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Empires of the Sea
- The Contest for the Center of the World
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 11 hrs and 18 mins
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Publisher's summary
The core of the story is the six years of bitter and bloody conflict between 1565 and 1571 that witnessed a fight to the finish. It was a tipping point in world civilization, a fast-paced struggle of spiraling intensity that led from the siege of Malta and the battle for Cyprus to the pope's last-gasp attempt to rekindle the spirit of the Crusades and the apocalypse at Lepanto.
It features a rich cast of characters: Suleiman the Magnificent, greatest of Ottoman sultans; Hayrettin Barbarossa, the pirate who terrified Europe; the Knights of St. John, last survivors of the medieval crusading spirit; the aged visionary Pope Pius V; and the meteoric, brilliant Christian general, Don John of Austria.
It is also a narrative about places: the shores of the Bosphorus, the palaces and shipyards of the Venetian lagoon, the barren rocks of Malta, the islands of Greece, the slave markets of Algiers - and the character of the sea itself, with its complex pattern of winds and weather, which provided the conditions and the field of battle. It involves all the peoples who border the Great Sea: Italians, Turks, Greeks, Spaniards, the French and the people of North Africa.
This story is one of extraordinary color and incident, rich in detail, full of surprises, and backed by a wealth of eyewitness accounts. Its denouement, the battle of Lepanto, is a single action of quite shocking impact - considered at the time in Christian Europe to be "a day to end all days".
Critic reviews
"Masterfully synthesizing primary and secondary sources, [Crowley] vividly reconstructs the great battles...and introduces the larger-than-life personalities that dominated council chambers and fields of battle." ( Publishers Weekly)
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The action-filled movie 300 focused on Ancient Greece's epic battle of Thermopylae, in which King Leonidas led 300 Spartans into battle against Xerxes and his million-strong Persian forces. In the sequel, 300: Rise of an Empire, the action moves to the sea, covering 10 years starting with the Battle of Marathon and ending with naval engagement the Battle of Artemisium, which occurred the same day as Thermopylae. Rise of an Empire tells the story of the real men and events depicted in the movie.
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bad editing and...
- By j.holmes on 08-04-16
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The Hundred Years’ War
- A Captivating Guide to the Conflicts Between the English House of Plantagenet and the French House of Valois That Took Place During the Middle Ages
- By: Captivating History
- Narrated by: Richard L Walton
- Length: 3 hrs
- Unabridged
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The Hundred Years' War changed language, national identity, weaponry, and even the way people think about war. It is part of the greater narrative of human history and gives a snapshot of how human nature can behave when pressed by the extremity of such a conflict - sometimes with unspeakable honor and courage and other times with cowardice, selfishness, and arrogance.
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Interesting
- By Hammer on 04-09-19
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The War of 1812, Conflict and Deception
- The British Attempt to Seize New Orleans and Nullify the Louisiana Purchase
- By: Ronald J. Drez
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- Length: 12 hrs and 48 mins
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Perhaps no conflict in American history is more important yet more overlooked and misunderstood than the War of 1812. At the climax of the war, inspired by the defeat of Napoleon in early 1814 and the perceived illegality of the Louisiana Purchase, the British devised a plan to launch a three-pronged attack against the Northern, Eastern, and Southern US borders.
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Predetermined Outcome
- By Kindle Customer on 03-09-23
By: Ronald J. Drez
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The Enemy at the Gate
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The Great Siege of Vienna is the centerpiece for historian Andrew Wheatcroft's richly drawn portrait of the centuries-long rivalry between the Ottoman and Habsburg empires for control of the European continent. A gripping work by a master historian, The Enemy at the Gate offers a timely examination of an epic clash of civilizations.
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Look elsewhere
- By Ben H. on 09-20-21
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The War for All the Oceans
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Roy Adkins, with his wife, Lesley, returns to the Napoleonic War in The War for All the Oceans, a gripping account of the naval struggle that lasted from 1798 to 1815, a period marked at the beginning by Napoleon's seizing power and at the end by the War of 1812. In this vivid and visceral account, Adkins draws on eyewitness records to portray not only the battles but also the details of a sailor's life: shipwrecks, press-gangs, prostitutes, spies, and prisoners of war.
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Good material, horrid narration
- By SC Visel on 01-03-08
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Jefferson's War
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Two centuries ago, without congressional or public debate, a president who is thought of today as peaceable, Thomas Jefferson, launched America's first war on foreign soil, a war against terror. The enemy was Muslim; the war was waged unconventionally, with commandos, native troops, and encrypted intelligence, and launched from foreign bases.
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A Great Read
- By Donald on 06-19-05
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Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates
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When Thomas Jefferson became president in 1801, America faced a crisis. The new nation was deeply in debt and needed its economy to grow quickly, but its merchant ships were under attack. Pirates from North Africa's Barbary coast routinely captured American sailors and held them as slaves, demanding ransom and tribute payments far beyond what the new country could afford.
