The book by a prominent British historian is a vivid and incredibly fascinating story about all aspects of life in the Mediterranean, including climatic conditions, geography, flora and fauna. However, Bradford's main focus is on the rich and varied history of the region. He writes about the Etruscans, Phoenicians, Greeks and Persians; talks about the ships they sailed on and the wars they fought. He presents the Peloponnesian War, analyzes the relations of the Greeks with the East, the struggle between Rome and Carthage. Shows how Rome became the Eternal City, then the pendulum swung east and the rise of Constantinople. The author pays great attention to the relationship between the Western and Eastern Roman Empires, the Arab conquests, the Crusades, the fall of Byzantium, the arrival of the Turks, the consequences of Napoleon's campaigns and two world wars. He describes great naval battles and the people who took part in them.