In 1521, Suleiman the Magnificent, Muslim ruler of the Ottoman Empire at the height of its power, dispatched an invasion fleet to the Christian island of Rhodes. This would prove to be the opening shot in an epic struggle between rival empires and faiths for control of the Mediterranean and the center of the world. In "Empires of the Sea," acclaimed historian Roger Crowley has written a thrilling account of the brutal decades-long battle between Christendom and Islam for the soul of Europe, a fast-paced tale of spiraling intensity that ranges from Istanbul to the Gates of Gibraltar.. This struggle's brutal climax came between 1565 and 1571, seven years that witnessed a fight to the finish decided in a series of bloody set pieces: the epic siege of Malta, in which a tiny band of Christian defenders defied the might of the Ottoman army; the savage battle for Cyprus; and the apocalyptic last-ditch defense of southern Europe at Lepanto-one of the single most shocking days in world history. Crowley conjures up a wild cast of pirates, crusaders, and religious warriors struggling for supremacy and survival in a tale of slavery and galley warfare, desperate bravery and utter brutality. "Empires of the Sea" is a story of extraordinary color and incident, and provides a crucial context for our own clash of civilizations.

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Prologue: Ptolemy's map / Part I. Caesars: the contest for the sea. The Sultan pays a visit -- A supplication -- The king of evil -- The voyage to Tunis -- Doria and Barbarossa -- The Turkish Sea / Part II. Epicenter: the battle for Malta. Nest of vipers -- Invasion fleet -- The post of death -- The ravelin of Europe -- The last swimmers -- Payback -- Trench wars -- "Malta York" / Part III. Endgame: hurtling to Lepanto. The pope's dream -- A head in a dish -- Famagusta -- Christ's general -- Snakes to a charm -- "Let's fight" -- Sea of fire -- Other oceans / Epilogue: traces.