The Empire Falls
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This books charts the final moments of the Byzantium, as it was about to be destroyed by the Ottoman Turks. Dr. David Nicolle is an expert on Medieval Warfare, especially warfare centered around the Islamic World. As a result, he's one of the best people available to write a book on the subject.
This was my first Osprey Military book, and I was so impressed with its quality that I've brought dozens of titles from the series since then.
Like most 'Osprey Campaign' books, we are introduced to the background of the conflict, with a look at Byzantine and Ottoman Armies, their commanding officers and rulers, and the opposing plans, before Nicolle starts covering the campiagn.
Each stage of the siege is accompanied by 3D birds-eye-view maps of Constantinople, which show the movements of the troops and the navy throughout the campaign. The book is also illustrated with four 2-paged colour plates by Christa Hook. These are all excellently illustrated, and they show Urban's large Cannon being placed before the walls; The Ottomans launching galleys into the Golden Horn; an underground battle between Byzantine and Ottoman-Serbian miners; and the final assault on the city.
A number of other maps, photographs and manuscript paintings are also included, and the author also provides a short guide to the battlefield as it is today.
This is a fascianting and informative introduction to the Fall of Constantinople, one of the most important events in history, and one that is sadly overlooked and often ignored. If you want a short and well illustrated introduction to the siege, then this should be at the top of your list. It's also recommended that you check out Steven Runciman's and Roger Crowley's in-depth studies of the siege, both of which are highly readable. Recommended!
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The siege has begun...
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This gripping story is put before us like a Shakesperean play. We are introduced with the main plot, the caracters, and the play begins! Imagine yourself within thousand years old crumbling walls, invincible to this day, ready to be challenged by the most powerfull artillery of that time! This story is far more complicated than it seems and authors handled very well all twists and turns. The words are accompanied by photos of contemporary documents and images, also we can find the images of todays Istanbul.
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