The Forgotten Frontier ─ A History of Sixteenth-Century Ibero-African Frontier

The sixteenth-century Mediterranean witnessed the expansion of both European and Middle Eastern civilizations, under the guises of the Habsburg monarchy and the Ottoman empire. Here, Andrew C. Hess considers the relations between these two dynasties in light of the social, economic, and political affairs at the frontiers between North Africa and the Iberian peninsula.

"An erudite reinterpretation of sixteenth-century Mediterranean history...An impressive contribution [that is] at once a regional frontier history, a synthesis of the sixteenth-century western Mediterranean wars, and an interpretative essay about the Habsburg-Ottoman imperial struggle and its aftermath."-Hispanic American Historical Review

"Impressively researched, concise, and informative....Convincingly explains why two empires came face to face and then turned back to back, leaving two very different and mutually antagonistic societies in their wake." Catholic Historical Review

"The implied scope of Hess's very impressive piece of work is far greater than its title would suggest.... A very skillful and sure-handed tour." Middle East Journal

"This thought-provoking book will interest not only readers concerned with Mediterranean history and culture, but those concerned with Islam Resurgent both then and now." Journal of Modern History

Andrew C. Hess is professor of diplomacy and director of the Program for Southwest Asia and Islamic Civilization at Tufts University.