Eternl Rayne

A Star at the Heart of the Spanish Empire

Reviewed: 05-08-21

Isabella of Castile is one of the most famous monarchs to have ever lived. Even those marginally interested in history have heard of her in some capacity. Whether as a byproduct of the discovery of the Americas’ or as one of the individuals responsible for the Inquisition. As such, there have been books written about her since her death. What makes Downey’s book different is in its approach. Essentially, here Isabella is a star; one that the entirety of Spain and the wider world revolves around. The planets are her family, political neighbors, religion, war, public works, patronage, and colonization. With Isabella, you will learn how this system came to be and how one person kept it all in motion.

First, the narration. Kimberly Farr is simply excellent. Her ability to give very slight nuances and adjustments to different people and letters is impressive. For instance, letters from Isabella that ooze dignity, refinement, and authority are read with beautiful poise. Spanish pronunciations are well done, and overall articulation is perfect. For a book that is over twenty hours long, pacing is all too important as poor pacing can lead to fatigue. Farr is able to read at a pace that keeps the reader engaged but does not overwhelmed. While other narrators have more distinct voices, Farr is more consistent and lively. Perfect for a book of this length.

Second, the book. Isabella is wonderfully written and even more impressively structured. So much so, that I am going to spend the time to praise said structure of this book. Each chapter is deliberate and purposeful. The book opens with Isabella riding triumphantly to her coronation. Then her ancestors are given the limelight, from her grandparents to her parents. Time and attention are given to a myriad of people who exist before Isabella is born. The next chapters then talks about her childhood and the relationships she builds that will remain with her throughout her lifetime. Downey takes the time to ensure that the near monastic early life of Isabella is discussed and how it influenced her religious views. Then her relationship with her mother and brothers are given time to shine. Even her relationship with important figures outside of Spain, such as that with the Borgia pope is detailed and included.

Isabella’s childhood is then ended with her fairytale romance and marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon. While every aspect of her life is not discussed, what Downey instead does is give a very detailed account on the parts of her life that that were chosen for this book. The aforementioned marriage takes up several pages. This is because understanding why their marriage was forbidden and what it meant for all of Spanish nobility is central to understanding why it defied the odds. The country Isabella was raised in also requires understanding. The Castile her brother and predecessor King Enrique ruled was very different that what Isabella left for her daughter Juana.

By the time Isabella becomes queen, new challenges arise in her life and this book meets them in an orderly fashion. From the war with Portugal, extreme reaction to the lawless nature of the land, and the war with Andalusia. All of it is given ample exposition. Nothing is left to chance. There is an abundance of information given about the country and world of Isabella. With this, four main sections are looked into when the book moves into Isabella’s adult life. Her family (her five children in particular), the war with Granada, her patronage of Christopher Columbus, and lastly, her influence with the Inquisition. These four speaking points take up the bulk of the book, especially the exploits of Columbus. In fact, there is enough information here about early Spanish explorers to fill its own book. The inquisition and its immediate and long-standing effects are also featured heavily.

Conclusion. It’s rare for me to write a review/synopsis as long as this one. However, Downey’s work on Isabella is one of those rare books that deals greatly with several subjects. While it is impossible to write a biography of someone’s life without discussing their changing environment, it is very difficult when doing so to not lose the narrative. Isabella does this with rare mastery. Some will complain that the book overelaborates non important events (over two hours of listening time is spent on the European exploration of the Americas). While this is arguable, what is apparent is the impressive structure that this book follows. It’s a small miracle that this book does not fall apart under the weight of its other topics. But like Isabella herself, Downey uses lifelong skill and forethought to keep it all standing.

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A battle that (indirectly) defined the Middle East

Reviewed: 09-08-20

The Field of Blood is a book about the Middle East during the 11th century and tells the reader why the Christian states in this era were not as doomed to failure as historians previously surmised. The idea of a majority Christian Middle East is unthinkable today, but as this book argues, it nearly became a reality.

First, the narration. Elfer is a narrator that does something I consider to be very difficult. He manages to narrate a book of this subject without imprinting his nature on the book. Many narrators either help or hurt the reading and as such, help or hurt the source material. Elfer does neither and instead reads exactly as if you were reading. Pronunciations are spot on, or at the very least consistent (everyone seems to pronounce Acre differently) while pacing is rhythmic and engaging. This is a narration that deserves praise for being subdued and excellent.

