The Knights of Malta

A handsomely produced and illustrated history of an influential and mysterious 900-year-old order of Catholic knights, examining the order's formative years, its military significance during its reigns on Rhodes and Malta, its artistic and architectural legacy, and its branches in nations throughout Europe. The final section addresses more recent events in the order's history, from 100 years ago when the order had dwindled to only 1,000 knights drawn from the innermost circle of the European aristocracy, to the present number of 10,000 knights and exchange of ambassadors with some 60 governments. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.