Invasion, conquest and occupation Books
The History Press Ltd Kill Them All
Book SynopsisThe bloody Albigensian Crusade launched against the Cathar heretics of southern France in the early thirteenth century is infamous for its brutality and savagery, even by the standards of the Middle Ages.Trade ReviewA gripping and dramatic narrative ... McGlynn is able to captivate the reader ... Highly recommended. * Medieval Warfare Magazine *
£17.00
Pan Macmillan Alexander the Great
Book SynopsisAt eighteen Alexander had conquered mainland Greece, was crowned King of Macedonia at twenty and by twenty-six he had made himself master of the once mighty Persian Empire. By the time of his death, aged only thirty-three, in 323BCE he was ruler of the known world and was being worshipped as a god by the Greeks, both at Babylon, where he died, and further west, among the Greek cities of the Asiatic seaboard. The fruit of a lifetime’s scholarship and meticulous research, this is an outstanding biography of one of the most remarkable rulers in history. 'A hugely impressive portrait of a towering but enigmatic figure' Saul David, Sunday Telegraph 'A revealing, often enthralling search . . . [a] restless, exhilarating book' Observer 'Fascinating . . . blends all the pleasures of Hollywood epic with those of a subtle and deeply intriguing detective tale' Tom Holland, author of Rubicon 'Alexander tTrade Review'A more deserving subject for a biography it is hard to imagine...This is a hugely impressive portrait of a towering but enigmatic figure.' Saul David, Sunday Telegraph 'A revealing, often enthralling search ... [a] restless, exhilarating book' Observer 'Paul Cartledge is one of those rare scholars who can convey the excitement of both a soaring historical narrative and the careful sifting of sources on which history depends. His fascinating new book blends all the pleasures of Hollywood epic with those of a subtle and deeply intriguing detective tale' Tom Holland 'Paul Cartledge gives us a cool, modern portrait of an ancient sacred monster who never knew when to stop, and never did, until the day he died.' Frederic Raphael 'Alexander the Great provides an endless fount both of amazement and of speculation. This gripping book examines the legends as well as the life. Most interestingly, it invites the reader to participate in the difficult task of separating the fact from the fiction.' Norman Davies
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Harthacnut
Book SynopsisHarthacnut was the last of three Danish kings to rule in England between 1013 and 1042. Although he was king of Denmark for many years, Harthacnut only ruled England directly for the last two years of his life. Yet he shaped the course of English history most profoundly. Because his mother was Emma of Normandy, Harthacnut ensured that Emma''s son by a previous marriage, Edward the Confessor, should succeed him as king of England. This established the Norman claim to the English throne. An understanding of Harthacnut''s adventurous career, his complicated family relationships, and the manner in which he created a northern empire based upon sea power and trade now enables us to appreciate more fully why the Norman Conquest of England came about.
£16.19
The History Press Ltd Blood Cries Afar
Book SynopsisExactly 150 years after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, history came extremely close to repeating itself when another army set sail from the Continent with the intention of imposing foreign rule on England.
£16.14
Swift Press The Daughters of Kobani: The Women Who Took On
Book SynopsisThe extraordinary story of the women who took on the Islamic State and wonIn 2014, northeastern Syria might have been the last place you would expect to find a revolution centered on women''s rights. But that year, an all-female militia faced off against ISIS in a little town few had ever heard of: Kobani. By then, the Islamic State had swept across vast swathes of the country, taking town after town and spreading terror as the civil war burned all around it. From that unlikely showdown in Kobani emerged a fighting force that would wage war against ISIS across northern Syria alongside the United States. In the process, these women would spread their own political vision, determined to make women''s equality a reality by fighting - house by house, street by street, city by city - the men who bought and sold women.Based on years of on-the-ground reporting, The Daughters of Kobani is the unforgettable story of the women of the Kurdish militia that improbably became part of the world''s best hope for stopping ISIS in Syria. Drawing from hundreds of hours of interviews, bestselling author Gayle Tzemach Lemmon introduces us to the women fighting on the front lines, determined to not only extinguish the terror of ISIS but also prove that women could lead in war and must enjoy equal rights come the peace.Rigorously reported and powerfully told, The Daughters of Kobani shines a light on a group of women intent on not only defeating the Islamic State on the battlefield but also changing women''s lives in their corner of the Middle East and beyond.
£9.49
Stanford University Press When the Iron Bird Flies: China's Secret War in
Book SynopsisAn untold story that reshapes our understanding of Chinese and Tibetan history From 1956 to 1962, devastating military conflicts took place in China's southwestern and northwestern regions. Official record at the time scarcely made mention of the campaign, and in the years since only lukewarm acknowledgment of the violence has surfaced. When the Iron Bird Flies, by Jianglin Li, breaks this decades long silence to reveal for the first time a comprehensive and explosive picture of the six years that would prove definitive in modern Tibetan and Chinese history. The CCP referred to the campaign as "suppressing the Tibetan rebellion." It would lead to the 14th Dalai Lama's exile in India, as well as the Tibetan diaspora in 1959, though the battles lasted three additional years after these events. Featuring key figures in modern Chinese history, the battles waged in this period covered a vast geographical region. This book offers a portrait of chaos, deception, heroism, and massive loss. Beyond the significant death toll across the Tibetan regions, the war also destroyed most Tibetan monasteries in a concerted effort to eradicate local religion and scholarship. Despite being considered a military success, to this day, the operations in the agricultural regions remain unknown. As large numbers of Tibetans have self-immolated in recent years to protest Chinese occupation, Li shows that the largest number of cases occurred in the sites most heavily affected by this hidden war. She argues persuasively that the events described in this book will shed more light on our current moment, and will help us understand the unrelenting struggle of the Tibetan people for their freedom.Trade Review"In this book we have the for the first time a Chinese historian presenting conclusive research on Tibet's recent history. It is my hope that through this historical documentation establishing the truth of what happened, Chinese intellectuals, and all other readers, will come to understand the real situation and be able to deepen their approach to and understanding of the Tibet problem in the spirit of seeking truth from facts. With my praise and admiration for the author on the fruition of her many labours." –His Holiness the Dalai Lama"Jianglin Li is a treasure. The confines of our knowledge about Tibet have expanded dramatically as a result of her dogged research. She has done for Tibet what Chinese historians like Yang Jisheng have done for the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution: uncovered, at considerable personal cost, a history that the Communist Party tried hard to conceal."