About this title: The Ottoman Army - the most powerful the world had known by that time - lays siege to a Christian fortress in the mountains of Albania. Above the colourful host looms the great dark wall of the citadel that has to be overcome.Told partly through the personal narrative of one of the defenders, partly through the eyes of the Ottoman chronicler Mevla Celebi, Ismail Kadare's "The Siege" is a gripping narrative of a bloody, complex struggle that ends in defeat and desolation for both sides.Its story of blood, gore and boiling pitch provides Ismail Kadare with another vehicle for his long ...
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Description: Good. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: CANONGATE BOOKS LTD Country = UNITED KINGDOM
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9781847671226ISBN:1847671225
Description: BRAND NEW PAPERBACK. 336 pages. In the early fifteenth century, as winter falls away, the people of albania know that their fate is sealed. they have refused to negotiate with the ottoman empire, and war is now inevitable. soon enough dust kicked up by turkish horses is spotted from a citadel. (Paperback) read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd
Date Published: 2009-02-03
ISBN-13:9781847671851ISBN:1847671853
Description: NEW. Hardcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9781847671851. read more
Description: Like New. 2009-Paperback-May contain minor shelf-wear. Otherwise, volume un-read and in "As-New" condition. -Used-Like New-Hall Street Books proudly ships from Brooklyn, NY. All orders are processed and shipped within 24 hours, M-F. 100% money back No-Worry guarantee with expedited delivery and delivery confirmation available. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Canongate U. S
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9781847671851ISBN:1847671853
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Canongate Books
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9781847670304ISBN:184767030X
Description: Fine. FINE/FINE 1ST IMPRESSION 1ST ED 2008 CANONGATE HARDBACK WITH UNCLIPPED DJ AND REVIEW ARTICLE INSIDE COVER. LOVELY COVER ARTWORK, HIGHLY REGARDED NOVEL FROM THE ESTEEMED KADARE. SLIGHT SPINE LEAN ONLY, OTHERWISE FINE THROUGHOUT, FIRST EDITION. IMMEDIATE 1ST CLASS/AIRMAIL DISPATCH WORLDWIDE ~~Please browse our Alibris storefront for more related items, combined postage available. Alibris UK Featured Seller 2009~~ read more
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Canongate
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9781847670304ISBN:184767030X
Description: Fine in Fine jacket. FINE/FINE 1ST IMPRESSION 1ST ED 2008 CANONGATE HARDBACK WITH UNCLIPPED DJ AND REVIEW ARTICLE INSIDE COVER. LOVELY COVER ARTWORK, HIGHLY REGARDED NOVEL FROM THE ESTEEMED KADARE. SLIGHT SPINE LEAN ONLY, OTHERWISE FINE THROUGHOUT, FIRST EDITION. IMMEDIATE 1ST CLASS/AIRMAIL DISPATCH WORLDWIDE. read more
Edition: First U.K. Edition
Binding: Hardcover.
Publisher: Canongate, London
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9781847670304ISBN:184767030X
Description: Very fine in like dj. A Novel. Signed by Kadare on a special bookplate affixed to the front flyleaf. Translated from the French of Jusuf Vrioni by David Bellos. Albania's most famous novelist, who divides his time between Tirana and Paris. A previous novel-THE SUCCESSOR-won the 2005 Man Booker International Prize. 8vo boards. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Canongate, Edinburgh
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9781847670304ISBN:184767030X
Description: 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. Signed First UK edition, first prnt. Signed by Kadare on the title page. Translated from the French by David Bellos. Unread copy in Fine condition in a Fine dustjacket with an archival cover. Actual image of the book; not a stock photo. Originally publilished in Albanian in 1970. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9781847671226ISBN:1847671225
Description: New. In the early fifteenth century, as winter falls away, the people of Albania know that their fate is sealed. They have refused to negotiate with the Ottoman Empire, and war is now inevitable. Soon enough dust kicked up by Turkish horses is spotted from... read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Canongate U. S
Date Published: 2009-02-03
ISBN-13:9781847671851ISBN:1847671853
Description: Very Good. Slight wear on cover. May have personal inscription. Otherwise in like new condition. Usually ships next business day. For faster delivery, we suggest the Expedited Shipping Option. Buy with Pride! Zinc Media, Feel the Power of Knowledge! read more
Edition: First UK Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Canongate, Edinbrugh
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9781847670304ISBN:184767030X
Description: Very Good in Very Good jacket. Hardback. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. A very clean and sound copy with little sign of wear. Tiny mark to page edges. read more
Edition: First Edition (1st printing)
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Cannongate, NY
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9781847671851ISBN:1847671853
Description: As New in As New jacket. 12mo-over 6¾"-7¾" tall. This is a new and Unread copy of the first edition (1st printing)l The first American edition. Winner of the Booker International Prize. read more
Description: New. In the early 15th century, as winter falls away, the people of Albania know that their fate is sealed. Brilliantly vivid, as insightful as it is compelling, "The Siege" is an unforgettable account of the clash of two great civilizations, and a portra... read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Bond Street Books
Date Published: 2008-10-21
ISBN-13:9780385666633ISBN:0385666632
Description: New in New jacket. Purple pictorial dust jacket, maroon cloth over boards, gilt spine titles, new condition with just a hint of shelf wear, clean unread content, crisp new binding. read more
"This was interesting but at times I felt like I was reading a history book. The only difference was they spoke about the feelings of the people in the book. It was interesting though. It gave me a perspective of what things may have been like for warriors during this time period."
"An interesting journey into the intricacies of a siege of a castle, The Siege makes war as unglamorous and tedious as war chronicles have never let it be. It is an unusual account of war, where courage is easily replaced by scurrying soldiers, passion and charge is easily replaced by unending war council meetings, and love for the country is drowned in chaotic mistrust. More than fierce battles, the war happens through cutting off food and water resources of the enemy, through tossing of plagued animals in the enemy area or through stealing into the enemy's castle like a rat, through underground tunnels. Thus, despite being fictional, it seems a more realistic chronicle of war. Its chief characters are not soldiers, but are army appendages: a misinformed astrologer, a lost war chronicler who is exasperated in the battle field, a poet whose chief job is to write fiery poetry to charge-up the warriors, a quartermaster general who is occupied with the challenges of balancing food supplies for a huge army, a doctor. Everyone who makes war seem like a practical concern - far removed from the tragic romanticism usually accorded it. It is though, a bit drawn out. And being an Albanian, Kadare seems to have done the Turks some injustice in describing them as cowardly, unorganized and crafty, and drawing the Albanians as brave, intelligent and finally the victorious ones. After all, Turks did take over the Albanians in real history."
"Originally published in Albania in 1970, and then translated into French in the mid-90s, this excellent novel has finally made it into English. It tells the story of a fictional 15th-century siege of an Albanian castle by an Ottoman army. The details of this appear to be largely drawn from accounts of the 1474 siege of Shkoder, as well as the exploits of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg (aka The Dragon of Albania), who led the resistance to the Ottomans for about twenty years, until his death in 1468.
The siege is mainly told from the Ottoman perspective, as we are taken into the Pasha's tent for discussions of strategy, wander around the camp with the hapless scribe/historian sent to chronicle the impending great victory, and listen to the monologues of the quartermaster who has to keep the siege logistically afloat. There are also occasional brief interludes written from the perspective of the Christian defenders trying to conserve their water until the arrival of the rainy season that would effectively save them.
The mechanics and psychology of the siege are wonderfully brought to life, as the Ottomans struggle to bring their superior manpower and technology to bear in an effective manner. In that sense, it's a gripping, effective, and often bloody, work of historical fiction which will appeal to fans of that genre. At the same time, the story appears to function as allegory for the plight of Soviet-dominated Albania during the Cold War. The Ottoman army -- cowering under an absolute ruler abetted by a pervasive secret police, riven by internal factions (warlords, mystics, technocrats, etc.), and subject to show-trials and cruel and unusual punishments -- bears striking similarities to Albania under the rule of Enver Hoxha. Meanwhile, the castle's desperate defenders take on the role of freedom-loving intelligentsia within that same society. The symbolism is stark, since history tells us that the Ottoman Empire does eventually conquer Albania, and the castle does fall.
The translation is very good, as the camp comes alive on every page, and the battle scenes resound off the page. But it's to Kadare's immense credit that the story remains gripping while conveying its densely layered message. Well worth reading if you have any interest in the Ottoman Empire, Albania, military history, or simply excellent world literature."
"The topic of this novel is a unique one, one that is seldom covered by western authors: the siege of an albanian fort by ottoman army in the middle ages. The author has successfully captured the horrors of medieval warfare, with its long and brutal sieges and mayhem and terrible loss of life for the attackers. The story relates the siege from ottoman army perspective with interspersed short narrative from the albanian fort. The translation does have a dry feel to it in several portions of the novel. However, the writing overall is engrossing and rich."
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