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Mediterranean: Portrait of a Sea
A sea leaden with history…
For many, the Mediterranean conjures tranquil images – whether it’s the warm weather and good food of Italy’s coastline, or the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul; gateway between West and East.
But as Ernle Bradford details, the Mediterranean, while geologically young, is home to a long and oft times bloody history.
As he illustrates, it is a sea that has witnessed many an empire rise and fall.
From its origins as arguably the cradle of both Western and Eastern Civilisations, where early Phoenicians used it traverse the known world for trade.
Or the rise of the Ancient Greeks, whose early innovations allowed them to become the dominant empire, only to fall in the face of the Romans – the great tacticians.
Only for the likes of the Byzantines, and later the Norseman and even the Venetians to make their own kingdoms, empires and republics.
A sea later crossed by warring Crusaders and Moors.
Bradford shows in great detail how the sea and innovations made in naval, navigational knowledge and shipbuilding often made or conversely, broke an empire.
Everyone from Napoleon to Suleiman the Great to even pirates saw the importance of such waters – and the decisive battles fought on them.
But Bradford also shows the importance of the Mediterranean in the spread of culture – in science, in art, in language, in religion, in agriculture and in philosophy.
After all, it is the same sea where Homer set The Odyssey and where Lord Byron and Keats were inspired to write a wealth of poetry.
Where arguably the filtering of scientific thought and art from the Islamic Golden Age, gave way to the birth of the Renaissance.
Where the spread of advancements in agricultural enabled those ancient empires and kingdoms of Greece, Rome, Sparta and Catharge to thrive in the first place.
For Bradford, this is the Portrait of A Sea, where life and death have reigned as long as human civilization has…
Mediterranean is a fascinating read of maritime and military history from ancient to modern times across the Mediterranean.
Praise for Ernle Bradofrd…
'A gripping story' - The Economist
‘a superior, readable treatment of an important but little-discussed epic from the Renaissance past ... An astonishing tale’ - Kirkus Reviews
About the author…
Ernle Bradford (1922-1986) was an historian who wrote books on naval battles and historical figures. Among his subjects were Lord Nelson, the Mary Rose, Christopher Columbus, Julius Caesar and Hannibal. He also documented his own voyages on the Mediterranean Sea.
For many, the Mediterranean conjures tranquil images – whether it’s the warm weather and good food of Italy’s coastline, or the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul; gateway between West and East.
But as Ernle Bradford details, the Mediterranean, while geologically young, is home to a long and oft times bloody history.
As he illustrates, it is a sea that has witnessed many an empire rise and fall.
From its origins as arguably the cradle of both Western and Eastern Civilisations, where early Phoenicians used it traverse the known world for trade.
Or the rise of the Ancient Greeks, whose early innovations allowed them to become the dominant empire, only to fall in the face of the Romans – the great tacticians.
Only for the likes of the Byzantines, and later the Norseman and even the Venetians to make their own kingdoms, empires and republics.
A sea later crossed by warring Crusaders and Moors.
Bradford shows in great detail how the sea and innovations made in naval, navigational knowledge and shipbuilding often made or conversely, broke an empire.
Everyone from Napoleon to Suleiman the Great to even pirates saw the importance of such waters – and the decisive battles fought on them.
But Bradford also shows the importance of the Mediterranean in the spread of culture – in science, in art, in language, in religion, in agriculture and in philosophy.
After all, it is the same sea where Homer set The Odyssey and where Lord Byron and Keats were inspired to write a wealth of poetry.
Where arguably the filtering of scientific thought and art from the Islamic Golden Age, gave way to the birth of the Renaissance.
Where the spread of advancements in agricultural enabled those ancient empires and kingdoms of Greece, Rome, Sparta and Catharge to thrive in the first place.
For Bradford, this is the Portrait of A Sea, where life and death have reigned as long as human civilization has…
Mediterranean is a fascinating read of maritime and military history from ancient to modern times across the Mediterranean.
Praise for Ernle Bradofrd…
'A gripping story' - The Economist
‘a superior, readable treatment of an important but little-discussed epic from the Renaissance past ... An astonishing tale’ - Kirkus Reviews
About the author…
Ernle Bradford (1922-1986) was an historian who wrote books on naval battles and historical figures. Among his subjects were Lord Nelson, the Mary Rose, Christopher Columbus, Julius Caesar and Hannibal. He also documented his own voyages on the Mediterranean Sea.
