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Title: Fortress Malta: An Island Under Siege, 1940 - 43
ISBN: 1401351867
Author:
James Holland
Publicate Date: 2003-09-24
Publish: 2003-09-24
List Price: $27.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Hardcover
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $9.86
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $9.49
Amazon Merchant Price: $22.36
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| Customer Review: |
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1: malta's role
This is a good historical account of malta during wwII. The author puts himself in the coockpit of several of the airbourne fighters and describes the action. He also puts us in the eyes of som eof the local maltese people. Some of the descriptions of the photos are a little lame sounding 'his eyes betray his depression'--a tad bit too dramatic. overall a good book.
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2: HISTORY COMING ALIVE
I HAVE LISTENED TO MY FATHER-IN-LAW, WHO WORKED AS A MECHANIC FOR THE RAF, WAS MALTESE AND LIVED THROUGH THE WAR ON THE ISLAND, TELL STORIES STORIES ABOUT THE BOMBINGS AND THE DAMAGE INFLICTED ON THE ISLAND BACK THEN. MY WIFE, AS A YOUNG GIRL, CONFIRMED HIS STORIES, AS SHE TOO LIVED ON MALTA DURING THE WAR.
JAMES HOLLAND MAKES YOU LIVE IT AS WELL!!! HIS BOOK IS A TRUE ENCOUNTER, SO REAL, THE READER WILL FEEL THE ACTION TAKING PLACE BEFORE HIM/HER. YOU WILL LAUGH, YOU WILL CRY, YOU WILL CHEER...MOST OF ALL, YOU WILL NEVER FORGET MALTA.
I HAVE BEEN THERE SEVERAL TIMES IN TYHE PAST, BUT MY NEXT VISIT WILL MEAN SO MUCH MORE.
I SALUTE JAMES HOLLAND, AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO READING HIS OTHER BOOKS.
QUENTIN L. MILANO
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3: Not a bomb, but a blast!
Fortress Malta by James Holland tells the story of the battle for Malta from 1940 thru 1943. Mr. Holland nicely merges personal remembrances with the historical events around the siege. He opens the story by telling us about the British defenses (or the lack there of) and the opening moves of the war in the Mediterranean. Italian aircraft raiding the island and the defenders trying to cope with the attacks. Two topics during the 1940 portion of the book that were interesting were Faith, Hope, and Charity (the Gloster Gladiators that defended the island) and the British attack on Taranto and how Malta contributed to the attack. Other sections of the book deal with the German intervention over Malta (actually twice) and the Pedestal Convoy.
While Mr. Holland is mainly focused on telling us the history of Malta during WWII, Mr. Holland does an excellent job of telling us the stories of the people that were caught up in events. Whether it's the native Malta people surviving the raids, gun crews living there through-out the time period (Army personnel seem to have been there for the duration), the pilots (due to the stress, the RAF was replacing crews about once every three months), or the Naval personnel. My personal favorite was Adrian Warburton and his exploits doing photo recon work. Simply amazing!
Mr. Holland's work is his Freshman work (1st) and is very nicely put together. On an Amazon scale, I'll give it 4.5 stars, but since they only deal in whole stars, I'll give it the nod to 5 stars because of the Mr. Holland's writing style, merging history with personal remembrances, and dealing with a topic that hasn't been written about heavily. I'm looking forward to reading other histories from Mr. Holland, assuming he can do half as well or better.
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4: A Battle History giving voice to those who endured
As some other reviewers have noted, Holland's focus is on the civilians and the warriors who endured the horror that was Malta, 1940-43. In a time of 'embedded' reporters and 'computer games' warfare, it is vital that we hear from those who have lived the actual horror that is war. Too many war books and 'armchair warriors' forget the ordinary people who actually experience "Shock and Awe" as it is now called. Wars always start with cheers but end in tears. Courage comes in many forms. We should honour those who offer their lives to defend freedom but we must give full acknowledgement of what war means for civilians.
One of my relatives was an Australian spitfire pilot in 603 Squadron RAF who survived Malta. Sadly he was one of those who only found himself in war. Afterwards he could not cope with peace. He and his family paid dearly for his Malta exploits and their inevitable consequences. Truly all who experience war become casualties, in one way or another. Holland has done great service to the memory of those who survived and those who did not. He reminds us again of the tragedy and falsehood that is "Dulce et Decorum est pro patria mori". The world would be a far better place if all politicians and political leaders (of all parties and faiths) were made to read this book. Most highly recommended.
Elizabeth, this book is the key to much of your parents' lives.
greyollie,
Australia
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5: Highly recommended
An amazing book (most especially for a first timer)about a little known part of the second world war. By singling out individuals to follow through the course of the siege and after, Mr. Holland brings us to identify with them, share their terror, their loss and their ultimate victory. A few of his accounts left me shaken and his account of the August convoy, Operation Pedestal, left me in tears. I somehow find myself enthralled by accounts of people in face of adversity, especially during World War II, and I would put this book right up there with any I've ever read and, believe me, I've read many. Lots of photos to help identify and identify with the participants. Also, great maps (the lack of always a sore point for me). Highly recommended.
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