Second, the book. The Field of Blood is deceptively titled. If you search for “The Battle at The Field of Blood” you get a battle in the early 11th century for the city of Aleppo in Northern Syria. This book is actually about a wider narrative and poses an interesting question to readers; could Christian crusaders have actually held their conquered cities in the Middle East for an extensive period of time? While this book does not make an overtly persuasive argument about this, this question is the driving force behind the book as a whole. The book begins with the fall of Jerusalem in 1099, essentially ending the grueling First Crusade. At the turn of the 11th century, Christianity controlled four major centers of power in the Middle East; Jerusalem, Antioch, Tripoli (in Lebanon) and Odessa. They desperately needed to capture one of the four remaining centers of power held by Islam. What happened next?

The Field of Blood expertly lays out the decisions made by the Frankish nobility and its immediate outcome. It also discussed the complex political situations in Syria that led to Franks against Franks and Muslims against Muslims. The strength of this book is in its understanding that the subject matter is as complex as the time period. It was never just “Us vs. Them” as each side fought with religious enemies against former friends. The rise of the Crusader states and their fall; is all detailed here, helping the reader understand a crucial century of history.

The end of the book also deserves some praise. While most history books end with the topic, the author spends the time to tie everything he just discussed with out modern world. Understanding how so many inroads into the Middle East by modern armies turned out the way they did (in the broadest sense) was an unexpected treat. The struggles over community ties, religious fervor, outside influences and wars over the same land that the crusaders faced are expertly explained and juxtaposed with todays on going struggles in the region. The Field of Blood is a wonderful, if not quick take on the 11th century, that is sure to answer the question of what happened immediately after that initial holy pilgrimage that became known as the First Crusade.

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1 person found this helpful

Simply one of the best Audible has to offer.

Reviewed: 03-05-20

Empires of the Sea is the perfect introduction to the warring sixteenth century and the conflict between the forces of Christianity and Islam. In that century, the Mediterranean theater gave us some of the most famous battles and sieges, and Empires of the Sea brings them to life with stunning detail and realism.

First, the narration. John Lee’s narration is perfect for this book. His pronunciations are spot on and pauses are well-timed and appropriate. His voice is a joy to listen to and makes pausing this audiobook that much more difficult.

Second, the book. In my opinion, the sixteenth century is one of the most fascinating in human history. So many extraordinary and lauded rulers lived in this time. Sulieman the Magnificent, Phillip II, Elizabeth I, Henry VIII, Charles V, Ferdinand I, Isabella of Spain, Catherine de Medici and the list goes on and on. I say this because the individuals of this century have all but eclipsed our modern memory when it comes to warfare in this time. Each of the people I mentioned have a plethora of books written about them. Astonishingly though, there are not many books written solely about the military aspect of the age. Enter Empires of the Sea, which focuses on the most famous battles of the century fought in the Mediterranean.

The book really begins with the Ottomans and their siege of Rhodes. From early on, Crowley sets the tone with a brutal and telling account of the siege. Instead of simply discussing what occurs, Crowley takes the time to let us into the minds of both commanders during the siege. He expertly weaves Sulieman’s own notes of the siege in real-time, telling us the sultans’ thoughts as the battle ebbs and flows. Although the siege of Rhodes does not take up a lot of time in the book, it is immediately apparent that you are reading a well-formed, expertly researched, and entertaining book. Crowley then sets the stage, explaining all the players in this game, and what their motivations are. He skillfully moves from Turkey to Spain to Rome, and the Barbary coast, humanizing it all with the lives of both kings and commoners alike.

Crowley gives you an idea of what it was like to be alive at this time. To be galley slaves abducted from Italy, or their abductors, sailing with some of the most famous names in history; men like Barbarossa and Dragut. There is a slight focus on the Ottoman side in the book. I find this refreshing as most books I have read on the era, focuses on the Europeans. There are many correspondents between Sulieman and his commanders and they are used to perfection here. When the naval battles begin, Crowley makes sure to set up both sides. His telling of the siege of Malta gives you an unprecedented view of the conflict from the Ottoman command while giving you an idea of how the entire European world reacted as well.
Aside from Malta and Rhodes, Empires of the Sea contains some of the most engaging descriptions of naval battles I have ever read. Everything from the setup to the battle, to the engagement itself, to the aftermath; it’s all brutal, memorable, and encapsulating. Crowley’s ability to bounce around the different civilizations in the Mediterranean only to zoom in on a battle taking place on a few miles of open sea, and do so seamlessly, is to be applauded.

Conclusion. I have read several audiobooks on Audible and Empires of the Sea just refuses to move from the top. It is near perfect in its execution and visceral in its telling of war on the Mediterranean Sea. I mark this as one of the best history audiobooks Audible has. After it’s done, you want nothing more than to learn more about these events in greater detail. I have sought out other historical works on the battles of Rhodes, Malta, Cyprus, and Preveza because of this wonderful book.

