 most important naval battles in history. Along with the Battle of Midway, Battle of Trafalgar, and the Battle of Salamis.
And the greatest naval battle that most people have never heard of in America especially.
This book starts off setting the tone for what led up to this great battle that occured in what is the Gulf of Corinth in Greece. The forces of the Turkish Empire are marching across eastern Europe on to Vienna. They have taken strongholds all along the Greek islands and brutally wiped out whole cities in barbaric fashion. The Turkish Navy is the greatest in the Mediterranean. The only way to take them on would be for the Christian states in the Med to stand together. Not an easy thing to do if you know the history. But short of miraculous it was done.
The book gets a little slow as the history of the different states is detailed as well the relationships between all the players and how heredity plays a role. But as the battle gets started and the combined navy of the Christian states as well as Spain are routing the Turkish Navy though greatly outnumbered, your blood races with the type of naval battle this was. It was very bloody and personal affair. Not unlike ground warfare in it's personal, close-in combat and brutality.
It's actually too bad most textbooks don't even mention this battle, because not only is it a fascinating story but it is also one that is of utmost importance today. Why? you ask.
Because you can bet your paycheck the extreme Islamist fascist crazy know this battle.
Maybe that is harsh, but it is absolutely necessary to begin to know and remember history, because the very people we are fighting now in this Global War on Terrorism (especially the extreme Islamist brand of terrorism) know and remember these dates. In their eyes what has happened 1000 years ago, 500 years ago, 200 years ago or even 20 years ago is the same ongoing struggle. They proved with attacking us on September 11 that they have not forgotten. That should have been a lesson to everyone to start reading again.
About the only way you might find this book is in a library or a used book sale. It has been out of print for some time. I found my copy in a thrift store in Harlan, KY believe it our not! But I left it in the library on the USS Vicksburg so other sailors can learn it.
Other than reading G.K. Chesterton's poem, or Hilaire Belloc's mentioning it in some his histories, or if you understand the Catholic Church's Feast of the Holy Rosary on October 7, you will probably not learn of this battle. This book might be your only education of it.
And the greatest naval battle that most people have never heard of in America especially.
This book starts off setting the tone for what led up to this great battle that occured in what is the Gulf of Corinth in Greece. The forces of the Turkish Empire are marching across eastern Europe on to Vienna. They have taken strongholds all along the Greek islands and brutally wiped out whole cities in barbaric fashion. The Turkish Navy is the greatest in the Mediterranean. The only way to take them on would be for the Christian states in the Med to stand together. Not an easy thing to do if you know the history. But short of miraculous it was done.
The book gets a little slow as the history of the different states is detailed as well the relationships between all the players and how heredity plays a role. But as the battle gets started and the combined navy of the Christian states as well as Spain are routing the Turkish Navy though greatly outnumbered, your blood races with the type of naval battle this was. It was very bloody and personal affair. Not unlike ground warfare in it's personal, close-in combat and brutality.
It's actually too bad most textbooks don't even mention this battle, because not only is it a fascinating story but it is also one that is of utmost importance today. Why? you ask.
Because you can bet your paycheck the extreme Islamist fascist crazy know this battle.
Maybe that is harsh, but it is absolutely necessary to begin to know and remember history, because the very people we are fighting now in this Global War on Terrorism (especially the extreme Islamist brand of terrorism) know and remember these dates. In their eyes what has happened 1000 years ago, 500 years ago, 200 years ago or even 20 years ago is the same ongoing struggle. They proved with attacking us on September 11 that they have not forgotten. That should have been a lesson to everyone to start reading again.
About the only way you might find this book is in a library or a used book sale. It has been out of print for some time. I found my copy in a thrift store in Harlan, KY believe it our not! But I left it in the library on the USS Vicksburg so other sailors can learn it.
Other than reading G.K. Chesterton's poem, or Hilaire Belloc's mentioning it in some his histories, or if you understand the Catholic Church's Feast of the Holy Rosary on October 7, you will probably not learn of this battle. This book might be your only education of it.
