The Great Siege cover art

The Great Siege

Malta 1565

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
Thousands of incredible audiobooks and podcasts to take wherever you go.
Immerse yourself in a world of storytelling with the Plus Catalogue - unlimited listening to thousands of select audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

The Great Siege

By: Ernle Bradford
Narrated by: Simon Vance
Try Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
Cancel

About this listen

Suleiman the Magnificent, sultan of the Ottoman Empire and the most powerful ruler in the world, was determined to conquer Europe. Only one thing stood in his way: the island of Malta, occupied by the Knights of Saint John, the Holy Roman Empire’s finest warriors. Determined to capture Malta and use its port to launch operations against Europe, Suleiman sent overwhelming forces. A few thousand defenders in Fort Saint Elmo fought to the last man.

When the Turks captured the fort, they took no prisoners, mutilating the defenders’ bodies. The Knights’ leader reciprocated by decapitating his Turkish prisoners and using their heads to cannonade the enemy. Then the battle for Malta began in earnest.

©2012 Ernle Bradford (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc Military Ottoman Empire Imperialism

Listeners also enjoyed...

 Gibraltar cover art
Sword and Scimitar cover art
The Madness of Crowds cover art
In Search of the Dark Ages cover art
The Forgotten Slave Trade cover art
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich cover art
The Case Against the Sexual Revolution cover art
Ancient Rome cover art
Time to Think cover art
Orwell: The Essays cover art
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World cover art
I Capture the Castle cover art
Killing Rommel cover art
Patton cover art
Neptune's Inferno cover art
Caesar's Legion cover art
All stars
Most relevant  
A moment of history to humble the modern, secular and individualistic society of today. Thrillingly read by Vance, although with some silly pronunciation of Maltese placenames (would have been easy to check). Listened to it in one go - brilliant.

History as gripping and inspiring as it gets

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A brilliantly researched and beautifully written book that tells the story of one of the pivotal moments in European history. Thoroughly enjoyable!

A dramatic siege brilliantly told

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
As a fan of historical accounts, all too often then can be slow paced and laden with info that detracts from the storytelling. Here, Ernle Bradford gives a passionate and evenhanded account of the Great Siege of Malta. His passion for the Hospitallers and Malta is evident in his writing and the well documented accounts do make me wonder just how influenced Tolkien was with this battle in relation to Helms Deep
Great book

Brilliant and gripping

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An absorbing account by Bradford who manages to flesh out the protagonists and the setting with consumate ease.

Vance manages to hit a six into the rafters with his narration. Stunning stuff.

Evocative and engaging

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Wow, this is an absolutely amazing listen. If you’re interested at all in military history then this is essential.

Amazing

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
a real eye opener of an old style war based on religious fervour regardless of the amount of blood spilt and lives lost!

Most entertaining and insightful.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
despite the very old fashioned style and borderline racism, this is still a vibrant account of one of the central moments in the long and ongoing struggle between rival faiths and ideologies. At least the suffering of the unfortunate Maltese is acknowledged!

dated but still fascinating

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
What an amazing book about an incredible event that I had no idea about..... What a tale of valour, courage and dedication....... And of victory...... I salute those brave Maltese and knights of St John.....

Incredible.....I couldn't stop listening...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is one of those tales that have me on the edge of my seat, even more so as it is a true story.

The courage and tenacity of both sides gives equal honours though the sheer guts of the Knights of St. John, their soldiers and the people of Malta left a deep impression on me. The Audio book is fantastic, The narrative rolling inexorably on like a Janissary attack and absolutely riveting.
As a final word, the story of St. Elmo is an epic in itself.
I intend to get a hardback volume of this book and will add it to my collection!


Thank you, wonderful experience for those interested in history

Riveting, unbelievable courage

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Brilliant outline of the siege and the surrounding build up and background. Excellent, would recommend.

Excellent

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews