Cold wars and proxy conflicts Books

Book SynopsisThe Solitary Spy is a unique account of the terrifying experience of incarceration and interrogation in an East German political prison, from which Boyd eventually escaped one step ahead of the KGB.

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Book SynopsisAmericans may cling to the belief that "politics stops at the water's edge," but the reality is that parochial political interests often play a critical role in shaping the nation's interactions with the outside world.In The Cold War at Home and Abroad: Domestic Politics and US Foreign Policy since 1945, editors Andrew L.

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Book SynopsisWhen four-star general John Rogers Galvin retired from the US Army after 44 years of distinguished service in 1992, the Washington Post hailed him as a man without peer among living generals. In Fighting the Cold War, the soldier, scholar, and statesman recounts his active participation in more than sixty years of international history.Trade ReviewGeneral Jack Galvin has given us an insightful, important analysis of one of history's mega events - the Cold War when the future of the planet was at stake. This soldier-statesman was an insider's insider and we should be very grateful for his service and wisdom."" - Tom Brokaw""Widely respected as a soldier, scholar, and statesman - who stood out in his generation as a brilliant strategic thinker - General Jack Galvin was also a voracious reader with a wonderfully inquiring mind and a keen intellect. The joy he takes in observing, commenting, and writing-with a wry sense of humor-on an extraordinary range of experiences emerges wonderfully in the pages of this book. Fighting the Cold War thus is an exceptional commentary not only on General Galvin's life and times, but also on timeless issues like leadership, strategic thinking, family, and relationships."" - General David H. Petraeus, USA (Ret.), from the foreword""The Cold War could not have been won, nor ended so peacefully, without individuals like Jack Galvin manning the front lines. Fighting the Cold War is a thoughtful record of service by a distinguished leader in a tumultuous period."" - Henry Kissinger""Galvin played a vital role in the Cold War, and his experiences spanned much of America's history from the 1960s to the 1990s - from Vietnam to Central America to Europe. In Fighting the Cold War he tells this important story with style and verve."" - Lawrence S. Kaplan, author of The Conversion of Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg: From Isolation to International Engagement""During his more than forty-five years of service, during which he rose to become NATO Supreme Commander, General Jack Galvin was one of the brightest stars of his profession. Far more than just the memoir of one of the Army's finest, Fighting the Cold War is also the unusually candid, modest and insightful story of an exceptional teacher, scholar and diplomat whose dedication to the nation has made him a role model for us all. His book is a rare gem."" - Carlo D'Este, Author of Patton: A Genius For War""General Jack Galvin's career spans a critical period in American history, from before the start of Vietnam through the end of the Cold War. His memoir provides a keen personal perspective on all of those events, and reminds us of what we owe to those who have served as he has."" - Francis Fukuyama, author of Political Order and Political Decay: From the Industrial Revolution to the Globalization of Democracy""General 'Jack' Galvin's extraordinary service was marked by dedication, wisdom, and absolute integrity. In this appealing memoir he describes with modesty and candor the challenges he faced during eventful times for our Army and our nation. It is quite simply a very fine account by a very fine soldier."" - General John W. Vessey Jr., Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (1982-1985)""General Jack Galvin is one of the greatest soldiers this country ever had."" - President George H.W. Bush""I was a warrant officer helicopter pilot for General Galvin when he commanded a battalion in Vietnam. I worked decades in and for the Army and never served under or met another officer of his caliber. I would literally charge Hell with a bucket of ice water for him and am thrilled by this terrific book about soldiers and service and sacrifice."" - Bruce James, Ghostrider 11 ""Zorba""Gen. Jack Galvin was the kind of warrior intellectual the U.S. Army produces at its very best. This wonderful memoir distills what Galvin learned in his 44 years of service - building toward his role as Supreme Allied Commander when the Cold War ended. A moment that sums up this book is something Galvin says he told Henry Kissinger in 1988 about the darkest days of World War II. Watched young second lieutenants head off to their commands from the Anzio beachhead, an observer asked: ""I wonder if they are well read?"" Still the right question. Those who love the U.S. Army will want to add this volume to their shelves."" - David Ignatius, Columnist, The Washington Post""General Jack Galvin is a true Cold War hero. Few Americans combined the roles of soldier, scholar, and statesman during those decades, as ably as he. His leadership has been exemplary, and we are fortunate to have it reflected so clearly in this excellent memoir."" - John Lewis Gaddis, Yale