Other warfare and defence issues Books

Book SynopsisShould our priorities change when we consider allthe lives yet to come?Trade Review'I was captivated by MacAskill’s rolling out of the possibilities of a longtermist approach to the now. It is vital to do as he does, to take ethics out of the safety of lecture-hall thought experiments, paradoxes and what-ifs and into the turbulent real world, where the dynamic winds of history blow and where is massing on the horizon that monstrous, swelling tsunami that we call the future. This is a book of great daring, clarity, insight and imagination. To be simultaneously so realistic and so optimistic, and always so damn readable… well that is a miracle for which he should be greatly applauded.' —Stephen Fry'MacAskill is probably one of the most influential thinkers in the world.' —The Times, Best Books of 2022‘A brilliant book that makes clear both how much is at stake when it comes to the long term, and the incredible opportunities we have to shape it. It has changed how I think about my time on earth.’ —Max Roser‘This book is a monumental event. William MacAskill is one of the most important philosophers alive today, and this is his magnum opus.’ —Rutger Bregman, author of Humankind'No living philosopher has had a greater impact upon my ethics than Will MacAskill. And much of the good I now do is the direct result of his influence. In What We Owe The Future, MacAskill has transformed my thinking once again, by patiently dismantling the lazy intuitions that rendered me morally blind to the interests of future generations. This is an altogether thrilling and necessary book.' —Sam Harris'MacAskill’s case for “longtermism” – “the idea that positively influencing the longterm future is a key moral priority of our time” – is overwhelmingly persuasive. But it’s also unapologetically optimistic and bracingly realistic: this is by some distance the most inspiring book on “ethical living” I’ve ever read… a powerful argument in favour of freedom of speech and viewpoint diversity… The overall promise of this thrilling book is of a life both less burdened by ethical guilt – by beating yourself up over every choice of groceries or transportation – and much more effective at actually helping humanity.' —Guardian'An optimistic look at the future that moved me to tears.' —Joseph Gordon-Levitt'A profoundly optimistic exploration of the opportunities our descendants might enjoy, and the steps we might take to help them… there are plenty of insights and surprises along the way… MacAskill has thrust an important and neglected argument into the spotlight, while making it vivid and fun to read. He hopes that this book will change the world, and it might.' —Financial Times'Remarkable… MacAskill’s command of factual detail is admirable. So are his lightness of prose and facility in explaining tricky arguments… Is our world better off for containing William MacAskill?... I say yes… MacAskill is a worthy heir to Derek Parfit’s philosophical legacy, adding deep factual research and accessible writing to a provocative line of thought.' —TLS

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Book SynopsisAlready winning acclaim as one of the best accounts of combat ever written, Black Hawk Down is a minute-by-minute, heart-stopping account of the 1993 raid on Mogadishu, Somalia. Late in the afternoon of Sunday, October 3 1993, 140 elite US Soldiers abseiled from helicopters into a teeming market neighbourhood in the heart of the city. Their mission was to abduct two top lieutenants of a Somali warlord and return to base. It was supposed to take them about an hour.Instead, they were pinned down through a long and terrible night in a hostile city, fighting for their lives against thousands of heavily armed Somalis. Two of their high-tech helicopters were shot out of the sky. When the unit was rescued the following morning, eighteen American soldiers were dead and more than seventy badly injured. The Somali toll was far worse - more than five hundred killed and over a thousand injured.Authoritative, gripping, and insightful, Black Hawk Down is destined to become a classTrade Review'Rip-roaring stuff, with one of the most gruesome battlefield wound treatments ever committed to paper' * Maxim *A thrilling and visceral no-holds-barred classic of modern war'One of the most electrifying, immediate and detailed accounts of a single battle ever told...the whole 24-hour nightmare seems like it's happening to you' * Later *

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling Ukrainian cookery writer comes a profound meditation on the hopes and fears across generations amid political upheaval