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Interesting history - terrible narrator
- By CJF on 12-08-15
By: Brian Kilmeade, and others
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Suleiman the Magnificent: Sultan of the East
- By: Harold Lamb
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 13 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Suleiman the Magnificent is the story of the Ottoman Turks' greatest leader. He came to power at the early age of 25 in 1520. Before his death in 1566, he had altered the power structure and geography of Eastern Europe, and Turkey had become the dominant naval power in the Mediterranean. Suleiman's reign would mark the high tide of Turkish power in Asia Minor and Europe.
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A Great look into Suleiman The Magnificent & the Ottoman Empire
- By L Young on 08-14-19
By: Harold Lamb
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América
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At the conclusion of the American Revolution, half the modern United States was part of the vast Spanish Empire. The year after Columbus' great voyage of discovery, in 1492, he claimed Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands for Spain. For the next 300 years, thousands of proud Spanish conquistadors and their largely forgotten Mexican allies went in search of glory and riches from Florida to California. Many died; few triumphed. Some were cruel; some were curious; some were kind. Missionaries and priests yearned to harvest Indian souls for God through baptism and Christian teaching.
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A Narration That is Difficult to Follow
- By Amazon Customer on 05-24-19
By: Robert Goodwin
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Struggle for Sea Power
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The American Revolution was a naval war of immense scope and variety, including no less than 22 navies fighting on five oceans - to say nothing of rivers and lakes. In no other war were so many large-scale fleet battles fought, one of which was the most strategically significant naval battle in all of British, French, and American history.
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Fantastic perspective on American Revolution
- By J. Mar on 04-20-21
By: Sam Willis
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What listeners say about Empires of the Sea
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- Rz
- 10-21-13
A critical note of history that still resonates.
The present relationships and emotions between Europe and the near-eastern Muslim world were reborn and reformed in this 16th century time frame described in "Empires of the Sea: The Contest for the Center of the World". It wasn't until I had listened to this book that I understood the significance of all the watch towers that line practically every piece of coastline along the entire Italian peninsula. Today these seem quaint and picturesque but in an earlier time they meant life or death or slavery by the warning they might give the people of any town or village that is exposed to the sea.
The savagery of the Muslim raiders and the fate of entire towns down to the last child, branded the black image of "The Turk" onto the Christian mind and memory. Although there were religious influences effecting the actions of the various peoples involved, it was at its core a conflict over power, trade and fortune.
If you think you know the history of Western Civilization and you don't know much about this particular time, then you will not really understand the present and a good chunk of the past. Roger Crowley does a superb job of giving the details (and there are plenty of details) in a storybook style that makes you want to know how it all comes out. John Lee is amazing as well, he always makes the narrative better.
The Ottoman Empire was a formidable force to be reckoned with at this time. Every country in Europe was concerned to one degree or another with this threat from the East. I was astonished to discover my own ignorance of vast scale of this conflict. The characters of this story are fascinating, on both the Muslim and Christian sides. Bravery, endurance and incredible savagery play parts in this narrative.
More importantly, this history allows you to better understand the posture, attitude, rhetoric and actions of the two sides in the present clash of violence and instability. The one thing you will discover is that neither side can support their claim that peace and tolerance flow from their religious theologies.
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Historical non-fiction at its best!
Any additional comments?
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.
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- Amazon Customer
- 02-17-17
Great Great Great
The lead up to the battle of Lepanto was written and narrated perfectly. The siege of Malta was almost verbatim from the Great Siege, but considering that the only credible description came from Balbi, I guess you can't be surprised.
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- NoLongerValid
- 05-01-15
well told story
this book and narrator brought history vividly to life; the sieges, battles, and underlying conflict
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- M. Grace
- 12-04-14
great story but struggled with the narrating
Would you listen to Empires of the Sea again? Why?
I had a very difficult time with the narrator changing his voice to sound like a child's voice. I'd much prefer if he'd simply read it in his natural voice. I'm an adult and don't need to be read to like one would to a little kid. The change of voice was very distracting and sounded silly.
How did the narrator detract from the book?
by changing his voice to that of a young child
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- Nashville Cat
- 12-26-16
The captains make the book
Sweeping tales of adventure are best told from the viewpoint of those on the ground ( or the water) as it were. Well told. Amazing to get the ottoman viewpoint. Get thee some maps to follow the exiting narrative. Well done
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- Audiophile_on_a_budget
- 07-01-20
Engaging military history, great narration
This is primarily a military history but not focused on tactics; gets more into individual motives, geopolitical situations, differences in political and social arrangements etc. It weaves in four different naval battles into a single narrative, very engagingly, that took place between the Ottomans and the Habsburgs in 16th century Mediterranean. The narrator is amazing and has a distinct style.
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- bob
- 06-11-23
The real First World War??
The blood & guts descriptions are extremely vivid. Now i understand the painting by Caravaggio, which hangs in the cathedral in Malta
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- A reader
- 08-05-13
Military history, both epic and personal
Empires of the Sea is a fascinating look at the struggle between Christianity and Islam in the middle of the last millennium, as played out in the fight between the Ottomans and the Hapsburg. Crowley magnifies one perspective on this conflict: the military clashes in the Mediterranean and the sieges of Rhodes and Malta, and uses that as a lens on the entire conflict. In doing so, he is able to cast light on a few of the most interesting characters of the age - Mehmet, Don Jon of Austria, the Barbarossas, and many others. The result is an engaging take on this relatively overlooked but important war to rule the sea "at the center of the world."
