Conquerors

How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire

Roger Crowley

The book chronicles the Portuguese expansion during the 15th and 16th centuries, detailing the navigational breakthroughs and maritime conquests that led to the creation of the first transoceanic empire. It explores the motivations, strategies, and impacts of Portugal's explorers and conquerors, such as Vasco da Gama and Afonso de Albuquerque, on global trade and cross-cultural encounters.

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Empires of the Sea

The Siege of Malta, the Battle of Lepanto, and the Contest for the Center of the World

Roger Crowley

The book chronicles the epic struggle for control of the Mediterranean during the mid-16th century, focusing on two pivotal clashes: the Ottoman Empire's siege of Malta in 1565 and the Holy League's naval victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. It explores the cultural, military, and religious tensions between Christian Europe and the Muslim Ottoman Turks, detailing the heroism, strategy, and brutality that shaped the fate of the region.

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1453

The Holy War for Constantinople and the Clash of Islam and the West

Roger Crowley

The book narrates the dramatic siege and fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks, led by Sultan Mehmed II, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire. It explores the intense military conflict, cultural clashes, and the profound consequences for the balance of power between the Islamic world and Christendom.

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City of Fortune

How Venice Ruled the Seas

Roger Crowley

The book chronicles the rise and fall of Venice as a maritime power, detailing its economic ascendancy, dominance of Mediterranean trade, and pivotal naval battles. It explores the city's political strategies, commercial innovations, and the impact of the Fourth Crusade, which led to Venice's peak as an empire before its eventual decline.

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