A review by evamadera1
Empires of the Sea: The Final Battle for the Mediterranean, 1521-1580 by Roger Crowley

4.0

This book served as a breath of fresh air after the disaster that is Jess Walter's "Beautiful Ruins." I have not read many history books with as engaging a narrative as this one. Crowley choses such excellent words, words that convey complex word pictures and keep the reader engaged in what could be a rather dry, bloody narrative. Unlike Foreman in "A World on Fire: Britain's Crucial Role in the American Civil War," Crowley juggles multiple characters magnificently. Each historical player has a clear and distinct role in the action of the narrative. Crowley includes a good sized bibliography and note section although both are placed at the end of the book as is common in history books targets for the wider public audience.
I highly recommend this book.