Rating: 4/5
Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting read. It covers the period from around the mid 16th century to the beginning of the 17th century. Of course, the focus is on the relationship between England and the Ottoman empire. It goes beyond that to some degree by going into detail about some interactions with the Persians and the Muslims in Morocco. With the rise of Protestantism, England became cut off from much of Europe. This led to them seeking alliances in other areas.
The writing was a little mixed in my opinion. Most of it is very good. However, there are times where the book gets very dry. There were only a couple instances that I can think of, but they dragged on because they were full of dates and names with little insight. Most of the book does not fall into that category though. It became great when the author delved into the plays that were created during this time. They provide insight into the relationships between these kingdoms and the English people. The analysis of some important Shakespeare plays in light of the events discussed in this book is wonderful.
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