University""From his early days in the atomic army of the 1950s, through two tours in Vietnam, to top commands in Europe and Panama, General John Galvin witnessed nearly half-a-century of American military history. Honest, insightful, reflective, and entertaining, his memoir is a fascinating insider's perspective of Cold War soldiering."" - Brian McAllister Linn, author of The Army's Way of War""[I]ntriguing... A valuable read for anyone interested in the continuing evolvement of the American military."" - Washington Times""This engaging memoir of a solider's service is an altogether superb work. [He] is candid, lucid, meticulous in research, and writes with verve on a wide canvas."" - Richard Halloran, US Army War College Parameters""He has a unique perspective on many of the momentous events of the latter half of the twentieth century. It is not only his access, but also his perspicacity that gives this memoir its unique value. Young men and women considering military service will appreciate this book. Galvin recounts both the hardships and rewards that come with service."" - Survival""Students of military history will find much in the book about the Vietnam War, as well as about the American Cold War presence in Europe and Latin America.""Superbly written memoir....Galvin is a gifted writer and writes in a highly conversant style that allows him to tell a story very succinctly. It is unquestionably one of the most readable soldier's memoirs published in recent years."" - On Point""Galvin's memoir (introduced by an admiring Petraeus) is a characteristically modest, wry, and thoughtful account, not only of leadership but also of the rise, fall, and rise again of U.S. military power in the second half of the twentieth century. And it is, as well, a reminder that now and again, one comes across generals with the stuff of greatness in them."" - Foreign Affairs""He provides a unique perspective that includes candid thoughts on his personal engagements with leaders such as Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Colin Powell. Superbly written, highly detailed."" - Military Review""A delight to read. The real Galvin - son of Boston, family man, soldier-scholar, mensch - comes through on every page.Galvin reveals the people and personalities behind the policy.He artfully showed how the general-statesman navigated political-military issues, lined up the allies, openly consorted with ambassadors, and coordinated with multiple bosses, all while simultaneously developing new warfighting concepts and arms-control proposals. Worth every minute that you invest in it, whether you are a historian, a student of leadership, a NATO-phile, a USSOUTHCOM staffer, or just interested in the Cold War as seen through the eyes of a general raised in Boston's working class"" - Joseph J Collins, Joint Forces Quarterly""Galvin is a skilled raconteur, and his narrative holds a reader's attention as he moves from story to story. Galvin's memoir is an entertaining endeavor full of fascinating observations on the personalities and events of the Cold War. It captures the feel of that epoch's waning years as East and West moved toward a wary rapprochement. Reading the book is time well spent for both military personnel and civilians interested in the career of one of the Army's most distinguished officers of the Cold War period, as well as the history of the era itself."" - Army History""His memoir is superbly written; it will be a treat for all who read it."" - Army Magazine""A highly interesting and informative autobiography."" - VVA Veteran""It is an intelligent, complete analysis untouched by the hubris and arrogance of so many other leadership biographies. The colour and texture he provides makes the reader feel part of the discussion - a skill few writers manage with such effectiveness.Not only was Galvin a most capable soldier, but he wrote engagingly, with breadth, perspective and humor."" - RUSI Journal""The rich detail emanates from [Galvin's] own copious notebooks and journals, supplemented by material from his wife and, most importantly, a series of letters to his father that extended over thirty-seven years. [The book] offers insightful and compelling stories from the Cold War, told by a capable and engaging writer."" - Journal of Military History""General Jack Galvin has written a fascinating memoir that is both an important lesson in history and a tutorial in strategic leadership."" - Prism"" Fighting the Cold War, which spans Galvin's life from youth to West Point to Vietnam to NATO command and beyond, is a free-roaming reflection on the events, people, and causes that made Gen. Galvin one of the key architects to the peaceful end of the Cold War.The fine balance between thinking and acting is one of the consistent themes in Fighting the Cold War. Whether dealing with the paperwork headaches in the 101st or disarmament talks with his Soviet counterparts, Gen. Galvin's memoir reveals an astute and self-reflective leader who grasped the many dimensions of senior command. The book offers ideas and examples of how to be an effective commander and staff officer at all levels, how to deal with foreign forces, and how to deal with profound change. As we prepare for an uncertain future, Fighting the Cold War provides insights on how to approach change thoughtfully, with emphasis on self-reflection, teamwork, and communication."" - Infantry

