In Malta and Holy War: Religion, Society and the Spanish-Ottoman Conflict for the Mediterranean, Carmel Cassar presents a compelling and multifaceted analysis of the ways in which religion and society were shaped by the enduring Spanish-Ottoman struggle, with a particular emphasis on Malta's strategic and symbolic significance during the early modern period. Framed within a wide historical perspective, the study positions Malta-frequently referred to simply as "the island"-at the heart of a protracted confrontation that intensified with the advent of Atlantic maritime expansion, which appeared to diminish the Mediterranean's historical centrality. Yet, as Cassar convincingly argues, the region maintained considerable geopolitical and cultural relevance well into the twentieth century, particularly during the First and Second World Wars, when the Mediterranean once again emerged as a key theatre of global conflict. Although the traditional rhetoric of "holy war" has since receded, Cassar identifies its enduring legacy in the form of ongoing cultural and political tensions between the Latin-Germanic West and the Arab-Ottoman East.

The volume is grounded in rigorous archival research, notably drawing upon the rich holdings of the Archives of the Order of Malta (AOM), preserved in the National Library of Malta, alongside a diverse array of primary sources. These materials underpin Cassar's reconstruction of Malta's dual historical narrative: as both a strategic geographic outpost and the seat of a religious-military order that bore the island's name. This dual focus is central to the work's historiographical contribution, allowing for a nuanced account that interweaves Malta's local developments with the wider religious and political transformations shaping the Mediterranean world.

Cassar demonstrates a refined understanding of the interaction between local and transregional dynamics, showing how Malta's history cannot be disentangled from the broader currents of the Spanish-Ottoman conflict. His analysis offers a detailed lens on internal Maltese affairs while simultaneously engaging with the evolving religious and political landscape of the Mediterranean. Through this integrated perspective, the study succeeds in bridging national and supranational narratives, situating Malta's historical trajectory within the wider context of Mediterranean conflict and identity.

Carmel Cassar's volume represents a substantial and commendable contribution to the historiography not only of Malta and the Order of Malta but also of the Mediterranean as a whole. The thematic clarity, depth of analysis, and breadth of vision reflected in the work fully realise the ambition signalled in its subtitle. For this achievement, Professor Cassar is to be congratulated and encouraged in his continued dedication to the study of the Mediterranean world.

Salvatore Bono is Professor Emeritus, Perugia University (Department of Political Science)