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Book SynopsisEight members of the SAS set off on the mission. Only one evaded capture.This is his true story.The SAS mission conducted behind Iraqi lines is one of the most famous true stories of courage and survival in modern warfare. Late on the evening of 24 January 1991, the patrol was compromised deep behind enemy lines in Iraq. A fierce firefight left the eight men miraculously unscathed, but they were forced to run for their lives.Their aim was to reach the Syrian border, 120 kilometres to the north-west, but during the first night the patrol accidentally broke into two groups of five and three. Chris Ryan found himself left with two companions. Nothing had prepared them for the vicious cold of the desert winter, and after a blizzard and a desperate search for food, Chris Ryan found himself the last man standing. Left on his own, Ryan narrowly escaped an Iraqi attack and set out alone, trying to reach the border through some of theTrade ReviewReal strength in detailing the nitty-gritty of operations * Sunday Times *Packed with trademark technical detailing and gung-ho action * Maxim *Raw and brutal * Daily Express *You have personally made SAS history -- General Sir Peter de la BillièreChris Ryan's The One That Got Away must rank with the great escape stories of modern military history * Soldier Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA vivid and original account of warfare in the Middle Ages and the cruelty and atrocity that accompanied it.Sean McGlynn investigates the reality of medieval warfare. For all the talk of chivalry, medieval warfare routinely involved acts which we would consider war crimes. Lands laid waste, civilians slaughtered, prisoners massacred: this was standard fare justified by tradition and practical military necessity. It was unbelievably barbaric, but seldom uncontrolled. Such acts of atrocity were calculated, hideous cruelties inflicted in order to achieve a specific end. Sean McGlynn examines the battles of Acre and Agincourt, sieges like Béziers, Lincoln, Jerusalem and Limoges as well as the infamous chevauchées of the Hundred Years War that devastated great swathes of France. He reveals how these grisly affairs form the origin of accepted ''rules of war'', codes of conduct that are today being enforced in the International Court of Justice in the Hague.Trade ReviewGory, but compelling reading * NORTHERN ECHO *a much needed corrective to the view that chivalry definied medieval fighting * CONTEMPORARY REVIEW *

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Book SynopsisThe second sensational volume of ''One of the biggest intelligence coups in recent years'' (The Times)When Vasili Mitrokhin revealed his archive of Russian intelligence material to the world it caused an international sensation. The Mitrokhin Archive II reveals in full the secrets of this remarkable cache, showing for the first time the astonishing extent of the KGB''s global power and influence. ''The long-awaited second tranche from the KGB archive ... co-authored by our leading authority on the secret machinations of the Evil Empire'' Sunday Times''Stunning ... the stuff of legend ... a unique insight into KGB activities on a global scale'' Spectator''Headline news ... as great a credit to the scholarship of its author as to the dedication and courage of its originator'' Sunday Telegraph''There are gems on every page'' Financial Times

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Book SynopsisThe G.I. Bill fueled not only the development of the middle class: it also revitalized American democracy. Americans who came of age during World War II joined fraternal groups and neighborhood and community organizations and took part in politics at rates that made the postwar era the twentieth century''s civic golden age. Drawing on extensive interviews and surveys with hundreds of members of the greatest generation, Suzanne Mettler finds that by treating veterans as first-class citizens and in granting advanced education, the Bill inspired them to become the active participants thanks to whom memberships in civic organizations soared and levels of political activity peaked. Mettler probes how this landmark law produced such a civic renaissance. Most fundamentally, she discovers, it communicated to veterans that government was for and about people like them, and they responded in turn. In our current age of rising inequality and declining civic engagement, Soldiers to Citizens offersTrade Review"As a beneficiary of the GI Bill, I can't recommend enough Suzanne Mettler's examination of the Bill and its transformative effect on the lives of so many veterans like me. It's clear that Mettler has come to know the GI Bill through the veterans she met in the course of her research, and the result is as accurate a description of its design, implementation, and of the experiences of the soldiers who benefited from it as I have read. This book is a must-read not only for those interested in the Greatest Generation but also for anyone who wants to know what it takes to make a great country." --Senator Bob Dole"The GI Bill changed my life after my service in the Korean War just as it changed the lives of the World War II veterans whose experiences Mettler brings to light. They provide unassailable evidence of how a federal program revolutionized America for the better. But do not treat Soldiers to Citizens as simply a portrait of the past. This book offers a potent and timely counter argument to those in power who seek to privatize every non-military function of government and remove all sense of shared sacrifice or shared benefit."--Charles Rangel, U.S. Congressman"Mettler's terrific new book explores a little-known, but momentous chapter in the history of the 'Greatest Generation' of America's WWII veterans--why they became the most civic-minded generation in our history. She shows that the GI Bill was one of the great success stories in American public policy, a story that is astonishingly relevant to debates today about civic renewal and the role of government. For contemporary civic reformers this book is must reading." --Robert D. Putnam, Malkin Professor of Public Policy, Harvard University, and author of Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community"Breaks new ground in the study of the Greatest Generation. Mettler shows conclusively how the GI Bill not only helped male veterans improve "their stake in society" but how it also gave them the direction and tools to improve the society in which they had a stake." --Montgomery C. Meigs, General, US Army, Retired, and Louis A. Bantle Chair, Maxwell School of Syracuse University"Suzanne Mettler has written a magnificent book, showing how the GI Bill enabled soldiers returning from World War II to become fully participating citizens in American democracy. Not only did the GI Bill open access to education; it delivered benefits in a dignified way and demonstrated that government could make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and the nation. The experiences--and many individual voices--of the World War II generation come through loud and clear in this book. Scholars and students will gain a fresh perspective on the effects of public policy on citizen participation. And general readers will see what government at its best can do to spread opportunity and enrich citizenship in America."--Theda Skocpol, Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology, and Director of the Center for American Political Studies, Harvard University, and author of Diminished Democracy: From Membership to Management in American Civic Life