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Book SynopsisGeneral Maxwell Taylor served at the nerve centers of US military policy and Cold War strategy and experienced firsthand the wars in Korea and Vietnam, as well as crises in Berlin and Cuba.

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Book SynopsisDrawing on new scholarship, this comprehensive study provides a chronological overview from World War I to the Soviet collapse and highlights key developments in the international system as decolonization unfolded in tandem with the Cold War.Table of ContentsIntroduction Decolonization and the Cold War India Egypt The Congo Vietnam Angola Iran Conclusion

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction Decolonization and the Cold War India Egypt The Congo Vietnam Angola Iran Conclusion

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Book SynopsisOffers new perspectives on Ronald Reagan's primary accomplishment as president - persuading the Soviets to reduce their nuclear arsenals and end the Cold War. The authors examine the decisions Reagan made during his presidency that made his success possible and review Reagan's critical negotiations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

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Book SynopsisRonald Reagan's Cold War strategy, well established in his first year in office, did not change: to make absolutely sure in the minds of the Soviets that they too would be destroyed in a nuclear war. This book offers new perspectives on Ronald Reagan's primary accomplishment as president: persuading the Soviets to reduce their nuclear arsenals and end the Cold War.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis astute monograph offers a survey of Hungarian avant-garde art of the 1960s-80s that is at once accessible and methodologically rigorous. Its elucidation of the entanglements between the first (official) public sphere and its counterpart, the second (unofficial) public sphere, is thoroughly invigorating. * Klara Kemp-Welch, The Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London, UK *‘This timely and expertly researched study of unofficial Kádár-era art explores the resourcefulness and ingenuity of Hungarian artists keen to push the limits of artistic freedom. The book is indispensable for anyone interested in the question what it meant to be radical for an artist in post-1956 Hungary, and beyond.’ * Sven Spieker, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA *Drawing on a wealth of research, Cseh-Varga provides a new and accessible interpretation of radical art phenomena in Hungary under socialism. The book points to the importance of the public sphere for the democratic ambitions and battles with authority of the East European neo-avant-garde. * Edit Sasvári, Art historian and Director of the Kassák Múzeum, Budapest, Hungary *Table of Contents1. Acknowledgements 2. Introduction 3. Public Spheres and Spatiality 4. The Happening and the Consolidation of the Art of the Second Public Sphere 5. Places of Resonance – Artist Studios 6. Official Venues, Semi-Official Art: Party-Run Locations 7. Turning Private into Public – Apartment Culture 8. Avant-Garde above the Ground 9. Conclusion 10. Bibliography

