The Great Sieges tells the dramatic stories of some of history's most memorable acts of heroism and defiance. Covering the actions of Alexander the Great, Cortes and Napoleon, war elephants, samurai and Desert Rats, here are 20 gripping stories of incredible bravery and endurance, courage and cruelty. Many of these sieges were not just extraordinary battles, but turning points in human history. The Ottoman victory at Constantinople began 400 years of Muslim rule in southeast Europe, while Hitler's epic and shattering defeats at Leningrad and Stalingrad would determine his downfall. But whatever their significance, each episode tells of men and women who stood firm - hoping to claim victory against all odds, but prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for their cause. From the plains of Persia to the dust of the Alamo, and from the great walls of Constantinople to the jungles of Vietnam, this is an enthralling overview of military history and human resilience.