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Book SynopsisA Times/Sunday Times Book of the Year''Powerful . . . there is rage in his ink. McKay''s book grips by its passion and originality. Some 25,000 people perished in the firestorm that raged through the city. I have never seen it better described'' Max Hastings, Sunday TimesIn February 1945 the Allies obliterated Dresden, the ''Florence of the Elbe''. Explosive bombs weighing over 1,000 lbs fell every seven and a half seconds and an estimated 25,000 people were killed. Was Dresden a legitimate military target or was the bombing a last act of atavistic mass murder in a war already won?From the history of the city to the attack itself, conveyed in a minute-by-minute account from the first of the flares to the flames reaching almost a mile high - the wind so searingly hot that the lungs of those in its path were instantly scorched - through the eerie period of reconstruction, bestselling author Sinclair McKay creates a vast canvas and brTrade ReviewPowerful . . . there is rage in his ink. McKay's book grips by its passion and originality -- Max Hastings * Sunday Times *A shrewd, humane and balanced account of this most controversial target of the Anglo-American strategic bombing campaign, the ferocious consequence of the scourge of Nazism -- Allan Mallinson, author of Fight to the FinishAuthentic and authoritative, a masterpiece of its genre -- Damien Lewis, author of Zero Six BravoCompelling . . . Sinclair McKay brings a dark subject vividly to life -- Keith Lowe, author of Savage Continent

