Customer Reviews

The Spear of Lepanto

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a historian familiar with the time period in which "Spear of Lepanto" takes place, I give it very high marks for feeling "authentic". The book reads like a smooth-flowing story as opposed to a lesson--which is rare in the genre.

Mr Radomile uses many real characters to spice up his innovative and unique story. Audacious but reverent, "Spear" treads lightly across the Renaissance leaving the reader entertained and enlightened, never bored.

If you have tired of run-of-the-mill fiction and light, low calorie, actioners, then you should pick up "Spear of Lepanto"--it might just be the best read you'll have all year.

just finished the spear. well written. good historical novel.some confusion with quantity of characters but a minor problem. keeps interest thru out. well researched. cant wait for part 2.

I enjoyed this book very much.It is a very well written and researched work of art.This was one of the greatest battles in world history and the author brings it to life with a captivating storyline that can be appreciated by readers of all ages.The other reviews listed here have related the essence of this work so I will merely say that I highly reccomend this book and eagerly await the final installment.thank you very much Mr. Radomile

If you want a fast fun read then "The Spear of Lepanto" is for you. It is an outstanding historical novel written by Leon J. Radomile. The book contains all the elements of a great epic. If the book were written in the 1940s, surely Hollywood would have made it into a matinee movie starring the likes of Tyrone Power or Errol Flynn.
Italian American Radomile is a student of history. His knowledge of Renaissance Italy amplifies an already exciting and suspenseful plot. Throughout the story he brings up historical facts and anecdotes that will further educate and enlighten the reader about Italy's incredible past, especially during the 16th Century.
The setting of the book is 1570 and the Ottoman Turks are on the verge of invading Italy. Italy is not one country but many city-states. Venice is one particular city-state with colonies in the eastern Mediterranean consisting of islands off the Greek coast. The Turks want to take possession of those islands and start a war with Venice. The Ottoman Empire is the dominant power of the time and Venice turns to Rome and Spain, with its colonies Naples and Sicily, for help in fending off the Turks. Rome is led by Pope Pius V. The pope knows that the combined strength of Venice, Rome and Spain is no match for the mighty Ottomans. He seeks an advantage by obtaining a sacred object believed to give immense mythical power to any army that possesses it. Hence, part of the title of the book, the sacred object is the spear used by the Roman centurion Longinus to pierce the side of Jesus Christ during crucifixion. It is this spear that the pope and his aides believe will give the alliance of Rome, Venice and Spain divine power to defeat the Ottoman Turks.
The spear is housed in Topkapi palace in Constantinople. The pope enlists the services of his diplomatic troubleshooter, the book's main character, Leonardo Radolowick to sneak into the Turkish capital and retrieve the holy relic. Accompanied by members of the Knights of St. John and a young Spanish writer and adventurer Miguel de Cervantes, Radolowick sets out on the mission aboard a ship uniquely designed by Leonardo Da Vinci. What follows is a most entertaining tale by Radomile. The saga unfolds with pirates, swashbucklers and sea battles, spies, assassins, the intrigues of kings, emperors and popes and of course the helpless maiden rescued and loved by the main character.
What is most impressive about Radomile is his grasp of history. He provides rich details of the Renaissance. The reader learns that Italy was no island onto itself. The region had considerable trade with a number of other countries and cultures and Italy epitomized internationalism. For instance, the main character Radolowick is a native of Bosnia but grew up in Italy after his village and home were destroyed by Turkish invaders. Other displaced Bosnians integrate into Italian society and it suggests that some of today's Italians actually have roots in such eastern European nations like Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Albania. Certainly the name Radolowick and Radomile are very similar. The main character's name is no doubt modeled after the author's. As a perceptive student of history, Radomile has traced his family roots beyond Italy to Bosnia. Hence, "The Spear of Lepanto" is a wonderful historical novel that any reader will immensely enjoy and in addition a quiet tribute by the author to his family. FROM PRIMO MAGAZINE, AUG-SEP 05 ISSUE

This book is just dripping with character and history. It was one of those books that I kept finding reasons to wander out on my porch to keep reading - a true page turner. My only problem with this book is that it ended. Leon - when are you gong to finish book two? Your readers are like Radolowick's men; impatiently waiting for land to appear! Bravo, Mr. Radomile.