Islam At The Gates: How Christendom Defeated the Ottoman Turks [Paperback]

Diane Moczar (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1933184256 | ISBN-13: 978-1933184258 | Publication Date: April 30, 2008

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.

Editorial Reviews

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sophia Institute Press (April 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933184256
• ISBN-13: 978-1933184258
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Historic Truths of History Are Now Revealed In This Book, March 28, 2010

By 

J. Garton - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Islam At The Gates: How Christendom Defeated the Ottoman Turks (Paperback)

Historian and author of: Ten Dates Every Catholic Should Know, writes an eye opening account of how the Catholic church saved Europe from being swept away by Islamic invasion. European history taught in our schools, and portrayed in Hollywood show the church as cruel, murderers, that held crusades for the sole purpose conquering and destroying foreign lands.

Islam at the Gates, does not rewrite history but, provides the chronology of events and little known facts of the atrocities committed by Islam, during the Dark and Early Middle Ages, such as:

Destruction of places of worship--
Forced conversion--
Slavery--

The book also shows us the heros of our faith: Pope St. Gregory VII, Pope Urban IV, and Pope Urban V.

Each attempted to rally Europe to take up arms and defend, Eastern and Western Europe, against Islamic attacks. Despite the lack of response from European national leaders and monarchs of that age, these Popes possessed the courage to become the true protectors of the people and Christian faith.

Even as Islam stood at the very gate, ready to conquer and convert the continent to the Islamic religion and culture. These great men lead our church and the nations of Europe to victory, and safety. Because of the Catholic church, and the brave men that rallied behind the banner of the church in battle, Christianity survived, and lives on today.

After reading this book you will come to appreciate the history, leadership, and divine purpose of the Catholic church as defender of the Body of Christ and teacher of all the truths of Christianity.

39 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The West in Peril, August 31, 2008

By 

Doc Ridley ""Mr. President"" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Islam At The Gates: How Christendom Defeated the Ottoman Turks (Paperback)

Miss 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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History of Islam, January 10, 2011

By 

Raubry - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Islam At The Gates: How Christendom Defeated the Ottoman Turks (Paperback)

This book is an excellent historical review of the beginning of Islam; the following of the Quran to the jihadist extreme; the vicious side of slavery, pillage and death resulting from an area being conquered; the reasons why the crusades were called; the jealously and politically partisan Europe during this time; the political problems of the West and the Church; the poor and great leaders of the world during this period; the reasons for the receding borders of the Islamic aggressors; and the lessons learned by history to avoid and be alert for this type of conflict today. It was an excellent read and a very accurate historical presentation of that time period.