—Barbara Demick, author of Eat the Buddha"Jianglin Li has pieced together by far the most comprehensive and compelling picture of the devastation wreaked by China upon Tibet. This book is likely to remain the definitive source, and therefore required reading, for anyone interested in this history."—Anne F. Thurston, co-author with Gyalo Thondup of The Noodle Maker of Kalimpong"To have this kind of detail about these events is exceptional. Until now, historians had assumed that 1959 marked the end of major conflict between the PLA and Tibet. This important study corrects those notions, and expands our understanding about the deep tensions that continue to reverberate in much of China's western territories."—Robert Barnett, editor of Forbidden Memory: Tibet during the Cultural Revolution"When the Iron Bird Flies provides the most comprehensive account to date of the brutal and bloody conflicts that took place between the PLA and Tibetans. Combining rigorous research with extensive interviews with Tibetan refugees, this book sheds light on those violent critical years of state incorporation."—Emily T. Yeh, author of Taming Tibet"Authoritative, exhaustive, and reliable, Jianglin Li's account sets a new standard for the history of Sino-Tibetan relations and deftly depicts the momentous historical transition of a region little known to outsiders."—David G. Atwill, coauthor with Yurong Y. Atwill of Sources in Chinese History"This extraordinarily important book reveals for the first time the ruthless military campaign against local rebellions that the PLA waged across vast Tibetan regions. This long-hidden story, told in a series of powerfully dramatic vignettes, reshapes our understanding of the formative years of the People's Republic of China."—Andrew G. Walder, author of China Under Mao"[When the Iron Bird Flies] provides many startling details about how the Chinese Communist Party cracked down on Tibetans from 1956 through 1962. The work of Li, an independent scholar born in China, has an aspect of a detective story because the Chinese government has never disclosed much of what happened... Does any of this matter now, decades later? I think so. As I read Li's study, I thought of the current Chinese government crackdown on the Uyghurs of far northwestern China. I suspect that many of the lessons the Communist Party learned in Tibet are being applied now."—Thomas E. Ricks, The New York Times Book Review"Li draws on interviews with exiled Tibetans and on classified Chinese-language sources to describe battle after battle and the enormous destruction and loss of civilian life that the PLA caused... The story is all the more heartbreaking for the clinical tone of Li's reporting."—Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign AffairsThe book's strength is Li's detailed account and descriptions of events based on rarely accessed Chinese sources supplemented by interviews with Tibetans living in exile. Li sees the book as a personal exploration in pursuit of truth.... Overall, Li tells a powerful story of the Tibetan resistance and provides vivid details about the clash between vastly different value systems that underlay that conflict."—Tsering Shakya, Pacific AffairsTable of Contents1. The Storm Rising in the Mountains 2. Rebellion Sparked in the Year of the Fire Monkey 3. Lithang: The Fallen Buddha of the Future 4. Chatreng: The Broken Mala 5. Nyarong: The Wrath of the Dragoness 6. The First Bend in the Yellow River 7. Tibet: Occupation and "Reform" 8. The Chamdo Pilot Project and "Six Years without Change" 9. Diplomatic Clashes: Zhou Enlai, Nehru, and the Dalai Lama 10. Obscure Events in 1957 11. Gunshots in the Golok Grasslands 12. The Yellow River Massacre 13. Yulshul in Flames 14. Tubten Nyima, a monk from the area, confirmed to the author the location of the battles referred to as the "battle of encirclement and annihilation in southeastern Xinghai" in Chinese sources. It was one of the major campaigns of Qinghai's 1958-1959 suppression of the Tibetan resistance and fleeing Tibetans. 15. The Crossed-Sword Banner at Drigu Lake 16. The 1958 "Religious Reform Movement" 17. Lhasa, the Last Hope 18. "Lhasa Is No More!" 19. The Battle of Lhoka 20. From Namtso to Mitikha 21. Encircling the Plateau in the Depths of Winter 22. The Men Who Fell from the Sky 23. Chamdo's Fight to the Death 24. The Life-or-Death Journey 25. When the Iron Horse Raced Across the Plateau
£26.99
OR Books War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless
Book SynopsisRussia’s brutal February 2022 invasion of Ukraine has attracted widespread condemnation across the West. Government and media circles present the conflict as a simple dichotomy between an evil empire and an innocent victim. In this concise, accessible and highly informative primer, Medea Benjamin and Nicolas Davies insist the picture is more complicated. Yes, Russia’s aggression was reckless and, ultimately, indefensible. But the West’s reneging on promises to halt eastward expansion of NATO in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union played a major part in prompting Putin to act. So did the U.S. involvement in the 2014 Ukraine coup and Ukraine's failure to implement the Minsk peace agreements. The result is a conflict that is increasingly difficult to resolve, one that could conceivably escalate into all-out war between the United States and Russia—the world’s two leading nuclear powers. Skillfully bringing together the historical record and current analysis, War In Ukraine looks at the events leading up to the conflict, surveys the different parties involved, and weighs the risks of escalation and opportunities for peace. For anyone who wants to get beneath the heavily propagandized media coverage to an understanding of a war with consequences that could prove cataclysmic, reading this timely book will be an urgent necessity.Trade ReviewThis careful, informed, judicious study is an invaluable guide to understanding the background, character, and likely consequences of Russia’s criminal invasion of Ukraine, and most crucially, how we can act to help bring this terrible tragedy to an end.—Noam Chomsky“This book is an important antidote to the war propaganda about Ukraine that so many in the West are caught up in.”—Mairead McGuire, Northern Irish peace activist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize"Medea Benjamin and Nicolas Davies lay out the historical background and series of provocations by the US that led Russia to launch its war on Ukraine. These provocations do not excuse the Russian invasion, but they tragically make clear that this was a conflict that could have been avoided if our foreign policy had not become captive to militarists whose sole loyalty is to the arms industry."—Chris Hedges, journalist and author“Here, finally, is the book we've been awaiting. War in Ukraine is illuminating and essential for anyone seeking to penetrate the fog of myth and propaganda that distorts our understanding of this crisis.”—Stephen Kinzer, author and journalist“Given corporate media’s pro-war bias, a book like this, which provides important political and historical context for the current war and argues for negotiations instead of escalation, is of utmost importance.”—Katie Halper, host of The Katie Halper Show and co-host of Useful Idiots“Give this book to anyone seeking the knowledge and wisdom needed to help end the violence in Ukraine.”—David Swanson, executive director of World Beyond War and campaign coordinator for Roots Action“This concise primer gives what U.S. media consumers so rarely get—historical context with balance and compassion.”—Norman Solomon, executive director of Institute for Public AccuracyTable of ContentsPrefaceIntroduction: Collision Course Chapter 1: How 2014 Set the Stage for WarChapter 2: The Success and Failure of the Minsk II Peace PlanChapter 3: The Russian Invasion of UkraineChapter 4: NATO: Myth vs. RealityChapter 5: Information WarfareChapter 6: The Consequences of Sanctions on RussiaChapter 7: How Does the War Increase the Risk of Nuclear Confrontation?Conclusion: How on Earth Will This End?
£12.34
Vintage 1066 The Year of The Three Battles
Book SynopsisEveryone knows what William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings in 1066, but in recent years is has become customary to assume that the victory was virtually inevitable, given the alleged superiority of Norman military technology. In this new study, underpinned by biographical sketches of the great warriors who fought for the crown of England in 1066, Frank McLynn shows that this view is mistaken. The battle on Senlac Hill on 14 October was a desperately close-run thing, which Harold lost only because of an incredible run of bad fortune and some treachery from the Saxon elite in England. Both William and Harold were fine generals, but Harold was the more inspirational of the two. Making use of all the latest scholarship, McLynn shows that most of our ''knowledge'' of 1066 rests on myths or illusions: Harold did not fight at Hastings with the same army with which he had been victorious at Stamford Bridge three weeks earlier; the Battle of Senlac was not won by Norman arcTrade ReviewA splendid book... fascinatingly rich and thorough. -- Julian Rathbone * Independent on Sunday *An exciting story well told... A most lively and rewarding book. -- Jeremy Black * Literary Review *One of our most readable historians * Daily Express *McLynn is an astonishingly prolific historian. His books are always elegantly written, highly opinionated and enormously enjoyable * Sunday Times *Has anybody done more – done as much – as Frank McLynn in writing intelligent, combative, thoroughly researched and thoroughly readable history? * Independent *
£15.29
Pluto Press Unholy Wars Third Edition Afghanistan America
Book SynopsisA classic book on the history of the USA's involvement with AfghanistanTrade Review'Lucid, detailed, well-organised and superbly researched, Unholy Wars is the only book to place Islamic militancy in the context created not just by desperately poor, hopelessly mismanaged, corrupt and oppressive societies, but also by great powers like the United States. A masterpiece of reportorial thoroughness, painstaking research, and serious reflection' -- Edward W. SaidTable of ContentsAcknowledgements New Introduction 1. Carter and Brezhnev in the Valley of Decision 2. Anwar al-Sadat 3. Zia al-Haq 4. Deng Xiaoping 5. Recruiters, Trainers, Trainees and Assorted Spooks 6. Donors, Bankers and Profiteers 7. Poppy Fields, Killing Fields and Druglords 8. Russia: Bitter Aftertaste and Reluctant Return 9. The Contagion Spreads: 1 – Egypt and the Maghreb 10. More Contagion: The Philippines 11 The Contagion Spreads: 2 – The Assault on America Epilogue: The Globalisation of Violence Notes Index
£22.49
Pluto Press Balfours Shadow A Century of British Support for
Book SynopsisThe story of the rhetorical and practical assistance that Britain has given to the Zionist movement and the state of Israel since 1917Trade Review'The most dramatic centenary account of the Balfour Declaration' -- Robert Fisk, journalist and author'Sheds light in the dark corners of western imperialist policies that wreak havoc in most of the world. This one about British policies over the 100 years since Balfour is worthy of reading not only by every British person interested in truth but all humans who yearn for peace and justice' -- Mazin Qumsiyeh, Professor at Bethlehem University'Shows how Britain erected and for decades maintained the scaffolding that gave birth to a settler-colonial state in Palestine and the Palestinian Nakba. Acknowledging Britain's moral responsibility towards the Palestinians is a key message of this timely and courageous book' -- Nur Masalha, editor, Journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies'Cronin exposes Britain as an enabler of Israeli apartheid. He blends indignation with meticulous objectivity in an alternative history that is concise but comprehensive' -- Raymond Deane, Composer'Describes vividly how, by deception, Britain's imperial designs and perceived need for international Jewish support in wartime gave birth to the Balfour Declaration of November 1917' -- Tim Llewellyn, former BBC Middle East Correspondent'Challenges Theresa May's propagandist celebration through its exposure of the declaration's fundamental illegitimacy, supported by a wealth of factual detail on arms and money transfers, methods of repression and racist discourse' -- Rosemary Sayigh, author of Palestinians: From Peasants to Revolutionaries and Too Many Enemies: The Palestinian Experience in LebanonBalfour's Shadow is a passionate, cogently argued presentation of the tragic and devastating consequences of the 1917 Balfour Declaration. Cronin's work provides a unique insight into the historic and current relationship between Britain, Israel and the Palestinians. -- Selma Dabbagh, novelist and playwright 'This superb book is a revelation, uncovering the dreadful history - and present - of Britain's connivance with Israeli atrocities' -- Mark Curtis, author of Secret Affairs: Britain's Collusion with Radical IslamTable of ContentsTimeline of Key Events Text of Balfour Declaration Introduction 1. Laying the Foundations 2. Bringing in the Black and Tans 3. ‘We Must Shoot to Kill’ 4. Sowing the Seeds of Ethnic Cleansing 5. Arming Israel (1953-1956) 6. Arming Israel (1957-1979) 7. Sidelining the PLO 8. The Loyal Lieutenant 9. Partners in Crime Postscript: Israel’s Greatest Friend? Notes Acknowledgements Index
£19.79
The History Press Ltd The Normans Classic Histories Series
Book SynopsisLooking back at the Norman legacy and how it dissapeared so quickly off the political stage
£10.44
The History Press Ltd The Battle of Hastings Classic Histories Series
Book SynopsisThe Battle of Hastings is probably the best-known and perhaps the most significant battle in English history. Its effects were deeply felt at the time, causing a lasting shift in cultural identity and national pride. Jim Bradbury here explores the full military background to the battle and investigates both the sources for our knowledge of what actually happened in 1066 and the role that the battle plays in national myth.The Battle of Hastings starts by looking at the Normans - who they were, where they came from - and the career of William before 1066. Next, Jim Bradbury turns to the Saxons in England, and to Harold Godwineson, successor to Edward the Confessor, and his attempts to create unity in the divided kingdom. This provides the background to an examination of the military development of the two sides up to 1066, detailing differences in tactics, arms and armour. The core of the book is a move-by-move reconstruction of the battle, including the advance planning, the site, the composition of the two armies and the use of archers, feigned flights and the death of Harold. This is a book that anyone interested in England''s most famous battle will find indispensable.
£10.44
The History Press Ltd Vikings of the Irish Sea
Book SynopsisVikings of the Irish Sea
£17.00
The History Press Ltd The Vikings A Short History
Book SynopsisThis concise history of the Vikings traces the 300-year saga of the pirates and warlords who poured out of Scandinavia between the eighth and eleventh centuries, terrorizing, conquering, and ultimately settling vast tracts of land throughout Europe.
£9.99
Canbury Press Chilcot Report
Book SynopsisAll the key findings of the public inquiry into Britain's handling of the 2003 Iraq war. Chaired by Sir John Chilcot, the Iraq Inquiry tackled the threat to Britain; the legal advice for the invasion; intelligence about weapons of mass destruction; and planning for a post-conflict Iraq. This 60,000-word exec summary was published in July 2016. Trade Review'Although sceptics wondered how much more the very-long-awaited Report of the Iraq Inquiry by a committee chaired by Sir John Chilcot could tell us when it appeared at last in July, it proves to contain a wealth of evidence and acute criticism, the more weighty for its sober tone and for having the imprimatur of the official government publisher. In all, it is a further and devastating indictment not only of Tony Blair personally but of a whole apparatus of state and government, Cabinet, Parliament, armed forces, and, far from least, intelligence agencies. Among its conclusions the report says that there was no imminent threat from Saddam Hussein; that the British chose to join the invasion of Iraq before the peaceful options for disarmament had been exhausted; that military action was not a last resort...' — GEOFFREY WHEATCROFT, THE NEW YORK REVIEW OF BOOKS'A more productive way to think of the Chilcot report is as a tool to help us set agendas for renewed best efforts in creating more effective and accountable statecraft. Chilcot has confirmed that... we still do not have intelligent long-range planning by the armed forces in close and active cooperation with other government agencies, nor an adequate and integrated system for the collection and evaluation of intelligence information, nor do we have the highest possible quality and stature of personnel to lead us through these challenging times.' — DEREK B MILLER, THE GUARDIAN'The Iraq Inquiry, chaired by Sir John Chilcot and composed of five privy councillors, finally published its report on the morning of 6 July, seven years and 21 days after it was established by Gordon Brown with a remit to look at the run-up to the conflict, the conflict itself and the reconstruction, so that we can learn lessons. It offers a long and painful account of an episode that may come to be seen as marking the moment when the UK fell off its global perch, trust in government collapsed and the country turned inward and began to disintegrate.' — PHILIPPE SANDS, LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS'The Chilcot Report was created to investigate the decisions that led England into the Iraq War. It was the result of public hearings that lasted from 2009 to 2011, and was given the right to call on any official and documents. The Chilcot Inquiry found the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair failed at nearly every turn in Iraq. The premier decided that the most important issue was to maintain the special relationship with the United States. Blair hoped that would make him a co-partner with President Bush, but instead he found that he was routinely ignored by Washington both before and after the 2003 invasion. London also fell into many of the same problems as its ally such as believing Iraq had WMD, not planning for the postwar situation, and wanting to withdraw its forces no matter what. Just like for the United States the Iraq war proved to be a huge strategic mistake for England. The Chilcot Report started with England’s Iraq policy before 9/11. Before 2001 the British were following the same policy as the United States, which was containment of Saddam via sanctions, and wanting Baghdad to comply with United Nations’ resolutions to disarm. Just like Washington, London was concerned that international support was faltering for this strategy, so it was pushing smarter sanctions that would focus solely upon military imports, which might lesson criticism of the humanitarian situation caused by the limits on trade. The problem was even with the tough U.N. restrictions Saddam was not feeling pressured to change his attitude. That was especially true after the Oil for Food program started, which opened up huge opportunities to illegally make money. Blair’s main concern was Iraq’s WMD and its apparent refusal to get rid of them. He realized the international situation was changing so many years after the sanctions had originally been imposed, and was attempting to revise them. At the same time, since he’d been in office since 1997 he was not looking for any major policy change. Then 9/11 happened. The September 2001 terrorist attacks would lead England to war as a very junior partner to the United States. After 9/11 Blair said that England would stand with America in the war against terrorism. There were problems with that right from the start. First, British intelligence found no evidence Iraq was involved in 9/11, cooperation between Iraq and Al Qaeda was unlikely, and that Iraq was not giving WMD to terrorists. In comparison Bush and others in the U.S. immediately thought Saddam was involved, and after intelligence and counterterrorism agencies said there was no connection, administration officials such as Vice President Dick Cheney repeatedly claimed there was pushing American public opinion in that direction. The White House’s main argument also became Iraq posed a threat because it could give WMD to Al Qaeda. As a result, London was immediately concerned that Bush wanted to invade Iraq, and it was right. Blair’s opinion was that London had to temper Washington’s impulses. In December 2001 for instance, the PM sent a paper to Bush arguing for building up pressure upon Iraq to eliminate its WMD via the United Nations and weapons inspectors with military action as the last resort. It also argued for maintaining international support and not acting alone. For England disarmament was the issue. It didn't know that Bush had already asked for war planning to begin, that he wanted to act unilaterally, and was completely opposed to a role for the United Nations. Even when London became aware of all that Blair held onto the idea that his relationship with the president meant he could influence U.S. policy. He was completely wrong. This came to exemplify the US-UK relationship from 2001-2003. Blair and his staff were in constant contact with the White House making suggestions and giving ideas only to be ignored. England wanted disarmament, while the U.S. wanted regime change. In the end, Iraq was to be an American war, and while it appreciated the British support Washington was going to call the shots. England was just along for the ride. The Inquiry didn’t think the London-Washington alliance would have changed much if Blair had taken a different approach and not joined in the war, but that was the path not taken. During the entire Iraq affair there was only one thing Blair was able to influence the U.S. to do and even that didn’t work out right, which was to go to the United Nations. Right from the start London argued that the United Nations needed to be involved. That included getting a new resolution demanding Iraq disarm, restarting weapons inspections, and ultimately authorizing the use of force if Baghdad didn’t comply. The U.S. was initially opposed to this, but Blair eventually got Bush to agree at the end of 2002. That was the premier’s one and only victory from 2001-2009. After that nothing went right for London. First, it believed in the new inspection regime, and that they could find proof of Iraq’s WMD programs, which would help justify the war, and wanted to give them as much time as necessary. Washington held the exact opposite view. It wanted such tough requirements that Iraq could never comply. When Baghdad sent its weapons declaration to the U.N. before the inspections started and said it had no WMD, the White House thought that was a breach and wanted war. When the U.N. found no nuclear and WMD programs, but there were still questions of leftover chemical and biological stocks, England argued for more time, while the U.S. said the inspectors were wrong. The UK then convinced the U.S. to submit a second resolution calling for force against Iraq. China, France, and Russia immediately opposed the idea and London and Washington failed in winning over enough votes to get the resolution passed. Most importantly Washington was also pushing ahead with its invasion plans regardless of the United Nations. That was the most important timetable for the U.S. Blair repeatedly told Bush that without the United Nations he could not garner domestic support for any war against Iraq. That won Bush over, but he wasn’t willing to listen to anything else. He thought one resolution against Saddam was enough, and did not believe the inspectors when they found no WMD. The decision to go to war had already been made, and this was simply a formality. The Chilcot Inquiry found that there was never any serious debate within the cabinet on Iraq policy or the decision to join in on the U.S. war, and the legal justification came on shaky ground. Blair made many decisions on Iraq unilaterally. The cabinet was kept up to date on matters, but there was very little discussion on policy. The Inquiry believed the ministers should have been much more involved when it came to war, but were largely cut out by the prime minister. Just as important the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith actually changed his mind at the very last minute about whether the invasion of Iraq was legal or not. Starting in the winter of 2002 the AG told the government that the first U.N. resolution did not allow military action, and a second one explicitly saying so was necessary. He repeated this again in February 2003. Then in March, just days before the invasion was to begin he talked with some of Blair’s officials and changed his mind. Even then he said a second U.N. resolution would have been better. That was not presented to the cabinet or parliament when they voted to go to war. Issues of life and death are some of the most important for any democracy. A lively debate is necessary to make such decisions. This was sorely lacking within London, and in Washington as well. Lord Goldsmith’s flip flop might have even resulted in a no vote if it had been revealed, but it wasn’t. Ultimately Blair was intent on backing the U.S. and he got what he wanted. There were many other parallels with the United States such as the intelligence failure about Iraq’s WMD. Just like the Americans, British intelligence had an ingrained belief that Iraq still had weapons of mass destruction. It didn’t believe Iraq had destroyed its stockpiles, there were still unaccounted for agents, missiles that violated U.N. restrictions, and the know how to perpetuate the programs into the future. That led to the infamous 2002 dossier on Iraq which claimed it could be launched WMD in just 45 minutes. In fact, these assessments were mostly based upon the past rather than current intelligence. There was no consideration that Baghdad might have taken a different position. After the war when no WMD was found the intelligence community and Blair government were reluctant to admit that it was wrong. It was only after the U.S. Iraq Study Group report came out that said definitively that Iraq had destroyed its WMD after the Gulf War and had no programs that London changed its stance. That led to the Butler Report, which went through all the mistakes England had. Just like the Americans the UK believed Iraq had WMD based upon assumptions rather than hard evidence. It thought Saddam would never give them up, so the intelligence agencies never dropped the idea that Iraq possessed them. WMD rather than getting rid of Saddam was Blair’s number one concern, and his government proved completely wrong on that matter. Another similarity with the Americans was that London failed to prepare for postwar Iraq. The UK was aware of how important governing Iraq would be. The Defense Ministry warned that the postwar phase would be “decisive.” What the Blair government ended up doing was to assume that Washington would do all the planning and the United Nations would eventually take over. This meant the UK had to convince the U.S. how important the postwar situation would be, but again never succeeded in anything. Blair was constantly warned about these problems but he never took any actions to deal with it. That meant England was stuck with a huge commitment it hadn’t planned for, and lacked the necessary staff and resources to be successful. The U.S. didn’t take postwar planning serious because it was more focused upon the war phase. It thought Iraqis would welcome the invasion, the government would be up and running, and the U.S. could simply leave. The idea that developing a democracy, which Bush said was one of the main goals of the war would actually take hard work and planning never occurred to Washington. The end of the Executive Summary is full of ironies as England quickly realized that security was the major problem in post-Saddam Iraq, yet still couldn't get the Bush White House to do anything about it, and only thought of withdrawing its own forces. The British immediately caught on after the invasion that Iraq was deteriorating because of violence and constantly tried to warn the Americans about it to no avail. One problem was that the U.S. and U.K. were co-occupiers of Iraq, but the latter had little say within the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). Again, like the invasion, the Americans were intent on running things, and the English were also more focused upon Basra than Baghdad. The other problem was that it took President Bush four years to realize that the U.S. was not winning in Iraq. That meant all the warnings by the UK about the insurgency went nowhere as Bush didn’t want to hear bad news. England’s own response to militants in southern Iraq failed just like the Americans because it refused to commit the troops and resources to be successful. That was because ever since the invasion ended, London was set on pulling out its forces. It got its own warnings that Basra was insecure and unstable and that a major change was necessary to correct that, but never changed its policy. That meant when Washington finally changed in 2007 with the Surge and sent in more troops London was still intent on pulling out its forces. Then in 2008 Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki launched the Charge of Knights campaign against the Mahdi Army in Basra showing that the British strategy of dealing with the militia had failed. By 2009 the British were finally out. England’s occupation of Iraq went no better than the leadup to the war. It couldn’t get the Bush White House to take the security situation in Iraq seriously, while not wanting to commit the resources to at least improve the situation in Basra which it was responsible for. It knew that immediately improving the living conditions for Iraqis after the overthrow of Saddam was crucial, but was largely cut out of the CPA. It therefore left Iraq with another long list of failures behind it. The Chilcot Report concludes that the Iraq was a strategic mistake for England. It didn’t know if things could have turned out differently, but believed there were several opportunities where a real assessment could have happened but didn’t. If there had been a serious debate within the cabinet for example, the UK might not have given such a blank check to the United States and might not have even decided to join the war. Likewise, there was no real discussion of alternatives to withdrawing British troops even though more not less were needed to secure Basra. The real cause of the problems was Blair’s decision to constantly defer to Bush rather than demanding to be a real partner. Even when London quickly found out Washington was following its own agenda and would not listen to London’s suggestions nothing changed. England got nothing in return for Blair’s stance on Iraq.' – JOEL WING, MUSINGS ON IRAQ BLOG Table of ContentsIntroduction Pre-conflict strategy and planning The UK decision to support US military action. UK policy before 9/11; The impact of 9/11; Decision to take the UN route; Negotiation of resolution 1441; The prospect of military action; The gap between the Permanent Members of the Security Council widens; The end of the UN route Why Iraq? Why now? Was Iraq a serious or imminent threat?; The predicted increase in the threat to the UK as a result of military action in Iraq The UK’s relationship with the US Decision-making. Collective responsibility Advice on the legal basis for military action. The timing of Lord Goldsmith’s advice on the interpretation of resolution 1441; Goldsmith’s advice of 7 March 2003; Goldsmith’s arrival at a “better view”; The exchange of letters on 14 and 15 March 2003; Goldsmith’s Written Answer of 17 March 2003 Weapons of mass destruction. Iraq WMD assessments, pre-July 2002; Iraq WMD assessments, July to September 2002; Iraq WMD assessments, October 2002 to March 2003; The search for WMD Planning for a post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. The failure to plan or prepare for known risks; The planning process and decision-making Occupation. Looting in Basra; Looting in Baghdad; UK influence on post-invasion strategy: resolution 1483; UK influence on the Coalition Provisional Authority; A decline in security; The turning point Transition. UK influence on US strategy post-CPA; Planning for withdrawal; The impact of Afghanistan; Iraqiisation Preparation for withdrawal. A major divergence in strategy; A possible civil war; Force Level Review; The beginning of the end Did the UK achieve its objectives in Iraq? Key Findings 1. Development of UK strategy and options, 9/11 to early January 2002; Development of UK strategy and options, January to April 2002 – “axis of evil” to Crawford; Development of UK strategy and options, April to July 2002; Development of UK strategy and options, late July to 14 Sep 2002 Key Findings 2. Development of UK strategy and options, November 2002 to January 2003; Development of UK strategy and options, 1 February to 7 March 2003; Iraq WMD assessments, pre-July 2002; Iraq WMD assessments, July to September 2002; Iraq WMD assessments, October 2002 to March 2003; WMD search Key Findings 3. Advice on the legal basis for military action, November 2002 to March 2003; Development of the military options for an invasion of Iraq; Military planning for the invasion, January to March 2003; Military equipment (pre-conflict); Planning for a post-Saddam Hussein Iraq; Invasion Key Findings 4. The post-conflict period; Reconstruction; De-Ba’athification; Security Sector Reform; Resources; Military equipment (post-conflict); Civilian personnel; Service Personnel; Civilian casualties Lessons. The decision to go to war; Weapons of mass destruction; The invasion of Iraq; The post-conflict period; Reconstruction; De-Ba’athification; Security Sector Reform; Resources; Military equipment (post-conflict); Civilian personnel Timeline of events
£7.59
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Russian Invasion of Ukraine February
Book SynopsisOn 24 February 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine, intending to overthrow the Zelensky government and bring the former Soviet republic back into the Russian sphere of control. Vladimir Putin clearly expected a quick victory and many in the West also predicted that Kiev would fall in a few days. But they hadn't counted on the skilled, courageous and determined resistance of the Ukrainian armed forces, nor the degree to which Russian military might had been overestimated. The initial Russian dash for Kiev was thrown back and their advances in the east and south also slowed by a combination of fierce resistance and their own unpreparedness, inadequate logistical planning and incompetent command. While the Russians ground their way forward in the east and south of the country, devastating towns and cities, they paid a heavy price in casualties and equipment losses. A carefully planned Ukrainian counteroffensive in the summer forced the invaders into a series of humiliating retreats. As w
£21.25
Orion Publishing Co Paris Requiem
Book Synopsis''In Detective Eddie Giral, Chris Lloyd has created a flawed hero not just for occupied Paris, but for our own times, too'' KATHERINE STANSFIELDParis, 1940. As the city adjusts to life under Nazi occupation, Detective Eddie Giral struggles to reconcile his job as a policeman with his new role enforcing a regime he cannot believe in but must work under.He''s sacrificed so much in order to survive in this new world, but the past is not so easily forgotten. When an old friend and an old flame reappear, begging for his help, Eddie must decide how far he will go to help those he loves.He can remain a good man and do nothing, or risk it all in a desperate act of resistance...Praise for Chris Lloyd and Detective Eddie Giral''Terrific'' SUNDAY TIMES''Gripping... a vivid recreation of Paris under German Occupation'' ANDREW TAYLOR''A thoughtful, haunting thriller'' MICK HERRON''Sharp and compellinTrade ReviewA corpse is discovered in a derelict jazz club, its lips sewn tight with twine. The victim, Eddie finds out, is an old lag who should be in prison. After he learns that other criminals are also out on the streets, given early release in mysterious circumstances, he realises that he has stumbled on a conspiracy involving French criminals and German occupiers. A page-turning, morally complex thriller. (Best Historical Fiction Books of 2023) * SUNDAY TIMES *Chris Lloyd follows up the excellent The Unwanted Dead with another terrific slice of historical noir. In his vivid recreation of Paris under German occupation, French policeman Eddie Giral - trapped between Nazis, gangsters and his own conscience - finds himself morally compromised following the discovery of several mutilated bodies. Once again, the prose sparkles with Lloyd's mordant wit and gallows humour, illuminating the depravity of an evil regime. * VASEEM KHAN *Lloyd does a masterly job of conjuring a hungry, defeated Paris. Eddie is a convincing protagonist; a flawed man trying his best to be a good one. * THE TIMES *It's the book Raymond Chandler might have written if he had lived and breathed the Nazi Occupation of Paris... Paris Requiem is more than a historical crime novel, it's a tour de force. To read it is to have lived in occupied Paris, to have experienced its many-layered devastation. But to read it is also to have walked, in Eddie Giral's skin, through the decisions and betrayals, the compromises and dubious triumphs of an investigation which should, by rights, have killed him. * ALIS HAWKINS *A haunting and eye-opening portrayal of life under occupation. * ADELE PARKS *A stellar sequel to 2020's The Unwanted Dead. In 1940 Nazi-occupied Paris, police detective Eddie Giral, a wise-cracking maverick determined to stay faithful to his responsibilities despite the risks to his life, investigates the death of a man found in a jazz club...Little details, such as the occupied city now being governed by German time, which runs an hour ahead of French time, bring the period to life. Admirers of J. Robert Jane's St-Cyr and Kohler series will be delighted. * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review) *[A] superbly atmospheric thriller, which oozes moral ambiguity. * BOOKLIST (starred review) *This smart historical thriller centers on a WWII-era Paris policeman who finds himself working on behalf of the occupiers, pushing him into a moral crisis and a new case that forces him to confront the true extent of the damage being done to the soul of his city. * DWYER MURPHY, CrimeReads Editor in Chief *Lloyd paints a vivid picture of Paris: the lines of people trying to buy highly rationed food, the jazz clubs where they try to escape their miseries, and their persistent attempts to block out the brutal facts of the occupation. The plot action is suspenseful and intense. The characters-both heroes and villains-are vividly drawn. This is definitely a captivating read! * HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY *In Chris Lloyd's historical mystery "Paris Requiem," the year is 1940. The City of Light is occupied by German troops. The Eiffel Tower is closed. All songbirds have fled . . . [Detective Eddie Giral] ekes partial wins out of this amoral game: "Private triumphs I could share with no one"-except the spellbound reader. * WALL STREET JOURNAL *
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC At the Gates of Rome
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewDon Hollway’s At the Gates of Rome is a masterful blending of solid scholarship and excellent storytelling that brings the Eternal City’s turbulent early history to vibrant life. Patricians and barbarians, slaves and saints, victors and vanquished leap from the pages fully formed, making the book an enthralling read from the first page to the last. -- Stephen Harding, 'New York Times' bestselling author of 'The Last Battle'Fans of Hollway’s short work already know his outstanding narrative style is matched by his impressive range. Coming on the heels of his medieval masterpiece The Last Viking, At the Gates of Rome brings Hollway’s marriage of thrilling storytelling and historical rigor to Late Antiquity. In this illuminating page-turner, Hollway walks us through the fate of one of the most significant civilizations in human history. There are works of history we return to as reference, and those we return to as inspiration. In At the Gates of Rome, Hollway has given us both. -- Myke Cole, author of 'Legion versus Phalanx'Table of ContentsDramatis Personae Chronology List of Illustrations Author's Note Introduction Prologue: The Fall of Rome PART ONE: AD 378–397 I. Adrianople II. Foederati III. A World Divided IV. Leaders V. The Battle of the Frigidus VI. Pater Patriae PART TWO: AD 395–408 VII. Invaders VIII. Betrayal IX. Triumvirate X. Enemies on All Sides XI. Barring the Gates XII. Barbarians Ascendant XIII. Uprising XIV. The World Turns XV. Invasion XVI. Death Renders All Equal XVII. “Everything Will Fall to Pieces” XVIII. Radagaisus XIX. Annus Horribilis XX. Contenders for the Throne XXI. Overthrow XXII. Downfall PART THREE: AD 408–410 XXIII. The New Order XXIV. The March on Rome XXV. First Siege XXVI. Poena Cullei XXVII. Second Siege XXVIII. Third Siege XXIX. The Graveyard of the Romans XXX. Finis Epilogue: The Triumph of Barbarism Sources Bibliography Index Acknowledgments
£19.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC British Celtic Warrior vs Roman Soldier
Book SynopsisAn illustrated study of the British tribal warriors and Roman auxiliaries who fought in three epic battles for control of Britain in the 1st century AD. Following the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43, the tribes of the west and north resisted the establishment of a Roman peace', led in particular by the chieftain Caratacus. Even in the south-east, resentment of Roman occupation remained, exploding into the revolt of Boudicca's Iceni in AD 60. Roman auxiliaries from two particular peoples are known to have taken part in the invasion of Britain: the Tungrians, from what is now Belgium, and the Batavians, from the delta of the River Rhine in the modern Netherlands. From the late 80s AD, units of both the Batavians and the Tungrians were garrisoned at a fort at Vindolanda in northern Britain. The so called Vindolanda tablets' provide an unparalleled body of material with which to reconstruct the lives of these auxiliary soldiers in Britain.Featuring full-colour maps and speciallyTrade ReviewInformative and plenty of detail throughout. -- Duncan Evans * The Armourer Magazine *This is a great book for anyone thinking of recreating the Roman Conquest of Briton. This will provide a great deal of background information, and a great place to start any research for ideas and info. -- Jason Hubbard * Irregular Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction The Opposing Sides Caratacus' last stand, AD 50 The invasion of Mona, AD 60 Mons Graupius, AD 83 Analysis Aftermath Bibliography Index
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC 21 Days to Baghdad
Book SynopsisAn authoritative military history of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom, describing the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the siege and fall of Baghdad, and the nation-building mission that followed.In 21 Days to Baghdad, historian Dr. Heather Stur describes the commitment of the division to Kuwait, the invasion of Iraq and the three weeks of violent desert conflicts on the way to Baghdad before the siege and battle for the city itself, and the thunder runs that saw its fall to U.S. forces. She then details the complex security mission that required the soldiers and their commanders to convince Iraqi citizens that the U.S. was there to help them, while at the same time they continued fighting Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard, paramilitary forces, and terrorists. This new history is based on exclusive, extensive interviews with General Buford Buff Blount, the U.S. Army two-star general who led the 3rd Infantry DivisionTrade ReviewAccompanied by a series of informative maps, 21 Days to Baghdad is an interesting perspective on the Iraq War. * Classic Military Vehicle *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Maps Introduction 1. The Making of a Seventh-Generation Soldier 2. The Arabist: Blount in Saudi Arabia 3. War Planning 4. Preparations in Kuwait 5. Invasion 6. Pushing Through Karbala 7. The General’s Gamble: Seizing Baghdad 8. Now What? 9. Fallujah Conclusion Appendix: Third Infantry Division Order of Battle, Iraq 2003 Acronyms Notes Selected Bibliography Index
£21.25
David R. Godine Publisher Inc Invisible Years: A Family’s Collected Account of
Book SynopsisThe Holocaust memoir of a Dutch family who evaded arrest and deportation by the Nazis. Told through letters, diaries, and interviews, and illustrated with photographs throughout, this detailed account brings a new perspective to one of history’s most horrific chapters. During the Second World War, as the Nazis tightened their grip on the Netherlands, the Jewish population was slowly restricted from public life—everything from owning a bike to having a job was forbidden. Sensing the murderous consequences of deportation, Daphne Geismar’s family—her parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles—decided to separate and go into hiding. Parents and children were torn apart, living for years in isolation behind a church organ, below floorboards, or even in plain sight. While timelines and notes provide context, we hear the voices of young Mirjam, sent by her parents to live with a family of strangers; Judith whose braids were cut to make her look less Jewish; Nathan, taken in and given false papers by a Dutch soldier. Ordinary people whose collective story is one of resilience and resistance, survival and compassion. “This is an important book because many people don’t know what took place in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation....[The] fascinating story also highlights the courage of the rescuers involved in that dangerous undertaking. It is a story that must be told to inspire others never to give up even when it seems all is lost.”—Mordecai Paldiel, Former Director, Righteous Among Nations, Yad Vashem For readers of history and memoirs, this family’s story, Invisible Years, challenges readers to follow this example of resistance to inhumanity.
£24.64
Casemate Publishers Strong in Will: A First-Hand Account of Working
Book Synopsis“Paris of today is not a happy ground for ill and dying or for those with frayed nerves and unquiet minds. It is for the brave of heart, the courageous, and the strong in will and in health. The times, so full of danger, must be lived by the ‘sword of the Spirit,’ with love and an inner calm. It is not possible otherwise.” - Marie-Louise Dilkes, 30 August 1940There have been many books written about life in Paris during the Occupation. What makes this book unique is that it is written from the perspective of the receptionist for the American Embassy in Paris, Marie-Louise Dilkes, who saw and experienced the chaos and fear of those facing an uncertain future. They walked through the door to the American Embassy looking for a sign of hope or a way out.Marie-Louise Dilkes takes us through the conquest and occupation of Paris by German forces, and includes the war-time journey of the American consulate in Paris – from Paris to Lisbon, and Lyon to Bern and back to Paris. She ends with the triumphant return of members of the American Embassy staff after the Allies forced the German Army out of Paris.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction The US Embassy in Paris August 25, 1939–June 14, 1940—Turbulent Times June 15–December 31, 1940—The Occupation January 1, 1941–June 3, 1941—Relocates to Vichy June 4, 1941–July 20, 1941—The Embassy in Paris Becomes a Consulate July 20, 1941–December 26, 1941—American Consulate Leaves Paris Epilogue Notes Glossary Bibliography Acknowledgements Index
£23.96
Arc Humanities Press Ideology and Holy Landscape in the Baltic
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£100.00
The Mercier Press Ltd Blood for Blood: The Black and Tan War in Galway
Book SynopsisWilliam Henry has trawled the archives to produce this meticulous account of the many raids, ambushes, murders and reprisals that took place in the 1919-21 period, and of those who were involved. He details the activities of the dreaded Black and Tans, and the role played by the RIC and the mainstream British Army who were stationed in the county. He also looks at how everyday life was affected by the ongoing war and how the attitude of the people changed as the brutality of the Tans intensified. He details hunger strikes in Galway jail and the general strike in the city that resulted as well as the boycotts of the british forces throughout the county. With fascinating and sometimes horrific details he brings the time to life.
£14.39
Arcturus Publishing Ltd Life Under Nazi Occupation: The Struggle to
Book SynopsisWhen the Nazis invaded, they did not intend to govern fairly. Instead they stripped defeated nations of their treasures, industry and natural resources, with the aim of asserting German supremacy and imposing Hitler''s New Order in Europe. Paul Roland tells the story of daily life under Nazi rule - in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Guernsey and the Channel Islands- to be brought to heel by bribery and brutality, rape and torture, inducement and intimidation as the Germans carried out their vile policies. We hear of quislings and collaborators who conspired with their captors, the ''enemies of the Reich'' including Jewish citizens who were rounded up and exterminated, as well as stories of incredible courage by individuals who struck back against the Führer. Featuring haunting photographs of the people and places under occupation, this shocking book confronts us with the reality of the Nazi rule - a regime which would have swept the entirety of Europe, had Germany won the war.
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Don't Let's Be Beastly to the Germans: The
Book SynopsisGermany, spring 1945. Hitler is dead and his armies crushed. Across the conquered Reich, cities lie devastated by Allied saturation bombing; their traumatised populations, exhausted and embittered by defeat, face a future of acute privation and hardship. Such was the broken state of the nation in which a British civilian and military force arrived in the spring and summer of 1945. Their zone of occupation was the northern and northwestern part of Germany, the country’s former industrial heartland. Their task? To build democracy from the ruins of Hitler’s Reich, and, having defeated Nazism on the battlefield, to ‘win the peace’ by eradicating Nazism from German hearts and minds. As well as offering a vivid narrative of the British occupation in political and military terms, from the Potsdam Conference to the Berlin Airlift, Don’t Let’s Be Beastly to the Germans explores the day-to-day experiences of the ordinary Britons who worked for the Control Commission for Germany between 1945 and 1949. Some reconstructed bridges and schools, supervised the destruction of military matériel and brought fugitive Nazis to justice; while others became entangled in black marketeering, corruption and sexual scandal. In time, they would find themselves on the front line of the Cold War, as irreconcilable tensions divided Europe between East and West.Trade ReviewImmensely readable ... Cowling expertly navigates his narrative through a post-war Europe of conflicting ideas, difficult decisions, brilliant minds and flawed people -- Katja Hoyer * Daily Telegraph *Candid and illuminating -- Richard Overy * Literary Review *Very readable ... The real strength of the book is in the tiny details that Cowling's painstaking research uncovers -- Glenda Cooper * Mail on Sunday *A gripping account of the post-war period detailing life in the British Zone. The Allies may have won the war but with Germany in ruins and millions homeless, hopeless and starving, would they win the peace? * Julia Boyd, author of A Village in the Third Reich *An endlessly wonderful evocation of the post-War years when we tried, despite the chaos of the times, understandably bitter feelings, and ruinous expense, to create a new, democratic Germany, even as our Empire crumbled around us. It may not have been our finest hour - yet, to the infinite benefit of Europe, we really did win the peace. A clear, grand idea mixed with unforgettable new details make this unputdownable. * James Hawes, author of The Shortest History of Germany *An excellent, vivid, readable social history of the British and their Zone in Post-War Germany. * Giles MacDonogh *The British occupation of Germany after 1945 was sometimes shameful, sometimes heroic, but often just chaotic. Cowling’s brilliantly researched book reveals it all, and must surely become the standard work on the subject. * Keith Lowe *Meticulously researched and skilfully written, Daniel Cowling’s narrative evokes a shattered post-war world in which British men and women were given the herculean task of rebuilding a democratic Germany. As they sought to round-up ex-Nazis, racketeers and corrupt officials, some found themselves drawn to an underworld rife with crime, drunkenness and sex. A ground-breaking account of a little-known period. * Giles Milton, author of Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare *
£25.19
Swift Press The Daughters of Kobani: The Women Who Took On
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£15.29
Canelo Hitler as Military Commander
Book SynopsisWas Hitler 'the greatest strategic genius of all time' as Nazi propaganda had it, or just an amateur?Why was the startling success of his campaigns in Poland and France followed by the blundering mistakes in Russia, North Africa and France? Might Germany even have won the war without Hitler's continual and disastrous interference?In this extraordinary history, John Strawson answers these and other questions by showing how Hitler's insatiable preoccupation with war and conquest was translated into reality. While the power of a revitalized German army came from Hitler, Strawson examines the Fuhrer's eccentric use of the most formidable war machine the world had ever seen.This lucid story of fire and incompetence is brought alive by the accounts of those who served Hitler both on his staff and as field commanders. Perfect for readers of Ian Kershaw and Anthony Beevor.
£11.69
De Gruyter Kunst und Profit: Museen und der französische
Book SynopsisNot only Adolf Hitler and Hermann Göring utilized the occupation of France during the Second World War to procure artworks for their collections — German museums also made acquisitions at the time. The advantageous foreign exchange rate and the large range of artworks, for instance, from seized Jewish property, afforded favorable opportunities. French museums like the Louvre also expanded their holdings during this time. Many purchases by German museums were restituted to France in the postwar period, while some have remained in the collections until today and are first now becoming a focus of research. The essays in the volume from German and French perspectives analyze the similarities and differences in the activities of museums on the French art market during the occupation for the first time. Adolf Hitler et Hermann Göring ne sont pas les seuls à avoir profité de l'Occupation de la France par l’Allemagne pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale pour acquérir des œuvres d'art pour leurs collections - les musées allemands y ont également fait des acquisitions. Le taux de change avantageux et l'offre importante d'œuvres d'art provenant par exemple de propriétés juives spoliées ont offert des opportunités favorables. Les musées français, comme le Louvre, ont également élargi leurs collections à cette époque. De nombreuses acquisitions de musées allemands ont été restituées à la France dans l'après-guerre, mais certaines sont restées dans les collections jusqu'à ce jour et n'ont attiré l'attention des chercheurs que récemment. Les contributions de ce volume analysent pour la première fois, des points de vue français et allemand, les points communs et les différences entre les activités des musées sur le marché de l'art français pendant l'Occupation.
£40.95
Verlag Vittorio Klostermann Georgien Zwischen Eigenstaatlichkeit Und
Book Synopsis
£26.82
Peter Lang AG Mnemonic Governance: Politics of History,
Book SynopsisThe publication is a collection of research articles that provide an insight to mnemonic governance – a process of shaping the shared social imaginary of the past by legislators, courts, scholars and other actors. This phenomenon can be observed as an element of political discourse or as changes in law consolidating certain officially recognized states. The contributions in this volume offer a political, legal and historical analysis of transitional justice legislation, emerging memory laws, and the societal perception of the past. With this publication, we intend to contribute to the ongoing and changing debate surrounding memory politics and highlight the practical consequences of mnemonic governance.Table of ContentsPart I Memory and Politics: Rule of Law, Criminal Law, and EU Policy - Part II Mnemonic Governance and Transitional Justice. Contemporary Politics and European Societies - Part III Mnemonic Governance in the Urban Space - Part IV Institutions and Social Actors: The Application of the Memory Law in Individual Cases
£41.40
Central European University Press Engineering the Lower Danube: Technology and
Book SynopsisThe Lower Danube—the stretch of Europe’s second longest river between the Romanian-Serbian border and the confluence to the Black Sea—was effectively transformed during the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In describing this lengthy undertaking, Luminita Gatejel proposes that remaking two key stretches—the Iron Gates and the delta—not only physically altered the river but also redefined it in a legal and political sense. Since the late eighteenth century, military conflicts and peace treaties changed the nature of sovereignty over the area, as the expansionist tendencies of the Habsburg and British Empires encountered rival Ottoman and Russian imperial plans. The inconvenience that the river’s physical shape obstructed free navigation and the growth of commercial traffic, was an increasing concern to all parties. This book shows that alongside imperial aspirations, transnational actors like engineers, commissioners and entrepreneurs were the driving force behind the river regulation. In this highly original, deeply researched, and carefully crafted study, Gatejel explores the formation of international cooperation, the emergence of technical expertise and the emergence of engineering as a profession. This constellation turned the Lower Danube into a laboratory for experimenting with new forms of international cooperation, economic integration, and nature transformation.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Exploring the Danube 2. Connecting the Danube with the Sea 3. From Confrontation to Cooperation: the Crimean War and Its Aftermath 4. The Danube Delta: A Success in International Ruling 5. The Iron Gates Torn Between Imperial, International and National Interests Conclusion Bibliography
£69.30
