First published in 2003 I recommend this book as a very interesting read. It is fleshed out with personal stories from civilians and army, navy and air force service personnel. My uncle Harry was on Malta during this period and I wanted to know what life must have been like for him. Initially those in charge in the UK did not place enough priority on the strategic importance of Malta as an offensive base for weakening the axis in North Africa by attacking their shipping routes. However Kesselring did and the island was most heavily bombed. It can be said that at one point it was a damned close-run thing and only after regular reinforcement with Mk V Spitfires and Pedestal did the situation improve for the better.