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Book SynopsisAn insider's account of the Cold War as seen by a key diplomat abroad and in London. A privileged view of work that won the Cold War, written with humour and insight.Trade Review"Diplomacy is an art form, and Christopher Mallaby is a master of it. He not only served his country well – he served the wider interest too. In describing events now gone, he sets an example for events yet to come." -- Sir John Major KG CH"Some people's memoirs describe history. Others, like this author, have lived history. Christopher Mallaby was a key insider at crucial events in the Cold War and its aftermath. This fascinating account of some of the late twentieth century’s most pivotal moments gives new, very personal insights into the dramas of the East-West confrontation. This a highly readable and very important book." -- Rt Hon Lord George Robertson KT GCMG, Former Secretary General of NATO and UK Defence Secretary"From the Cuban Missile Crisis to German Unification, Christopher Mallaby witnessed and then shaped many of the key political events of the second half of the twentieth century. His elegant memoir is lucid in its analysis and wise in its judgments. As someone who worked for him, that was no surprise. For me, though, the most compelling chapters were at the beginning, writing with restrained passion about his family: I learned what shaped the character of a great public servant." -- Sir Simon McDonald KCMG KCVO, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service

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Book SynopsisA thrilling and uniquely personal account of one of the most daring escape dramas of Cold War Berlin.

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Book SynopsisWhen the world held its breath It is more than 25 years since the end of the Cold War. It began over 75 years ago, in 1944 long before the last shots of the Second World War had echoed across the wastelands of Eastern Europe with the brutal Greek Civil War. The battle lines are no longer drawn, but they linger on, unwittingly or not, in conflict zones such as Syria, Somalia and Ukraine. In an era of mass-produced AK-47s and ICBMs, one such flashpoint was China in 1949 China. 1949: two vast armies prepare for a final showdown that will decide Asia s future. One is led by Mao Tse-tung and his military strategists Zhou Enlai and Zhu De. Hardened by years of guerrilla warfare, armed and trained by the Soviets, and determined to emerge victorious, the People s Liberation Army is poised to strike from its Manchurian stronghold. Opposing them are the teetering divisions of the Kuomintang, the KMT. For two decades Chiang Kai-shek s regime had sought to fashion China into a modern state. But years spent battling warlords, and enduring Japan s brutal conquest of their homeland, has left the KMT weak, corrupt, and divided. Millions of Chinese perished during the crucible of the Sino-Japanese War and the long, gruelling years of the Second World War. But the Soviet victory against the Japanese Kwantung Army in 1945 allowed Mao s Communists to re-arm and prepare for the coming civil war. Within a few short years, the KMT were on the defensive while the Communists possessed the most formidable army in East Asia. The stage was set for China s rebirth as a communist dictatorship ruled by a megalomaniac who would become the biggest mass-murderer in history.Trade Review"For anyone who is looking to know the broad sweep of this moment in history, or is looking to start delving deeper into it, this book is a must. It is the perfect jumping off place for more reading."--A Wargamers Needful Things

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Book SynopsisWhen the world held its breath It is more than 25 years since the end of the Cold War. It began over 75 years ago, in 1944 long before the last shots of the Second World War had echoed across the wastelands of Eastern Europe with the brutal Greek Civil War. The battle lines are no longer drawn, but they linger on, unwittingly or not, in conflict zones such as Syria, Somalia and Ukraine. In an era of mass-produced AK-47s and ICBMs, one such flashpoint was Korea Without warning, at 4.00 a.m. on 25 June 1950, North Korean artillery laid down a heavy bombardment on the Ongjin Peninsula, followed four hours later by a massive armoured, air, amphibious and infantry breach of the ill-conceived post-war border that was the 38 north line of latitude. At 11.00 a.m., North Korea issued a declaration of war against the Republic of Korea. Three days later, the South Korean capital, Seoul, fell. The attack upon Korea makes it plain beyond all doubt that Communism has passed beyond the use of subversion to conquer independent nations and will now use armed invasion and war. A week after his reaction to the North Korean invasion, US President Harry S. Truman, in compliance with a UN Security Council resolution, appointed that iconic Second World War veteran, General Douglas MacArthur, commander-in-chief of forces in Korea. The first in a six-volume series on the Korean War, this publication considers those first few fateful days in June 1950 that would cement north south antagonism to this day, the pariah state that is communist North Korea a seemingly increasing threat to an already tenuous global peace.

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Book SynopsisIn the first volume in this series on the Korean War, North Korea Invades the South, North Korean ground forces, armour and artillery crossed the 38th Parallel, and, in blitzkrieg style, rolled back UN and South Korean forces down the Korean peninsula. Despite the US and South Korea committing army, air force and navy units, supported by forces from Australia, Britain, New Zealand, France and Canada, by 31 July, eleven enemy divisions were concentrated in a disconnected line from Ch?nju to Y?ngdong. Along the south coast, North Korean divisions pushed eastward towards Masan. To the east and centre of the peninsula, the enemy closed in on Kimch'?n and the Naktong River line. On the east coast, three North Korean divisions secured the Y?ngd?k-P'ohang axis, placing them within mortar range of the UN airfield at Y?nil. Reeling, the UN forces desperately defended the 140-mile-line lodgement area that incorporated the port of Pusan. Supreme commander of UN forces, General Douglas MacArthur, had his back to the sea, facing thirteen enemy infantry divisions, two new tank brigades and an armoured division. On 1 September, North Korean forces launched their strongest offensive to date, and in the first two weeks of the month, American casualties became the heaviest of the war. Of particular concern to General Walker was the danger of losing the town of Taegu in the centre. The resultant loss of the strategic Taegu-Pusan railway would be catastrophic. MacArthur and Washington were running out of options, but the Pusan Perimeter had to be defended at all costs.

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Book SynopsisFor a hundred years, British and Chinese territorial claims in the Himalayas conflicted, with Indian historians claiming that the region was the fountainhead of Hindu civilization. In the halcyon days of the Raj, London saw Afghanistan and Tibet as buffers against Russian and Chinese imperialism. In 1913, an ephemeral agreement between Britain, Tibet and China was signed, recognizing the McMahon Line as the border of the disputed territory. China, however, failed to ratify the agreement, while India protested against a loss of historical land. After the Second World War, India became independent of Britain and Chinese Communists proclaimed a people's republic. Despite cordial overtures from Indian Prime Minister Nehru, in late 1950 the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) invaded Tibet. In the ensuing twelve years, Indian diplomacy and Chinese 'cartographic aggression' were punctuated by border incidents, particularly in 1953 when armed clashes precipitated a significant increase in the disposition of troops by both sides. In the spring of 1962, Indian forces flooded into the Ladakh region of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, to check the Chinese. In a spiralling game of brinkmanship, in September, ground forces were strategically deployed and redeployed. On 10 October, thirty-three Chinese died in a firefight near Dhola. Embittered by Moscow's support of India against a sister communist state, and in a bid to clip Nehru's belligerent wings, on 20 October, the PLA launched a two-pronged attack against Indian positions.

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Book SynopsisThe Cold War tells the story of half a century of superpower confrontation from the end of the Second World War to the collapse of the Soviet Union. The book describes in chilling detail the military and ideological struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union that dominated the post-war landscape. The book highlights the role played by Britain during the Cold War and its involvement in Cold War flash points including the Berlin Blockade, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The book describes the devastating consequences of nuclear war, the growth and influence of the peace movement and the exploits of the Cold War spy networks built up by both sides. Based on previously secret government reports and papers, the book tells a compelling story of global conflict and superpower politics set against a backdrop of dramatic social and cultural change.

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Book SynopsisThe Thunderbolts of VMFA-251 were reactivated as a Marine Air Reserve squadron in 1946. Their Cold War only included a few weeks of traditional combat operations face=Calibri>– in Korea – but they would undertake constant training exercises and deployments from 1946 to 1991 as they prepared for a potential war against the USSR or China, the two giants of Communism. From South Korea to Norway to Turkey and points in between, the Thunderbolts found themselves defending the free world and living up to their motto, Custos Caelorum.Following the end of the Korean War, the squadron remained in the Far East until 1956. Back in the States it began flying the FJ-3 Fury, a jet fighter, before converting to its first supersonic fighter, the F-8U “Crusader”. In early 1962, it was the first Marine F-8 squadron to deploy aboard an aircraft carrier, as part of CVW-10 (Carrier Air Wing) aboard the USS Shangri-La. During deployment in the Mediterranean Sea, the squadron set a record for the most flight time in one month for a Sixth Fleet-based F-8 squadron by flying over 500 hours. In 1964, the Thunderbolts were the first Marine squadron in 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing to transition to the F-4B “Phantom II,” which they would fly for 21 years and 80,000 flight hours, until transitioning to the F/A-18 “Hornet” in 1987.These deployments and exercises, while not “at war,” were not without dangers. The Thunderbolts lost many personnel and aircraft, but they persevered as the armed forces of freedom-loving nations faced the ongoing threat of communism for over four decades. Compiled from archive records and interviews by a veteran of VMFA-251, this account narrates how the Thunderbolts worked hard to maintain the peace. They were indeed Custodians of the Sky.Table of ContentsChapter One: A Recap of World War II Chapter Two: Reactivation Chapter Three: The Korean War Chapter Four: Keeping the Peace Chapter Five: The Jet Age Begins Chapter Six: The Phantom Years Chapter Seven: The Fall of the Iron Curtain Appendices

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Book SynopsisThor: Anatomy of a Weapon System examines the technical aspects of the Thor Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile system as based in the UK during the period 1958 to 1963. Thor has a unique part to play in our Cold War heritage; it was the first operational ballistic missile system deployed in the western world and the only venture by the Royal Air Force into such a weapon system. This book describes the missile, its construction, systems and subsystems and the associated ground support equipment in detail. The guidance system, the "brain" of the missile, and as a result, the most complex of the missile's systems, is conveniently spread across two chapters, separating the airborne elements from the ground based components. The missile guidance description includes an illustrated sub section devoted to the basic principles governing the all - important gyroscopes, vital for controlled flight and navigation. Ballistics and how the properties of the earth affect the missile's flight to its target are also discussed. The ground based guidance chapter describes in detail, with accompanying drawings, the set up and alignment of the guidance system for the required target and the use of the "mysterious" theodolites. Explanations are in "plain English" and any associated mathematics is kept simple and, where possible, avoided altogether. Thor's liquid propellants are subject to inspection with an explanation of how these fuels are produced, stored on site, loaded and their associated ever - present dangers. Chapters are dedicated to the development of the re-entry vehicle (the nose cone), which gave Thor its characteristic blunt profile and to Thor's raison d'etre; the awesome 1.44-megaton warhead; its principles of operation and its terrifying effects. The launch countdown process is comprehensively covered in a series of easy to follow flow diagrams, accompanied by detailed drawings and descriptions of the launch control consoles and equipment. The launch sites are themselves examined, with a description of the surveys required, typical layout, locations, construction and security arrangements. Detailed drawings of the site buildings, made by the author, and believed not to be available elsewhere, complete the book which contains photographs, some from the author's collection, believed to be previously unpublished.Table of ContentsContents; Introduction; The Sites; The Site Buildings; The Missile; The Airframe; Pneumatic System; Fuel System; Engine; Hydraulic System; Electrical System; Guidance; Re - entry Vehicle; Warhead; The Launch Emplacement; Missile Shelter; Transporter Erector; Launch Mounting; Hydraulic Pumping Unit; Fuel; Propellant Transfer System; Storage; Nitrogen Supplies; Electrical Equipment Trailer; Missile Check Out Trailer; Power Switchboard; Guidance; Short Range Theodolite; Long Range Theodolite; Target Pillar; Full Guidance Countdown; Guidance Control; Guidance Alignment Set Components; Launch Control Area; Launch Control Trailer; Launch Control Consoles; Full Launch Countdown; Epilogue.

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Book SynopsisThis highly detailed, absorbing Cold War guide is the ideal companion for anyone wishing to explore the once divided capital of Berlin. Using his in-depth knowledge as a historian and battlefield/historical guide, David McCormack describes in vivid detail the tension and drama of the long standoff between the superpowers which shaped the landscape of both a defeated Germany and Europe for years to come. Meticulous historical research combines with the author's intimate knowledge of Berlin to produce a user friendly guide rich in historical detail. Prepare for a fascinating journey across the Cold War landscape of Berlin as it is today.

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Book SynopsisNimrod Boys is a complementary book to Nimrod Rise and Fall from acclaimed author Tony Blackman. It is a collection of over twenty first-hand accounts of operating the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod – an aircraft which served at the forefront of the Cold War. As the first jet-powered maritime aircraft, it could reach critical points for rescues or for operational requirements in rapid time. Its outstanding navigation and electronics systems also allowed the Nimrod to be a first-class machine in anti-submarine warfare. The book focuses on the Nimrod’s UK-based and worldwide operations. With detailed accounts of the Nimrod’s role during the Falklands Campaign and in later conflicts such as the First Gulf War to modern-day anti-drug smuggling operations in the Caribbean. There are also descriptions of the Nimrod’s achievements in the International Fincastle Competition – where RAF squadrons competed against counterparts from Australia, Canada and New Zealand. With a variety of perspectives on Nimrod crew life, including from a female air electronic operator, readers will find dramatic, engaging and occasionally humorous stories. One flight test observer also reflects on the cancelled Nimrod MR4 project. Nimrod Boys written by Tony Blackman with Joe Kennedy and with a foreword by AVM Andrew Roberts is more than worthy addition to the celebrated Boys series.

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Book SynopsisThe war on the Eastern Front during 1941-45 was an immense struggle, running from the Barents Sea to the Caucasus Mountains. The vast distances involved forced the Soviet political-military leadership to resort to new organizational expedients in order to control operations along the extended front. These were the high commands of the directions, which were responsible for two or more fronts (army groups) and, along maritime axes, one or more fleets.In all, five high commands were created along the northwestern, western, southwestern, and North Caucasus strategic directions during 1941-42. However, the highly unfavourable strategic situation during the first year of the war, as well as interference in day-to-day operations by Stalin, severely limited the high commands' effectiveness. As a consequence, the high commands were abolished in mid-1942 and replaced by the more flexible system of supreme command representatives at the front. A High Command of Soviet Forces in the Far East was established in 1945 and oversaw the Red Army's highly effective campaign against Japanese forces in Manchuria.The Far Eastern High Command was briefly resurrected in 1947 as a response to the tense situation along the Korean peninsula and the ongoing civil war in China, but was abolished in 1953, soon after Stalin's death. Growing tensions with China brought about the recreation of the Far Eastern High Command in 1979, followed a few years later by the appearance of new high commands in Europe and South Asia. However, these new high commands did not long survive the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and were abolished a year later.The book relies almost exclusively on Soviet and post-communist archival and other sources and is the first unclassified treatment of this subject in any country, East or West.Trade Review[P]rovides valuable and original research that reveals a great deal about the Soviet Union’s military command structure during World War II, with a few important insights into the almost fifty years that followed. * Journal of Military History 11/01/2023 *The book’s lively and colorful but precise style suits its highly technical and theoretical subject matter...an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the Soviet military. * Parameters 07/12/2022 *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Imperial Antecedents 2. Soviet Antecedents 3. Organizing for War 4. The Northwestern High Command 5. The Western High Command 6. The Southwestern High Command 7. The North Caucasus High Command 8. The Stavka Representatives 9. The Far Eastern High Command 10. The Postwar High Commands Bibliography Index

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