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ankewelt's review
4.0
This book was very interesting mostly because of how little I knew of the topic. It went through the battle with great detail which was interesting to me but might not float your boat. Overall its a four of five because I didn't find it quite at the five star level though its pretty good. I would have like to have seen a bit more for how the situation came to be but that is because I am not really into this period of history and for those who know more I presume they will find more from it. It was very interesting for me to actually read something at talk of Suleiman the Magnificent given I heard of him and his death in hungry as a living breathing individual. The big lack for me was in the lack of description of the Ottoman and Spanish empires, it only showed their conflict and leaders. I would have like to know how the bureaucracy functioned at least generally more than just centralized.
marct22's review
5.0
Truly enjoyed this book, from beginning to end! Crowley pretty much put you right in the action, describing things from both the Christian v. Ottoman sides (Christian because throughout the book, Christian response was almost always counterproductive, various factions juggling to sway things in their favor and against their fellow Christians). Never knew how often a '300' style event occurred. Once I got started, I couldn't put it down. The end was kinda weird, which is not the fault of the book, it's what happened, since after the severe loss of ships and men, the Ottoman empire quickly replaced them, but it described why it was basically the final battle even though both opponents survived intact (neglecting the heavy loss of men, ships, equipment, and money).
patremagne's review against another edition
5.0
http://abitterdraft.com/2014/12/empires-of-the-sea-by-roger-crowley.html
Don John of Austria is going to the war.
Sudden and still—hurrah!
Bolt from Iberia!
Don John of Austria
Is gone by Alcalar.
The centuries-long conflict between East and West, Muslim and Christian, comes to a head in the Sixteenth century Mediterranean Sea. Crowley details the fascinating rivalry between Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire. Their greatest victories, their most ignominious defeats, and everything in between are brought up at one point or another.
The Great Siege of Malta, as reviewers all over the place say, is a point in time that begs to be adapted by any entertainment medium. Somewhere around 7,000 Christians made a heroic stand against upwards of three times their number in the great fortress-island of Malta. Led by Grandmaster Jean de Valette of the Knights Hospitaller, the very citizens themselves put forth the most effort, according to Crowley, in defense of their home and hearth. Crowley definitely stresses Philip II of Spain's epithet: the Prudent, in relation to the great siege. The course of history has proven that Christendom is utterly incapable of uniting for a common cause, and it's fascinating to see how down to the wire the siege was due to Philip's extreme cautiousness.
Andrea Vicentino’s 1603 painting in the Palazzo Ducale in Venice depicts the sea of blood and corpses, the cluster of galleys.
The Holy League, vigorously promoted by Pope Pius V, in the spirit of "united" Christendom, which took ages to even have the various Christian rulers assent to involvement, finally took to the sea at the Battle of Lepanto is the culmination of the period, where the Christian fleet shattered the larger Ottoman navy in a battle of nearly 500 ships. The young Ritter Johann von Österreich, commonly known as Don Juan of Austria, just 24 at the time, led the massive coalition fleet that included Miguel de Cervantes to the great battle against Ali Pasha, the Grand Admiral of the Ottoman Navy, and very much a mirror image of Juan himself. Juan's leadership inspired G.K. Chesterton's 1911 poem, named after the eponymous battle.
Crowley lays out a detailed (surprising for its length) narration and analysis of the Mediterranean between the Siege of Rhodes in 1522 and Lepanto in 1571 - not particularly favoring one side or the other, though it is difficult as a reader not to feel some sort of good at sieges where the defenders are hugely outnumbered. The narration itself is bloody and the bodies pile up in masses, turning the very sea that the galleys slice through crimson.
This is historical non-fiction at its best, with a strong, flowing narrative style that brings the characters of both sides back to life in a readable amount of pages (though I listened to the audiobook), complete with stats and strategies for military history buffs all the while remaining exciting as hell to read. Empires of the Sea only scratches the surface of the nearly three hundred year conflict.
And John Lee's narration was fantastic. The man could read a fuckin' shopping list and have me panting at the end, completely enraptured. "DON'T WE NEED APPLES TOO? AND CLAM CHOWDER? AND ANOTHER TWO POUNDS OF BACON?"
Don John of Austria is going to the war.
Sudden and still—hurrah!
Bolt from Iberia!
