Malta Books

I enjoyed this refreshingly fast paced historical novel depicting a crucial East/West confrontation in 1565 at the island of Malta (just south of Italy). Armored knights and other Christians against robed, elite Janissaries and other Muslims in a months long siege of the vastly outnumbered (10 to 1) and outgunned Christian defenders of the island.

Prada excels in his description of weapons, military tactics and the grisly, brutal reality of 16th century hand to hand combat with swords, axes, pikes, spears and the like. He tries hard, and to an extent succeeds, in making you almost smell the blood, dust, urine, feces and rot of the battlefield.

But I would have liked more historical context and many of the battlefield scenes in the second half of the book seemed plagiarized from the first half. He also goes a little overboard with his superhuman knights against the brave but dumb Turk horde.

The book is nevertheless recommended as a page turner. For a first effort, Mr. Prata shows great promise as a writer of historical fiction. However, I was disappointed to see all of his subsequent work is "fantasy," whatever that is.

Well done Mr. Prata. Great book. Great fighting scenes. You can smell the flesh, the stink, the gun powder. You pushed me to go to Malta and see the battle scenes where Christian Europe future was saved. Great sentences, great leadership, just great. Some sentences I will ever remember like: "They have all the men in the world, captain (meaning Muslims) and the answer - Throw them!" or "Thousands man here are more than milion promissed!"
I regret these Knights are history, pity we do not have such leaders today. Highly recommend for all who love historical fiction with great leadership and excellent fighting!

This book isn't overly long at around 300 pages, but it's tight, every page propelling the story forward. And what a story! The turks are on the move and they intend to flow across Malta like a tsunami, sweeping away all resistance as they prepare to march on Rome itself. All they need to do is crush a small band of knights who make Malta their home since they were expelled them from Rhodes by those same Turks just a few decades before. With overwhelming force, the Turkish armies and navy descend on the rock and bring to bear one of the most devastating bombardments known to history. Outnumbered five to one, these Knights of St John are doomed! Or are they?

This was no mere "sit and wait until the starve" siege, this was steel on steel, cannons blazing action where thousands were struck down only to reveal thousands more still coming. Prata succeeds in conveying the overwhelming desperation of the situation and the hardships endured, the brutality and dehuminizing impact of this most intense siege perhaps in history. Definitely recommended!

To praise from other reviewers I would like to add a heartfelt "WOW!".

I just wonder how come Hollywood hasnt already made some Grand Epic based on this historical heroic episode.

On the PC angle one must say that though the story is told from the Christian view of events, the author makes it clear Turks and muslims were just as much heroic fighting and dying for their beliefs. If St Elmo's defenders were made from true hero stuff, the Janissars and others that led charges against its walls stepping over thousands of their own dead friends surely must be fairly said to be heroes too.

A true, historic and total battle of heroes from all sides that puts to shame even the Trojan War (mostly a legend, btw)

This is my kind of book! Some 300 pages devoted almost exclusively to among the most vividly depicted battle scenes I've ever read. Loved it, though the novel might have benefited from being a tad less battle-heavy and a bit more integrated, if you will. The novels of V.A. Stuart are good examples of what I mean. Still, "Angels in Iron" is the most unputdownable novel I've read since Peter Forbath's "The Last Hero".

OK, the book isn't perfect. There are some grammatical errors. On page 88, for example, Nicholas Prata writes that "less men reached St. Elmo". And there are occasional narrative problems. On page 279, Prata writes that "He [La Valette] was not content to allow the Turks to slip away unmolested, but planned to give Mustapha yet another wound to nurse upon the long journey home". Really? Well, maybe so, but we don't hear of this plan again, let alone of its implementation. To be sure, Mustapha is bloodied one last time, but that event has nothing to do with La Valette. Also, speaking of La Valette, was he always strategically correct? Prata accepts that he was, with little or no reflection. Well, while La Valette is exceptionally admirable (how badly we need him and his Knights today!), I thought that aspects of his St. Elmo strategy left much to be desired. In costing the Turks far more blood than they should have shed for that piece of rock, La Valette won the battle. His men could and should have been removed to fight another day -- and without the slightest tarnishing of honor.

All that being said, this is a terrific read.

Col. Ernle Bradford gives an easy, though profound insight; well researched, with the knowledge of an achieved soldier and accomplished sailor.
His courage he had done proof of in Egypt more than expected; the king knows and felt it.

Great Siege: Malta 1565 (Wordsworth Military Library.)

This is a good, well written book.The siege of Malta is one of those great episodes of history where almost super-human courage and bravery triumph against overhelming odds.

If you like adventure read this book: besides reading like a fascinating adventure story it happens to describe real-life actual facts. Beats any Hollywood epic, imho.

The "Great Siege", is the Siege of Malta in 1565, as the Turkish Ottoman Empire tried to expand further into the Mediterranean and up to Italy. The Ottomans had already conquered most of Eastern Europe.

The book, by a British historian named Ernle Bradford, is great! But unfortunately extremely difficult to get. It's not stocked on Amazon and second hand copies are rare. I was lucky and got mine second hand off Amazon for 20 bucks plus shipping, back in April. It's a book I'd always had a wish to read, since seeing a review years ago.

The historical background to the siege, and an abbreviated discussion can be found here online: Siege of Malta (1565) - Wikipedia.

The book uses all the contemporary accounts and puts them into a flowing narrative, that is really quite riveting. The main characters are the Grand Master of the Order of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John, (a fighting religous order who also maintained hospitals! Go figure.), Jean de Valette, the Turkish leader , Mustafa Pasha, and his Tripoli ally Turgot Reis.

The Turkish invaders really should have won the day as they had vastly more men. They were stymied by their own infighting, some bad tactical decisions (especially opening the siege by trying to capture the Fort of St. Elmo's), and by the heroic defense of the Christian defenders who travelled to Malta, and the Maltese fighters. The violence level is appalling. It was a bad idea to be captured, by either side!

It's a great, highly readable story, if you can get the book. I hope it gets re-issued soon.

An absolute page turning account of a desperate battle. The account, though historically informative, reads like a novel. It is concisely written, expressive, and captivating. I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book if you're interested in not only learning about a fascinating struggle, but in obtaining a sense of what it must have been like to be in Malta in 1565.

This is a truly great book. Mr Bradford is so passionate about his subject, so vivid in his detail, that it's all you can do not to book a plane ticket to go and see for yourself. The detail is staggering - he recreates the past with the love and care of an artist. It is a book about the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and their struggle against the Turks of the Ottoman empire - and it's a ripping good read. Just pick it up - you'll enjoy it.

Other Countries/Other Worlds
"Fantasy and Fiction for Adults"
By Louis Fried

This is a delightful collection of stories that hold your attention and imagination. The characters in each story are unique, one-of-a-kind and they pull you into their world never letting go until the end.

Mr. Fried takes the reader on an around the world journey full of his characters and their adventures that remain with you long after the story has ended. Each story is just long enough to enjoy when you have short blocks of time for reading.

Other Countries/Other Worlds is a book that is hard to put down, a must read. Congratulations to Mr. Fried for writing an extremely enjoyable adult fantasy/fiction book.

Tales which draw the reading witht the suspenseful adventure which captivates and overwhelms the leader with joy and longing for more more more.

Wishes do come true in this spirited anthology of short stories, all of which, whether the setting is a mythical planet or 15th century Malta or the pubs of Kilkenny, Ireland, center around the abiding desire of the protagonist. A werewolf desperately desires to rid himself of his substance abuse problem, a woman needs a mermaid's help to find love and motherhood, a guy with a horrible case of sciatica would sell his soul for a cure. All get their wish -- or what satisfies something elemental inside them - but never in the way they've planned, as Louis Fried uses fantastical settings and sometimes absurd, sometimes deadly real problems to paint a picture of human nature as sexual, avaricious, innocent, brave, and, above all, celebratory of the wonderful world of the senses. In essence, this is a thoughtful book wrapped in a sparkling package that will leave you cogitating as you chuckle.