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times-bestselling author of Dresden returns with a monumental biography of the city that defined the twentieth century - BerlinThroughout the twentieth century, Berlin stood at the centre of a convulsing world. This history is often viewed as separate acts: the suffering of the First World War, the cosmopolitan city of science, culture and sexual freedom Berlin became, steep economic plunges, the rise of the Nazis, the destruction of the Second World War, the psychosis of genocide, and a city rent in two by competing ideologies. But people do not live their lives in fixed eras. An epoch ends, yet the people continue - or try to continue - much as they did before. Berlin tells the story of the city as seen through the eyes not of its rulers, but of those who walked its streets.In this magisterial biography of a city and its inhabitants, bestselling historian Sinclair McKay sheds new light on well-known characters - from idealistic scientist Albert Einstein to Nazi architect Albert Speer - and draws on never-before-seen first-person accounts to introduce us to people of all walks of Berlin life. For example, we meet office worker Mechtild Evers, who in her efforts to escape an oncoming army runs into even more appalling jeopardy, and Reinhart Cruger, a 12-year-old boy in 1941 who witnesses with horror the Gestapo coming for each of his Jewish neighbours in turn. Ever a city of curious contrasts, moments of unbelievable darkness give way to a wry Berliner humour - from banned perms to the often ridiculous tit-for-tat between East and West Berlin - and moments of joyous hope - like forced labourers at a jam factory warmly welcoming their Soviet liberators.How did those ideologies - fascism and communism - come to flower so fully here? And how did their repercussions continue to be felt throughout Europe and the West right up until that extraordinary night in the autumn of 1989 when the Wall - that final expression of totalitarian oppression - was at last breached? You cannot understand the twentieth century without understanding Berlin; and you cannot understand Berlin without understanding the experiences of its people. Drawing on a staggering breadth of culture - from art to film, opera to literature, science to architecture - McKay''s latest masterpiece shows us this hypnotic city as never before.''Remarkable . . . A majestic work of non-fiction'' Matthew d''Ancona''Sinclair McKay was born to write this book'' David Aaronovitch, The Times''A masterful account of a city marked by infamy . . . If there is a book that must be read this year, this is it'' Amanda Foreman''An electrifying new account of Berlin'' Julia Boyd, author of Travellers in the Third Reich''One of my favourite historians'' Dan SnowTrade ReviewI loved this book. McKay's writing is vivid and sometimes even beautiful . . . his own observations and summaries seem always apposite and wise . . . To anyone who knows Berlin a little and is fascinated by it, but would like to understand it better, this is a wonderful aid . . . Sinclair McKay was born to write this book -- David Aaronovitch * The Times *Remarkable . . . A majestic work of non-fiction -- Matthew d'Ancona * Tortoise *McKay has written a masterful account of a city marked by infamy. Supported by meticulous research, Berlin is by turns terrifying and fascinating. If there is a book that must be read this year, this is it -- Amanda ForemanThe book's principal subject is Berliners doomed role in the Second World War. Through their eyes, McKay brilliantly captures Germany's initial successes, and then the reverses and escalating defeats . . . To have uncovered so many previously unknown characters and fascinating anecdotes is especially admirable -- Iain MacGregor * Spectator *I thought I knew everything about Berlin, but then I read this stunning book. It's eye-opening, enlightening and wonderfully told -- Norman Ohler, author of BlitzedMcKay's powerful imagery and magnetic prose combine to produce an electrifying new account of Berlin. 'You cannot understand the twentieth century without understanding Berlin', claims the author. He makes a compelling case -- Julia Boyd, author of Travelers in the Third ReichPowerful. Visceral. Truly revelatory. Beautifully written and utterly compelling. I didn't think Sinclair McKay could top his previous book, Dresden, which was masterful. He has proven me wrong with Berlin -- Damien Lewis, author of SAS Bravo Three ZeroOne of my favourite historians -- Dan Snow, History HitGreat subject, well-researched, brilliantly written. Anyone who wants to understand Berlin's incomparable place at the very centre of twentieth century history should begin with Sinclair McKay's remarkable, mesmerising book -- Keith Lowe, author of Savage ContinentPowerful . . . there is rage in his ink. McKay's book grips by its passion and originality -- Max Hastings, Sunday Times, on DresdenPainstakingly researched and fascinating -- John Harding, Daily Mail on The Secret Listeners

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Book SynopsisCharts the changing policies and practices of the Australian Defence Force, illuminating the experiences of LGBTI members in what was often a hostile institution. At the centre of this book are the courageous LGBTI members who served their country in the face of systemic prejudice.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewMacQueen's comprehensive analysis of UN military operations with humanitarian dimensions makes the case why the United Nations is the worst possible option for intervention, apart from all the others. A rare combination of rigorous history, in-depth analysis, and engaging prose. -- Prof. Thomas G. Weiss, The CUNY Graduate Center MacQueen's comprehensive analysis of UN military operations with humanitarian dimensions makes the case why the United Nations is the worst possible option for intervention, apart from all the others. A rare combination of rigorous history, in-depth analysis, and engaging prose.Table of ContentsUnited Nations Military Interventions since 1948; Abbreviations and Acronyms; 1. Evolution: Intervention and Humanitarianism from Collective Security to Peacekeeping; 2:.After the Cold War: a New World Order?; 3. Sovereignty and Community: a "Responsibility to Protect"?; 4. Africa: Post-Colonial Intervention amidst Fragile Statehood; 5. Humanitarian Intervention and Coercive Action: the Balkans; 6. A Model Intervention? The Birth of Timor Leste; 7. Is it Worth it? Success and Failure in UN Intervention; Notes and References; Suggested Further Reading.

