The Great Seige, Malta 1565
by Ernle Bradford
E-Reads edition, 2010
Originally published in 1961
Comments: This is the story of one of the greatest military sieges in the history of warfare. In 1565 the Knights Hospitalier, one of the last remaining military orders in the Holy Roman Empire, were based on the island of Malta. For both political and strategic reasons Malta was important for the expansionist plans of the Ottoman Empire to control the Mediterranean. Consequently the Turks amassed a large army and naval armada to attack the island and seize control for the Sultan. The defenders consisted of a small cadre of knights backed by Maltese islanders, facing a Turkish force that outnumbered the them to an apparently decisive extent. For most concerned nations at the time the outcome was thought to be certain. But this story is one of those stunning examples of how a small group of highly trained, disciplined, and committed warriors overcame overwhelming odds to defeat a much larger foe and change the tide of history.
This is another fascinating historical account by Ernle Bradford, reinforcing his reputation not only as an adept historian, but as a master storyteller. Bradford spent much of his life living on the Mediterranean, including several years on Malta. He brings to the story an intimate knowledge of the island's terrain and the natural forces of the nautical landscape that surround it, effectively describing events as someone who understands the minutiae of those important variables, adding meaningful detail and interest to the story. With this book he delivers another well done tale that is well worth reading.
Copy Notes: Includes bibliography, notes, and glossary
by Ernle Bradford
E-Reads edition, 2010
Originally published in 1961
Comments: This is the story of one of the greatest military sieges in the history of warfare. In 1565 the Knights Hospitalier, one of the last remaining military orders in the Holy Roman Empire, were based on the island of Malta. For both political and strategic reasons Malta was important for the expansionist plans of the Ottoman Empire to control the Mediterranean. Consequently the Turks amassed a large army and naval armada to attack the island and seize control for the Sultan. The defenders consisted of a small cadre of knights backed by Maltese islanders, facing a Turkish force that outnumbered the them to an apparently decisive extent. For most concerned nations at the time the outcome was thought to be certain. But this story is one of those stunning examples of how a small group of highly trained, disciplined, and committed warriors overcame overwhelming odds to defeat a much larger foe and change the tide of history.
This is another fascinating historical account by Ernle Bradford, reinforcing his reputation not only as an adept historian, but as a master storyteller. Bradford spent much of his life living on the Mediterranean, including several years on Malta. He brings to the story an intimate knowledge of the island's terrain and the natural forces of the nautical landscape that surround it, effectively describing events as someone who understands the minutiae of those important variables, adding meaningful detail and interest to the story. With this book he delivers another well done tale that is well worth reading.
Copy Notes: Includes bibliography, notes, and glossary
