The Shield and the Sword

As a history major in college, I can say this is one of the best history books I've read. This surpasses other books I've read on the subject. It is engaging from the very beginning, highly informative and yes, even exciting. Bravo to the knights of the Order of St. John who so long ago triumphed over numerous invasions in spite of long odds. I'm also impressed by the humanitarian work the Order continues to do throughout the world.

This well done chronology simplifies the history of the only existing medieval military monastic order. Midway into the book Bradford makes very clear the transition the Knights of St. John made with The Rhodian Siege of 1522 resulting into their forced displacement to Malta at the instigation of Suleiman the Magnificent. Following this event he provides one of the best and concise accounts of the “Siege of Malta” in 1565, however, without maps of the island and Turkish force movements the unacquainted will have difficulty appreciating this great story. Having been several times to Malta and Gozo I am just starting to understand the siege on the multiple fortifications and am amazed at the conflict and its outcome. The splendor of the city of Valetta today is the direct result of the Turkish assault of 1565.Although much of Bradford's book is common knowledge for the medieval historian it is easy to read, comprehend, and very concise. However, as one reads the text many editorial errors appear especially on page 47 which become annoying. The text has no illustrations or maps which is inconvenient and hampers the understanding of the reader, especially for the reader who has not been to the places mentioned. However, the appendices in the back of the text are very helpful and particularly the military glossary is much appreciated.This is a very inspiring book of an organization originally created to minister to the infirmity of humanity that continues to this day. Its added militarization in the 12th century provides for a wonderful intriguing and unique story. This would be a more effective work with the incorporation of illustrations and I would readily volunteer to do such in a new edition.

Bradford’s work is an excellent primer on the history of the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta. It is concise, well-written, well-researched with many quotes from other histories of the Order, engaging, easy to read and never boring (as many older works of history often tend to be), and neither hagiographic nor disparaging. I wish the author was still alive to write more such works. Requiescat in pace.

On the whole this book is fair. It is conversational in tone and easy to follow. However, it makes significant and recurring assumptions and judgments that belie a certain "parallax," an inability to truly break away from modern perspectives to view history in its own time. Its sources are also a bit one-sided.For example, Mr. Bradford claims that Saladin was "the possessor of so many virtues that he would have been rare at any time in history. Honest, brave, chivalrous to a fault, he was devoted to children, and invariably generous and hospitable - as is shown by his treatment of captives..." He then goes on to describe how Templar and Hospitaller captives were summarily executed, and he neglects to mention how Saladin had conquered Egypt (i.e., by slaughtering every Shi'a he could find - to this day the Shi'a do not name their children Salah-ad-Din, because of what he did to them in Egypt).I have read many books on medieval and Middle Eastern history, so I am able to pick out the "a priori" conclusions that the author makes and the lack of historical and critical effort to determine if statements by other authors should be accepted as fact. Unfortunately, others might not be so able, and might take his erroneous assertions as truths. This is a great disservice to the reader, and this is why Mr. Bradford only gets 3 stars for this book.

Very well written and entertaining to an historian like myself. I don't often find books this well spoken. In view of what is going on in Europe with West vs. Middle East, I wanted some more historical background. Now, I am planning a trip to Rhodes, Cyprus and Malta, mostly because of this book. He also wrote one about the German air siege in WW II that I found very good as well.

The rating I gave is because I found the book very informative with many anecdotal points. Having read about the homogenous nature of Knightly order in general be they soldier, cavalryman, ministerial, noble or cleric, the individual similarities and differences were enlightening to me when placed into the timeline of the Middle ages and the Crusades.At first I had some difficulty getting into the "swing" of the enormous amount information. I was glad that I did have some former knowledge of history, and the Dynastic wars of the Aristocracy of the continent before the 10th century in order to grasp the whole picture as to why these individuals were so important to the development of society. I was disappointed to read about the demise of these institutions if you will, but knew their time had come as all things had to changeI can recommend this book to any scholar of history, any romantic, any teacher interested in additional material for his/her students on the subject.The author did a very good job of bringning it all to life.

This is an absolutely unbelievable story of heroism, just astounding what those men did, and went through. They just don't make men like this any more.

Fantastic "overview" of the 7-century struggle between Knights of Christ [Templars, Hospitalers, Teutonic Knights, and Spanish Knights] and renowned Muslim leaders/warriors like Saladin and Suleiman. An important volume that kicked off my studies of the Crusades that began after a river cruise in Europe in 2019. My library continues to grow...I'm nearing 30 informative, insightful, and "fair" books that seem not-so-strangely relevant to our world in the 21st Century! And this book is one of the top 5 in my library!

Magnificent

Of particular interest as my father was honoured as a Serving Brotherof the OrderN n n nn

Very interesting and educational book. Fun to read as well. I learned so much about this critical moment in the European history. I decide to visit Malta after reding this book.

OK