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Book SynopsisThe Irish Republican movement was one of the most significant revolutionary movements of the twentieth century. This book focuses on the issue of republican splits, which created the Provisional and Official republican movements, and the subsequent development of those movements.Trade ReviewA compelling study of one of the most important themes in modern Irish politics. The question of schism and re-born militancy remains potent in contemporary Irish republicanism, and Sanders' historically informed analysis represents a significant, illuminating interpretation. -- Richard English, author of Armed Struggle: The History of the IRA A compelling study of one of the most important themes in modern Irish politics. The question of schism and re-born militancy remains potent in contemporary Irish republicanism, and Sanders' historically informed analysis represents a significant, illuminating interpretation.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; List of Abbreviations; 1. The Origins of Division: The Republican Movement in the 20th century, 1916 - 1962; 2. The Movement Divides: The 1960s; 3. The Split and its Aftermath: The 1970s; 4. The American Dimension: How Support from America Directed the Path of Irish Republicanism; 5. Prison, Politics and Violence: The 1980s; 6. Irish-America in the 1980s; 7. Changed Priorities: The 1990s; 8. The 21st Century; Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisThis study offers a comparative insight into the regulation of defence procurement in the US and EU and significantly contributes to the contemporary debate on barriers to transatlantic trade. Primarily aimed at lawyers interested in procurement and international trade, acquisition professionals and researchers.Table of ContentsPreface; 1. The transatlantic defence market in the context of defence trade cooperation; 2. Sources of EU defence procurement law; 3. Excluded contracts under the defence directive and cooperative procurement; 4. Third country modes of participation in the EU market for defence procurement; 5. The defence directive as a potential barrier to trade with the United States; 6. Sources of US federal defence procurement law; 7. Foreign participation in open competition under US law; 8. Non-competitive procurement under US law; 9. US law on foreign acquisition; 10. Government-to-government contracts and offsets; 11. Regulating defence procurement in a transatlantic defence market and beyond: plotting a legal discourse.

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Book SynopsisAfter twenty years of almost unbroken wars of choice, the ethical deficiencies in the operational conduct of war by Western armed forces have largely been ignored by scholarly critique. This volume addresses these deficiencies, featuring analysis by some of the UK's leading academics and military veterans working in the fields of military ethics and contemporary conflict.Compiled in honour of Colonel David Benest OBE, a soldier-scholar who believed that ethics should be central to an effective military education, the book focuses on problems ranging from the practicalities of how to conduct a counterinsurgency campaign in one of the most challenging combat zones in the world to the failure to account properly for defeat during military conflicts. This important volume explores critical questions perennially raised about the role of the military in a democratic society and the extent to which its ideals are compromised in fighting wars of choice.

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Book SynopsisThe battles and sieges of the Classical world have been a rich source of inspiration to film makers since the beginning of cinema and the 60s and 70s saw the golden age of the swords and sandals epic, with films such as Spartacus. Ridley Scotts Gladiator led a modern revival that has continued with the release of films like 300, The Eagle and Centurion and HBOs mini-series Rome. While Hollywood interpretations of Classical battle continue to spark interest in ancient warfare, to casual viewers and serious enthusiasts alike they also spark a host of questions about authenticity. What does Hollywood get right and wrong about weapons, organization, tactics and the experience of combat? Did the Spartans really fight clad only in their underpants and did the Persians have mysterious, silver-masked assassins in their armies? This original book discusses the merits of battle scenes in selected movies and along the way gives the reader an interesting overview of ancient battle. It should appeal to the serious student of ancient warfare, movie buffs and everyone in between.

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Book SynopsisThe battles fought in the name of the war on terror have re-ignited questions about the changing nature of war, and the experience of war for those geographically distant from its real world consequences. What is missing from our highly mediated experience of war?

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Book SynopsisThrough an interdisciplinary lens, this collection analyses the depiction offigures of transgression (e.g. traitors, deserters, refugees) in a variety of visual media, as well as the narrative, socio-cultural, political and historical contexts in which they emerge.