These are the kind of short stories you found in Playboy during its heyday: well-crafted writing that makes you want more.

It reminds me of the science fiction of my youth - a bit of Rod Serling, a bit of Hitchcock, and a lot of magic and mystery. There is no techno-babble and no need to explain everything. And there is just enough sex to keep it interesting without excessive recourse to bodily fluids.

Fried is revitalizing the genre!

Fried's stories always delight with an unexpected ending.
Fried tells tales of humor, sex and war with endings you should have expected but do not.
These stories are for adults.

Christopher Shores et al. have produced a first-rate book on the contributions made by the Spitfire in the defense of Malta against a determined Axis assault.

From 1940 to 1942, Malta served as a linchpin in Britain's efforts to retain a presence in North Africa and the Mediterranean against the Axis Powers. From Malta, British air and sea vessels would harry German and Italian ships sending supplies to Rommel in the Western Desert during the height of the fighting there in 1941-42. Ship sinkings became almost prohibitive to the Axis, so both the Germans and Italians resolved to destroy Malta through air assault.

The first Spitfires arrived in Malta in February 1942 to supplement and replace the few remaining Hurricane fighters who had helped defend Malta since 1940.

This book reads almost like a daily diary of the war in, around, and over Malta throughout 1942. The reader gets a keen appreciation for the sacrifices made by the pilots, soldiers, and civilians in Malta who stood up to the Axis, and won. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Christopher Shores et al. have produced a first-rate book on the contributions made by the Spitfire in the defense of Malta against a determined Axis assault.

From 1940 to 1942, Malta served as a linchpin in Britain's efforts to retain a presence in North Africa and the Mediterranean against the Axis Powers. From Malta, British air and naval vessels would harry German and Italian ships sending supplies to Rommel in the Western Desert during the height of the fighting there in 1941-42. Ship sinkings became almost prohibitive to the Axis, so both the Germans and Italians resolved to destroy Malta through air assault.

The first Spitfires arrived in Malta in February 1942 to supplement and replace the few remaining Hurricane fighters who had helped defend Malta since 1940.

This book reads almost like a daily diary of the war in, around, and over Malta throughout 1942. The reader gets a keen appreciation for the sacrifices made by the pilots, soldiers, and civilians in Malta who stood up to the Axis, and won. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Christopher Shores et al. have produced a first-rate book on the contributions made by the Spitfire in the defense of Malta against a determined Axis assault.

From 1940 to 1942, Malta served as a linchpin in Britain's efforts to retain a presence in North Africa and the Mediterranean against the Axis Powers. From Malta, British air and naval vessels would harry German and Italian ships sending supplies to Rommel in the Western Desert during the height of the fighting there in 1941-42. Ship sinkings became almost prohibitive to the Axis, so both the Germans and Italians resolved to destroy Malta through air assault.

The first Spitfires arrived in Malta in February 1942 to supplement and replace the few remaining Hurricane fighters who had helped defend Malta since 1940.

This book reads almost like a daily diary of the war in, around, and over Malta throughout 1942. The reader gets a keen appreciation for the sacrifices made by the pilots, soldiers, and civilians in Malta who stood up to the Axis, and won. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Shores and Cull really can write about WW II aviation. Their books are marvellous, action-packed, accurate, full of data. I just don't know why all their books are so expensive. I bought "249 at War", but this one I had to borrow from a friend of mine.

First of all I would like to say,that if you haven't already read Christopher Shores "HURRICANE YEARS"I suggest you do so.Malta The Spitfire Year 1942 is the second volume of the air battle in malta. The Author Chrisopher Shores has done a superb job on this book.There are more than 200 rare photographs and more detail regarding the air battle of Malta. Thankyou Christopher Shore for a memorable book.