Don John of Austria
Is gone by Alcalar.
The centuries-long conflict between East and West, Muslim and Christian, comes to a head in the Sixteenth century Mediterranean Sea. Crowley details the fascinating rivalry between Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire. Their greatest victories, their most ignominious defeats, and everything in between are brought up at one point or another.
The Great Siege of Malta, as reviewers all over the place say, is a point in time that begs to be adapted by any entertainment medium. Somewhere around 7,000 Christians made a heroic stand against upwards of three times their number in the great fortress-island of Malta. Led by Grandmaster Jean de Valette of the Knights Hospitaller, the very citizens themselves put forth the most effort, according to Crowley, in defense of their home and hearth. Crowley definitely stresses Philip II of Spain's epithet: the Prudent, in relation to the great siege. The course of history has proven that Christendom is utterly incapable of uniting for a common cause, and it's fascinating to see how down to the wire the siege was due to Philip's extreme cautiousness.
Andrea Vicentino’s 1603 painting in the Palazzo Ducale in Venice depicts the sea of blood and corpses, the cluster of galleys.
The Holy League, vigorously promoted by Pope Pius V, in the spirit of "united" Christendom, which took ages to even have the various Christian rulers assent to involvement, finally took to the sea at the Battle of Lepanto is the culmination of the period, where the Christian fleet shattered the larger Ottoman navy in a battle of nearly 500 ships. The young Ritter Johann von Österreich, commonly known as Don Juan of Austria, just 24 at the time, led the massive coalition fleet that included Miguel de Cervantes to the great battle against Ali Pasha, the Grand Admiral of the Ottoman Navy, and very much a mirror image of Juan himself. Juan's leadership inspired G.K. Chesterton's 1911 poem, named after the eponymous battle.
Crowley lays out a detailed (surprising for its length) narration and analysis of the Mediterranean between the Siege of Rhodes in 1522 and Lepanto in 1571 - not particularly favoring one side or the other, though it is difficult as a reader not to feel some sort of good at sieges where the defenders are hugely outnumbered. The narration itself is bloody and the bodies pile up in masses, turning the very sea that the galleys slice through crimson.
This is historical non-fiction at its best, with a strong, flowing narrative style that brings the characters of both sides back to life in a readable amount of pages (though I listened to the audiobook), complete with stats and strategies for military history buffs all the while remaining exciting as hell to read. Empires of the Sea only scratches the surface of the nearly three hundred year conflict.
And John Lee's narration was fantastic. The man could read a fuckin' shopping list and have me panting at the end, completely enraptured. "DON'T WE NEED APPLES TOO? AND CLAM CHOWDER? AND ANOTHER TWO POUNDS OF BACON?"
overheat4600's review against another edition
4.0
A lot of cool stuff happened in the 16th century. I liked this book, it was pacey, interesting and easy to read. I think 'The Great Seige' is a better account of what happened at Malta, but I liked how this book covered the decades either side.
doel7's review
4.0
Very interesting narrative of the final battle for the Mediterranean. Crowley displays a brightly vivid account of the legendary Barbarossa brothers all the way to the battle of Lepanto. He gives both sides a fair trial and uses both European and Ottoman sources. He shows the humanity and inhumanity of both sides. In a subject area that tends to demonize the the East, Crowley offers us a breath of fresh air. For anyone wanting to study the 16th century Mediterranean, this is the book you should start with.
harishwriter's review
5.0
Excellent book! European maritime history and the crusades never cease to fascinate me. This book is about the naval battles waged by the Ottoman empire and the Holy Roman Emperor (or better the Christian forces led by Philip of Spain) between 1520 and1580, across the Mediterranean sea.
I loved the narration! It is a non-fiction, historical book, but the narration is better than many historical novels! :). The battles of Malta and Lepaton are described in great detail!
I loved the narration! It is a non-fiction, historical book, but the narration is better than many historical novels! :). The battles of Malta and Lepaton are described in great detail!
booktimewithelvis's review
5.0
Fantastic swashbuckling historical narrative filled with colourful real life characters and some amazing albeit gruesome anecdotes. Well recommended!!
wintermute314's review
4.0
This actually is a page-turner. It is action packed, has a high body count, ingenious plot twists and to trump it all: it's a true story.