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Book SynopsisJoseph O'Mahoney systematically analyses 21 case studies including the Manchurian Crisis, the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and Russia's annexation of Crimea to explore why so many states have adopted a policy of non-recognition of the spoils of war.

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Book SynopsisHow and why the three losers of the Second World War reconsidered their pacifism, embraced a more active military role and transformed their armed forces after the Cold WarTrade Review"Because they lost World War II, Germany, Italy and Japan spent much of the Cold War rejecting militarism and doing the minimum necessary to keep the United States happy and the Soviet threat at bay. In this compelling new book, Coticchia, Dian, and Moro demonstrate the essential role of critical junctures in the post-Cold War transformation of military doctrine and force structure in Germany, Italy, and Japan. In each case, the authors paint a careful picture of how international and domestic factors interact in complex and fascinating ways. This book is essential reading for those interested in the challenges facing military modernization efforts in these countries and beyond." -Jason W. Davidson, University of Mary Washington

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Book SynopsisCosmopolitan Dystopia shows that rather than populists or authoritarian great powers it is cosmopolitan liberals who have done the most to subvert the liberal international order. Cosmopolitan Dystopia explains how liberal cosmopolitanism has led us to treat new humanitarian crises as unprecedented demands for military action, thereby trapping us in a loop of endless war. Attempts to normalize humanitarian emergency through the doctrine of the ‘responsibility to protect’ has made for a paternalist understanding of state power that undercuts the representative functions of state sovereignty. The legacy of liberal intervention is a cosmopolitan dystopia of permanent war, insurrection by cosmopolitan jihadis and a new authoritarian vision of sovereignty in which states are responsible for their peoples rather than responsible to them. This book will be of vital interest to scholars and students of international relations, IR theory and human rights.Trade Review'Written by one of the top analysts in the peacebuilding field, this highly readable book provides a wealth of fresh and powerful insights. Brimming with new and important framings, from the cosmopolitan dystopia of the title to the treatments of humanitarian anti-diplomacy and new forms of hierarchical sovereignty, this book is a must read for students and practitioners alike.’David Chandler, Professor of International Relations, University of Westminster‘This book presents a fundamental challenge to all those who have understood globalisation, humanitarian interventions, and the almost universal acceptance of the "Responsibility to Protect" (R2P) as progressive steps in the development of international relations. Philip Cunliffe has produced a powerful set of arguments to uncover the logic of contemporary liberal interventions. Far from being progressive, he argues, these interventions have ushered in a cosmopolitan dystopia, destroyed conventional state sovereignty, eroded traditional modes of politics, and undermined long-standing practices of diplomacy which sought to resolve competing state interests.’Mervyn Frost, Professor of International Relations, King’s College London'This elegantly written and wide-ranging critique suggests that the current strains in the liberal international order stem not from external forces, or so-called illiberal challengers, but rather from Western states' own attempts to undermine the foundational principle of non-intervention. Through his twin concepts of "inverted revisionism" and "the politics of exception", Cunliffe offers a rich account of how liberal ideals came to fuel episodes of Western hubris, which have in turn contributed to on-going conflict and instability. Provocative and essential reading.'Jennifer M. Welsh, Canada 150 Chair in Global Governance and Security, McGill University'Trading in big ideas and compellingly argued, Cosmopolitan Dystopia presents an incisive analysis of contemporary international relations and the fault lines that structure it. Viewed in its totality, what Cunliffe’s book offers us, in his own words, is a razor-sharp set of reflections on the stories we tell ourselves about the international order.'Ethics & International Affairs. -- .Table of ContentsIntroduction: the rise of cosmopolitan dystopia1 Inverted revisionism and the subversion of the liberal international order2 Through the looking-glass: the new critics of intervention3 What should we do? The politics of humanitarian exceptionalism4 Failed states, failed empires and the new paternalismConclusion: waiting for the AmericansNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisFew soldiers on the Western Front had heard of the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company, even after it had been renamed the 'Alphabet Company' by an AIF wag. Yet many knew the work of this tiny unit which numbered fewer than 300 at full strength. Despite its small size, the Alphabet Company's influence was enormous and spanned the entire British sector of the Western Front, from the North Sea to the Somme. This is the story of the 'Alphabeticals' who, led by Major Victor Morse, DSO, operated and maintained pumps, generators, ventilation fans, drilling equipment and other ingenious devices in extreme circumstances. Given the horrendous conditions in which the troops lived and fought, this equipment was desperately needed, as were the men who operated it in the same, often nightmarish setting. This is the first account of the dynamic little unit that was the Alphabet Company, a unit that has been neglected by history for a century. It is the story of the men, their machinery and the extraordinary grit they displayed in performing some of the most difficult tasks in a war noted for the horrific conditions in which it was waged. They do not deserve to be forgotten.

