Victory of the West
The Great Christian-Muslim Clash at the Battle of Lepanto
April 2008
Trade Paperback · 464 Pages
$17.50 U.S. · $18.95 CAN · €12.99 E.U.
ISBN 9780306816185
Da Capo Press
Trade Paperback · 464 Pages
$17.50 U.S. · $18.95 CAN · €12.99 E.U.
ISBN 9780306816185
Da Capo Press
Recommended for These Courses
Description
On the morning of October 7, 1571, in the Gulf of Lepanto in the Ionian Sea, the vast and heavily-manned fleets of the Ottoman Empire and the Holy League of Christendom clashed in one of the greatest turning-point battles in history.
Before the battle, Europe’s future looked bleak. The growing Turkish threat appeared unstoppable. The Ottoman Sultan wanted to seize control of the entire Mediterranean. Plans were being drawn for a final invasion of the Christian West—an invasion of conquest and conversion.
But by four o’clock that October afternoon the entire Turkish naval force, which had not lost a battle at sea in almost a century, was defeated by a fragile coalition of Christian states. The Ottomans lost 230 warships and 20,000 men, and the spell of their maritime invincibility was broken forever. It was a victory of the West—the first major victory of Europeans against the mighty Ottoman Empire.
In this compelling narrative history, Niccolò Capponi, describes the clash of cultures that led to this crucial confrontation and takes a fresh look at the titanic struggle at sea between Islam and the West. It is a rich story of squabbling princes, fragile alliances, and bitter sea fighting waged by determined men of faith. As a description of the age-old conflict between Christianity and Islam, it is a story that still resonates today.
Niccolò Capponi is an eminent military and Renaissance historian. He is a former fellow at the Medici Archive Project and curator of the Capponi Archive. He lives in Florence, Italy.
Before the battle, Europe’s future looked bleak. The growing Turkish threat appeared unstoppable. The Ottoman Sultan wanted to seize control of the entire Mediterranean. Plans were being drawn for a final invasion of the Christian West—an invasion of conquest and conversion.
But by four o’clock that October afternoon the entire Turkish naval force, which had not lost a battle at sea in almost a century, was defeated by a fragile coalition of Christian states. The Ottomans lost 230 warships and 20,000 men, and the spell of their maritime invincibility was broken forever. It was a victory of the West—the first major victory of Europeans against the mighty Ottoman Empire.
In this compelling narrative history, Niccolò Capponi, describes the clash of cultures that led to this crucial confrontation and takes a fresh look at the titanic struggle at sea between Islam and the West. It is a rich story of squabbling princes, fragile alliances, and bitter sea fighting waged by determined men of faith. As a description of the age-old conflict between Christianity and Islam, it is a story that still resonates today.
Niccolò Capponi is an eminent military and Renaissance historian. He is a former fellow at the Medici Archive Project and curator of the Capponi Archive. He lives in Florence, Italy.
About the Author
Niccolò Capponi is an eminent military and Renaissance historian. He is a former fellow at the Medici Archive Project, and curator of the Capponi Archive. He lives in Florence, Italy.