Modern warfare Books

3452 products


  • Age of Emergency

    Oxford University Press Inc Age of Emergency

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisAge of Emergency examines how metropolitan Britons understood colonial violence in the two decades after V-E Day when "small wars" raged on the frontiers of empire in Malaya, Kenya, and Cyprus.Trade ReviewAge of Emergency is a masterwork of a new Imperial history which stares unblinkingly into the violence of colonial rule and exposes how that horror reached deeply into twentieth-century British life. Linstrum's achievement is to show that the end of empire in Britain was no less a domestic trauma than in France: British decolonization did not happen 'in a fit of absence of mind.' * Richard Drayton, King's College London *Well-crafted and meticulously researched, this originally conceived work penetrates deep into the serial ambiguities of empire's end-not least the vexed question of how the British people grappled with imperial retreat. Age of Emergency traces the intricate strategies of evasion-the self-censorship, the silences, the 'circles of knowing'-and how these produced ubiquitous forms of tacit imperial knowledge in their own right. Brought to life with all manner of illuminating portraits-in-miniature, it offers a sophisticated new perspective on British society at the tipping point of decolonization. * Stuart Ward, author of Untied Kingdom: A Global History of the End of Britain *A sweeping, meticulous account of the reckoning with colonial brutality in post-war Britain. What happened in Kenya, Malaya, and Cyprus, Linstrum establishes beyond a doubt, was no secret back home. Age of Emergency masterfully explains how democratic publics come to live with-even to embrace-the violence done in their name. * Deborah Cohen, Northwestern University *Meticulous, innovative, damning...Linstrum is innovative in the breadth of his research, trawling the BBC and ITV archives to explore how popular teleplays tried to make sense of endless colonial war. * Christopher Kissane, The Irish Times *As Britons and other Europeans continue to confront the legacies of empire and especially of colonial violence today, this book is an urgent read for anyone interested in questions of culpability, knowledge, and what comes next for former colonial powers. * Taylor Soja, Europe Now Journal *Intimate knowledge of the small wars of the twentieth century spread in what Erik Linstrum calls 'circles of knowing'. His exploration of how these circuits worked and overlapped is original and subtle. * Dublin Review of Books *Age of Emergency documents a wide range of opposition. * TLS *Compendious and insightful * TLS *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction: The Wars Were Like a Mist Part I: Knowing about Violence Chapter 1: Out of Apathy Chapter 2: War Stories Part II: Justifying Violence Chapter 3: Violence without Limits Chapter 4: The Claims of Conscience Part III: Living with Violence Chapter 5: Covering Counterinsurgency Chapter 6: Performing Counterinsurgency Epilogue: The Afterlives of Colonial War Notes Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £25.64

  • GoBetweens for Hitler

    Oxford University Press GoBetweens for Hitler

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis is the untold story of how some of Germany''s top aristocrats contributed to Hitler''s secret diplomacy during the Third Reich, providing a direct line to their influential contacts and relations across Europe -- especially in Britain, where their contacts included the press baron and Daily Mail owner Lord Rothermere and the future King Edward VIII. Using previously unexplored sources from Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and the USA, Karina Urbach unravels the story of top-level go-betweens such as the Duke of Coburg, grandson of Queen Victoria, and the seductive Stephanie von Hohenlohe, who rose from a life of poverty in Vienna to become a princess and an intimate of Adolf Hitler. As Urbach shows, Coburg and other senior aristocrats were tasked with some of Germany''s most secret foreign policy missions from the First World War onwards, culminating in their role as Hitler''s trusted go-betweens, as he readied Germany for conflict during the 1930s -- and latTrade ReviewA fascinating page-turner about Hitler's secret diplomacy in the 1930s, which was intended to secure British amity and then neutrality when he led Germany to war ... Urbach combed her way through archives across Europe to construct this image of a decaying aristocracy using their connections in the cultivation of appeasers in Britain. They were not without influence. * Lawrence Goldman, Books of the Year 2015, History Today *[An] excellent book... Urbach has alighted upon a little studied and rather fascinating phenomenon; that of the aristocratic amateur ambassador, the titled back-stairs diplomatist. * The Times, Roger Moorehouse *Just when one thinks every possible aspect of this war has been covered, along comes a surprise. Such is Karina Urbach's highly original new book, Go-Betweens for Hitler... an unsurpassable work on this intriguing subject. * Daily Telegraph, Simon Heffer *engrossing and well-researched * Richard J Evans, London Review of Books *Urbach has written a book that is as stimulating as it is entertaining, and one which deserves a wide readership. * Christopher Dowe, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung *To be sure, Go Betweens For Hitler may essentially be based within the parameters of a scholarly undertaking, but it almost reads like that of a John Le Carre or Robert Littell novel. In and of itself, this speaks volumes. * David Marx, Book Reviews *From peace-feelers in the First World War to appeasers on the eve of the Second World War, this unique book makes fascinating reading * Coryne Hall, European Royal History Journal *Table of ContentsPART I: GO-BETWEENS BEFORE HITLER; PART II: HITLER'S GO-BETWEENS; ABBREVIATIONS; NOTES; ARCHIVES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • Humanitarians at War

    Oxford University Press Humanitarians at War

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisHow the International Committee of the Red Cross emerged triumphant from the dark days of World War II, escaping its ambiguous wartime record to re-affirm its leadership in world humanitarian affairs and help rewrite the rules of war in the Geneva Conventions.Trade ReviewHumanitarians at War presents a compelling picture of how the policy of sovereign states and those of a private organization exerted a reciprocal influence on life-and-death decisions about humanitarian aid provision and international law. * Kimberley A. Lowe, H-Net Reviews *Mr. Steinacher... is an excellent historian with a good nose for archives... [He] excels at toppling individuals from undeserved moral pedestals. * Samuel Moyn, Wall Street Journal Europe *Riveting ... An important book that, for the first time, greatly details how the ICRC operated, especially during and after World War II. * Library Journal *The author has produced an important and fascinating work ... Steinacher has laid before us an impressive portrayal of the activities of the Red Cross during the first half of the twentieth century. The discussion is not merely descriptive in nature; it raises serious questions about the organization's modes of operation, espeically those of its leadership. It is a welcome addition to the literature on this topic. I am convinced that students, scholars, and other readers will find it compelling. * Zohar Segev, Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs *Table of ContentsIntrodution 1: The Birth of an Idea 2: The Silence on the Holocaust 3: Intervention and Opportunism 4: The Red Cross in Crisis 5: Between Geneva and Nuremberg 6: The ICRC and Aid Politics in Ruins 7: The Humanitarians and the Nazis 8: A Window of Opportunity 9: Towards the Geneva Conventions Conclusion Bibliography Notes Index

    1 in stock

    £20.99

  • Oxford University Press Nazi Germany

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisAny consideration of the 20th century would be incomplete without a discussion of Nazi Germany, an extraordinary regime which dominated European history for 12 years, and left a legacy that still echoes with us today. The incredible force of the destructive vision at the heart of Nazi Germany led to a second world war when the world was still aching from the first one, and an incomprehensible death count, both at home and abroad.In this Very Short Introduction, Jane Caplan''s insightful analysis of Nazi Germany provides a highly relevant reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions, and the ways in which the exploitation of national fears, mass political movements, and frail political opposition can lead to the imposition of dictatorship. Considering the emergence and popular appeal of the Nazi party, she discusses the relationships between belief, consent, and terror in securing the regime, alongside the crucial role played by Hitler himself. Covering the full history of the regime, she includes an unflinching look at the dark stains of war, persecution, and genocide. At the same time, Caplan offers unexpected angles of vision and insights; asking readers to look behind the handful of over-used images of Nazi Germany we are familiar with, and to engage critically with a history that that is so abhorrent it risks seeming beyond interpretation. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewIn what seems like an almost insurmountable challenge, Caplan succeeds in describing the details of the "horrifying" main events of this historical catastrophe, and identifying its main criminals, without simplifying. And she writes with an "edge" that is missing in many history narratives. * Graham Forst, Jewish Independent *In this brilliant concise account, Caplan succeeds in outlining the startling rise and devastating impact of National Socialism in Germany under Hitler, conveying both illustrative detail and the broad shape of developments, as well as finely balancing different historical interpretations. A major achievement. * Professor Mary Fulbrook, University College London *Table of Contents1: Hitler myths 2: National socialism 3: From Munich to Berlin (via Weimar) 4: Power 5: Volksgemeinschaft: community and exclusion 6: Volksgemeinschaft: control and belonging 7: Preparing for war 8: War 9: From terror to genocide Further reading Index

    1 in stock

    £9.49

  • Hitler

    Oxford University Press Hitler

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisTyrant, psychopath, and implementer of a ruthless programme of racial extermination, Adolf Hitler was also the charismatic Führer of millions of dedicated followers. In this major new biography, internationally acclaimed German historian Peter Longerich brings Hitler back to centre-stage in the history of Nazism, revealing a far more active and interventionist dictator than we are familiar with from recent accounts, with a flexibility of approach that often surprises. Whether it was foreign policy, war-making, terror, mass murder, cultural and religious affairs, or even mundane everyday matters, Longerich reveals how decisive a force Hitler was in the formulation of policy, sometimes right down to the smallest details, in a way which until now has not been fully appreciated. Consistently and ruthlessly destroying both the people and the power structures that stood in his way, Longerich shows how over time Hitler succeeded in forging his ''Führer dictatorship'' - with terrifying and almTrade ReviewAn essential volume for anyone wanting to build up a picture of this atrocious man... * Simon Heffer, The Daily Telegraph *... a real biography by a genuine specialist... * Richard J Evans, The Guardian *... a comprehensive and impressive work. I am happy to say that Hitler: A Life is a very good book, fluently translated by Jeremy Noakes and Lesley Sharpe. It is comprehensive on the domestic side of the story, and it draws on the newer literature of the past two decades ... Longerich's work is much more than a synthesis... The result is a fine-grained and generally persuasive account of Hitler's rise to power... * Brendan Simms, Irish Times *Here once again [Longerich] mobilises a formidable quantity of archival material and shows us Hitler in his true colours ... [A] detailed biography. * Richard Overy, Literary Review *Longerich's meticulous account touches on many issues... * Christopher Clark, London Review of Books *... demonstrates a mastery of a vast mass of primary and secondary research ... that is remarkable even for a German professor ... Longerich is uniquely equipped to explore the enigma of a Führer who manipulated and ultimately ruined not on his lieutenants but an entire continent... * Daniel Johnson, Standpoint *Thorough, detailed, meticulous, readable, believable, outstanding. Not a lot of cant or opinion; just an incredible amount of detail and precise if not painstaking investigation into events that led to Adolf Hitler becoming the Adolf Hitler of undeniable, tragic nightmare. * David Marx, David Marx Reviews *Essential reading. * Christopher Bray, The Tablet *An important biography of Adolph Hitler. This text ... provides likely the most consequential history of Hitler in our time. * CHOICE^r *Table of ContentsIntroduction Prologue: A Nobody Part One 1: Back in Munich 2: The Way to the Party 3: Hitler Takes the Lead 4: The March to the Hitler Coup 5: Process and Prohibition Part Two 6: A Political New Beginning 7: Hitler the Speaker 8: Reorientation 9: Conquest of the Masses 10: Strategy 11: At the Gates of Power Part Three 12: Seizure of Power 13: First Steps of Foreign Policy 14: Führer and People 15: Outbreak of the International System 16: Construction of the Sole Dictatorship Part Four 17: Domestic Crisis 18: First Foreign Policy Successes 19: The Way to the Nuremberg Laws 20: Foreign Policy Coup 21: Ready to Serve in Four Years 22: Church Struggle and Cultural Policy 23: Hitlers Regime Part Five 24: Foreign Policy Reorientation 25: From the Blomberg-Fritsch Crisis to the "Connection" 26: The Sudeten Crisis 27: To Munich 28: In the War Part Six 29: The War Begins 30: Resistors 31: War in the West 32: Exploring Foreign Policy 33: Extending the War 34: Operation Barbarossa 35: Escalation of Jewish Politics 36: Winter Crisis: 1941-42 37: At the Height of Power 38: Hitler's Empire Part Seven 39: War Change and Radicalization 40: With One's Back to the Wall 41: Before the Sinking 42: 20 July 1944 43: Refuge in Total War 44: The End

    1 in stock

    £31.44

  • The Big Three Allies and the European Resistance

    Oxford University Press The Big Three Allies and the European Resistance

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisWhile the Big Three and their continental Allies fought against Nazi Germany, another war was under way on the continent: the war to shape the political landscape of post-war Europe. In the Balkans, the war overlapped with political and ethnic conflicts, engulfing the region in bloody civil wars. In Central and Eastern Europe, partisan movements engaged the Germans without losing sight of the danger posed by the arrival of the Red Army. In France and in Italy, the adoption of the slogans of national liberation provided the communist parties with a formidable democratic legitimacy, which established them as key players in the political lives of their countries.The British and the Americans worked to stir up, support, control, and direct these resistance groups. London created the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and Washington the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), both of whom sent agents into occupied Europe to liaise directly with the guerilla groups. Through the Comintern, MoscowTable of ContentsPART 1 1: Resistance and diplomacy in occupied Europe (September 1939-June 1940) 2: The Special Operations Executive at war (July 1940 - June 1941) 3: The communists enter the scene (June 1941 - November 1941) PART 2 4: Uncertain times (December 1941 - December 1942) 5: The militarization of British policy and the beginning Of US challenge in the Mediterranean (January - December 1943) 6: The communist movement on the offensive (January - December 1943) PART 3 7: Civil war and liberation in the Balkans (1944-1945) 8: Central and Eastern Europe between liberation and Soviet occupation (1944-1945) 9: The liberation of Western Europe (1944-1945) 10: Conclusion

    1 in stock

    £33.25

  • The Oxford History of the First World War

    Oxford University Press The Oxford History of the First World War

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisHistories you can trust.The First World War, now a century ago, still shapes the world in which we live, and its legacy lives on, in poetry, in prose, in collective memory and political culture. By the time the war ended in 1918, millions lay dead. Three major empires lay shattered by defeat, those of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottomans. A fourth, Russia, was in the throes of a revolution that helped define the rest of the twentieth century.The Oxford History of the First World War brings together in one volume many of the most distinguished historians of the conflict, in an account that matches the scale of the events. From its causes to its consequences, from the Western Front to the Eastern, from the strategy of the politicians to the tactics of the generals, they chart the course of the war and assess its profound political and human consequences. Chapters on economic mobilization, the impact on women, the role of propaganda, and the rise of socialism establish the wider context of the fighting at sea and in the air, and which ranged on land from the trenches of Flanders to the mountains of the Balkans and the deserts of the Middle East.Trade Review[an] elegant, superbly compiled book * History of War *This is as complete a snapshot of the war as you are likely to get. * Northern Echo *Table of ContentsHew Strachan: Introduction 1: Samuel R. Williamson, Jr: The Origins of the War 2: Holger Afflerbach: The Strategy of the Central Powers, 1914-1917 3: D. E. Showalter: Manoeuvre Warfare: The Eastern and Western Fronts, 1914-1915 4: David French: The Strategy of the Entente Powers, 1914-1917 5: R. J. Crampton: The Balkans, 1914-1918 6: Ulrich Trumpener: Turkey's War 7: David Killingray: The War in Africa 8: Paul G. Halpern: The War at Sea 9: B. J. C. McKercher: Economic Warfare 10: Hew Strachan: Economic Mobilization: Money, Munitions, Machines 11: Susan Grayzel: The Role of Women in War 12: J. A. Turner: The Challenge to Liberalism: The Politics of the Home Fronts 13: Robin Prior and Trevor Wilson: Eastern Front and Western Front, 1916-1917 14: Alexander Watson: Mutinies and Military Morale 15: David Stevenson: War Aims and Peace Negotiations 16: J. M. Winter: Propaganda and the Mobilization of Consent 17: John Horne: Socialism, Peace, and Revolution, 1917-1918 18: David Trask: The Entry of the USA into the War and its Effects 19: Holger H. Herwig: The German Victories, 1917-1918 20: John H. Morrow, Jr: The War in the Air 21: Tim Travers: The Allied Victories, 1918 22: Zara Steiner: The Peace Settlement 23: Robert Gerwarth: No End to War 24: Modris Eksteins: Memory and the Great War Further Reading Index

    1 in stock

    £11.69

  • DDay Through French Eyes Normandy 1944

    The University of Chicago Press DDay Through French Eyes Normandy 1944

    Book SynopsisTrade Review "In the great tradition of Studs Terkel and Is Paris Burning?, Mary Louise Roberts uses the diaries and memoirs of French civilians to narrate a history of the French at D-Day that has for too long been occluded by the mythology of the allied landing. Students approaching WWII history for the first time will now be able to go beyond the beachhead and think deeply about the French-American encounter in all its complexity. For the French, liberation meant American heroes--demigods packing Hershey’s chocolate and chouine gomme--and it also meant the destruction of property and the loss of life, the violent end to years of waiting. The switch of point of view from American to French is an exercise in empathy that renews history at the core. What a great idea and what a gripping and artful book!" -- Alice Kaplan, author of Dreaming in French"A moving examination of how French civilians experienced the fighting." * Telegraph *"Roberts's work is commendable, finally, because her work reminds readers that D-Day was not only a positive event that reestablished freedom, but that its cost was tragically high for all concerned." * New York Journal of Books *"The author shows great skill in allowing these eyewitnesses to 'speak for themselves,' vividly evoking their experiences of the tragedy, the brutality, the destruction, the joy, and the fear that the invasion brought. . . . In its treatment of an often neglected aspect of military history, this will be an attractive acquisition for all libraries." * Choice *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: The Night of All Nights 2: The Paras 3: Devastation 4: The First Glimpse 5: Sharing a Battlefield 6: Making Friends Conclusion Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index

    £18.00

  • Survivor on the River Kwai

    Penguin Books Ltd Survivor on the River Kwai

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisSurvivor on the River Kwai is the heartbreaking story of one of the last survivors of the Burma Railway.February 1942. A young British soldier is caught up in the worst defeat in the history of the British Army, the fall of Singapore. Reg Twigg spends the next three years in hell, moving from jungle camp to jungle camp and building the Burma Railway for the all-conquering Japanese. Beaten, tortured, starving and forced to watch his comrades die, Reg fights for his survival, stealing from his captors, trapping animals and even making his own tobacco. That Reg survived is testimony to his own courage and determination, his will to beat the alien brutality of camp guards who had nothing but contempt for him and his fellow POWs. He was a risk taker whose survival strategies sometimes bordered on genius. As moving and harrowing as The Last Fighting Tommy, with the drama of David Lean''s The Bridge Over the River Kwai and the heart of Trade ReviewOne of the finest accounts yet of life in the jungle PoW camps, at once humbling, heartwarming and enraging -- Allan Mallinson * The Times *

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • Rethinking the Holocaust

    Yale University Press Rethinking the Holocaust

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisA study of the Holocaust, evaluating accepted views of its history and meaning. Yehuda Bauer offers his own interpretation of why the Holocaust occurred and how another can be prevented. He also examines topics such as the relationship between the Holocaust and the establishment of Israel.Trade Review"In this original and compelling book Bauer considers all the major issues of Holocaust historiography. Everything Bauer touches he illuminates." Michael Berenbaum "An eye-opening synthesis of the whole historiography of the Shoah... The meat of the book is a brilliant review of vexed issues like Jewish resistance (armed and unarmed), the role of the Judenrate, or Nazi-imposed Jewish Councils, and the plans to rescue Jews by buying their freedom... With the skill of a sleuth and the assiduous patience of a born scholar, Bauer reconstructs the schemes, characters and motives in a spirit of factual inquiry, keen empathy and, of all unlikely things, common sense." Morris Dickstein, New York Times Book Review "Bauer is the preeminent student of Jewish resistance and rescue efforts... Bauer's book also reaches beyond issues of rescue, offering a strong introduction to many of the analytic debates on Nazi genocide." Paul Breines, Washington Post Book World

    4 in stock

    £15.19

  • Orderly and Humane

    Yale University Press Orderly and Humane

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisImmediately after the Second World War, the victorious Allies authorized and helped to carry out the forced relocation of German speakers from their homes across central and southern Europe to Germany. This is a study of the largest recorded episode of what we now call "ethnic cleansing".Trade Review"This is an important book, deserving of the widest readership."—Max Hastings, Sunday Times "Douglas provides a fascinating glimpse of the backstage of the Nazi war effort, as hundreds of thousands were shifted from Poland and the Baltic states as part of a forced Germanisation policy that sheer lack of preparation doomed to failure."—Benedicte Williams, Budapest Times"The expulsion of Germans is understandably a politically-charged topic. Until recently, it has been taboo to examine the depths of German suffering after 1945, because of the suffering they themselves had caused. Drawing on meticulous research, Douglas thoughtfully explains the context for this policy, before showing convincingly that its rationale was flawed."—Hester Vaizey, Independent"Well-researched and dispassionately written. . . . Those who want to understand the tensions in modern Europe, not least in central Europe, ought to read this book."—Gisela Stuart, The Housing Magazine"Douglas has produced a highly valuable and convincing account of the expulsion of Germans. . . "—Pertti Ahonen, Journal of Modern History “A timely read” —Harvey Richardson, Methodist RecorderRunner-up in the General Non-Fiction category at the 2013 Great Southeast Book FestivalWinner of the 2013 George Louis Beer Prize given by the American Historical AssociationWon an honorable mention for the 2012 Association of American Publishers PROSE Awards in the European & World History Category"Orderly and Humane is an outstanding and well-written work that fills a significant gap in books written in English about this large subject and the very period of its compass. It ought to be in every serious American library and should be required reading for scholars interested in the history of the end of the Second World War and the years thereafter in Europe."—John Lukacs, author of The Future of History and Five Days in London, May 1940"R.M. Douglas has written a fair-minded, deeply researched and courageous book that carefully demystifies the claims and accusations surrounding the awful history of the expulsion of the ethnic Germans from Eastern Europe. A first-rate work, Orderly and Humane compels us to admit that the postwar expulsions were not simply a regrettable accident but a deliberate policy of ethnic cleansing on a breathtaking scale that decisively shaped postwar Europe’s history."—William I. Hitchcock, author of The Bitter Road to Freedom: The Human Consequences of Allied Victory in World War II Europe"The tragedy of the post-World War II ethnic German refugees and expellees has been told before but no account is based on so many original documents from so many countries as Douglas’s eminently readable work."—Istvan Deak, Columbia University

    3 in stock

    £20.90

  • Montys Men  The British Army and the Liberation

    Yale University Press Montys Men The British Army and the Liberation

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisOffers a radical reappraisal of Great Britain's fighting forces during World War II, challenging the common belief that the British Army was no match for the forces of Hitler's Germany. This study of the campaign to liberate Northern Europe in the war's final years features a large cast of colourful unknowns and grand historical personages alike.Trade Review‘His authority, blended with readability and a genuinely fresh, exciting and convincing thesis, makes this the finest account of D-Day and beyond for many, many a year.’ —James Holland, BBC History Magazine -- James Holland * BBC History Magazine *‘ A well-argued take on the role of the British army in the campaign in northwest Europe… a balanced study that stresses the British Army’s effectiveness, both in using the resources at its disposal appropriately and in developing skills that made a valuable contribution to Allied success.’—Diane Lees, The Times. -- Diane Lees * The Times *

    1 in stock

    £14.99

  • Hitlers Soldiers

    Yale University Press Hitlers Soldiers

    Book SynopsisTrade Review"Excellent . . . An admirable study."—Nicholas Stargardt, Wall Street Journal"An engaging investigation of the German army’s complex relationship with the Third Reich. The author, the Glasgow academic Ben Shepherd, does a sterling job of boiling down the 12 years of Nazi Germany to produce an accessible account of the Faustian pact entered into by German generals . . ."—Roger Moorhouse, Times"Shepherd has written a comprehensive history of the 20th century’s most formidable fighting machine. It is also an unanswerable indictment of the moral cowardice and arrogance of an officer corps who sold their souls to Hitler and allowed him to lead them and their beloved country into the abyss."—Nigel Jones, BBC History"Highly readable and with great narrative scope, this is an excellent starting-point for anyone who wishes to have a broad overview of WWII from the German military point of view."—Robert Carver, Military History Monthly

    £16.99

  • The London Cage

    Yale University Press The London Cage

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisTrade Review“An impressively forensic study, which not only throws light on an intriguing (and murky) backwater of World War II but also on an unresolved ethical dilemma still with us today.”—Tony Rennell, Daily Mail Book of the Week“In 1954 Scotland wrote his memoirs, but Special Branch raided his publishers and seized the manuscript . . . Now, finally, the original manuscript has been released by the National Archives. This uncensored version is the backbone of Fry’s absorbing book, and Scotland’s powerful personality dominates virtually every page.”—William Cook, Spectator"Intelligence professionals should read The London Cage: it is they who will be tasked to build and run future interrogation programs, and Dr. Fry's book offers an important historical analogue for the work."—J. R. Seeger, CIA Studies in Intelligence“A most valuable addition to our understanding of British intelligence activities. . . highly recommended.” —Britain at War“Golders Green historian Helen Fry has trawled the National Archives to uncover life inside this top secret facility in The London Cage” —Bridget Galton, Ham&High“Impressively researched, this overdue investigation sheds new light on British interrogation methods during and after the Second World War. Shocking and important.” —Clare Mulley, author of The Spy who Loved "A tour de force. Helen Fry's absorbing and authoritative account of how Britain's wartime spies used both brutality and guile to get vital intelligence out of German prisoners-of-war is a shocking but fascinating read."—Michael Smith, author of The Anatomy of a Traitor “A compelling account of the subterranean world of the London Cage and the 3,000 POWs who passed through its doors, presided over by the tough and eccentric Colonel Scotland. Despite the fact that some of the records still remain classified, Helen Fry makes an important contribution to our understanding of what took place in Kensington Palace Gardens during these years, shining a powerful light onto this hidden corner of WW2 history.” —Tom Carver, author of Where the Hell Have You Been?: Monty, Italy and One Man's Incredible Escape"Helen Fry shines the light of historical inquiry into a dark and disturbing corner of World War II, revealing for the first time the shocking story of The London Cage."—Mark Felton, author of Castle of the Eagles: Escape from Mussolini's Colditz “The history of the London Cage is controversial and, even after 70 years, many questions are unanswered. Helen Fry’s book gives a cohesive picture of WW2 British Military Intelligence, raising important questions about means and ends in wartime. A clear and chilling insight into a long concealed chapter of Military Intelligence.” —Michael Jago, author of The Man Who Was George Smiley

    1 in stock

    £11.99

  • Target Switzerland

    Hachette Books Target Switzerland

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA fascinating and enlightening explanation of the dilemma Switzerland found itself in during the 1930''s and 1940''s. - Publishers Weekly

    1 in stock

    £16.19

  • The Brenner Assignment

    Hachette Books The Brenner Assignment

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisLike a scene from Where Eagles Dare , a small team of American spies parachutes into Italy behind enemy lines. Their orders: link up with local partisans and sabotage the well-guarded Brenner Pass,the Nazis'' crucial supply route through the Alps,thereby bringing the German war effort in Italy to a grinding halt.

    1 in stock

    £16.14

  • The Last Battle

    Hachette Books The Last Battle

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisSOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTUREMay, 1945. Hitler is dead, the Third Reich is little more than smoking rubble, and no GI wants to be the last man killed in action against the Nazis. The Last Battle tells the nearly unbelievable story of the unlikeliest battle of the war, when a small group of American tankers, led by Captain Lee, joined forces with German soldiers to fight off fanatical SS troops seeking to capture Castle Itter and execute the stronghold''s VIP prisoners. It is a tale of unlikely allies, startling bravery, jittery suspense, and desperate combat between implacable enemies.Trade ReviewPraise for The Last Battle "A tale as compelling as it is unlikely. The Last Battle demonstrates that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction, particularly in war. Well-researched and well-told."--Rick Atkinson, author of The Day of Battle "Stephen Harding has a laser-beam instinct for the detail that tells the story, he's a fine writer, and, most important, knows a good story when he sees one. All the above is true of The Last Battle, one of the more remarkable battles in a truly vast war, now very nicely illuminated."--Alan Furst, bestselling author of Dark Star and Night Soldiers "A little-known but fascinating story brought brilliantly to life."--Alex Kershaw, bestselling author of The Liberator "I love untold stories from World War II, and this is a great one. Brilliantly told, meticulously researched, and filled with larger-than-life heroes and villains. The Last Battle is such a compelling read, I couldn't put it down."--Patrick K. O'Donnell, bestselling author of Dog Company "The Last Battle combines good history and good storytelling. Harding writes with the skill and grace of a novelist but also the authority of an historian who has done some rather remarkable research into a previously lost chapter from World War II's final days. I had trouble putting this book down, and I think you will, too."--John C. McManus, author of September Hope "The Nazis capture two former Prime Ministers of France (who detest each other) and lock them in a medieval castle in Austria. A handful of intrepid American soldiers sets out to rescue them. And then...well, you'll have to read The Last Battle to find out what happened. It's going to make a fantastic action movie. Arnold Schwarzenegger, call your agent!"--Peter Carlson, author of K Blows Top San Diego Union Tribune, 4/28/13 "At the heart of The Last Battle is a largely unknown story that (a) seems implausible, (b) would make a great movie, and (c) reminds us that almost 70 years after the end of World War II there are countless tales still to be told...Harding's skills as a researcher and dedicated historian are apparent...[A] moment-by-moment real-time report of the events from the viewpoints of the Americans and prisoners...Page-turning...Harding has brought the implausible story to life." New York Journal of Books, 4/29/13 "Well done and eminently readable." Daily Beast, 5/12/13 "The most extraordinary things about Stephen Harding's The Last Battle, a truly incredible tale of World War II, are that it hasn't been told before in English, and that it hasn't already been made into a blockbuster Hollywood movie...Steven Spielberg, how did you miss this story?...Harding is a respected military affairs expert...and his writing style carries immediacy as well as authority...Everything that Harding reports in this exciting but also historically accurate narrative is backed up with meticulous scholarship. This book proves that history can be new and nail-bitingly exciting all at once...While the book concentrates on the fight for Castle Itter, it also sets that battle in the wider strategic contexts...This book is thus a fascinating microcosm of a nation and society in collapse...Part Where Eagles Dare, part Guns of Navarone, this story is as exciting as it is far-fetched, but unlike in those iconic war movies, every word of The Last Battle is true." Roanoke Times, 6/9/13 "If, in these halcyon days, a Hollywood screenwriter had approached a major producer with a movie script so packed with improbabilities, so extraordinary in its premises and fanciful in its conclusions, he -- the screenwriter -- would very likely have been shown the door...sheer tension and melodrama...Stephen Harding, a career journalist and military historian, has put together a fine tale of heroism and cowardice, petty bickering and unselfish sacrifice, and if Hollywood does not snap it up for an epic film, that's its loss...A page-turner." ARMY Magazine, 9/1/13 "The book is a very quick read...The Last Battle has the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster... Harding is a gifted storyteller and effective military historian who details the battle and its background with precision...This compact work is an unqualified success and will prove immensely enjoyable for virtually any reader of ARMY. With the pace of a tightly-written novel, Harding writes with the determination of a true crime novelist and thoroughness of a first-rate historian." CollectedMiscellany.com, 8/15/13 "Harding recounts a fascinating piece of World War II history...Harding writes an engaging story about a battle that helped save many of France's political elite from certain death."

    2 in stock

    £14.39

  • History of United States Naval Operations in

    Little, Brown & Company History of United States Naval Operations in

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisHistory of the United States Naval Operations in World War II.

    1 in stock

    £26.10

  • Black Watch

    Little, Brown Book Group Black Watch

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisAs a 19-year old Black Watch conscript Tom Renouf''s war began with some of the most vicious fighting of the conflict - against Himmler''s fanatical ''Hitler Youth'' SS Division. It ended with the capture of Himmler himself and Tom taking a trophy he still treasures - the Gestapo commander''s watch.Seriously wounded and later decorated with a Military Medal for gallantry, Tom Renouf witnessed the death and maiming of countless of his teenage comrades and saw the survivors transformed into grizzled veterans. Tom Renouf draws on his own personal experiences - as well as his unique archive of interviews with veterans amassed over twenty years as secretary of the 51st Highland Division Veterans'' Association - to paint a vivid picture of the Battle of Normandy, the liberation of Holland, the Battle of the Bulge and many more memorable WW2 events.

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • In the Graveyard of Empires

    WW Norton & Co In the Graveyard of Empires

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisA definitive account of the American experience in Afghanistan from the rise of the Taliban to the depths of the insurgency.Trade Review"A useful and generally lively account of what can go wrong when outsiders venture onto the Afghan landscape." -- Steven Simon - Foreign Affairs"This is a serious work that should be factored in as a new policy in Afghanistan evolves." -- Jay Freeman - Booklist"Seth G. Jones’s book provides a vivid sense of just how paltry and misguided the American effort has been.… In the Graveyard of Empires will help to show what might still be done to build something enduring in Afghanistan and finally allow the U.S. to go home." -- Dexter Filkins - The New Republic"[An] excellent book." -- James Blitz - Financial Times"How we got to where we are in Afghanistan." -- Matthew Kaminski - Wall Street Journal"[Zeroes] in on what went awry after America’s successful routing of the Taliban in late 2001." -- Michiko Kakutani - The New York Times"A blueprint for winning in a region that has historically brought mighty armies to their knees." -- Doug Childers - Richmond Times-Dispatch"Offers a valuable window onto how officials have understood the military campaign." -- Robert D. Crews - San Francisco Chronicle"Seth Jones . . . has an anthropologist’s feel for a foreign society, a historian’s intuition for long-term trends, and a novelist’s eye for the telling details that illuminate a much larger story. If you read just one book about the Taliban, terrorism, and the United States, this is the place to start." -- Jeremi Suri, author of Henry Kissinger and the American Century"A timely and important work, without peer in terms of both its scholarship and the author’s intimate knowledge of the country, the insurgency threatening it, and the challenges in defeating it." -- Bruce Hoffman, Georgetown University, author of Inside Terrorism"A deeply researched and well-analyzed account of the failures of American policies in Afghanistan, In the Graveyard of Empires will be mandatory reading for policymakers from Washington to Kabul." -- Peter Bergen, author of Holy War, Inc. and The Osama bin Laden I Know"Seth Jones has combined forceful narrative with careful analysis, illustrating the causes of this deteriorating situation, and recommending sensible, feasible steps to reverse the escalating violence." -- James Dobbins, author of After the Taliban: Nation Building in Afghanistan

    2 in stock

    £12.34

  • Gunpowder and Incense

    Taylor & Francis Ltd Gunpowder and Incense

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisNow available in English for the first time, Gunpowder and Incense (translated from the Spanish La Pólvora y el Incienso) chronicles the role of the Church in Spanish politics, looking in particular at the Spanish Civil War. Unlike most books on the subject, Hilari Raguer looks beyond the traditional explanation that the war was primarily a religious struggle. His writing presents an exemplary insider''s perspective, and is notable for its balance and perception on the role of the Catholic Church before, during and after the War.The material is presented in a lucid, elegant manner - which makes this book as readable as it is historiographically important. It will be vital reading for students and scholars of European, religious and modern history.Trade Review"... without any doubt, the most nuanced and sophisticated analysis of the subject anywhere in existence" - Helen Graham, Professor of Spanish History, Royal Holloway, University of London.'ground-breaking ... this study is a most valuable addition to the literature on the Civil War and will become indispensable for its balanced understanding of a most complicated field of history' - Contemporary Review. . . Without any doubt, the most nuanced and sophisticated analysis of the subject anywhere in existence. - Helen Graham, Professor of Spanish History, Royal Holloway, University of LondonGround-breaking ... this study is a most valuable addition to the literature on the Civil War and will become indispensable for its balanced understanding of a most complicated field of history - Contemporary ReviewScholars of modern Spain and, indeed, the Church in twentieth-century Europe more generally must not hesitate to refer to this engrossing, thoroughly researched, and perspective-changing work. - Raymond McCluskey, The Catholic Historical ReviewTable of ContentsPrologue. Introduction 1. The religious Question during the Spanish Republic 2. The Initial Reasons for the Rebellion 3. From the Pronunciamiento to the Crusade 4. The Initial Attitude of the Spanish Bishops 5. The Initial Attitude of the Vatican 6. The Collective Letter 7. Persecution and Repression 8. Stories of Persecution and Repression 9. Franco’s Relations with the Vatican are Strengthened 10. The Third Spain: Doves and Hawks 11. The Republic Desires Reconciliation with the Church 12. The Exile of Cardinal Vidal i Barraquer 13. The Church of Victory. Documentary Appendix. Chronology. Bibliography. Abbreviations. Index

    1 in stock

    £43.99

  • Churchills Secret War

    Basic Books Churchills Secret War

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisA dogged enemy of Hitler, resolute ally of the Americans, and inspiring leader through World War II, Winston Churchill is venerated as one of the truly great statesmen of the last century. But while he has been widely extolled for his achievements, parts of Churchill''s record have gone woefully unexamined. As journalist Madhusree Mukerjee reveals, at the same time that Churchill brilliantly opposed the barbarism of the Nazis, he governed India with a fierce resolve to crush its freedom movement and a profound contempt for native lives. A series of Churchill''s decisions between 1940 and 1944 directly and inevitably led to the deaths of some three million Indians. The streets of eastern Indian cities were lined with corpses, yet instead of sending emergency food shipments Churchill used the wheat and ships at his disposal to build stockpiles for feeding postwar Britain and Europe. Combining meticulous research with a vivid narrative, and riveting accounts of personality and policy clashes within and without the British War Cabinet, Churchill''s Secret War places this oft-overlooked tragedy into the larger context of World War II, India''s fight for freedom, and Churchill''s enduring legacy. Winston Churchill may have found victory in Europe, but, as this ground-breaking historical investigation reveals, his mismanagement- facilitated by dubious advice from scientist and eugenicist Lord Cherwell- devastated India and set the stage for the massive bloodletting that accompanied independence.

    3 in stock

    £19.80

  • Operation Barbarossa and Germanys Defeat in the

    Cambridge University Press Operation Barbarossa and Germanys Defeat in the

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA fundamental reassessment of Germany's 1941 campaign against the Soviet Union - a key turning point of the Second World War. This book highlights the enormous internal problems of the vital Panzer forces and reveals that their demise in the earliest phase of the war undermined the whole German invasion.Trade Review'… thought-provoking and valuable. It dispels any illusions that the first months of Operation Barbarossa were a pushover for the Wehrmacht; Stahel documents in detail, from German war diaries and letters, the heavy fighting and the high casualties.' Evan Mawdsley, The English Historical Review'… a thoroughly researched, comprehensive, and convincing analysis of Barbarossa … Any still-lingering notions of a German 'genius for war', as opposed to skill in some aspects of warmaking, is unlikely to survive this intellectually-disciplined, archivally-documented analysis of one of history's most misbegotten, mistakenly executed campaigns.' Dennis Showalter, Journal of Military History'Stahel paints a convincing portrait of a Germany army whose shape edge was already well into the process of being blunted during the first weeks of the fighting … This is a serious book and a welcome contribution to the military debate over Operation Barbarossa, a debate that has largely been carried out in the 'English speaking world' up till now.' Robert M. Citino, Central European History'The author's research is impressive … Stahel's clearly written and accessible account convincingly questions the competency of the German planning for Barbarossa … all will profit from reading this fine work.' Howard D. Grier, The Journal of Modern History'Operation Barbarossa and Germany's Defeat in the East will undoubtedly stand as a standard work on the first phase of Operation Barbarossa for a long time to come … The staggering amount of detail offered ensures this is an invaluable addition to Eastern Front literature and Operation Barbarossa in particular.' Yan Mann, Global War Studies'… a thrilling book that no military historian can afford to ignore.' German HistoryTable of ContentsIntroduction; Part I. Strategic Plans and Theoretical Conceptions for War against the Soviet Union: 1. Fighting the bear; 2. The gathering storm; 3. Barbarossa's sword - Hitler's armed forces in 1941; 4. The advent of war; Part II. The Military Campaign and the July/August Crisis of 1941: 5. Awakening the bear; 6. The perilous advance to the east; 7. The Battle of Smolensk; 8. The attrition of Army Group Centre; 9. In search of resurgence; 10. Showdown; Conclusion.

    1 in stock

    £24.99

  • The Ariadne Objective

    Transworld Publishers Ltd The Ariadne Objective

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn the bleakest years of the Second World War when it appeared that nothing could slow the advance of the German army, Hitler set his sights on the Mediterranean island of Crete, the ideal staging ground for domination of the Middle East. But German command had not counted on the strength of the Cretan resistance or the eccentric band of British intelligence officers who would stand in their way, conducting audacious sabotage operations in the very shadow of the Nazi occupation force.The Ariadne Objective tells the remarkable story of the secret war on Crete from the perspective of these amateur soldiers who found themselves serving because, as one of them put it, they had made ''the obsolete choice of Greek at school''. John Pendlebury, a swashbuckling archaeologist with a glass eye and a swordstick; Xan Fielding, a writer who would later produce the English translations of books like Bridge on the River Kwai and Planet of the Apes; Sandy Rendel, a futuTrade ReviewAn exciting, fast-moving and crisply written adventure story… Highly recommended * The Literary Review *Wes Davis’s fast-paced tale of wartime sabotage reads more like an Ian Fleming thriller than a mere retelling of events * Wall Street Journal *What really sets the book apart from the host of look-alikes is Davis’s dedication to fleshing out the eccentricity of the main players… It is surely a good thing that we no longer associate war with adventure; if it were always as appealing as Davis has made it here, we would grow to love it too much * Daily Beast *

    2 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Real Great Escape

    Transworld Publishers Ltd The Real Great Escape

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisGuy Walters is the author of several books on the Second World War, including Hunting Evil. A former journalist on The Times, he writes widely on historical topics for the national press. He lives in Wiltshire with his wife, the author Annabel Venning, and their two children.Trade ReviewGuy Walters strips away the myths to reveal the real story behind the film and finds the truth to be no less thrilling. This is utterly compelling and once again shows there is no better investigator in this field. * James Holland *

    2 in stock

    £11.69

  • Sandstorm

    Faber & Faber Sandstorm

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi has been one of the twenty-first century''s defining moments: the Arab world''s most bizarre dictator brought down by his own people with the aid of NATO aircraft. Lindsey Hilsum was in Libya when Gaddafi met his squalid end. She traces the history of his strange regime from its beginnings - when Gaddafi had looks, charisma and popular appeal - to its paranoid, corrupt final state. At the heart of her book, however, is a brilliant narrative of Libyan people overcoming fear and disillusionment and finding the strength to rebel. Hilsum follows five of them through the terror and tragedy. This is the story of modern Libyan as it was lived, from the excesses of dictatorship to violent revolution. Sandstorm will take its place in a library of classic books about turning points of history.

    2 in stock

    £11.69

  • Pacific Profiles Volume Seven

    Avonmore Books Pacific Profiles Volume Seven

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII profiles of aircraft which served in the South Pacific theatre.Volume Seven covers the Douglas C-47, including numerous derivatives such as the C-53, R4D and DC-3. This was the most universal aircraft type to appear in the South Pacific and was deployed from day one to the cessation of hostilities. It was utilised by every military organisation including eighteen Fifth and Thirteenth Air Force USAAF squadrons, and also by the USN, USMC, RAAF, RNZAF, RAF and Dutch Air Force.Most profiles are presented for the first time, alongside a full explanation of the markings. Frequent trading of airframes between units resulted in wide-ranging heraldry, unit markings and nose art. In particular until now there has been a paucity of information about the markings of Thirteenth Air Force C-47s and USMC R4Ds, a gap largely filled by this volume. This volume illustrates the development of unit markings from the first commandeered DC-3 airlinTrade ReviewIt all makes for a superb reference book for the modeler and enthusiast and well worth the price of admission. I very much like this series and look forward to each new volume. Most highly recommended. * Modelling Madness 07/09/2022 *One impressive feature of the book is the series of drawings, which provide accurate drawings showing the engine and cargo door arrangements for each variant, with photos in many cases accompanying the drawings, verifying the markings provided. * IPMS/USA 16/11/2022 *

    1 in stock

    £26.36

  • Pacific Profiles Volume Eight

    Avonmore Books Pacific Profiles Volume Eight

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisVolume Eight of the Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate profiles and histories to date of Imperial Japanese Navy floatplanes which served in the South Pacific theatre, throughout New Guinea and the Solomons. The markings of the six floatplane types deployed in the theatre are covered: the A6M2-N Rufe, E8N2 Dave, E13A1 Jake, F1M2 Pete, E9W Slim and E7K Alf. Floatplane operations commenced in January 1942 with the invasion of Rabaul. Later Rufes were often misidentified as Zeros with their presence in the Solomons seemingly ubiquitous. Petes often fought Allied fighters, with other types focused on reconnaissance and occasional bombing missions, sometimes at night. Most floatplane activity had ceased by late 1943, leaving a handful of stay-behinds operating from Rabaul and Kavieng.Illustrated, unit by unit, are examples of the varied types of markings, camouflage and tail code systems which appeared on floatplanes assigned to sea tenders, shore, ship and submarine-based unTrade ReviewThis is another rather super book in my view. * Military Model Scene *[This book] features original color illustrations, presents fresh information, and corrects and clarifies longstanding errors perpetuated for decades, and includes new markings and information. * Aeroscale 07/09/2022 *

    1 in stock

    £26.36

  • Black Sunday

    Avonmore Books Black Sunday

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisAny USAAF pilot who flew the mission to Hollandia on the fateful afternoon of 16 April 1944 in New Guinea would remember it for the rest of their lives. So would anyone else in the theatre, for the weather-related losses that fateful day earned it the eternal epithet “Black Sunday”.

    1 in stock

    £21.21

  • The Skyhawk Years

    Avonmore Books The Skyhawk Years

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe magnificent Douglas A-4 Skyhawk served with the Royal Australian Navy from 1968 until 1984 with two squadrons: VF805 and VC724. VF805 was the front-line fighter unit that served aboard the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne, while VC724 was shore-based at Naval Air Station Nowra for training and support.Table of ContentsForeword Preface and Acknowledgments Glossary Chapter 1 1945–67: Role, Testing and Purchases Chapter 2 1967–68: Initial Instructor Training Chapter 3 1968–69: The Skyhawk goes to sea Chapter 4 Flight deck engineering Chapter 5 1970: Exercise Bersatu Padu Chapter 6 1971: Training and growing the A-4 fleet Chapter 7 1972: A very busy year Chapter 8 1973: The first losses Chapter 9 1974: Tragedy Chapter 10 1975: Rimpac 75 Chapter 11 1976: OFS and VC724 Chapter 12 Support People Chapter 13 1977: Spithead Review Chapter 14 1978: Rimpac 78 and Sandgroper 78 Chapter 15 1979: Three losses in a year Chapter 16 1980: The beginning of the end Chapter 17 1981: The year that wasn’t Chapter 18 1982–1984: The end of RAN fixed-wing aviation Chapter 19 The Skyhawk squadrons Chapter 20 The pilots and their aircraft Chapter 21 Tributes Chapter 22 The case for carrier-based fighters Annex A Contributors Annex B The Sundowners Song Index of Names

    1 in stock

    £29.56

  • Pacific Profiles Volume 11

    Avonmore Books Pacific Profiles Volume 11

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisPacific Profiles Volume 11 covers the P-40 Warhawk series, which served with a dozen USAAF Fifth and Thirteenth Air Force fighter and reconnaissance squadrons, service units, combat replacement pools and other miscellaneous units.Table of ContentsAbout the Author Introduction Glossary and Abbreviations Chapter 1 – Markings and Technical Notes Chapter 2 – The First P-40s in Australia Chapter 3 – 7th Fighter Squadron “Screamin’ Demons” Chapter 4 – 8th Fighter Squadron “The Blacksheep” Chapter 5 – 9th Fighter Squadron “Flying Knights” Chapter 6 – 35th Fighter Squadron “Black Panthers” Chapter 7 – 44th Fighter Squadron “Vampires” Chapter 8 – 68th Fighter Squadron Chapter 9 – 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron “Musketeers” Chapter 10 – 312th Bombardment Group Chapter 11 – Unique Warhawks Sources & Acknowledgments Index of Names

    1 in stock

    £26.36

  • The Empire Strikes South Japans Air War Against

    Avonmore Books The Empire Strikes South Japans Air War Against

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisBetween 1942 and 1945 the Japanese waged a relentless air war against the vast expanses of Northern Australia. Using newly translated Japanese sources the The Empire Strikes South chronicles every Japanese air mission over Northern Australia and lists 187 Japanese airmen who lost their lives.Trade ReviewAn important and informative book on a subject many today will simply have little knowledge of. * Flight Line Book Review *It is highly recommended book for all aviation and history enthusiasts to obtain a better understanding of the air war 'Down Under' * Down Under Aviation News *The book gives a fascinating insight into the world of the pilots and aircrew through period combat reports, newspaper articles and post war interviews. These are complemented by colour profiles of all of the aircraft participating and appendices which not only detail Japanese aircraft loss, but crew members names. This book adds much needed balance to an air campaign which has largely been relegated to the back seat of WWII history. * Classic Wings *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Prologue Explanatory Notes Chapter 1. Darwin’s Initial raids Chapter 2. The Reality of Air Combat Chapter 3. Northern Australian Defences – A Fused Picture? Chapter 4. Darwin and the Interior Part 1: 1942 Chapter 5. Darwin and the Interior Part 2: 1943-1944 Chapter 6. Off the Northern Territory’s Coast Chapter 7. Western Australia Chapter 8. Queensland Chapter 9. Conclusion Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Sources

    1 in stock

    £23.96

  • South Pacific Air War Volume 4 Buna  Milne Bay

    Avonmore Books South Pacific Air War Volume 4 Buna Milne Bay

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisSouth Pacific Air War Volume Four chronicles aerial warfare in the South Pacific in the critical period between 19 June and 8 September 1942. It can be read alone or as a continuation of the first three volumes that spanned the first six months of the Pacific War, culminating in the Battle of the Coral Sea.Trade Review…came away with a new appreciation for how the air war was fought in this theatre. * Wargames Illustrated 08/11/2021 *...another outstanding contribution to a full understanding of aerial warfare in the theater, skillfully integrating information from the Allied perspective with less familiar material from the Japanese point of view. […] Recommended. * Stone & Stone *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1 Overview Chapter 2 Night Raids: Regional Operations 19-30 June Chapter 3 Independence Day: Regional Operations 1-7 July Chapter 4 The Lull Before the Storm: Regional Operations 8-20 July Chapter 5 Buna Landing: New Guinea 21-31 July Chapter 6 Target Townsville: Solomons & North Queensland 21 July–1 August Chapter 7 150 Bombers Destroyed! New Guinea 1-8 August Chapter 8 D-Day: The Solomons 1–8 August Chapter 9 Prelude: Milne Bay 4-22 August Chapter 10 Buna Resupplied: New Guinea 9-22 August Chapter 11 Emergency: Milne Bay 23 August - 8 September Chapter 12 Tainan Ku Annihilated! New Guinea 23 August – 8 September Chapter 13 Conclusion Appendix 1 Allied Aircraft Losses & Fatalities Appendix 2 Japanese Aircraft Losses & Fatalities Appendix 3 Cumulative Losses Sources Index

    1 in stock

    £29.56

  • Pacific Profiles  Volume Two Japanese Army

    Avonmore Books Pacific Profiles Volume Two Japanese Army

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisPacific Profiles Volume Two illustrates, by unit, Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) bomber and other supporting aircraft types operating in New Guinea and the Solomons from December 1942 to April 1944.Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1 JAAF Bombers and Support Types in the South Pacific Chapter 2 Technical Notes Chapter 3 The 7th Hiko Sentai Chapter 4 The 14th Hiko Sentai Chapter 5 The 26th Hiko Sentai Chapter 6 The 34th Hiko Sentai Chapter 7 The 45th Hiko Sentai Chapter 8 The 60th Hiko Sentai Chapter 9 The 61st Hiko Sentai Chapter 10 The 75th Hiko Sentai Chapter 11 The 208th Hiko Sentai Chapter 12 Headquarters and Command Units Chapter 13 Reconnaissance Units Chapter 14 Transport and Liaison Units Sources Index

    1 in stock

    £23.96

  • Pacific Profiles  Volume Three Allied Medium

    Avonmore Books Pacific Profiles Volume Three Allied Medium

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisPacific Profiles Volume Three illustrates, by squadron, USAAF Fifth Air Force and RAAF Douglas A-20 series medium bombers operating in New Guinea from July 1942 to the end of 1944.

    1 in stock

    £26.36

  • Avonmore Books Pacific Profiles Volume Four

    Book SynopsisVolume Four focuses on the US Navy, US Marine Corps and RNZAF squadrons which operated land based F4U series Corsair fighters throughout the Solomons theatre from February 1943 onwards.

    £23.70

  • South Pacific Air War Volume 5

    Avonmore Books South Pacific Air War Volume 5

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisVolume Five of this series chronicles aerial warfare primarily in the New Guinea theatre in the critical period between September and December 1942. It can be read alone or as a continuation of the previous four volumes which span the first nine months of the Pacific War.By early September the strategic picture in the theatre had changed markedly within just six weeks. From their new Buna beachhead the Japanese Army commenced a Papuan mountain campaign which threatened the Allied bastion of Port Moresby. Meanwhile the battle for Guadalcanal was raging, with the outcome of the wider Pacific War in the balance.Against this background a strengthened US Fifth Air Force took the fight to the IJA with direct air support. While this was being conducted by P-39s, P-40Es, A-20As and B-25s, raids by B-17s against Rabaul aided US forces in the neighbouring Solomons. RAAF Beaufighters, Beauforts, Bostons and Hudsons also contributed substantially to these efforts.At Rabaul a wide variety of fresh Trade ReviewThis series is literally the most comprehensive and well researched publications on the air campaigns in the South Pacific during World War Two. You will find no finer set of books with amount of detail, selection of photographs, or use of artwork than this series. * Aviation Enthusiast Book Club *...tells of plane-by-plane missions, with losses and combat results, all the while comparing and contrasting both sides' accounts for an accurate depiction of losses. * The Historical Miniatures Gaming Society 02/11/2022 *

    1 in stock

    £23.96

  • DDay  Piercing the Atlantic Wall

    Crecy Publishing DDay Piercing the Atlantic Wall

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisMany books have been written about the Normandy landings, but Robert Kershaw brings a new perspective by drawing heavily on German and Allied sources little used in the standard accounts. The actual landings and the subsequent few days of battle often resolved themselves into a multitude of desperate small-scale struggles - for the next few yards of beach, to cross the next field, or to reach the next hedgerow. By looking at the battle at this level through the eyes of both Allied and German participants, the author is able to develop new insights into the successes and failures of both sides. He also shows why the battle for Normandy developed into the long and bitter struggle that has become so well known.The book features extracts from the German telephone log for Omaha Beach, bringing the landings to life. The author also analyses the failure by both sides to balance tank and infantry forces in the difficult Normandy terrain, and examines why the Allies, with local superiority in t

    1 in stock

    £8.54

  • Pendulum Of War

    Vintage Pendulum Of War

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn late June 1942, the dispirited and defeated British Eighth Army was pouring back towards the tiny railway halt of El Alamein in the western desert of Egypt. Tobruk had fallen and Eighth Army had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Rommel''s Panzerarmee Afrika. Yet just five months later, the famous bombardment opened the Eighth Army''s own offensive which destroyed the Axis threat to Egypt. Explanations for the remarkable change of fortune have generally been sought in the abrasive personality of the new army commander Lieutenant-General Bernard Law Montgomery. But the long running controversies surrounding the commanders of Eighth Army - Generals Auchinleck and Montgomery - and that of their legendary opponent, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, have often been allowed to obscure the true nature of the Alamein campaign. Pendulum of War provides a vivid and fresh perspective on the fighting at El Alamein from the early desperate days of July to the final costly victory in NovembeTrade ReviewExcellent...a sophisticated, compelling and immensely readable account... Thoroughly researched, controversial, convincing... military history at its best * Daily Express *There is no doubting the author's immense scholarship... He has a first-class understanding of strategy and tactics -- Simon Heffer * Literary Review *Deserves to become the standard work on the desert war in 1942 -- Richard Holmes

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • How We Lived Then

    Vintage How We Lived Then

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisNorman Longmate served in the army in World War II, and then went to Oxford University in 1947 to read Modern History. He subsequently worked as a Fleet Street journalist, as a producer of history programmes for the BBC, and for the BBC Secretariat. In 1981 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and in 1983 he left the BBC to become a full-time writer. Norman Longmate is the author of more than twenty books, mainly on the Second World War and Victorian social history, and of many radio and television scripts on historical subjects. He has frequently been employed as an historical adviser by film and television companies, most recently on the series The 1940s House.Trade ReviewAn immense and impressive assembly... Must surely remain an invaluable essay in the remembrance of things past * Times *Superbly detailed and illustrated... From stirrup pumps to Spam, Norman Longmate's marvellously comprehensive panorama misses nothing. Excellent * Sunday Telegraph *A landmine of information covering every field of civilian life in wartime from the grandeurs of the blitz to the miseries of dried eggs and the six-inch bath -- Cyril ConnollyMuch of it is extremely interesting; some of it is fascinatingly out-of-the-way; and all of it contributes to building up a true picture of everyday life in England from September 1939 to August 1945 * Observer *Mr Longmate has recruited an enormous volunteer army of home-front veterans who sent him their wartime recollections... He has brilliantly sifted and assembled the precious debris * Guardian *

    1 in stock

    £19.00

  • CodeBreaker

    Gill CodeBreaker

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe incredible true story of the librarian, the Nazi spy and Ireland's secret role in turning the tide of World War IIWhen unassuming librarian Richard Hayes, a gifted polymath and cryptographer, was drafted by Irish intelligence services to track the movements of a prolific Nazi spy, Hermann Görtz, Dublin became the unlikely venue for one of the most thrilling episodes in Irish history.In a complex game of cat-and-mouse that would wind its way through the city and its suburbs, Code Breaker reveals how Richard Hayes cracked a code that helped turn the tide of World War II, and uncovers a secret history of the capital that has remained hidden in plain view for the past 70 years.

    1 in stock

    £16.19

  • Victory Against Japan A Ladybird Expert Book

    Penguin Books Ltd Victory Against Japan A Ladybird Expert Book

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisBOOK 12 OF THE LADYBIRD EXPERT HISTORY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR, FROM AWARD-WINNING HISTORIAN JAMES HOLLANDFeaturing stunning illustrations from Keith Burns, bringing the story to life in vivid detailWhy did Japan decide to attack at Pearl Harbour?What was the Japanese vision of a Greater Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere?How did the American strategy turn the tide against Japanese offensives?Uncover the complexities of the brutal war against Japan.From the surprise attack on Pearl Harbour, Oahu, to the Philippines Campaign, the Allies were finally able to turn the tide against the onslaught of Japanese forces.Ending in Japanese surrender after the devastating atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the war in Japan was eventually won, but at the cost of civilian lives.THE WAR THAT LED TO TWO ATOMIC BOMBINGSWritten by historian, author and broadcaster James Holland, Victory

    1 in stock

    £10.44

  • The Night of Broken Glass

    John Wiley and Sons Ltd The Night of Broken Glass

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisTrade Review"An exceptional array of eyewitness accounts ... this fascinating collection honours the Holocaust's victims, as well as the sociologist who preserved their memories."Times Literary Supplement"A fantastic asset for Holocaust historiography."European Review of History"This riveting book prints a collection of 21 eyewitness accounts by German Jews. The value of these testimonies lies above all in their detail and immediacy. Mostly they confirm the picture we already have from other sources, though few are as vivid as these."The Guardian"Provides heartrending testimony of Nazi racial hatred."Tribune"Taken together, these survivors’ voices bring the focus back onto what is essential: human lives, their preservation and loss."Forward Magazine"This collection of eyewitness accounts of the end of Jewish life in Nazi Germanyis most valuable as an undergraduate course reading, where its immediacy andpersonal detail can bring home the horrors which preceded the Holocaust."European History Quarterly"There are few more powerful or moving collections of testimonies from the Jewish victims of the Nazi pogrom of 9-10 November 1938. This is an extraordinary collection that conveys the full extent of Nazi brutality towards Jews even before the 'Final Solution' had begun."Richard J Evans, Regius Professor of history at the University of Cambridge and author of The Third Reich at War "The testimonies about the pogrom of November 9 and 10, 1938 and its sequels, assembled in this volume, describe what the authors deemed to be the height of Nazi barbarism. In reality, these events were but the faintest of preludes to what was about to happen to the Jews in Germany and in occupied Europe. Nonetheless, these reports carry a poignancy of their own that overwhelmingly evokes the suffocating and terror filled atmosphere of Jewish everyday existence in the Reich during those November days and the immediate pre-war months."Saul Friedlander, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of The Years of Extermination: Nazi Germany and the Jews, 1939-1945"What sets this anthology, edited by German sociologist Uta Gerhardt and literary agent Thomas Karlauf, apart from other firsthand accounts is the immediacy of the testimonies. All of the accounts reveal the degree to which their authors were traumatized by their experiences."S.Ross Doughty, Ursinus CollegeTable of ContentsEditorial Note and Acknowledgements vii Foreword Saul Friedländer x Introduction Thomas Karlauf: Thus Ended My Life in Germany' 1 Part I The Terror 17 Hugo Moses 19 Siegfried Merecki 36 Rudolf Bing 56 Toni Lessler 65 Sofoni Herz 72 'Aralk' 82 Marie Kahle 88 Part II In The Camps 93 Karl E. Schwabe 95 Gertrud Wickerhauser Lederer 110 Karl Rosenthal 115 Georg Abraham 135 Hertha Nathorff 148 Carl Hecht 165 Ernst Bellak 174 Part III Before Emigration 179 Martin Freudenheim 181 Alice Bärwald 183 Siegfried Wolff 187 Margarete Neff 194 Fritz Rodeck 208 Fritz Goldberg 228 Harry Kaufman 231 Afterword Uta Gerhardt: Nazi Madness 236 Notes 261 Bibliography 275

    1 in stock

    £14.24

  • War in the Wilderness

    The History Press Ltd War in the Wilderness

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisWar in the Wilderness is the most comprehensive account ever published of the human aspects of the Chindit war in Burma. The Chindit expeditions behind Japanese lines in occupied Burma 1943–1944 transformed the morale of British forces after the crushing defeats of 1942.

    1 in stock

    £19.80

  • BRIXMIS

    The History Press Ltd BRIXMIS

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe only first-hand account of BRIXMIS, the British Army’s most secret unit of the Cold War

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • The Complete Dambusters

    The History Press Ltd The Complete Dambusters

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe story of all the men who took part in the RAF’s most famous bomber operation, the 1943 Dams Raid

    1 in stock

    £17.00

  • PROSPER

    The History Press Ltd PROSPER

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe greatest French Resistance disaster of the Second World War told in its entirety for the first time.Trade ReviewThe truth emerges, leaving the honour of Suttill senior enhanced and giving reminders of the rules of clandestine operations.

    1 in stock

    £10.44

  • Hitlers Forgotten Victims

    The History Press Ltd Hitlers Forgotten Victims

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe appalling story of Hitler''s murderous policies aimed at the disabled including tens of thousands of children killed by their doctors. Between 1939 and 1945 the Nazi regime systematically murdered thousands of adults and children with physical and mental disabilities as part of its ''euthanasia'' policy. These programmes were designed to eliminate all people with disabilities who, according to Nazi ideology, threatened the health and purity of the German race. Hitler's Forgotten Victims explores the development and workings of this nightmarish process, a relatively neglected aspect of the Holocaust. Suzanne Evans''s account draws on the rich historical record, as well as scores of exclusive interviews with disabled Holocaust survivors. It begins with a description of the Children's Killing Programme, in which tens of thousands of children with physical and mental disabilities were murdered by their doctors, usually by starvation or lethal injection. The book goes o

    1 in stock

    £10.44

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