The Last Crusader: A Novel about Don Juan of Austria

Amazing. Do not be scared by many historical names coming to you with the speed of a cannon. The book and its characters work on so many levels. It is a great piece of literature mainly because it is about a real historic figure who stayed his course inspired by higher purpose. And that is why he is so appealing and attractive. The great naval battle of Lepanto takes only a few pages but describes the issue of Crusades that became so controversial in the last two centuries. It is definitely a fresh look at the Christian history and a "politically incorrect" one. And on the spiritual level it transforms the reader. I just learned that de Wohl was inspired by the French convert Leon Bloy. Can't wait to read him too.

Louis deWohl is one of the best Christian authors when it comes to writing riveting and closely researched books on the lives of the saints. This book is about Don Juan of Austria who was the illegitimate son of King Charles and the half brother of King Phillip II of Spain. He is famous for being chosen by Pope Pius V to lead the sea battle of Lepanto against the Turks who were on the move against taking over Europe--and winning. Don Juan was only 23. The Christian fleet was greatly outnumbered. The Turks had not lost a battle in 400 years. It is a thrilling account of, not only this battle (which Chesterton also wrote about, only a shorter ver version) but also about the life of Don Juan, his Catholic faith, the people around him and a glimpse into the late 1500s. If this is your cup of tea, don't miss this one. You will cry as you watch God move throughout Don Juan's life and rejoice in his and God's victories.

This was a great story about one of the most important people in history. I loved it. Very inspiring.

Best I could tell from nonfiction sources, this novel is historically accurate. Very well written and edited. Characters are well developed. Gives an inside look at a crucial time for Western Civilization, when the Ottoman Empire threatened to conquer Christian Europe.

Loved the storyline and historical detail. The last quarter of book seemed rushed...lacked the interpersonal emotional detail in exchange for combat officer and location detail. Don Juan's final days and love story was left unanswered.

One of the things I like best about Louis de Wohl's books is how accurate they are in depicting real people and events. The various historical characters help put the story in context (such as the references to Philip's marriage to Queen Mary Tudor of England and later dealings with Elisabeth I). Even most of the minor characters are based on real people. After I read this I did more research and was surprised how accurate various scenes were, like the way that Juan first met his half-brother Philip, the way that St. Pope Pius V knew the exact moment that the battle had been won, and how the young poet Cervantes (future Don Quixote author), in spite of his fever, refused to stay below at the Battle of Lepanto.You might also like to check out another novel about his life:  The Lion and the Crescent: The Life of Don John of Austria .

An heroic, and triumphant noble soul, John or Juan of Austria saved the Western World from barbarity.This is a skillful and well imagined account of his development into a great hero.Viva John!

I have never read this author, and discovered him quite by accident. This book is one of those that you can't put down. It is living history and his ability to bring characters to life makes this a must read. Don Juan overcomes much through out his life constantly falling back on his faith. Can't say enough about this book.

It's a great book starring the savior of Christian Europe against the muslim world. At this time Christians were disunited and some Christian countries (as France and England) even willing to let the Turks win over their brothers in faith for -what they wrongfully believed - the increase of their own power. So there was no help from those countries. Last minute Don Juan could convince the quarreling Genoese and Venetians to unite for the good cause and to join the members of the Holy League. It's a compelling book not only about the battle of Lepanto, but also about virtues and great gallantery. After all it's a very relevant book for our time as modern Europe now suffers from the same human defects as it did 450 years ago. It's a warning for us and the lesson we can learn from this book cannot be underestimated.

Como todos los libros de Louis de Wohl, esta novela permite conocer a un personaje dentro de su contexto histórico.Muy recomendable.

Viel Phantasiedialoge und -handlung. Wer sich für das historische Geschehen in gut lesbar aufbereiteter Form interessiert, ist mit Roger Crowley`s "Entscheidung im Mittelmeer - Europas Seekrieg gegen das Osmanische Reich 1521-1580" sehr viel besser bedient und zwar noch besser als in seinem ersten Bestseller zur Eroberung Konstantinopels "Konstantinopel 1453" Crowley hat sich gesteigert, die Quellen scheinbar gnadenlos bis aufs Detail geplündert, wodurch er auf Phantasiesituationen und -Dialoge verzichten konnte, denn die Geschichte ist so detailliert dokumentiert, dass - vor allem die Schlacht um Malta- auch so schon nur allzu "lebendig" wird.