The Kappillan of Malta
by Nicholas Monsarrat
This most powerful of Nicholas Monsarrat's novels is an achievement in two separate dimensions: as a sublime portrait of a humble priest who brought faith and hope to his people, and as the story of an island whose violent history began before the Phoenicians and which suffered its most terrible agony in the Second World War.
Under a Maltese Sky
by Nicola Kearns
First published in 2015, this is a captivating novel that weaves together themes of love, loss, and self-discovery against the backdrop of the picturesque Maltese landscape
The Story of Malta
by Mabel Strickland
Originally published in the mid-20th century, it's often reprinted but is not considered a recent book. However, it's a foundational text for understanding Malta's broad historical narrative.
Ironfire, A Novel of the Knights of Malta and the Last Battle of the Crusades
by David Ball
In this rousing historical novel the fates of a young boy, his sister, one of the Knights of Malta and an inquisitor play out against the backdrop of the 16th-century Ottoman assault on Malta, the formidable citadel of the Knights of St. John.
Malta: Mediterranean Recipes From The Islands
by Simon Bajada
Food writer Bajada captures the everyday food of Malta for the home cook, including dishes such as Ftira, a flattened sourdough bread loaf drenched in tomato with tuna capers and olives; Aljotta, a hearty fish stew; and Bigilla, a broad bean paste used as a delicious dip.
The Knights of Malta
by H.J.A. Sire
First published in 1994, this is still a popular resource for understanding the history of the Knights of St. John.
Malta: A Traveller’s Anthology
by Deborah Manley and John Larkin (Editors)
Published in 2011, this is relatively more modern and provides unique historical perspectives through travel writing.
In Love With Malta
by Paddy Cummins
Published in 2016, the book captures the charm and beauty of Malta, reflecting on its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture.
The Middle Sea, A History of the Mediterranean
by John Julius Norwich
A marvelous writer who has already tackled Byzantium, the Normans in Sicily and Venice, Norwich spins his magic in this story of culture, trade and politics, royalty and rulers, wars and religion in the Mediterranean from antiquity to the end of the First World War.
The Great Siege of Malta: The Epic Battle between the Ottoman Empire and the Knights of St. John
by Bruce Ware Allen
In the spring of 1565, a massive fleet of Ottoman ships descended on Malta, a small island centrally located between North Africa and Sicily, home and headquarters of the crusading Knights of St. John and their charismatic Grand Master, Jean de Valette. The Knights had been expelled from Rhodes by the Ottoman sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent, and now stood as the last bastion against a Muslim invasion of Sicily, southern Italy, and beyond. The Great Siege of Malta is a fresh, vivid retelling of one of the most famous battles of the early modern world--a battle whose echoes are still felt today.
A Complete History of Malta
by Charles A. J. Farrugia
Published in 2020, this is a more recent comprehensive history of Malta, which covers ancient times to modern.
Treason’s Harbour
by Patrick O’Brian
Stephen Maturin, Jack Aubrey and the crew of the H.M.S. Surprise contend with pirates and Napoleon's spies in this splendid novel set on and around Malta.
The Disorderly Knights
by Dorothy Dunnett
The third volume in the Lymond Chronicles follows Francis Crawford of Lymond to Malta, where he has been sent to help the Knights of Hospitallers defend their island against the invading Turks. He soon finds, however, that the greatest danger to the Knights comes from within their own order.
Malta – An Archaeological Paradise
by Anthony Bonanno
Head of the Department of Classics and Archaeology at the University of Malta. Prof. Bonanno describes many of the artifacts and remains of Malta's Prehistory.
Fortress Malta, An Island Under Siege 1940-43
by James Holland
In this powerful, intimate book British journalist James Holland draws on letters, diaries and interviews to bring to life the military campaigns, heroism and drama of Malta during WWII
The Great Siege of Malta 1565: Clash of Cultures
by Ernie Bradford
First published in 1961, but it remains a well-regarded historical account of the Siege of Malta.
Maltese Prehistoric Art, 5000-2500 BC
by EDITOR: Tony Pace
A compendium of articles, illustrations and photos documenting recent discoveries at the Gozo Stone Circle. The volume contains a catalog of over 150 important pieces in the collection of the Malta National Museum of Archaeology.
Listening for Ancient Gods
by Linda C. Eneix
A new perspective for anyone with an interest in unraveling the secrets of antiquity toward a more complete rendering of human development in its most pivotal days. From Gobekli Tepe in Anatolia to the megalithic temples of Malta to the passage tombs of Ireland, the world’s oldest buildings and the latest neurological research combine to buttress a look at the Neolithic Revolution that goes where no one has gone before. This book takes scientific data from the worlds of Archaeology, Architecture, Anthropology, Genetics, Physics, Physiology, and stands them up where we can see them -- like megaliths in an unspoiled landscape. When the pieces of evidence are set side by side, the result is a stunning premise.
Malta: Prehistory and Temples
by David H. Trump
First published in 2002 but remains a key resource on Malta’s prehistory. Trump is a respected authority in Maltese archaeology.
Blue Guide Malta and Gozo
by Geoffrey Aquilina Ross
A comprehensive guide in the well-known series, this book provides detailed coverage of the history, culture and architecture of these Mediterranean islands.
Counting Churches: The Malta Stories
by Rosanne Dingli
Published in 2011, this collection of interconnected narratives explores themes of identity, culture, and the rich history of Malta through the lens of its churches.
Paul, The Mind of an Apostle
by N. Wilson
A richly detailed portrait of the apostle Paul, firmly grounded in the everyday details of life in the Roman Empire. It's a mind-opening, partly historical study of the culture, politics and religion of the early years of Christianity.
Decoding the Occult: The Knights of Malta
by Documentary
Decoding the Occult:The Knights of Malta explores themes of chivalry, faith, and political intrigue.
Let the Stones Speak. Were The Maltese Temples Connected To Atlantis?
by Documentary
Let the Stones Speak explores explores the possibility of Malta’s link to Atlantis.
Malta: An Archaeological Paradise
by Horatio C. R. Vella
A recent publication from 2019, this is among the newest on the list and offers a fresh take on Malta’s archaeological heritage.
It's a Long Way to Malta
by Paddy Cummins
Published in 2012 , this narrative captures the spirit of travel and the experiences that come with it, blending humor with emotional reflections.
Masters of the Great Stones
by Linda Eneix
A simple introduction to Malta’s Prehistoric Monuments: the World’s Oldest Freestanding Buildings, and the Mediterranean’s Earliest Civilization. This book represents a sampling of what people seem to want to know. Easy language and original full color photos present a mysterious island society of accomplished architects and builders whose engineering artistry flourished a thousand years before the pyramids! (Formerly available only in Europe.)
