The Lion House
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Average rating5
15
Ratings1
Average rating5
An immersive reconstruction of the life of the most feared and powerful man of the sixteenth century.
Venice, 1522. Intelligence arrives from the east confirming Europe's greatest fear: the vastly rich Ottoman Sultan has all he needs to wage total war - and his sights are set on Rome. With Christendom divided, Suleyman the Magnificent has his hand on its throat.
From the palaces of Istanbul to the blood-soaked fields of central Europe and the scorched coasts of north Africa, The Lion House tells the true story of two civilisations in an existential duel and the rise of the most feared man of the sixteenth century. It is a tale of the timeless pull of power, dangerous to live with, deadly to live without.
Reviews with the most likes.
This is a book of non-fiction that reads like a novel. It tells the story of Suleyman's rise to power in the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire's relationship with Venice, Charles V the “Holy Roman Emperor,” and Francis I of France. More intimately, it tells the story of Ibrahim Pasha, a Westerner who became Suleyman's close friend as an enslaved boy and rose with him to power, wealth, and influence. Hurrem, the woman who was captured in what is now Ukraine, made a concubine of the Sultan, and eventually became his wife, is also depicted here.
De Bellaigue writes about Suleyman's life and times with wit and appreciation for the the forces at play, as well as insight into human nature. Lest you think that some of the more outrageous events in the book couldn't possibly have happened, there are notes and a bibliography, as well as an index.
If you're interested in the subject, this is truly a great read.
