Akdeniz: Bir Denizin Portresi

by Ernle Bradford, Ahmet Fethi (Translator)

İnsanlar yüzlerce yıldır Akdeniz'in sularında yelken açtılar savaşlara katıldılar avlandılar; kıyılarında evler saraylar kurup şehirler işgal ettiler şehirler kaybettiler; denizin mavisine bakarak hayallere daldılar...

Batı medeniyetinin beşiği üç kıtayı bir araya getiren deniz olarak anıldı hep Akdeniz; halklarının hikayesine denizin gelgitleri eşlik etti. Mısırlılardan Gritlilere Roma ve Bizans dönemine Arap ve Türk fetihlerine kadar üzerinde hakimiyet kurmayı başaran bütün halkları dize getirdi. Akdeniz. Napolyon savaşlarından Süveyş Kanalı'nın açılışına iki dünya savaşına kadar Akdeniz yine tarih sahnesinde başrolde yer alıyordu. Denizci - tarihçi Ernle Bradford'un 30 yıl boyunca Akdeniz'in neredeyse her konuyu her adasını her şehrini bizzat görüp keşfederek yazdığı Akdeniz:

Genres: History, Nonfiction, European History

468 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Ernle Dusgate Selby Bradford was a noted British historian specializing in the Mediterranean world and naval topics. Bradford was an enthusiastic sailor himself and spent almost thirty years sailing the Mediterranean, where many of his books are set. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II, finishing as the first Lieutenant of a destroyer. He did occasional broadcast work for the BBC, was a magazine editor, and wrote many books.

Reviews

[Len Knighton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first time I saw the Mediterranean Sea was in December 1986. I was in Israel, at Caesarea Maritima. What a magnificent sight the Sea was. So much history; so much diversity of culture. Unfortunately, I have not been back since.
This book chronicles much of the history of the Mediterranean. I learned far more about ships than I ever expected. It is extensively researched; I very much appreciate the poetry included in the narrative. But I guess the book was not what I expected.

Three stars waxing

[Rayan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would've given in 5 stars if it weren't for the 4th part of the Book (Book IV). In the first 3 parts, Ernle introduced the history of ancient civilisations and battles along the Mediterranean in a nice way trying not to be affected by proor streotypes about the different civilisations that inhabited different areas of the Mediterranean and I really enjoyed reading it. However, as soon as time approached the date he was writing the book (i.e. the time he was alive), massive negative bias about many inhabiting populations emerges. Words like "mob" "shabby" "dejection" start to appear everyone about nations who newly achieved indepenence over colonial powers. The British mariner couldn't hide the bias and glorified colonial British powers. He could not also be subjective at all towards France or Napoleon describing or implying in many paragraphs how the French were losers. As a person coming from a country colonised by the French and glorify our independence - even I - can look at French history in a more subjective way that Ernle could. The rivalry between France and Britain sweeps into the corners of the last part of the book glorifying Britain and degrading France. In the last bit of the book, Ernle erases a lot of history showing white supremacy in his approach towards assessing events by not even mentioning that 1 million Algerians were deceased, even the French acknowledged it and also just brushing over Israel-Palestine struggle which was massively affected by the British mandate.

[Robert P. Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular piece of work - historical and geographical.

A top 20 of all books I’ve ever read. Wish I had this under my belt when I was U.S. NAVY Deputy Fleet Commander as would have been beneficial. The content provides key human terrain perspective over a key geographical region. It put much in great perspective for me - after having visited most of the key locations discussed. The only aspect I didn’t care for is the occasional diversion to those things covered in classical education… lack of interest on my part.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

MEDITERRANEAN: PORTRAIT Of a SEA is a book that will certainly be present in my favorite books list. It has provided me with great information to fill in the holes that have cluttered my understanding of world history and does so with great lyricism and inspiration.

Bradford gives us the history of man's comings and goings over the last millenniums and made me more fascinated than I usually am. He tells a great story.

[Anna Martino · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ler" é maneira de dizer - este é um livro de consulta recomendado para quem quer se aprofundar na história e geografia do Mediterrâneo (e História e Geografia se misturam muito quando se trata do "Mare Nostrum"). Não dá para enfrentar de uma vez só e demanda algum conhecimento prévio, mas vale muito a pena.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learnt a great deal reading this book, covers a wide scope of history and provides a great summary of all the historical events around the Mediterranean. First time I have read one of Bradford’s books.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting history and very nicely written. Put a lot of the world's history into context

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books of all time. Have read it several times. A fantastic story of the region from the earliest times.

[Tianxiao · Rating 5 out of 5]

想象一下，地中海上方有一座漂浮的空岛，坐在那里俯瞰几千年的时间流转和世事变幻。海还是那片海，山还是那座山，世事却已巨变。地中海的浪花，还会一直观望着文明的跌宕起伏。

[Bonnye Reed]

MyNextRead

[Muhammad Darwish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I got acquainted with the book and read it, it is still my reference in knowing every history related to this sea and the surrounding area.

[Jiro]

文明交织，配图更佳

[Holly Wroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much, couldn't even begin. It is so fascinating. Should be required reading for all history classes, and so well written.