I am sixty years old in the fifties we lived on the island of Malta this book is the truest representation of the place and history laden time transferred into a work of fiction that I have ever read. One is not only entertained but gently educated which is of course the way of the people of Malta. The sad thing is this author did not write many many more books. He was a brilliant man and a literary treasure. Take this volume with you to a quiet place and journey back through time meet the people and walk the streets of Malta. Learn something about a quickly disappearing way of life. You will not be disappointed at any price.

Nicholas Monsarrat presents a well written story which draws you in. This is the story of father Salvatore, an ordinary priest who rises to extraordinary circumstances. While the main story is set in mediterranean Malta in 1940-1942, Nicholas Monsarrat manages to seamlessly weave in malta's history from the dawn of time. Story: Father Salvatore, whose church is bombed early on in the scirmishes between Italy/Germany and Malta, provides comfort and solace to a growing number of desperate maltese by showing them what hardships malta and its inhabitants have had to endure throughout the ages and how they have managed to come out stronger every time. The growing popularity of Salvatore and his church in the ancient catacombs is seen as a threat by other clergymen and he faces a constant struggle to keep doing what is his calling..

If I have managed to make it all sound boring.. it's not! Buy it, borrow it, but whatever you do read it!

I decided to look this book up again, decades after I first read it. Because it haunts me and stays with me always.

My grandfather gave me a copy of Monsarrat's novel as a teenager, one of his must read classics, like Youngblood Hawke. I was riveted from page one.

The Kappillan of Malta is a brilliant, Michener-esque journey through Maltese history. Set during World War II, narrated through the worldview of a priest trying to save people from the bombardments by hiding in the caverns, this story seamlessly moves through time, from past to present and everywhere in between, mapping the island, her people, and their souls. It is an amazing journey.

I cannot recommend this books highly enough. Grandfather, you were right. A definite must read.

two stories here--a history of malta and a priest's story during ww2 malta
this book is superbly written and provides the reader an incredible history of a not too well known country.

Ned Middleton is incorrect to say that the destroyers were reluctant to go along side the Ohio. She was dragged into Valleta harbour with a destroyer lashed to each side.You cannot get any closer than that.

Geographically, Ohio may be a long way from Malta but the two became forever linked through the historical events of WW2. The Ohio was a ship - at that time the largest (and fastest) Tanker ever built, and Malta a country under siege. Malta's position in the Mediterranean meant she played a vital part in the war in North Africa - with aircraft based there attacking Rommel's supply lines at every opportunity. In order to maintain those attacks, however, it was imperative she continued to be re-supplied by convoy.

By August 1942 Malta was in dire need of help. Unless substantial supplies were delivered - and soon!, Malta would have to be surrendered by 7 September at the very latest. In the meantime the German campaign in North Africa was going from strength to strength because aircraft based at Malta had no fuel to continue their campaign. They were also running out of aircraft.

Operation Pedestal comprised 14 commercial ships which departed the Clyde on 2 August 1942. By the time they entered the Mediterranean on 10 September such was the importance of this convoy that no fewer than 4 Aircraft Carriers were assigned to the overall defence. From here on those ships came in for attack after attack from air and sea and they pushed ever closer to their destination. Almost immediately the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle was lost and the next day the 8,000 ton cruisers Kenya and Nigeria were put out of action and the 4,190 ton light cruiser Cairo sunk. It was at this time the Ohio took a direct hit from a torpedo. For a long while she was stopped in the water with her crew making frantic repairs and an easy target. In spite of her extensive damage, however, the ship got under way and was soon making 15 knots. By the morning of the 14th she had caught up. In the meantime, however, the 9,400 ton cruiser HMS Manchester was lost.

The loss of so many capital ships on a single operation only served to underline the importance of this convoy. One at a time the freighters with their valuable cargoes were being reduced in number as they were attacked and lost. From now on the Ohio received greater attention - from both sides. Firstly she had become the primary target for Axis forces and secondly she was regarded as the most important ship still afloat as far as the convoy was concerned. In short, the Ohio must reach Malta at all costs. She was torpedoed, she was shot at, she was bombed with explosives and bombed with fuel in a bid to set her alight. The many near missed she suffered twisted her hull and with her cargo of fuel oil and kerosene leaking in all directions she could have simply blown apart at ant time. She was abandoned and re-boarded (twice), her steering gear was first damaged making steering impossible and then it was blown away altogether. She lost countless tows and was so badly damaged that Destroyers were loath to come alongside less they sustain damage from the ship itself.