October 12, 2011
October 7th is the Church's memorial of our Lady of the Rosary, formerly known as Our Lady of Victory in commemoration of the sea battle between the Holy League and the Turkish navy of Selim II. I had to preach a homily on the day, and I cobbled together some tidbits and second-hand references, with a dash of Thermopylae and Actium to taste; but I felt like a fraud, and decided to read up on the day so as not to mislead anyone as to the true nature of the conflict. A friend's recommendation led me to Beeching's excellent telling, and I blew through it on a train ride to Chicago. Stirring, indeed!
I was corrected on several points, the most important of which being a less dramatic difference between the forces of the Christian and Turkish navies. The battle was more equal than I'd been given to believe; though the Turks were nearly always victorious at sea, and the whole of Christendom was indeed on the line. The Holy League was an alliance between the Catholic states of Venice, Genoa, Spain, and the Papal holdings--France and the Protestant nations tended to ally themselves with the Turk on the policy of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". Beeching gives a helpful background to the main generals of the battle, including Don John of Spain (half-brother to Philip II) and Ochiali (admiral of the Turkish navy). The narrative provides a great window into the brutality of life in the 16th century, in which galleys were manned by slaves taken in village raids and chained to oars where they would eat, sleep, and defecate. In a sense, our present freedoms are built on the gravestones of the nameless hordes who slew and were slain in the battles of yesteryear. I am grateful for a taste of this forgotten struggle.
I was corrected on several points, the most important of which being a less dramatic difference between the forces of the Christian and Turkish navies. The battle was more equal than I'd been given to believe; though the Turks were nearly always victorious at sea, and the whole of Christendom was indeed on the line. The Holy League was an alliance between the Catholic states of Venice, Genoa, Spain, and the Papal holdings--France and the Protestant nations tended to ally themselves with the Turk on the policy of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". Beeching gives a helpful background to the main generals of the battle, including Don John of Spain (half-brother to Philip II) and Ochiali (admiral of the Turkish navy). The narrative provides a great window into the brutality of life in the 16th century, in which galleys were manned by slaves taken in village raids and chained to oars where they would eat, sleep, and defecate. In a sense, our present freedoms are built on the gravestones of the nameless hordes who slew and were slain in the battles of yesteryear. I am grateful for a taste of this forgotten struggle.
August 5, 2011
Easily the best one volume history of the Battle of Lepanto.
May 3, 2025
Tom Read "History that reads like a novel. Very well told and does a good job of relating the past with the present."
(He did read passages out loud at breakfast & encourages me to read it as well. "All your friends are in it! I think you'd enjoy it.")
(He did read passages out loud at breakfast & encourages me to read it as well. "All your friends are in it! I think you'd enjoy it.")
November 25, 2013
review: the galleys at lepanto 11/25/13
3 stars
This is a long winded prosaic narrative focusing on religiously driven politics
and ruler intrigue. The viewpoint is from the standpoint of the aristocracy and
leading generals of the period that led up to and immediately followed the
battle of Lepanto in 1571.
It narrates the Spanish position of King Phillip versus the Venetian position,
in terms of political economic control of territory and empire. Backdrop
historical references of the Turkish empire led by Soleiman and his plans to
remove the Venetian economy and influence in Europe, and eventually to
repopulate Spain as a Moorish kingdom are mentioned.
In an epilogue like finish, the last 50 pages deal with the actions of
political leaders after the battle at Lepanto, where Philip sent Don Juan to
suppress the protestant uprising in Belgium and the Netherlands. All the major
political leaders of the time get mentioned, with an indication of their
religoius and allied leanings, which would have future immediate impact on
Europe.
If you want to view religion as a political crutch used to oppress the majority
population, justify genocide, and formulate intrigue for controllership at an
emperor level, then this may be a good read. There was just enough of the
shadow of the economic budgeting required for war and conquest to keep an
interesting tension level.
