Ordnance, weapons technology Books
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Colt M1911 .45 Automatic Pistol
Book Synopsis
£19.54
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Russian S300 and S400 Missile Systems
Book SynopsisAn expert account of the development, role, and capabilities of the S-300 and S-400 air defence missile systems, key strategic weapons in Putin's Russia. Few modern missile systems have had such significance as the S-300 family. Highly regarded technically, Russia's most powerful air-defense systems have been a major strategic asset to the country, exported to major powers around the world, and are a key weapon in many international hotspots and in recent wars. In this book, professional missile systems analyst Steve Zaloga uses his specialist knowledge to assess and analyse them in detail. He explains that the S-300 is, in fact, three systems: the S-300P, designed as a replacement for older Soviet strategic SAM systems, the S-300V, developed to defend against Pershing ballistic missiles, and the S-300F, designed for ship defense. He also considers the supplementary S-350 system and the new-generation S-400 system, deployed in Syria and sold to both China and Turkey. An assessmentTrade ReviewThe book is packed with illustrations and photos and technical information. -- Susan Wilson * Army Rumour Service *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION ORIGINS S-300P Biryuza (SA-10A Grumble) S-300PS Volkhov M6 S-50 Moscow Defense Ring The second generation: S-300PM Volkhov M-6M (SA-20A Gargoyle) S-300PMU Export System Catering to the export market: S-300PMU-2 Favorit (SA-20B Gargoyle) S-350 Vityaz The third generation: S-400 Triumf (SA-21A Growler) The Naval S-300F Fort/Rif (SA-N-6 Grumble) S-300V (SA-12 Giant/Gladiator) S-300VM (SA-23) S-500 Prometey ATBM ASSESSMENT FURTHER READING
£11.69
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Walther Pistols
Book SynopsisWhile the PP and PPK were intended for police work, the Walther P 38 was produced for the Germany military; all three pistols have garnered a formidable international reputation since the 1930s.The innovative Walther PP (Polizeipistole), a double-action semi-automatic pistol intended for the law-enforcement market, became available in 1929 and went on to arm the police of several European countries in the 1930s. Its smaller cousin the PPK, more readily concealed for undercover work but with reduced magazine capacity, was produced from 1931. Intended to replace the P 08 Luger, the Walther P 38 was issued from 1940 and equipped the armed forces of Germany and other countries during and after World War II, but never entirely replaced the Luger in German service. All three pistols went on to have lengthy and varied service across the world after 1945. Both the PP and the PPK remain in production today, while the P 38 re-emerged as the P1 and equipped West German forces frTrade ReviewThis excellent volume deals with the history of this company, their various designs from the 1930s and how these pistols were used in the service of many post-war nations. The PPK and P 38 are the mainstay of Walther’s reputation and the chapters on their history are outstandingly informative. There is so much information in this book that makes this volume a must have book for anyone interested in these pistols. Osprey Publishing have been producing the Weapon Series for several years and every book in this Series is an excellent concise guide to a particular weapon or class of weapons. This book is yet another outstanding volume added to this Series, and it is very welcomed. All the books in the Series have a similar format namely an introduction to the weapon or class of weapons, a history of their development, a detailed description of their usage, the long-term impact of the weapon / class of weapons on future derivatives / designs, a conclusion, and a highly useful bibliography. If the development of these three Walther handguns appeals to you then you must consider this book as a necessary addition to your personal library. It is priced very competitively and given the quality of the author’s research it is an excellent publication. There are masses of information on various designs / sub-variants, serial numbers, engraving and stampings etc which make this volume a superb read. The author must be congratulated on this volume and all readers will no doubt be pleased by the high quality of his work. If you have one of these guns, then this book will reveal a considerable amount about its history. -- Dr Stuart C Blank * Military Archive Research *The PP, PPK and P38, some of the most famous pistols of the 20th Century, are covered in this new title, number 82 in the Osprey Weapons series. An 80-page soft-cover book in the usual Osprey style. The book opens with an Introduction that gives some historical background to the area of the Thuringen Forest of east-central Germany and a tradition of gunmakers to which Walthers became a part. With some early designs that led to the design of the PP, the Polizei-Pistole, a semi-automatic designed for police and personal use. Then the PPK, a slightly smaller version known generally of the Polizei-Pistole Kriminal, intended to more easily concealed. Added to these was the work on a military pistol, to replace the P08 Luger, something easier to manufacturer and simpler to maintain in the field, this resulted in the P38. There is great detail on the weapons themselves, the markings you will find on them, the numbers made, the serial numbers used, and in terms of the German military, who they were issued to. They proved reliable weapons, with the small PP & PPK popular with AFV and aircrews where they suited the more confined spaces and after the war they remained in production, not only in Germany but in France as well. Fascinating text accompanied by lots of photos of preserved examples long with some beautiful artwork which included cutaways of both the PPK and P38 weapons. These Walther guns remained in production after the end of the war and used by both the German and French military post-war. If you have any interest in these famous guns, either for their wartime military use or with the fame the PPK gained for being used by James Bond then there is a lot to like about this book. I for one was able to discover a little more about my own examples of the PPK and the P38, which for example I now know was made by Mauser at their Obendorf factory. A fine reference to keep if you have any interest in these famous Walther products. Thanks to Osprey for our review copy. -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *I found this book fascinating, in the way the author relates the gradual evolution of the three weapons , their variants and special orders and serial numbers, also including some unusual derivatives that I had never heard of -- Susan Wilson * Army Rumour Service *Table of ContentsIntroduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Tanks at the Iron Curtain 194660
Book SynopsisA study of the Soviet and NATO armored forces that faced each other off in Central Europe in the early Cold War, and how their technology, tactics, and doctrine were all rapidly developed.For 45 years, the most disputed point in the World was the dividing line between East and West in Europe; here the use and development of tanks was key. In this fully illustrated study, author Steve Zaloga, describes how Soviet and NATO tanks were deployed in the early years of the Cold War, and how a generation of tanks such as the Soviet T-44/T-54 and IS-3, British Centurion, US Army M26/M46 Pershing (all developed during World War II) saw extensive service after the war had ended. Initial post-war generation tanks including the Soviet T-54A, T-10 heavy tank, British late-model Centurions, Conqueror, US Army M41, M47, M48 and the French AMX-13 are examined in detail alongside the most important technical trends of the era: the development of shaped-charge anti-tank projectiles, theTable of ContentsIntroduction The tanks, doctrine, and organization Tanks in battle Technical analysis Further reading Index
£10.79
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Luger P.08 Vol. 1
Book Synopsis
£19.54
Tuttle Publishing A History of the Samurai: Legendary Warriors of
Book SynopsisA History of the Samurai tells the complete story of Japan's legendary warrior class from beginning to end—an epic tale of intrigue, bloodshed and bravery that is central to an understanding of the Japanese character and of Japanese history. It describes in detail the core Samurai philosophy of Bushido—"the way of the warrior"—a complex code of conduct embracing ideals of honor and loyalty that continues to govern the Japanese way of life today.Historian Jonathan Lopez-Vera offers a compelling look at these enigmatic warriors including: The lives of famous Samurai—Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's greatest swordsman; Tomoe Gozen, the woman who became a Samurai; Tokugawa Ieyasu, the last Shogun; and many more The tragic tale of the 47 Ronin who chose honor over their own lives and were forced to commit ritual suicide after avenging their fallen master The philosophy of Bushido, "the Way of the Warrior," the code of conduct that embraced the ideals of honor and loyalty and governed the Samurai way of living The decline of the Samurai and their transformation from rough, battle-hardened warriors to highly educated philosopher-poets Illustrated with 125 archival prints and photos, the nobility and grandeur of the Samurai is brilliantly showcased in this book. Readers will enjoy immersing themselves in the Samurai's world, as historian Jonathan Lopez-Vera traces the fascinating story of the rise and fall of these enigmatic warriors throughout Japanese history.Trade Review"In A History of the Samurai there are seven centuries of battles, intrigues, invasion attempts and great characters with exciting biographies." -- 20 Minutos newspaper"…a thorough investigation into these warriors." -- Sapiens magazine"Lopez-Vera's book sows a series of historical pearls that are a delight all on their own." -- El Peso Del Aire blog
£15.19
Scribner Book Company The Guns of John Moses Browning: The Remarkable
Book Synopsis
£16.14
Schiffer Publishing Ltd German UBoat Bunkers
Book Synopsis
£9.49
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Sling Braiding Traditions and Techniques
Book Synopsis
£31.44
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Early Military Rifles
Book SynopsisFully illustrated with specially commissioned artwork, this fascinating study investigates the rifled firearms employed by European and American forces in the 18th and early 19th centuries, from the American long rifle to the British Baker rifle and beyond.The conduct of combat operations in open order during the 18th and 19th centuries required an improved firearm with more accuracy than the standard-issue smoothbore infantry musket. Consequently, the appearance of a new type of regular light infantry soldier and an innovative military firearm, the rifle, marked a new age in the history of warfare. During the 18th century both Austria and Prussia fielded light troops armed with rifled firearms, while conflicts in North America involved the deadly long rifle and the innovative Ferguson breech-loader. Rifle-armed specialists also fought for several nations during the Napoleonic Wars. However, it was the decades after 1815 that saw the appearance of successful rTrade ReviewWell written and packed full of detailed information, including diagrams, this is a must for weapon enthusiasts. -- John Norris * GunMart *Table of ContentsIntroduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index
£13.29
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The AK-47: Kalashnikov-series assault rifles
Book SynopsisA detailed, fully illustrated study of the most recognizable assault rifle ever produced. The Kalashnikov AK-47 is the most ubiquitous assault rifle in the world, with more AK-47s and its variants in use than any other individual small arm. Created by Senior Sergeant Mikhail Kalashnikov, and first adopted by the USSR soon after World War II, its production continues to this day, with an estimated 75 million produced worldwide. Supported by photographs and original artwork, this book takes a look at the complete history of the weapon, discussing its design, development, and usage, taking its story from the great armies of the Soviet Union to the insurgents and criminal gangs that often employ the weapon today.Table of ContentsIntroduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Further Reading
£13.49
Yale University Press The Origins of Victory
Book SynopsisHow the character of war is changing and how militaries can successfully adapt to meet the challengeTrade Review“Krepinevich’s thoughts on the changing face of war should be read by serious strategic thinkers. He makes a compelling case as to how and why America’s military, and those of its key allies, must pursue ‘disruptive innovation’ to address the growing threat from China and Russia.”—Nobukatsu Kanehara, Former Deputy National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of Japan“In this analytic tour de force Krepinevich delivers a graduate degree in military adaptation. Historically grounded and forward looking, his analysis validates urgently needed guideposts ensuring what we do today can confound the security threats of tomorrow.”—General Jim Mattis, U.S. Marines (retired) and 26th Secretary of Defense“Krepinevich, one of this country’s most thoughtful and creative strategists, has spent a distinguished career studying military revolutions. His latest work draws on decades of research and reflection and is essential and compelling reading for scholars, policy makers, and military officers alike.”—Aaron L. Friedberg, Princeton University“Andrew Krepinevich provides a stark warning of what failures await the US military if we do not change course with a sense of urgency. An essential read for those entrusted with keeping our nation safe.”—Congressman Mike Gallagher
£31.50
Dorling Kindersley Ltd The Tank Book
Book Synopsis
£27.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The M4 Carbine
Book SynopsisUsing the latest technical, ballistic, and tactical research available, this book defines the reasons why the M4/M4A1 achieved its ascendancy, but also analyzes the question marks that hang over the weapon''s future.The M4 carbine has become one of the defining military firearms of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Developed as a fusion of the XM177E2 Colt Commando and the M16A2 assault rifle, the M4 offered a more convenient battlefield firearm than the full-length M16 variants, and the US Army adopted it as the standard infantry weapon in the 1990s. Today, military and law-enforcement personnel of more than 60 countries have adopted either the M4 or the M4A1 variant, both of which have been tested and proven in major combat operations worldwide.This study describes the development process in detail, from production of the first XM4 prototypes in 1984 through numerous modified types until it emerged into official use as the M4 in 1994. The M4 offered a Table of ContentsIntroduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index
£13.29
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Spatha
Book SynopsisThe Roman long sword, the spatha, was central to the Romans'' defense of their empire--this title investigates the origins, development, combat use, and lasting legacy of this feared close-combat weapon. Adopted from the Celts in the 1st century BC, the spatha, a lethal and formidable chopping blade, became the primary sword of the Roman soldier in the Later Empire. Over the following centuries, the blade, its scabbard, and its system of carriage underwent a series of developments, until by the 3rd century AD it was the universal sidearm of both infantry and cavalry. Thanks to its long reach, the spatha was the ideal cavalry weapon, replacing the long gladius hispaniensis in the later Republican period. As the manner in which Roman infantrymen fought evolved, styles of hand-to-hand combat changed so much that the gladius was superseded by the longer spatha during the 2nd century AD. Like the gladius, the spatTable of ContentsIntroduction Development: Changing function Use: The cut and thrust Impact: The sword that defended an empire Conclusion Bibliography Index
£13.29
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Tiger Family
Book Synopsis
£9.49
Schiffer Publishing Ltd German Daggers of World War II A Photographic
Book Synopsis
£62.04
Schiffer Publishing Ltd German Daggers of World War II A Photographic
Book Synopsis
£58.39
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Combat Knives Knife Combat Knife Models Carrying
Book Synopsis
£34.84
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Pocketknife Making for Beginners
Book Synopsis
£23.79
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Italian Partisan Weapons in WWII
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewIf you have a spare few minutes, check out the review of our book Italian Partisan Weapons in WWII by the YouTube account Forgotten Weapons.
£31.44
Schiffer Publishing Ltd The Tiger I in Combat
Book Synopsis
£8.99
Boydell & Brewer Ltd The Art of Swordsmanship by Hans Lecküchner
Book SynopsisEnglish translation of one of the most significant medieval texts on fighting with swords. Completed in 1482, Johannes Lecküchner's Art of Combat with the "Langes Messer" (Messerfechtkunst) is among the most important documents on the combat arts of the Middle Ages. The Messer was a single-edged, one-handed utility sword peculiar to central Europe, but Lecküchner's techniques apply to cut-and-thrust swords in general: not only is this treatise the single most substantial work on the use of one-handed swords to survive from this period, but it is the most detailed explanation of the two-handed sword techniques of the German "Liechtenauer" school dating back to the 1300s. Lecküchner's lavish manuscript consists of over four hundred illustrations with explanatory text, in which the author, a parish priest, rings the changes on bladework, deceits, and grappling, with techniques ranging from life-or-death escapes from an armed assailant to slapstick moves designed to please the crowd in public fencing matches. This translation, complete with all illustrations from the manuscript, makes the treatise accessible for the first time since the author's untimely death less than a year after its completion left his major work to be lost for generations. An extensive introduction, notes, and glossary analyze and contextualize the work and clarify its technical content. Jeffrey L. Forgeng is curator of Arms and Armor and Medieval Art at the Worcester Art Museum, and teaches as Adjunct Professor of History at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.Trade ReviewIt is clear that Jeffrey Forgeng is not only a technical expert on the weapon illustrated in this manual, but also a scholar deeply versed in the manuscript tradition of which this volume is a part as well as in the accumulated historiography that treats it. * THE MEDIEVAL REVIEW *A fantastic attempt to make the fecht-bücher increasingly accessible to a wider audience.... What sets this book apart is the contextualisation of the source and the excellent translations. * MEDIEVAL WARFARE *For anyone really interested in fighting styles and techniques, this is a must-read. * SLINGSHOT *Forgeng's translation is clear and accessible. His experience not only as a scholar of early swordsmanship, but as a practitioner, is readily apparent. . . . [Forgeng makes] a vital text more widely available for practitioners not only looking to better understand the use of single-handed swords of all types, but also to how those techniques complement other medieval martial practices. * DE RE MILITARI *
£105.31
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The HAWK Air Defense Missile System
Book SynopsisThis is the first history of the legendary US Army''s HAWK missile system, the world''s first mobile air-defense missile system, which saw service and combat around the world.Designed to counteract the threat posed by advanced 1950s Soviet-built aircraft, the first HAWK unit became operational in 1959. At its peak, it saw frontline service in the Far East, Panama, Europe, and in the Middle East. Units were also used during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam War, and Persian Gulf War. In the hands of other nations, HAWK proved its efficacy in combat during the Arab-Israeli Wars, Iran-Iraq War, Chadian-Libyan War, and the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Credited with shooting down more than 100 aircraft during its combat career, the HAWK system was respected for its lethality. Such was Soviet concern, that the USSR developed electronic jammers, anti-radiation missiles, and other countermeasures specifically to degrade its effectiveness. The US retired its HAWK systems Trade ReviewMuch investigative work has gone into this little researched AA missile system -- John Ham * Tankette *As there is now a fine1/35 model of the HAWK missile unit on the market from AFV Club, I am sure many modellers will enjoy this new book and get plenty of ideas on how to set their model into a diorama scene. -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT - Basic HAWK – the 1960s - Self-Propelled HAWK - the early 1970s - Improved HAWK – the 1970s - Product Improvement Program – the 1980s - Post-Cold War – the 1990s SYSTEM OPERATION - Unit organization - Operations OPERATIONAL HISTORY - Panama - Korea - Okinawa and the Far East - Florida and the Cuban Missile Crisis - Vietnam - Germany and Cold War Europe - Middle East and the Gulf War - US-based battalions LEGACY OF THE HAWK MISSILE SYSTEM BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX
£10.79
Naval & Military Press Ltd Long Luger Pistol (1917)
£7.52
Schiffer Publishing Ltd SOG Knives and More from Americas War in
Book Synopsis
£27.19
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Germanyâs V2 Rocket
Book Synopsis
£31.44
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Infantry Antiaircraft Missiles
Book SynopsisNoted authority Steven J. Zaloga charts the development, combat use, and influence of man-portable air defense systems, from the late 1960s to the present day.The first attempts at developing a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) based around a guided missile began in the mid-1950s, as a response to the increased speed and maneuverability of jet aircraft. This book charts the technological evolution of the MANPADS and explores their combat usage and the lessons from these encounters. Besides detailing the missiles, it also surveys the various methods developed as countermeasures to the MANPADS threat.The first generation of MANPADS, such as the US Army's Redeye and the Soviet Strela-2 (SA-7 Grail), saw combat use in the Vietnam War in 1972 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. The next generation of infrared-guided MANPADS, such as the US Stinger and Soviet Igla, came to prominence following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Since the 1970s, MANPADS have been used in iTable of Contents[provisional] Introduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Nambu Pistols
Book SynopsisThis is the absorbing story of the handguns credited to Nambu Kijiro, the principal personal-defence weapons of the Imperial forces.Featuring full-color artwork and carefully chosen photographs, this book charts the origins, development, combat use, and legacy of the Nambu pistols. Cutaway artwork reveals the inner workings of these important handguns, while specially commissioned battlescenes depict them in use in action.Influenced by the German C 96 and other semi-automatic pistols, the first Nambu model was never accepted for universal issue, being confined largely to purchase by Japanese officers. Adopted in 1925, the 14th Year Type was to become the best-known of these handguns, serving in every campaign undertaken by the Japanese in the 1930s and then throughout World War II. It served alongside the bizarrely conceived Type 94, intended as the weapon of airmen, tank crew, and anyone to whom its compact dimensions were useful.When World War II endTrade ReviewWithout a doubt the author has done a great service to those interested in Japanese personal weapons. -- Stuart Blank * Military Archive Research *With a mix of archive and modern photos, along with artwork that does include fine cutaway diagrams, the story of the design is well illustrated. * Military Model Scene *Table of ContentsIntroduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Soviet Pistols
Book SynopsisThis is the absorbing story of the development, combat use and legacy of the influential sidearms used by the armed forces of the Soviet Union. Featuring archive and present-day photography and specially commissioned artwork, this is the story of the pistols that armed the forces of the Soviet Union and its allies during and after World War II. In 1930 the TT, a single-action semi-automatic pistol developed by Fedor Vasilyevich Tokarev and firing 7.62×25mm ammunition, began to supplement the venerable Nagant M1895 revolver in Soviet military service. From 1933 the TT-33, a simplified version, was also issued; all three would equip Soviet and proxy forces throughout and after World War II, seeing action across the globe. In 1951 a new pistol designed by Nikolay Fyodorovich Makarov entered Soviet service; it became the primary Soviet military and police sidearm during the Cold War era and continued in use into the 21st century. The 9×18mm Makarov round was used in various weapons useTrade ReviewIn summary, this is a superb and concise book on the range of pistols developed during the Soviet era. It is well presented, highly informative and wonderful to read. It is a “must have” book for any connoisseur of Soviet pistol designs. -- Stuart Blank * Military Archive Reseach *Highly illustrated throughout, there are plenty of detailed photos showing the various pistols, and their holsters, plus some fine sectioned artwork. There are archive photos and a lot of modern pictures showing preserved examples. As an owner of a deactivated example of a Tokarev, I found this an interesting read. -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *The author clearly knows these weapons very well, and has test fired just about all of them. This shows in the clarity of the text, and also in the choice of illustrations, which support the text very well. -- John Rickard * Historyofwar.org *Table of Contents[provisional] Introduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index
£13.49
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Italian Small Arms of the First and Second World
Book Synopsis
£51.19
HarperCollins Publishers Inc American Gun
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Chris Kyle embodied what it meant to have a heart both strong and soft, and a commitment to country, family, and God. ... Kyle will continue to inspire anyone paying attention to his example." -- Dallas Morning News "Chris Kyle was incredible, the most celebrated war hero of our time, a true American hero in every sense of the word." -- D Magazine "A true hero." -- New York Times "Chris Kyle has done and seen things that will be talked about for generations to come." -- MARCUS LUTTRELL, recipient of the Navy Cross and author of Lone Survivor "A celebration of Kyle's voice and life: It's like sitting down with him in some funky Texas roadhouse just off the interstate after a hot but fulfilling day at the range, ordering up a tableful of Lone Stars and just talking guns for a few hours." -- USA Today "Tells how 10 firearms changed United States history." -- New York Times Book Review "Kyle's enthusiasm for his subject is infectious, and his gift for narrative lends the stories the tension and drama they deserve. ... Regardless of one's views on guns, readers will gain a deeper respect for weaponry and the people tasked with using them." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Kyle's firm grasp of the ten guns selected is combined with a narrative of American soldiers, lawmen, and citizens who used them. ... When you read American Gun you hear the voice, heart, wit, and passion of this self-effacing American hero--one taken from us too soon." -- Mark Keefe, American Rifleman "Chris Kyle knew guns in a way no modern American ever has. ... His book new book details the rifles and pistols wielded by soldiers, police officers, hunters, mobsters and outlaws that most influenced the culture of this nation." -- Daily Mail (London) "A book that every American should read, and it will stand as part of the legacy of one of our nation's greatest heroes." -- American Rifleman A fitting legacy for Chris Kyle. ... American Gun is written with the authority of a subject matter expert and the straight-talking voice of a warrior." -- SOFREP.com "An entertaining gallop through history." -- London Times
£14.86
OUP India I Warbot
Book Synopsis
£29.95
Oxford University Press, USA Radical War
Book Synopsis
£26.55
OUP India I Warbot
Book Synopsis
£19.95
The University of Chicago Press Engineering the Revolution Arms and Enlightenment
Book SynopsisDocuments the forging of a fresh relationship between technology and politics in Revolutionary France, and the inauguration of a distinctively modern form of the 'technological life'.Trade Review"A work of stunning originality.... An important contribution to a variety of fields." - Ted Porter. "A triumph. It deserves to be read widely, and not just as an inquiry into the origins of modern France." - Donald MacKenzie, "London Review of Books." "In the history of technology, one of the very best books is Ken Alder's Engineering the Revolution, about the ways in which new engineering practices both emerged from and shaped the ideals of the French Revolution." - Peter Galison, American Scientist. "Ken Alder's study of the relations between artifacts, technical life, and politics constitutes a model study in its genre." - Terry Shinn, "Social Studies of Science."
£26.60
Farrar, Straus and Giroux American Gun
Book SynopsisA finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book PrizeA magisterial work of narrative history and original reportage . . . You can feel the tension building one cold, catastrophic fact at a time . . . A virtually unprecedented achievement. Mike Spies, The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice)A Washington Post top 50 nonfiction book of 2023 Short-listed for the Zócalo Book PrizeOne of The New York Times' 33 nonfiction books to read this fall One of Esquire's best books of fall A Kirkus Reviews best nonfiction book of 2023Named a most anticipated book of the fall by The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and BloombergAmerican Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 presents the epic history of America's most controversial weapon.In the 1950s, an obsessive firearms designer named Eugene Stoner invented the AR-15 rifle in a California garage. High-minded and patriotic, Stoner sought to devise a lightweight, easy-to-use weapon that could replace the M1s touted by soldiers in World War II. What he did create was a lethal handheld icon of the American century.In American Gun, the veteran Wall Street Journal reporters Cameron McWhirter and Zusha Elinson track the AR-15 from inception to ubiquity. How did the same gun represent the essence of freedom to millions of Americans and the essence of evil to millions more? To answer this question, McWhirter and Elinson follow Stonerthe American Kalashnikovas he struggled mightily to win support for his invention, which under the name M16 would become standard equipment in Vietnam. Shunned by gun owners at first, the rifle's popularity would take off thanks to a renegade band of small-time gun makers. And in the 2000s, it would become the weapon of choice for mass shooters, prompting widespread calls for proscription even as the gun industry embraced it as a financial savior. Writing with fairness and compassion, McWhirter and Elinson explore America's gun culture, revealing the deep appeal of the AR-15, the awful havoc it wreaks, and the politics of reducing its toll. The result is a moral history of contemporary America's love affair with technology, freedom, and weaponry.Includes 8 pages of black-and-white images.
£25.60
Cambridge University Press The GunFounders of England
Book SynopsisThis 1937 book provides an authentic sketch of the history of English gun production, from their first use in the fourteenth century down to the time of Marlborough's campaigns in the early eighteenth century. This will be of value to anyone interested in English history and the development of guns.Table of ContentsPreface Lord Cottesloe; Author's preface; Plates; Illustrations in text; 1. Introduction; 2. Manufacture; 3. Guns of iron and brass; 4. Gun-foundries in London and Calais; 5. Foundries of Douai and Woolwich; 6. Foundries of Sussex; 7. The Carron Foundry; 8. Powder and shot; 9. Proof and range; 10. Extracts from historical documents; 11. List of gun-founders of England and the Continent; 12. Bibliography; 13. Index.
£34.12
The History Press Ltd The Greenie
Book SynopsisIn the Royal Navy vernacular, the term ''greenie'' describes the officers and ratings responsible for the electrical engineering functions of the fleet. Electrical engineering has ''driven'' the Royal Navy for far longer than one might imagine, from solving the problem of magnetic interference with the compass by the ironclad early in the 20th century onward. Author Commander Moore traces the development of technology from 1850 to today''s integrated micro computers that control almost every aspect of navigation, intel, and strike capacity. At the same time, he describes how the Navy''s structure and manpower changed to accommodate the new technologies, changes often accelerated in wartime, particularly in World War II. Without the full cooperation of naval establishments and organisations and various public and private museums and manufacturers, this work would have been impossible to produce. Written in an anecdotal, narrative style but with a complete mastery of the science itself, it will appeal not only to those interested in the history of the Royal Navy but also those many thousands, past and present, who can claim the honour of calling themselves one of the Greenies.
£21.25
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Flamethrowers of the German Army 19141945
Book Synopsis
£9.49
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Marder III Schiffer MilitaryAviation History
Book Synopsis
£9.49
Schiffer Publishing Ltd DFS 228 Schiffer Military History Book
Book Synopsis
£17.09
Schiffer Publishing Ltd ZÃndapp KS 601
Book Synopsis
£9.49
Schiffer Publishing Ltd VW Iltis
Book Synopsis
£8.99
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Soviet and Russian Nuclear Submarines
Book Synopsis
£10.19
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Germanys Tiger Tanks Series Tigers at the Front
Book Synopsis
£26.59
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Air Launch
Book Synopsis
£17.09
Schiffer Publishing Ltd Bullard Firearms
Book SynopsisBullard Firearms is the story of a mechanical genius whose rifles and cartridges were the equal of any made in America in the 1880s, yet little of substance had been written about James H. Bullard or his arms prior to 1988, when the first edition, called Bullard Arms, was published.This much enlarged volume with over 1,000 black and white and 150 color plates, most not previously published, answers many of the questions posed in the first edition. The author hopes this book will continue on the path begun by the first edition and elevate the work and life of J.H. Bullard into the pantheon of extraordinary American gunmakers and inventors.
£71.99
