The Great Siege, Malta 1565: Clash of Cultures: Christian Knights Defend Western Civilization Against the Moslem Tide

In the summer of 1565 on the parched ground of Malta, the future of Western Civilization was decided. Would the Moslems continue their expansion into the Mediterranean, preying on European ships and taking Christian slaves as far away as England? Or could they be held back?It was an epic struggle, an astounding tale of resolve and leadership, of disunity in command and disunity among allies.Soleyman the First was on the move. Even his European foes grudgingly said he earned the title “The Magnificent”. He had conquered large parts of the Middle East. His movement into Europe was only stopped at the gates of Vienna in 1529. But, at age 70, he was not resting on his laurels. Malta was a strategic thorn in the side of the Ottoman Empire, a base Christians could use to attack his supply and communication lines.It would not be the first time Soleyman had tangled with the Knights of St. John, the Hospitallers, who used Malta as their base. In 1493, he had driven them off Rhodes. But they had turned Malta with its fine harbors into a base for raiding Moslem shipping.Soleyman ordered two men to lead the assault on Malta. Mustapha Pasha would command the army. Piali would command the naval part of the expedition.The man they faced was the Grand Master of the Hospitallers, Jean Parisot de la Valette. A single-minded man of noble birth, he had given himself entirely to the Hospitallers whom he joined at the age of 20. He had survived a year as a galley slave in the Ottoman fleet. He would command the defense personally, fighting constantly under the hot sun in full armor at age 61.It was Valette who knew a siege was coming and fortified the island, who firmed the resolve of his men in the siege. With Valette, this is not only a compelling historical account but a study in leadership. Before the siege, the locals had little reason to love the Knights. But, during the siege, none of them became a turncoat. Nor did any of the local Jewish population who had no call to love the Christians.It was Valette’s resolve as a single commander that carried the day in the face of almost equal Moslem resolve and far superior numbers but a resolve weakened by their lack of a unified command.Bradford’s story, one of the first accounts of the siege in English (King Henry VIII had disbanded the English chapter of the Hospitallers and contemporary accounts are in French, Italian, and Spanish), is compelling history: thirst and disease, Hospitaller forts falling one by one, calling on the Viceroy of Sicily to help, men swimming channels in the teeth of enemy fire, and desperate sallies.Bradford concisely gives us the historical background to the main event, the organization and logistics of the opposing forces, maps of Malta and its fortifications, thumbnail biographies, and quotes from contemporary accounts. A glossary of terms is provided. There is no index, but that’s not a problem in a kindle edition.But Bradford also brings something else besides his skillful narration: a deep knowledge of Malta’s terrain and people. He was stationed there as a member of the Royal Navy in the second siege of Malta in World War Two. He sailed around the islands extensively. And, most importantly, he gives us local history and legend and folklore and poems about the siege. These were left out of contemporary histories, and the Maltese language had no alphabet until the 19th century.It’s a highly recommended book even for those not interested in military history or the Crusades and the peculiar Christian warriors they gave birth to. The Siege of Malta was their finest hour.

Excellent descriptive writing with challenging vocabulary. Fascinating era and people - from the peasants to the Grand Master knight Vallette- everyone ready to kill for their beliefs - everyone an infidel to the other. The story absolutely engaging- The problem? No way you can keep track of the geography without additional maps. I had to print several - This is super important because the geography of Malta shapes everything in the story and the layout of Malta and its many ports is unique. This seems so obvious once you begin reading - but in the end I became a Malta aficionado and will always look upon this island with intense curiosity. It just seems presumptuous to go into all these descriptions and expect the reader's view to be accurate so as to make sense of the movements. Should start with a map you can reference of all names mentioned - Instead provides a very small inadequate general map that leaves one scratching their heads. So 5 star for the writing. 4 star for assuming anyone can visualize accurately a story which depends so much on the layout of the land and buildings.

What and incredible story. Ernle Bradford does a wonderful job discussing the intricacies of the siege in a fascinating narrative. A few years ago I translated "The Knights of Rhodes:" by Bo Giertz which deals with the Order of St. John of Jerusalem on the Isle of Rhodes during the siege of 1522, an event still remembered by the order during the siege of Malta just 43 years later. Ever since translating that book I've had more than a passing interest in the order and their previous work as well as later exploits. When I picked this book up I couldn't put it down.Some other reviewers criticize the author for being a bit one sided in telling the tale, but that is one of the things I love about the book. It's one of the things I like about many different British historians in general. They are not obsessed with a politically correct retelling of the events. Drawing on source of Balbi, "a sixty year old, poet, writer and soldier of fortune" from Italy who documented the day to day fighting from Senglea where he himself fought with the Hospitallers during the siege, Bradford fills in the story with his own descriptions of the country and research concerning the battle. The effect is that you get a sense for the fighting and identify with the cause of the Hospitallers. Let the other side tell their story if they wish and justify their own assault on the island of heroes. Sure, both sides resorted to acts that we find hard to comprehend today, though the history of our own lifetime is not a stranger to similar events, yet other reviewers are wrong in saying that Bradford doesn't criticize the Grand Master of Malta, Valette, at all. He does, even if he does show charity, forgiveness and hesitancy in his criticism. Perhaps as a veteran of war himself, he understands the pressures and emotions that can cause a man to do things he might otherwise abstain from.In a day when it is popular to criticize crusaders and the crusades as being backward and uncivilized etc. This book shows another side to the people who in many ways saved civilization, something made very apparent as one considers the Islamic world of the Ottoman Empire,and soberly assesses the modern Middle East predicaments. Had these men not held out the way they did on Malta it is doubtful that we would have had the freedom to live with our cherished ideals of freedom, tolerance and charity with which so many nonchalantly criticize these men. Great book, well worth the read.

Just started but really enjoying it. I love history books and as I am hoping to get back to Malta soon for a 2nd visit, I want to learn what I can before then.

Recommended by a family member, i ordered it reservedly and started reading it the day it arrived. Two days later I had finished it, I honestly did not want to put it down (much to the annoyance of my wife). Very well written in a chronological order, with plenty of amazing facts of how such a few number of determind soldiers and islanders pulled together, throwing personal differences aside so that they could stand against the full force of the Ottoman Empire trying to capture the small Island of Malta in order that it could be used as a stepping stone to Europe.Why this has not been turned into a film is beyond me, it would be be a blockbuster if it was. The 5 stars are well deserved

This is a very well written book focusing on history presented like a fiction novel. I would recommend this for all history lovers as this is a gripping tale of a small army withstanding the might of the Ottoman empire.

A gripping true story told in remarkable detail that tells of courage, determination and ingenuity in the face of overwhelming odds: fewer than 10,000 Christians against the full might of Suleyman the Magnificent’s 30,000+ army and navy, fighting on the barren rock of Malta.This stirring tale deserves to be better known, especially amongst the English-speaking peoples.

A thrilling account of a titanic struggle. Perhaps reflective of the time in which it was written, but notwithstanding, a colourful and moving account.