But come alongside they did and, re-boarded yet again and - when any lesser ship would have been sunk several times over, the Ohio was finally berthed alongside Parlatorio Wharf, Malta at 0930 hrs 15th August 1942. Only four other ships from the original 14 also arrived. Incredibly, very little of the Ohio's cargo had been lost and as a direct result of this incredible feat of human endurance, the fuel carried by this one ship helped turn the war in North Africa in favour of the Allies.

This book tells the tale of a single ship. In bringing Operation Pedestal to life in a thrilling and readable style, Michael Pearson skilfully draws the reader into the events aboard other ships at key moments in the voyage. He also includes just about each and every many who played a key role at various times. All the facts and figures are there including brief technical details of every ship. For those who wish to study the many pages of bibliography, his account is also exceedingly well researched and I congratulate him on a job well done.

NM

A great true story about the trials and tribulations of a tanker and its crew trying to get their ship to Malta through the gauntlet of German and Italian planes and submarines during ww2.

On the surface this looks like just such a novel. It even has the standard formula of princes and castles and what not. Why would I have even attempted this novel? My wife insisted that Caroline Harvey; Joanna Trollope was not mindless. O.K. so I was challenged to red this one.
Ha! I spotted the formula and as soon as Lila Cunningham hit Malta I figured out pretty much how it was going to end. A curious thing happened. By then I was hooked and had to go on. There were many details that I did not guess. Unlike most formula books that try to hook you on romance or those ones that have endless nonsensical descriptions, this book had the feel that it was going somewhere and only described what was necessary to tell the story.
After I finished the book I said "See it was a formula book." Why would someone want to read about some girl in Malta? It was pointed out that the setting is to depict a different lifestyle. This is not so much of an escape from reality, but a diversion of a different reality. Later you see that the castle and prince and even the Perrimans are the backdrop of real people that we run across everyday. Lila's situations and decisions are ones we may have to make. The real story is about Lila, her choices and consequences. The story implies that she grows up. Personally I think she changed but that does not constitute growing up.
Ayn Rand says that love is a reflection of your values as seen in the other person. You can see this as Lila's values changed, so has the target of her love. Ayn Rand also says that you should not just live for love. You should have a career and or a purpose beyond love. Lila and others discover this throughout the novel. So this novel leaves you with many after thoughts.
Well done Caroline Harvey.

For the past three years, Lila Cunningham has dreamed of leaving her small village to live in London. However, almost twenty-one, Lila realizes her hopes seem out of reach due to her Pa's bungling that has left the family near financial ruin. A desperate Lila turns to her employer, the Perriams for guidance. The elderly couple offers Lila a deal. Lila and Pa can serve as caretakers of their home on the island of Malta.

Lila and Pa find the Perriman mansion in terrible shape with a peasant family squatting inside the home. As Hitler turns his attention on the island, so do some of the residents turn their eyes towards Lila. Schoolteacher Angelo Saliba wants the Englishwoman as his own. However, Lila ignores the native islander in favor of the exciting Anton, nephew to Count Tabia. Anton goes off to war with Lila vowing to wait for his return. As the war hits home, Lila begins to realize that substance is more important than a few luxuries, but is it too late for the transplanted Englishwoman?

The first Caroline Harvey novel published in America is a joy for fans of World War II romances. THE BRASS DOLPHIN is an exciting tale whose non-stop story line centers on what truly matters in life. The characters are intelligent and make the early stages of WW II seem as if it's on the TV. Internationally renowned for her works under the name of Joanna Trollope, Ms. Harvey will leave her admiring readers demanding the release of her other Harvey novels previously published in England.

