Best-selling author David Ball has won widespread critical and popular acclaim for his sweeping novels, including Empires of Sand. With Ironfire Ball delivers a stirring historical epic of the Crusades. In the 16th century, only the Knights of Malta stand against the Ottoman Empire of Suleiman the Magnificent and his 40,000 brutal warriors. "Ball brings the tail end of the Crusades to life in a substantial piece of historical fiction that sizzles with action, romance, and drama."-Booklist
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"This was a great book. There were real characters! unlike in Angels in Iron. This book focused less on the history and instead yielded much better characters. The characters developed throughout the novel. It is also well-written. Overall it was a great book. I would recommend it to anyone. "
— Connor (4 out of 5 stars)
" Re-read this 5 years later and it is still one of my favorite historical fiction books of all time. Highly recommended. "
— Jennifer, 1/25/2011" great story that introduced me to Malta! loved it "
— Magcos, 12/4/2010" I really liked the way Ball personalized history for us. We have traveled to both Malta and Istanbul and his recreation of those places during the 1500s was amazing. "
— Amy, 9/29/2010" Beautiful historical fiction set around the great siege of Malta (1565). Must read for any history buffs and mildly curious, the siege is considered a turning point in the Ottoman advance on Europe. "
— Andrew, 6/28/2010" I am a sucker for historic fiction and this was a great read - not only because of its engaging characters but also the period and place. Now I want to travel to Malta to see the fortifications and Istanbul (on my list for a long time anyway). "
— Max, 4/19/2010" Very well researched historical novel about the 16th century seige of Malta. "
— Jim, 1/8/2010" Wonderful historical fiction .Had just been to Malta, so I could relate to the scenery...very vivid descriptions . "
— Cissy, 12/27/2009" Incredible attention to detail in this work of historical fiction. An interesting twist on Christians, Muslims and Jews. "
— Ian, 11/2/2009" This is one of the best written books I've ever come across. Even if you are not a huge fan of the crusades period, this book will keep you wanting more. "
— Andrew, 5/30/2009David Ball is an award-winning author who has held Shubert, McKnight, Rockefeller, and National Endowment of the Arts grants. His plays have been staged throughout North America and Europe, including the Guthrie in Minneapolis, off Broadway, and Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival. He’s taught writing at Duke and Carnegie-Mellon and has written many plays for the Tony Award–winning Theatre de la Jeune Lune. While he’s been most influenced by his science training and Peace Corps service (Afghanistan), two years of taxi driving was his favorite and most enlightening job. Born in NY’s Catskill Mountains to a bootlegger and an antique dealer, David is now widely known as America’s most influential trial consultant.
George Guidall, winner of more than eighty AudioFile Earphones Awards, has won three of the prestigious Audie Award for Excellence in Audiobook Narration. In 2014 the Audio Publishers Association presented him with the Special Achievement Award for lifetime achievement/ During his thirty-year recording career he has recorded over 1,700 audiobooks, won multiple awards, been a mentor to many narrators, and shown by example the potential of fine storytelling. His forty-year acting career includes starring roles on Broadway, an Obie Award for best performance off Broadway, and frequent television appearances.