The books strengths can also be its occasional weakness. The sieges of Rhodes and Malta are described in very great detail, as unfolding narrative. Usually this is terrifically interesting, but some of the details drag a bit. The author's narrow focus on the war in the sea also somewhat limits the perspectives of the book, making it hard to understand how important it was relative to other events in the world. The critical siege of Vienna, the high water mark for for Ottoman expansion, is barely mentioned in passing.
All of the strengths and weaknesses come together in the grand climax of the whole fight, the battle of Lepanto, with hundreds of thousands of sailors and galley slaves involved. It is told epically, but brings the book to a bit of an abrupt conclusion, with relatively little reflection on what the whole conflict meant on the wider stage.
The criticisms are minor, however, and the reading is excellent. If you like military history or want to know more about this fascinating period in history, this is an excellent choice. The only real downside is that the author never included parts of the poem Lepanto, which would have been wonderful to hear John Lee read:
White founts falling in the Courts of the sun,
And the Soldan of Byzantium is smiling as they run;
There is laughter like the fountains in that face of all men feared,
It stirs the forest darkness, the darkness of his beard;
It curls the blood-red crescent, the crescent of his lips;
For the inmost sea of all the earth is shaken with his ships.
They have dared the white republics up the capes of Italy,
They have dashed the Adriatic round the Lion of the Sea,
And the Pope has cast his arms abroad for agony and loss,
And called the kings of Christendom for swords about the Cross...
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- Eternl Rayne
- 03-05-20
Simply one of the best Audible has to offer.
Empires of the Sea is the perfect introduction to the warring sixteenth century and the conflict between the forces of Christianity and Islam. In that century, the Mediterranean theater gave us some of the most famous battles and sieges, and Empires of the Sea brings them to life with stunning detail and realism.
First, the narration. John Lee’s narration is perfect for this book. His pronunciations are spot on and pauses are well-timed and appropriate. His voice is a joy to listen to and makes pausing this audiobook that much more difficult.
Second, the book. In my opinion, the sixteenth century is one of the most fascinating in human history. So many extraordinary and lauded rulers lived in this time. Sulieman the Magnificent, Phillip II, Elizabeth I, Henry VIII, Charles V, Ferdinand I, Isabella of Spain, Catherine de Medici and the list goes on and on. I say this because the individuals of this century have all but eclipsed our modern memory when it comes to warfare in this time. Each of the people I mentioned have a plethora of books written about them. Astonishingly though, there are not many books written solely about the military aspect of the age. Enter Empires of the Sea, which focuses on the most famous battles of the century fought in the Mediterranean.
The book really begins with the Ottomans and their siege of Rhodes. From early on, Crowley sets the tone with a brutal and telling account of the siege. Instead of simply discussing what occurs, Crowley takes the time to let us into the minds of both commanders during the siege. He expertly weaves Sulieman’s own notes of the siege in real-time, telling us the sultans’ thoughts as the battle ebbs and flows. Although the siege of Rhodes does not take up a lot of time in the book, it is immediately apparent that you are reading a well-formed, expertly researched, and entertaining book. Crowley then sets the stage, explaining all the players in this game, and what their motivations are. He skillfully moves from Turkey to Spain to Rome, and the Barbary coast, humanizing it all with the lives of both kings and commoners alike.
Crowley gives you an idea of what it was like to be alive at this time. To be galley slaves abducted from Italy, or their abductors, sailing with some of the most famous names in history; men like Barbarossa and Dragut. There is a slight focus on the Ottoman side in the book. I find this refreshing as most books I have read on the era, focuses on the Europeans. There are many correspondents between Sulieman and his commanders and they are used to perfection here. When the naval battles begin, Crowley makes sure to set up both sides. His telling of the siege of Malta gives you an unprecedented view of the conflict from the Ottoman command while giving you an idea of how the entire European world reacted as well.
Aside from Malta and Rhodes, Empires of the Sea contains some of the most engaging descriptions of naval battles I have ever read. Everything from the setup to the battle, to the engagement itself, to the aftermath; it’s all brutal, memorable, and encapsulating. Crowley’s ability to bounce around the different civilizations in the Mediterranean only to zoom in on a battle taking place on a few miles of open sea, and do so seamlessly, is to be applauded.
Conclusion. I have read several audiobooks on Audible and Empires of the Sea just refuses to move from the top. It is near perfect in its execution and visceral in its telling of war on the Mediterranean Sea. I mark this as one of the best history audiobooks Audible has. After it’s done, you want nothing more than to learn more about these events in greater detail. I have sought out other historical works on the battles of Rhodes, Malta, Cyprus, and Preveza because of this wonderful book.
At one point during the battle of Lepanto, the Spanish Flagship, Real smashes into the Ottoman flagship, Sultana. Prepare your body and mind to be transported there.
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