Harriet Klausner

Christopher Marlowe is a genius. This thorough, Oxfordiancompilation of his best known plays contains Tamburlaine the Great parts one and two, the Tragical History of Doctor Faustus in its original A-text and its later B-text, The Jew of Malta, and Edward II. The beauty of these dramas lies in the fact that they're short but powerful reading pieces. In five acts Marlowe was able to generate a story complete with action, classical allusions, and a bawdy humor one might not expect from otherwise generally classified stuffy English Renaissance drama. This book contains an exhaustive introduction that explains many details of the publication dates of the plays and the differences between versions (Faustus). It also contains a thorough section for notes that further explain the texts. Finally, it contains a glossary of the commonly used words from the texts. The bottom line? This book is a great read--it's funny (I can't begin to stress that enough), and you will appreciate Marlowe's wit and talent just as much as William Shakespeare did. Buy it today!

HAVING BEING A SIXTH GRADE STUDENT WHO WAS ASSINGED TO DO A BOOK REPORT ABOUT A CLASSIC NOVEL OR SHORT STORY.I DECIDED TO CHOOSE AN UNCONVENTIONAL NOVEL .I CHOSE THIS ONE BECAUSE IT IS NOT ONLY DISTURBING BUT AMAZING AS WELL IT IS ONE OF THE BEST IF NOT THE BEST NOVEL EVER WRITTEN. MOVE OVER SHAKESPHERE MARLOWE IS COMING FOR YOR CROWN YOU MAY NO LONGER BE THE GREATEST WRITER WHO HAS EVER LIVED ONCE WORD OF THIS REVIEW GETS OUT.

We found the Malta Insideout City Guide to be very helpful to us for our recent short (4 day) visit to Malta. It provided highlights of things to see and do as well as helpful travel and lodging information all arranged in a useful manner. The maps were very helpful in making our way around the city and island. The size was very handy at the expense of the very small print.

I have traveled quite a bit and have used travel guides from many different companies, but I have just discovered the Insideout guides and I really like them. They are truly designed for use while in the area you are visiting, though they are also good for planning. The key to understanding these guides is to realize that they are full of features though very compact, and fit easily in a pocket or purse.

The Insideout guide to Malta has two unique popout maps, one of the island itself with a smaller map of St. Julian's Bay (which also includes Paceville, Is-Swieqi, and the road to San Gorg Lido and Saint George's Tower, the Ix-Xatt Ta' San Gorg;) the other popout map is of Valletta, Sliema, and Mdina, and has especially excellent depictions of historic landmarks such as various war memorials, the Maglio Gardens, Neptune's Courtyard, and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Inside the rear cover is a good (but small) map of Gozo and Comino (Ghawdex and Kemmuna) including such important features as the Pornskizillious Museum of Toys, the Folklore Museum, the Mgarr ix-Xini Tower, and the convenient heliport at Mgarr.

In total the book has 64 pages of information on Malta, all of which are well written and useful. Of course the interesting sights like the Blue Grotto, the Dingli Cliffs, and the amazing Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni (a huge 4,000 year old underground temple) are well represented, but this little guide also contains great information on restaurants, performing arts, sports, and retail shops, including information ranging from the popular Maltese clothing shop "Mango & Pull & Bear" which is known for excellent casual clothing at reasonable prices to the less well-known Ta' Xbiegi Craft Village, which, while housed in World War Two vintage Nissen huts, features beautiful lace, gold and silver filigree, and the ceramics for which Maltese artisans are so well known.

Adding to the appeal of this book is its clever binding. The spine of this book actually contains a small but useable magnetic compass to help with orientation on the ground, and a small pen which is very handy for taking notes (there is a spare page for notes near the rear of the book as well.) For useful and easily usable information at your fingertips, this is the one guide to Malta that any traveler should definitely take with them. I highly recommend this guidebook.

This book covers the topic of helicopter stability and control in an excelent manner. It is a very useful reference for aerospace students specialized in rotary-wing design and control like myself.

Well written, complete book on helicopter design, aerodynamics, stability & control, and performance. Includes the overall concepts as well as the detailed equations