MALTA

by Jack DuArte, Chris Inman (Illustrator)

The Island of Malta and its strategic location in the Mediterranean has made it a prime target for the Axis powers. In early 1942, the German Luftwaffe decides to concentrate on Malta and begins a horrendous bombing attack. A handful of heroic British RAF pilots brave the odds and begin ferrying new Spitfire Mark VI’s to help defend the island. Once there, their troubles begin in earnest.
Malta is best-selling author Jack DuArte’s fourth installment in his WWII series. Malta features incredible action over the skies of the Mediterranean and Sicily as well as the remarkable story of what Malta’s defenders faced in their struggle. Malta was called ‘the most bombed place on earth’ during this period and was awarded the George Cross by King George VI.
Malta mirrors the lives of a number of these honored British aviators as they battle heat, dirt, the ‘Malta Dog’ and deplorable conditions to help save the vital island.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2012

About the author

Jack DuArte is a native of New Orleans with a varied career in writing. DuArte attended Jesuit High School and worked for the Times-Picayune as a teenager. After attending the University of Kentucky and later graduating from the University of Evansville, DuArte served as an Air Force officer in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star for his efforts. He returned to New Orleans in 1971 and went into the wine business. He also authored a weekly column called Gastronomy for the Times-Picayune for a number of years and later hosted a radio talk show for WWL.

DuArte later enjoyed a full career in the wine business where he owned several Napa Valley wineries. DuArte always enjoyed a long time love affair for the thoroughbred horse industry and returned to Kentucky in 2001. He is an owner and breeder of thoroughbreds in Central Kentucky.

The White Mouse is DuArte’s fifth novel, and was his eighth published work. The White Mouse is part of DuArte’s World War II Series. Other WWII novels include The Resistance Singapore, Spitfire and MALTA. All are historical novels and predominantly based on fact.

DuArte read from his work at the International Book Project’s Passport to Literacy in Lexington, KY. He also participated in the several Kentucky Book Fairs in Frankfort and numerous other book fairs around the country.

DuArte and his wife Susan reside in Lexington, KY.

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Malta is a good historical read. It is an interesting story that delves into the lives of members of the Royal Air Force, and some of these characters are very likeable. That being said, there are a lot of grammatical errors that sometimes confuse and disrupt the flow of reading. The dialogue is also very cheesy, but you get used to it. DuArte may struggle with some of the character's dialogue and inner monologues, but the plot he creates is great. He depicts the harsh environment of Malta very well, and makes the reader feel connected to all of the characters he includes in his story. Not my favorite historical work, but definitely entertaining and insightful. If you are interested in planes, combat, or history, this book is for you.