666 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1971
39 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Ernle Bradford
116 books85 followersErnle Dusgate Selby Bradford was a noted British historian specializing in the Mediterranean world and naval topics. Bradford was an enthusiastic sailor himself and spent almost thirty years sailing the Mediterranean, where many of his books are set. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II, finishing as the first Lieutenant of a destroyer. He did occasional broadcast work for the BBC, was a magazine editor, and wrote many books.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 5, 2020
The first time I saw the Mediterranean Sea was in December 1986. I was in Israel, at Caesarea Maritima. What a magnificent sight the Sea was. So much history; so much diversity of culture. Unfortunately, I have not been back since.
This book chronicles much of the history of the Mediterranean. I learned far more about ships than I ever expected. It is extensively researched; I very much appreciate the poetry included in the narrative. But I guess the book was not what I expected.
Three stars waxing
This book chronicles much of the history of the Mediterranean. I learned far more about ships than I ever expected. It is extensively researched; I very much appreciate the poetry included in the narrative. But I guess the book was not what I expected.
Three stars waxing
November 13, 2023
I would've given in 5 stars if it weren't for the 4th part of the Book (Book IV). In the first 3 parts, Ernle introduced the history of ancient civilisations and battles along the Mediterranean in a nice way trying not to be affected by proor streotypes about the different civilisations that inhabited different areas of the Mediterranean and I really enjoyed reading it. However, as soon as time approached the date he was writing the book (i.e. the time he was alive), massive negative bias about many inhabiting populations emerges. Words like "mob" "shabby" "dejection" start to appear everyone about nations who newly achieved indepenence over colonial powers. The British mariner couldn't hide the bias and glorified colonial British powers. He could not also be subjective at all towards France or Napoleon describing or implying in many paragraphs how the French were losers. As a person coming from a country colonised by the French and glorify our independence - even I - can look at French history in a more subjective way that Ernle could. The rivalry between France and Britain sweeps into the corners of the last part of the book glorifying Britain and degrading France. In the last bit of the book, Ernle erases a lot of history showing white supremacy in his approach towards assessing events by not even mentioning that 1 million Algerians were deceased, even the French acknowledged it and also just brushing over Israel-Palestine struggle which was massively affected by the British mandate.
January 24, 2024
Spectacular piece of work - historical and geographical.
A top 20 of all books I’ve ever read. Wish I had this under my belt when I was U.S. NAVY Deputy Fleet Commander as would have been beneficial. The content provides key human terrain perspective over a key geographical region. It put much in great perspective for me - after having visited most of the key locations discussed. The only aspect I didn’t care for is the occasional diversion to those things covered in classical education… lack of interest on my part.
A top 20 of all books I’ve ever read. Wish I had this under my belt when I was U.S. NAVY Deputy Fleet Commander as would have been beneficial. The content provides key human terrain perspective over a key geographical region. It put much in great perspective for me - after having visited most of the key locations discussed. The only aspect I didn’t care for is the occasional diversion to those things covered in classical education… lack of interest on my part.
August 20, 2024
MEDITERRANEAN: PORTRAIT Of a SEA is a book that will certainly be present in my favorite books list. It has provided me with great information to fill in the holes that have cluttered my understanding of world history and does so with great lyricism and inspiration.
Bradford gives us the history of man's comings and goings over the last millenniums and made me more fascinated than I usually am. He tells a great story.
Bradford gives us the history of man's comings and goings over the last millenniums and made me more fascinated than I usually am. He tells a great story.
November 8, 2017
"Ler" é maneira de dizer - este é um livro de consulta recomendado para quem quer se aprofundar na história e geografia do Mediterrâneo (e História e Geografia se misturam muito quando se trata do "Mare Nostrum"). Não dá para enfrentar de uma vez só e demanda algum conhecimento prévio, mas vale muito a pena.
May 22, 2024
I learnt a great deal reading this book, covers a wide scope of history and provides a great summary of all the historical events around the Mediterranean. First time I have read one of Bradford’s books.
November 13, 2017
An interesting history and very nicely written. Put a lot of the world's history into context
January 30, 2021
One of my favourite books of all time. Have read it several times. A fantastic story of the region from the earliest times.
October 29, 2021
想象一下，地中海上方有一座漂浮的空岛，坐在那里俯瞰几千年的时间流转和世事变幻。海还是那片海，山还是那座山，世事却已巨变。地中海的浪花，还会一直观望着文明的跌宕起伏。
Want to read
November 17, 2022MyNextRead
May 23, 2023
Since I got acquainted with the book and read it, it is still my reference in knowing every history related to this sea and the surrounding area.
Read
November 13, 2024文明交织，配图更佳
January 24, 2009
I learned so much, couldn't even begin. It is so fascinating. Should be required reading for all history classes, and so well written.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews