The Siege of Shkodra

"A gripping eyewitness account of the Albanian resistance to the advance of the Ottomans into the heart of Europe. Their defense of Shkodra was as heroic and thrilling as the better-known siege of Malta … Scholarly and highly readable."
(—ROGER CROWLEY, best-selling author of Mediterranean narrative history such as "Empires of the Sea" and "City of Fortune").

The year is 1478. Europe is under attack. Ten years after the death of their champion, Scanderbeg, the Albanians and Venetians continue to resist the Turks, defending their fatherland and buying time for Western Europe to prepare for the coming onslaught. History has long overlooked the heroic contribution of the Albanians to slowing the Ottoman machine intent on conquering all of Europe. Marin Barleti gives the world a thrilling firsthand account of heroism in the face of conquest—simple men and women fighting for their families, fields, and faith. Watch from the castle’s parapets and see Ottoman hordes whitewashing the fields below with their tents and squadrons. Learn how janissaries were trained and how new military cannons were ushered into the history of warfare. See how the outnumbered citizens foiled the invaders’ furious attacks. Even though the sultan is defeated and forced to retreat, he maintains the siege of Shkodra until the Venetian Senate cedes it to him as an ultimatum for peace. The crestfallen citizens of Shkodra choose emigration over subjugation, sailing across the Adriatic to safe harbor in Venice. With the Albanian coastline under his control, the sultan can finally set his attention upon Western Europe.