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Victory of the West: The Great Christian-Muslim Clash at the Battle of Lepanto | 
 enlarge | Author: Niccolo Capponi
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Category: Book
List Price: $27.50
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Avg. Customer Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 163628
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 448
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.3 x 1.9
ISBN: 0306815443
Dewey Decimal Number: 949.505
EAN: 9780306815447
ASIN: 0306815443
Publication Date: March 26, 2007
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Product Description
On the morning of October 7, 1571, in the Gulf of Lepanto on the Ionian Sea, the vast and heavily-manned fleets of the Ottoman Empire and the Holy League clashed in one of the most significant battles in history. By four o’clock that afternoon the sea was red with blood. It was a victory of the west-the first major victory of Europeans against the Ottoman Empire. In this compelling piece of narrative history, Niccolo Capponi describes the clash of cultures that led to this crucial confrontation and takes a fresh look at the bloody struggle at sea between oared fighting galleys and determined men of faith. As a description of the age-old conflict between Christianity and Islam, it is a story that resonates today.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 Little on the battle October 30, 2008
I hate it when a book title does not describes a book properly. This is one of these books. This book is a study of about 30 years that lead up to the battle of Lepanto. If it is exciting and interesting it is because it was such a period of history. This book does describe it well, however there is little new in this study.
What is interesting is some technical information on the boats and gunpower.
Unfortunately there is only a very brief description of the actual battle which is what I wanted.
Then there is a little bit on the after-effects which are not that great as Lepanto is one of those historical events that is important not because of what it did, but what it stopped.
 a fascinating account March 31, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Niccolo Capponi has written a fascinating and detailed history of Europe and the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century and the fractious relationships between the European states,the Venetian Republic,and the Papacy. Often more suspicious of each other than of the Turks, they finally merged into a shaky Christian coalition which faced down the Sultan's navy at the battle of Lepanto. Although full of historical and military detail, "Victory of the West" is a very readable book, laced with humor and compassion, and much attention to good storytelling. When the two naval forces finally face each other, I guarantee you won't be able to put the book down until the finish!
Very good historical survey January 10, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
A good description of this so important battle events that lead to it and the main characters involved.
The description of the battle itself could be more extended, but I realize that without animation and modern resources it is hard to describe a 500 ship melee.
Maybe someone could design an adequate animation to complement a fine book like this one?
the best on this subject September 6, 2007
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
by far the best book I have read on this battle, full of information and ancedote
 One of the turning points of history here... August 27, 2007
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
For many Westerners, history is something that happened last year and this deliberate ignorance of the past gives rise to many false beliefs today. Chief among them would be the belief in the West that we have always been aggressors in the Levant and Islam is simply now fighting back. Even a cursury examination of history reveals the dangerous falsehood in that belief.
Niccolo Capponi's book on the Battle of Curzolaris (AKA Lepanto to many Americans)is well worth the time to read. Though he breaks no real new ground, his detail and love of subject (pre 16th century Med cultures, esp. Italy)shows. Copiously end noted with many charts comparing manpower, ships, armaments, losses etc (about 20% of the book), the book puts together an engrossing story of a world at war.
From the pre League political climate and the earlier attempts to forge a concerted Christian force to battle the Ottomans as they ravaged the shores of Europe, Mr. Capponi's book does an admirable job of illustrating the problems and weaknesses of Christian Europe at this time. He notes how the new Pope, Pius V would be the mover and true shaker of the enterprise. to do so, he had to overcome a relucant Spain, many suspicious Italian states, the crusading orders of St Stephen and Hospitallers, the machinations of France trying to aid its Ottoman allies(!), and everyone's suspicions of Venice. By devious use of subsidies and reminders of religious duty, Pius finally cobbles together his League.
Ironically it would be the Ottoman capture of Famagusta(Cyprus), a Venetian possession and the treatment of the garrison and inhabitants that would cause a creaky alliance to tun into a avenging force that went on to destroy the bulk of the Ottoman fleet. It is here that Capponi is strongest, his detailed knowledge of the people involved paints the battle in colorful detail. He highlights the bravery of both sides and gives credit where it is due to both Moslem and Christian bravery.
The battle itself is well treated but it is the prefacing of the battle and the aftermath (often surprising and sad at the same time) that is the best part. This time was not one of cleanly divided lines, politically or religously. Both sides had no problems with slavery or disrupting lives and livelihoods in the region. Alliances were often temporary and often surprising. Both sides were torn with factional infighting but for this once, the Christian side was less so. It can truly be said that this was one of the turning points of history....
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