An engrossing new study. Bull's account of the siege itself is lucid and dispassionate. He has a sharp eye for bombast - representing the failed defense of St Elmo as a heroic act of self-sacrifice, for example - that might obscure uncomfortable truths. Bull has set himself a challenging task: to convey the drama of the siege and the myths that grew out of it while downplaying, if not denying, suggestions of its wider historical importance. It's a difficult balancing act, but one he pulls off with aplomb -- Mathew Lyons, Literary Review This is an enjoyable book, written by a skilled historian who has read very widely. Everyone will learn something from reading Bull's work -- Noel Malcolm, Telegraph Marcus Bull's revisiting of the siege through the eyes of the Ottomans and a global lens that shifts our angle of vision has made a considerable contribution to our understanding of the events of 1565. his approach is investigatory, based on a forensic study of all the available evidence and posing open-ended questions. the coverage of the siege itself is succinct and full of interesting perspectives -- Roger Crowley, Engelsberg Ideas 'Impressive, deeply researched.

Rather than pursue old religious agendas and messianic readings of the triumph Bull places the siege in a broad global economic and political context -- Andrew Lambert, Naval Review Thorough and propulsive -- Michael Prodger, New Statesman A vivid account of a close-run thing . peculiarly fascinating -- David Horspool , The Oldie Thoughtful and incisive. a great strength of Bull's book is precisely that he often dissents from received opinion. he has provided an impressive reassessment, rich in penetrating insights, of a major moment in the history of the Mediterranean -- David Abulafia, TLS An epic account. [a] no-nonsense, myth-busting book. [Bull] writes with knightly brio and packs a great deal of local and global history into his authoritative book -- Pratinav Anil, The Times.