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dunnettreader 's review for:
The Great Siege: Malta 1565
by Ernle Bradford
I have long been fascinated by the Great Siege of Malta and have read some historical fiction set on Malta in this period. I had been aware of Ernle Bradford's book, written in 1962, but only when I downloaded the Audible recording by narrator Simon Vance did I get around to it.
First of all, this is a magnificently written history. It is clearly written, presenting the information in a coherent, compelling style. I used the book to look at the maps, which of course are not available on an audio recording. Bradford tells the story so well that you can visualize the various parts of attacks by the Ottoman army on the walls and forts of Malta. He brings to life the main characters, Jean de Valette, Grandmaster of the Knights of St. John, General Mustafa Pasha, and the corsair Dragut, helping us to see that the characters of these men determined how they led their armies. The loss of life on both sides was horrendous. Incredible acts of courage on both sides became the stuff of legends.
Second, I recommend the recording. Simon Vance is an experienced reader who is clean and measured in his style. He smoothly handles the various language issues--names and places that are difficult to pronounce, particularly the Maltese names.
Third, this story is still of interest to those who want to understand the Christian/Muslim, East/West dynamics that are still central in our world. The Siege of Malta was the last campaign under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent, and it was crucial to the European dominance of the Mediterranean. A loss at Malta would have opened the door to a Turkish attack on Sicily and Italy.
And lastly, it is a thrilling story.
First of all, this is a magnificently written history. It is clearly written, presenting the information in a coherent, compelling style. I used the book to look at the maps, which of course are not available on an audio recording. Bradford tells the story so well that you can visualize the various parts of attacks by the Ottoman army on the walls and forts of Malta. He brings to life the main characters, Jean de Valette, Grandmaster of the Knights of St. John, General Mustafa Pasha, and the corsair Dragut, helping us to see that the characters of these men determined how they led their armies. The loss of life on both sides was horrendous. Incredible acts of courage on both sides became the stuff of legends.
Second, I recommend the recording. Simon Vance is an experienced reader who is clean and measured in his style. He smoothly handles the various language issues--names and places that are difficult to pronounce, particularly the Maltese names.
Third, this story is still of interest to those who want to understand the Christian/Muslim, East/West dynamics that are still central in our world. The Siege of Malta was the last campaign under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent, and it was crucial to the European dominance of the Mediterranean. A loss at Malta would have opened the door to a Turkish attack on Sicily and Italy.
And lastly, it is a thrilling story.