Defenders of the Faith

James Reston talked about his book Defenders of the Faith: Charles V, Suleyman the Magnificent, and the Battle for Europe, 1520-1536 (Penguin Press; May 14, 2009). In his book he relates the attempt of Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent to conquer the Holy Roman Empire. The attempted Islamic conquest of Austria and Hungary culminated in battles at Vienna in 1529 and 1532 against Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. This book completes a study of the relationship between East and West that Mr. Reston begain in Warriors of God (2001) and Dogs of War (2005).