The Enemy at the Gate

Habsburgs, Ottomans, and the Battle for Europe

De: Andrew Wheatcroft

Narrado por: Stefan Rudnicki

In 1683, an Ottoman army that stretched from horizon to horizon set out to seize the "Golden Apple," as Turks referred to Vienna. The ensuing siege pitted battle-hardened Janissaries wielding seventeenth-century grenades against Habsburg armies, widely feared for their savagery. The walls of Vienna bristled with guns as the besieging Ottoman host launched bombs, fired cannons, and showered the populace with arrows during the battle for Christianity's bulwark. Each side was sustained by the hatred of its age-old enemy, certain that victory would be won by the grace of God.

The Great Siege of Vienna is the centerpiece for historian Andrew Wheatcroft's richly drawn portrait of the centuries-long rivalry between the Ottoman and Habsburg empires for control of the European continent. A gripping work by a master historian, The Enemy at the Gate offers a timely examination of an epic clash of civilizations.

Amazing

Really awesome book which gets into the nitty gritty of 16th-17th century warfare. Highly recommend!

Great History!

Great overall history of the Hapsburgs and the Ottomans from their height of power in the 17th and 18th centuries to their fall. Day by day account of the 2nd Siege of Vienna.

Excellent read on this period in history

Very well narrated. Lots of details, and told in a manner in which kept me glued to listening!

Fascinating story not well-known

I knew about but, as it turns out, knew relatively little about the 1683 Siege of Vienna, which loomed large over the thinking of people in the Early Modern era. And as an American, even one who is well-educated and well-read, my history knowledge sadly omits most of what happened in so-called “Eastern Europe”.

The author does a great job of discussing what led up to it and the Siege itself but also situating it in the larger 17th and early 18th Centuries as well as its subsequent importance. His writing is very clear and the performance is also solid.

Highly recommended.

Great in spots, too fast moving in others

Great in spots, too fast moving in others. The layout to get to the siege was ok, the siege itself I could have used more time and detail. Informative overall and tied back to how we are where we are today, which was a nice touch.