This short conclusion to a rather long winded letter literally sums up George Borg Olivier – a smart, soft spoken but icily determined personality who steered the boat through some of Malta’s most difficult and momentous times.

Prof. Henry Frendo’s biography is a timely achievement, especially in the wake of Dr Borg Olivier’s 25th anniversary, although it literally skimps through the first thirty or so years of his life with the main focus being the years 1950-76 when he was Nationalist Party leader and Prime Minister.

Frendo’s scholarly and erudite text is not to be questioned, although I do feel that he occasionally romanticises things to an extent that they become slightly excessive. An example is a line in the final chapter; “Borg Olivier fl-Istorja” where the author states: “Fil-mewt tieghu, Borg Olivier qam fil-glorja kollha tieghu u ghaqqad lin-nazzjon warajh” (in his death, Borg Olivier rose in all his glory and united a nation), perhaps he couldn’t resist such panegyrics.

Another questionable point in Frendo’s writing is his constant referral, ad nauseum, to the “marmalja Socjalista”which does ring a bit hollow although, admittedly those were frightening and dark times for all.

At times, Dr Borg Olivier vanishes completely from the book with the socio-political context and battles taking pride of place and at times, Dom Mintoff rises to challenge the biography’s subject with almost equal importance. But these are small shortcomings when compared to the exhaustive research carried out, especially in the voluminous appendix which carries an exhaustive set of documents and letters that make fascinating reading.

As already stated, the first chapters skim through Borg Olivier’s early life but it is already apparent that the man was anointed to be in politics as he came from a distinguished family with his uncle, Notary Salvu Borg Olivier, “Il Feroci”, an established man of the people. In fact, this uncle’s early death practically launched George’s career as soon after he graduated, he occupied his office and entered the fray.

The battles over prominent (and not so prominent) Nationalist’s deportation to Uganda are given some importance with Sir Ugo Mifsud’s equally untimely death again laying the way for the notary’s rise to power. This was replicated in 1950 with Nerik Mizzi’s death with George Borg Olivier now the undisputed party leader and Prime Minister at the age of just 39.

Much has been written on those momentous times in the 50’s and 60’s with Frendo adding little to Pirotta’s magnum opus, Fortress Colony –The Final Act, but the post-independence years are covered with some detail as are the early to mid-70’s, when the country fast degenerated into a political quagmire.

However, it is the personal element that is most successful in Frendo’s portrayal with the last chapter being particularly moving. It must have been galling for Borg Olivier to accept that he was no longer party leader after the momentous election which elected Eddie Fenech Adami and in fact, he died less than three years later. His final appearance, at “Cilla’s” wedding is captured in a photograph that is full of smiles but it is clear that the man was preparing for the end.

The book is rich in photographs and historical material and Frendo keeps the narrative going in his usual excellent manner.

No collectors of political history or Melitensia can afford to be without it.

“I am so sorry to have bothered you with my little worries. I hope you have enjoyed your holiday in Italy. I am longing for one. Thanks for everything.

Yours very sincerely,

George” – Final paragraph of a letter written by then Opposition Leader, Dr George Borg Olivier to Sir Alan Lennox Boyd, Secretary of State for the Colonies, October 1955

Frendo Henry: ‘Patriott Liberali Malti’, Publikazzjonijiet Indipendenza 594pp ISBN 99932-41-75-X