British Military Architecture in Malta

"Over the years Britain spent more on the maintenance and security of her Mediterranean bases than upon anywhere else abroad in her empire, and the pivot of defence was Malta. The forts and guns she built there were the latest in design and specification using the expertise of her military engineers and gunners to the full. Thus they stand as monuments as important, both visually and historically, as the great bastions and curtain walls built by the Knights. A knowledge of their design will promote a growing public interest in their preservation and in promoting this knowledge no one has been more perservering and effective than Stephen Spiteri. His earlier books on the fortifications of Malta have been milestones in the art of communication, his brilliant drawings elucidating the most elaborate technical developments so that the purpose of a line of fortifications becomes immediately clear to any reader. Add to that a lucid text and we have been fortunate in having had made available to us a series of books that make clear to anyone the most elaborate engineering fabrications.

This book, British Military Architecture in Malta, takes us further into the details of British fortification and ordnance, tracing the role of the Royal Nay in the Mediterranean, the steps that were taken to safeguard Malta when the fleet, of necessity had to be away from the place, the army stood guard in its temporary absence, and the guns and forts its soldiers manned. With wonderful drwaings it brings to life a long and important liaison between Malta and Britain and should find enthusiastic readers beyond the shore of that Island".

Thus wrote Prof. Quentin Hughes in his Foreword in this book. A absolutely MAGINFICENT book about the 19th and 20th century British fortifications of Malta. Written in English and illustrated with MANY HUNDREDS of photos, plans, drawings and maps.