This is a new release of the original 1932 edition.

Don Juan of Austria, one of history’s most triumphant and inspiring heroes, is reborn in this opulent novel by Louis de Wohl. Because of the circumstances of his birth, this last son of Emperor Charles the Fifth spent his childhood in a Spanish peasant’s hut. Acknowledged by King Philip as his half-brother, the attractive youth quickly became a central figure in a Court where intrigues and romances abounded. Don Juan’s intelligence, kindness and devout attachment to the Church enabled him to live in an environment of unscathed luxury, violence and treachery. De Wohl paints in brilliant color scenes at the Court of King Philip, Juan’s campaign against barbaric Moriscos in Andalusia and the climatic victory at Lepanto where he saved the Christian world from Islamic dominance. The Last Crusader abounds in vivid scenes and characters. Who can forget the sadisitic nature of the Prince of Asturias, the spirituality of Fray Juan de Calahorra, the scheming of beautiful Princess Ana of Eboli, the barbaric siege of Malta, or Emperor Charles the Fifth waiting for death, in his stygian throne room? Here is a novel of high adventure which brings to life the turbulence of the sixteenth century with its extremities of the wickedness and piety, its sins of pride and conquest, its seething heresies. With his strong talent for exciting historical narrative, Louis de Wohl adds another great dynamic novel to his already lustrous career.

Hilaire Belloc called "Lepanto" Chesterton's greatest poem and the greatest poem of his generation. But not only have English classes neglected this masterpiece of rhyme and meter, History classes have neglected the story of the pivotal battle upon which the poem is based. This book brings together the poem, the historical background of the famous battle, a riveting account of the battle itself, and a discussion of its historical consequences. The poem is fully annotated, and is supplemented with two interesting essays by Chesterton himself. Well-known Chesterton expert, Dale Ahlquist, has gathered together all the insightful commentaries and explanatory notes. Here is the story behind the modern conflict between Christianity and Islam, between Protestant and Catholic Europe, and the origin of the Feast of the Holy Rosary. A fascinating blend of literature, history, religion and romance! "A valuable reference book that isalso a great read!" —Therese Warmus, Literary Editor, Gilbert Magazine G.K. Chesterton was one of the most prolific and renowned literary writers of the 20th Century. Dale Ahlquist, author of G.K. Chesterton: Apostle of Common Sense, is the President of the American Chesterton Society.

Explores the role of the nobility and analogous traditional elites in contemporary society.