These 2 books are ideal companions on any cruise in the Mediterranean Sea.
I bought The Pillars of Hercules in a 2nd handbook shop in Mid-Levels Hong Kong in 2016 and The Middle Sea in a 2nd hand bookstore in London Charing Cross Road in 2019.
Written by 2 writers at the peak of their powers each provides a different perspective. Theroux wrote his in 1995. Norwich in 2006. Theroux gave us an insight into the people and history of the countries he visited. Norwich gave us a history of the countries that straddle the Mediterranean Sea starting from ancient Egypt to the end of the First World War.