Very interesting book. Narrative is very fast paced that it feels like you are reading a historical novel not a history book.

Descriptions of siege, casualties on both sides, heavy bombardment and overall destruction are very vivid.

Highly recommended for military (and general) history buffs. ( )

From May18 to September 11 in 1565 The Ottoman navy and Army attempted to capture the fortress of the Knights of Saint John on Malta. They failed, and this is an account of why. ( )

Excellent. Historically accurate and narratively enthralling, this book inspires me to courage and fortitude in defense of my faith. Inspiring... is the perfect descriptor. I would definitely recommend this to myself to read it again. ( )

This is a fairly short audiobook about the Turks’ 1565 siege of Malta against the Knights Hospitaller of St John. This book is about the fortresses, battles, fighting tactics, armaments, armor, luck, good and bad fortunes, and very little about the faiths involved. I didn’t know how it ended so it was a very interesting surprise. Reminded me very much of my undergrad class history of war, although a different time period. ( )

Last week we stayed in a hotel in Malta for a week of sun and swimming. In the hotel lobby they had a stand with a good selection of paperbacks, mostly thrillers, but also books on Malta’s history. I started to flip through the pages of The Great Siege, and it seemed really interesting. I bought it the last day there, and started reading it on the flight home. I was hooked immediately, and couldn’t stop reading until I had finished it the same night.

The story of the siege of Malta in 1565 is absolutely riveting. The Knights of St John, with Grand Master de la Valette, and the Maltese population are attacked and besieged by the numerically superior Turks for the entire summer of 1565. Ernle Bradford does a remarkable job of describing the events in such a way that it almost feels like you are there. Along the way, you also learn a lot about life, war and politics in the 16th century. The writing flows really well, and this relatively short book (228 pages, divided into 31 chapters) is so exciting that I just couldn’t stop reading it.

The drama, the historical facts and the writing makes this one of the best books I have read, and I recommend it to anyone, even if you are not normally reading historical books. It’s that good. ( )