Features
- Cover Type: Paperback with 256 pages
- Published by: Sophia Institute Press April 30, 2008
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 1933184256
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-1933184258
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Book Dimensions:
8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
- Weighs: 11.2 ounces
Product Description
Historian Diane Moczar pulls back the curtain on one of the most important acts in the drama of Muslim aggression against the West: the 500-year-long siege of Europe by the Ottoman Turks. Tracing the rise of the Turkish people from wandering Asian tribe to mighty pan-continental empire, Islam at the Gates chronicles the heroes and villains, the battles and atrocities, the tragic errors and timely miracles, that marked the Ottomans incursions from Europes borders to the very heart of Christendom; and then, by the grace of God, their eventual repulsion and final defeat. Solid history and dramatic narrative make Islam at the Gates a moving look at Europes long struggle against the Turks. But the authors shrewd Catholic outlook also makes it an edifying one. Had these events unfolded just a little differently, Christian civilization might have been conquered by the sword of Allah. If we fail to learn the lessons of history, Dr. Moczar warns, the West may yet fall.
About The Author
Diane Moczar, PH.D, is also the author of Ten Dates Every Catholic Should Know. She teaches history at Northern Virginia Community College. She has written articles for Triumph, Smithsonian, Catholic Digest, National Review, The Latin Mass and many other publications.
Reader ReviewsMiss Moczar chronicles the centuries-long duel between Islam and Christianity with both a fair amount of detail, and yet great simplicity. The obvious Catholic angle that she takes in writing this does not take away from this. In fact, I think it adds to the richness in reading it. First off, I'm a history major. There are far too many history books out there where the author clearly has no moral compass whatsoever. To these post-moralist historians, there are no such things as good and bad guys. And frankly, not only does it make for dull reading, it's flat out wrong. Moczar on the other hand makes clear the atrocities committed by the Ottoman Empire against those it conquered. She details the heroes and villains alike, and even a few turncoats. I never fully comprehended just how close Western Civilization came to falling to the Muslims at so many different points in history. If it wasn't for the heroism of many a stubborn Christian, and the sheer incompetence and bungling of several Ottoman leaders, we might all very well be praying towards Mecca five times a day. Now before you all dismiss me as just another ultra-Catholic, I should point out that I am, in fact not religious at all. I'm an agnostic. That being said, I do recognize the threat that the West has been under before, and the one it continues to be under from Islamic radicals to this day. Islam is truly at the gates once more, no matter how much the multi-cultural, tolerant types would try to convince us otherwise. Most of Europe does not have the cajones to stand up against Islamic radicalism, leaving the United States along with only a few other nations to stand up against the next wave of terror from Islam.
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