True historical annotations to support the level of whispered details were
missing.
Galleys? As other reviewers previously mentioned, the galleys as instruments in
the battle were obliquely mentioned. An analogy could be made of writing an
expose on general Motors which focused on the managerial personalities and
organization, with economic influences to the US economy and its political
influence on mid 19th century society - and O'h by the way, they make lots of
cars with 4 wheels.
I found this to have been the longest 250 page book I have ever read, wading
arduously through hoping for some detailing from the naval engineering aspect of
the galleys. The book totally failed to deliver. It isn't a total waste of
time as it plugged historical details into the mosaic of European history.
3 stars
This is a long winded prosaic narrative focusing on religiously driven politics
and ruler intrigue. The viewpoint is from the standpoint of the aristocracy and
leading generals of the period that led up to and immediately followed the
battle of Lepanto in 1571.
It narrates the Spanish position of King Phillip versus the Venetian position,
in terms of political economic control of territory and empire. Backdrop
historical references of the Turkish empire led by Soleiman and his plans to
remove the Venetian economy and influence in Europe, and eventually to
repopulate Spain as a Moorish kingdom are mentioned.
In an epilogue like finish, the last 50 pages deal with the actions of
political leaders after the battle at Lepanto, where Philip sent Don Juan to
suppress the protestant uprising in Belgium and the Netherlands. All the major
political leaders of the time get mentioned, with an indication of their
religoius and allied leanings, which would have future immediate impact on
Europe.
If you want to view religion as a political crutch used to oppress the majority
population, justify genocide, and formulate intrigue for controllership at an
emperor level, then this may be a good read. There was just enough of the
shadow of the economic budgeting required for war and conquest to keep an
interesting tension level.
True historical annotations to support the level of whispered details were
missing.
Galleys? As other reviewers previously mentioned, the galleys as instruments in
the battle were obliquely mentioned. An analogy could be made of writing an
expose on general Motors which focused on the managerial personalities and
organization, with economic influences to the US economy and its political
influence on mid 19th century society - and O'h by the way, they make lots of
cars with 4 wheels.
I found this to have been the longest 250 page book I have ever read, wading
arduously through hoping for some detailing from the naval engineering aspect of
the galleys. The book totally failed to deliver. It isn't a total waste of
time as it plugged historical details into the mosaic of European history.
January 3, 2025
On October 7th, 1571, the Holy League, assembled by Pope Pius V, of Venice, Genoa and Spain won the Battle of Lepanto against the ever-expanding Ottoman Empire. King Phillip II's half brother, John of Austria commanded the fleet.
Beeching, with at times eye-watering detail, recalls the history, the political and royal figures leading up to the battle in an engaging manner that I wish more history books would employ. I was initially skeptically at having received this book as a gift, but the moment I opened the book I could not put it down. My criticisms of this book is that the European-favoritism skews what would otherwise be a timeless history book.
Beeching, with at times eye-watering detail, recalls the history, the political and royal figures leading up to the battle in an engaging manner that I wish more history books would employ. I was initially skeptically at having received this book as a gift, but the moment I opened the book I could not put it down. My criticisms of this book is that the European-favoritism skews what would otherwise be a timeless history book.
October 11, 2025
Libro stupendo. Scritto veramente bene. Non narra soltanto di quella che fu una vittoria della cristianita contro L'Islam di Suleyman, ma anche cio che accadde nell'assedio di Cipro, Malta e l'aria che respirava in Europa contro il gran Turco. Un libro che mi ha entusiasmato ed ammaliato. Un must per gli appassionati dell'Impero Ottomano come il sottoscritto.
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September 2, 2019The events surrounding this conflict rhyme with todays current longest war in U.S. history.
June 22, 2020
Molto interessante, l'impasto affaristico e nobiliare dell'Europa del 1500
May 16, 2023
Great narrative story-telling. We need another League.
September 30, 2023
Some time you just need to read the classics.
August 17, 2025
Solid account of the events that lead up to Lepanto. Much of the story is about the lives of the opposing Admirals and their lives, but told in a straight forward and engaging manner.
May 28, 2015
Pretty good background about Spain and the Ottoman Empire before and during the Battle of Lepanto, with some very interesting information about Don Juan/John and other important figures of the time, but the author seems to have a romanticized view of "the glory of war", and some of his statements about Islam were controversial if not downright offensive. (I also found the author's references to "sodomy" and "unnatural vice" offensive, but then, I suppose I can't really criticize a book written in the 80s, before the LGBTQ+ rights movement, for homophobia.) Also, somehow this book involving King Philip II of Spain, Elizabeth I of England, and the outcome of naval battles managed to completely neglect to mention, even in a footnote or epilogue, the Spanish Armada. Overall, I found this useful as a source of biographical information about some of the more fascinating characters of the 1500s ( I was particularly intrigued by Joseph Miclas, the "Great Jew" who became an advisor to the Sultan, and hence one of the most powerful people in the Ottoman Empire), but I wouldn't recommend it if you want a balanced and accurate account of the military campaigns leading up to and including the 1571 Battle of Lepanto.
January 24, 2012
History can often be boring, but this piece of history disguised the most important naval battle of the 16th century as an action-novel starring the almost comedically chivalrous Don Juan of Austria. Surrounded by stories of Mediterranean pirates, the epic defenses fought by the Hospitallers, and the Moorish rebellions of Spain, the tale of Don Juan builds to a climax at the Battle of Lepanto, where the Holy League Fleet smashes the previously invincible Ottoman Navy. Can you tell that I get excited about this period of history?
April 30, 2013
The Ottoman Empire came a naval battle away from dominating the entire Mediterranean Sea and the coasts on both the North and the South of the sea. A failure to properly innovate their naval ships allowed the Alliance of Spain, Venice and the Vatican to destroy the squadron at Lepanto, a major turning point in the history of the Ottoman Empire and perhaps the beginning of the downfall, which took another 340 years to happen. A lesson learned-a strong navy is very important to the security of the sovereignty of a nation.
April 29, 2016
This is a tale of the great battle at Lepanto (1571) between the Turks and the Christian League composed of primarily Spain and Venice but including the Papal State. It is vividly told and represents the end of the galleys after two thousand years going all the way back to the Greeks and Persians. And the conflict between Muslims and Christians, between Catholics and Protestant England, the rebelliousness of Catalonia, the invasion of Cyprus by the Turks, and the conflict between Sunni Turkey and Shiite Persia all tell of conflicts to come 500 years later.
June 25, 2020
An enlightening account of the rivalry between Islam and Christianity in the 1500s. Amazing barbarity on both sides. The need to capture slaves in order to man the galleys, the principal naval warship in the Mediterranean. Foundation of the Muslim state was the continued need for a war to generate income. Profound disunity of the Christian world--came together ever so briefly to defeat the Muslim fleet at Lepanto. The great power of Spain--although son to be crushed thirty years later with the defeat of the Armada.
July 8, 2015
Complex story, well written. The author keeps to relevant tangents, and does not lose sight of the main thread of the story of the battle between Christian Europe and the Sultan of Constantinople. A continuous thread in the narrative is the life of Don John (a.k.a. Don Juan). My reason for reading this was to learn more about Pope Pius V, and his role in the history of this crusade against the Turks.
February 22, 2016
A great history of the major sea battle that stopped the Turkish advance into the European world. Includes the lead-up and personalities involved on both sides of the struggle for dominance and the conflicts among the Western participants.
August 3, 2007
A fine little history of one of the greatest battles on the sea that ever was -- and one of the most decisive Christian victories in the long history of the Jihad. Recommended.
April 1, 2011
the meeting of two great navies makes up only a small amount of this book. The lives of Don John and the Sultans are the majority of the book. Very interesting read.
August 6, 2011
Informative but dry. WYD prep.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews