Book Title: Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege, 1940-1943
Author: James Holland
ISBN: 978-0-3043-6654-5
Category: History
Format: Paperback
Summary: James Holland is the writer and presenter of the BBC documentary Battle for Malta. 485 pages of what I can only describe as the best book I have ever bought (and in Malta too!) With 67 black and white photographs.
The background, politics, day to day existence under some of what I can only describe, James does it much better, as the most harrowing account of survival I have ever read. Having been to Takali airfield, what is left of it, I then learned that Takali was the most heavily bombed airfield of any during the 2nd World War. More bombs fell in it in 2 days than fell on Coventry!
He also links into the story the lives of certain individuals that give the book a very human touch, you are there with the defenders every step of the way.
He pulls no punches, criticisms abound and where due, praise given. The politics, the effect Malta had on the war in Africa and then the after story. Stories of the individuals you have met through the book and what became of them and of Malta itself. If you are interested in this theater of the 2nd World War I can recommend no better book to give you a feel of what it was really like.
Bookmarks