Roger Crowley

Jan 13, 2025 | engelsbergideas.com | Roger Crowley

The Great Siege of Malta, Marcus Bull, Allen Lane, £30‘Nothing is better known than the siege of Malta’, Voltaire said, a remark that Marcus Bull parses in his new account of the great events of 1565. The story of the siege is certainly well-known and has been retold many times over the centuries. So, is there anything new to add? Professor Bull’s account rises to the challenge. His approach is investigatory, based on a forensic study of all the available evidence and posing open-ended questions.

Nov 7, 2024 | artreview.com | Roger Crowley |Yale Press |Mark Rappolt

An engaging account by Roger Crowley of the early trade wars between Spain and Portugal serves as a reminder of how money, greed and exploitation continues to shape the world This is a history of the rivalry between Spain and Portugal. But it is set a world away from Europe (or ‘two monsoons and 9,000 miles’, as historian Roger Crowley puts it) in the archipelagos of Southeast Asia.

Oct 12, 2024 | aspectsofhistory.com | Bethany Hall |Roger Crowley

On 10 August 1519, five ships set sail from Seville to a burst of cannon fire. They slipped down the Guadalquivir – the great river of Southern Spain – and headed out into the Atlantic Ocean. They were commanded by a Portuguese adventurer, Fernão de Magalhães, who had come to Spain seeking his fortune at the court of King Charles I. Rebranded as Fernando de Magellanes (Magellan), his mission was to seek the legendary Spice Islands to which the Spanish laid claim.

Aug 6, 2024 | fivebooks.com | Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones |Catherine Fletcher |Roger Crowley |Tabitha Stanmore

Where I live, it’s now high summer. I’m always aware that my book choices reflect my personal interests, but that’s perhaps even more true than usual. These are books that have been published in the UK since April and I’ve gravitated towards reading over the holidays. Apologies in advance for all the excellent books I’ve missed out. One of my favourite places to be is the ancient world and judging from the number of books published about it, I’m not the only one.

Aug 6, 2024 | fivebooks.com | Roger Crowley

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