At one point during the battle of Lepanto, the Spanish Flagship, Real smashes into the Ottoman flagship, Sultana. Prepare your body and mind to be transported there.

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1 person found this helpful

An arduous trek through Eurasia

Reviewed: 12-27-19

The Roman Empire and the Silk Routes is a different kind of ancient history book. Instead of discussing battle, sieges and the rise and fall of empire, this book focuses on trade, commerce, and economy.

First, the narration. The narrator, Stewart is one of the slower narrators I have heard in recent memory. His pronunciations are proper and easy to follow, but his pacing is often jagged and jarring. I found myself rewinding several times as I lost my train of thought due to his ill-timed pauses. While he is an adequate narrator, I believe this book would have been more enjoyable with a different voice, one that is less rigid and academic.

Second, the book. This is not a book for someone looking to get into Roman or ancient history. The author makes it clear throughout the book that he expects you to understand and know about many of the people and places he discusses. There is no backstory on the Roman side, so if you are not familiar with many of the Roman emperors and policies, then you will be left behind during some sections. The book starts off with its primary point; understanding silk and how it influenced ancient economy and trade. The author spends a good amount of time explaining how silk (and iron) were manufactured, and how/why the East was superior in crafting both these commodities. You will definitely learn about not only how silk is made, but why some silk garments sold for more than the average Roman laborer made in a year. This section takes about a fourth of the book and is the section I greatly enjoyed.

The next section introduces the real star of the book; Han China. Yes, the book is called The Roman Empire and the Silk Roads, but in actuality, it should be titled Trade During the Time of the Han Dynasty. While you cannot, of course, have trade in the ancient world without mentioning China in some capacity, Han China is the focus of the book. Rome is mentioned in the earlier and later sections, the bulk of the book deals with Han China. How it was created, how its government operated, and how its trade delegations made it across the mountains of central Asia. The book does bring in other civilizations that impacted trade from the 5th century B.C. to about the 5th century A.D. It discusses their rise and their impact on trade from east to west. If you are not interested in learning about Han China or other civilizations that came to power in India, Afghanistan and the Caucasus, this book is not for you.

The final section is a strange hodgepodge of different civilizations and stories that relate to trade. It is also the only time that battles of any kind are described in detail. They are explained well enough (one is about the disastrous march of Crassus and what befell his Roman legions) but they seem to fit in the context of another book. They are tied into trade and commerce in the back end, but it’s a little too late for their addition to have any merit or any reason to be in the book. In fact, the book finishes on an even stranger note; introducing a new empire on the stage in the last chapter, only to give the book a few pages to wrap up and reiterate its points.

Conclusion. The Roman Empire is a difficult book to read. Not a bad one, by any means, just difficult. This is in part because of the subject matter. It focuses on commerce and trade through numerous passes and cities. One needs a map to find and recollect them all. Then there is Han China. I was not expecting the bulk of the book to be focused on this civilization, with the Roman empire taking a back seat. Finally, there are the inconsistencies of the last section of the book. It bounces around civilizations and battles and cities without the focus of the previous sections. The Roman Empire and the Silk Routes is a book that will teach you about a very niche subject. If you are curious as to how trade worked in the ancient world and are versed in the civilizations of the time, then this book is for you. But it is not an easy read and is not for the faint of heart or novice historian.

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36 people found this helpful

A wonderful, informative but inapt prone listen

Reviewed: 08-21-19

First, the narration. It takes a while to get used to Michael Page's voice. Throughout the intro (which is phenomenal) all I could think about was how unique his voice was. I got used to (or over) it and appreciated how effortlessly he narrated this book with many difficult and often mispronounced words. His Greek and Persian pronouciation of names and places was a nice touch. His pace was on the slow side, but perfectly adequate for a book of this type. a five-star narration.

Second, the book. I have never (for the purpose of ease, I will say read not listen) read a book that was so prone to kicking itself in the back. It seems with this book that Holland doesn't know when to stick with the story and when to go off and adlib as it were. There are too many instances where he is discussing a particular battle or moment that grabs your attention, just to have him write something that completely leaves you lost as to why it is spoken about at this time. it's akin to having a long dialog scene during a final battle in a film. it's just jarring.

That is the only negative about this book. While it is called Perian Fire, it is about the rise of the Achaemenids and goes all the way to their stunning defeat at the hands of the Greeks. although Persia is the focus of the book, you will learn about Athens and Sparta as if this book was dedicated to them. Then it will all come together in the Persian war that gave us some of the most famous battles in the ancient world. Holland will discuss, dissect and draw each of these battles and create a complete picture of the war.

I purchased the book for future reading and for it's impressive maps. This is a very enjoyable read for anyone interested in the Rise of Persia, Sparta and Athens.

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