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Book SynopsisBelow are reviews of From Liguria With Love (original edition of A British Partisan) A gripping account of the many months spent behind enemy lines living with Italian people who daily risked their lives for him – one of whom eventually became his wife. A more exciting story than mine! - Eric Newby CBE MC – Author of Love and War in the Apennines I have always been a sucker for escape stories, so no need to tell you tell you that I greatly enjoyed it. - Sir Ludovic Kennedy This real gem, excellently written, fresh, vivid, attention holding, has added something substantial to the history of the period. - British Army Review This uplifting story has often sustained me in challenging situations in tough places. - General Sir Nicholas Carter KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen Chief of the Defence Staff In this action-packed account, the author, a Welch Regiment officer, describes his remarkable Second World War experiences. These include his baptism by fire in the Western Desert against Rommel’s armour in 1942, the spontaneous help of nomad Arabs when on the run for ten days behind enemy lines, his capture and life as a POW in Italy. Ross and a fellow officer made the first escape from Fontanellato POW camp only to be recaptured on the Swiss border. During his second escape, Ross fought against the occupying German forces in north Italy alongside the Italian partisans, who nearly executed him initially. He avoided recapture for over a year before finally reaching Allied lines. The reader learns of the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of local Italians helping and hiding Allied soldiers. Ross’s story has a poignant conclusion as, while on the run, he fell in love with a prominent anti-fascist’s daughter whom he married after the war. Originally published as From Liguria With Love, this superbly written and updated memoir is a powerful and inspiring tribute to all those who risked their lives to help him and his comrades.Trade ReviewThis uplifting story has often sustained me in challenging situations in tough places. - General Sir Nicholas Carter KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen Chief of the Defence Staff

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Book SynopsisThe first book to tell the story of day-to-day life on the nuclear home front - from the host of #1 podcast Atomic Hobo**A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK and A GUARDIAN BEST PAPERBACK FOR APRIL 2024 **''So entertaining'' THE TIMES''Cracking'' SUNDAY TELEGRAPHThe atomic bombs of 1945 changed everything. For the next forty years, the mushroom cloud loomed large in public imaginations and fear of the blast's apocalyptic power coloured every aspect of British daily life.From makeshift shelters and herbal remedies to sirens that offered four-minute escapes, ordinary people were taught how to save themselves in the face of a catastrophe that was not survivable. Meanwhile, bunkers were readied for those officials and experts who would ensure life continued after Armageddon.At once chilling and darkly funny, this is the story of how Britain braced for nuclear conflict and of how, so lon

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Book SynopsisKC-X is the first of three planned programs intended to recapitalise the Air Force''s air refuelling fleet. Eventually, the KC-X program is expected to acquire 179 new, commercial off-the-shelf airliners modified to accomplish air refuelling. The program is expected to cost $35 billion. Both Boeing and a consortium consisting of Northrop Grumman and European Aeronautic Deference and Space Company (EADS) competed for KC-X. Boeing offered a variant of the 767-200, while Northrop Grumman submitted a version of the Airbus 330-200. On February 29, 2008, the Air Force awards the KC-X contract to Northrop Grumman. The initial $12.1 billion KC-X contract covers purchase the first 68 KC-45s of the anticipated 179 aircraft. Boeing protested the Air Force''s decision to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). GAO upheld the Boeing protest, and in July, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that he would reopen the tanker competition. This book explains the protests and issues surrounding the Air Force refuelling tanker competition. This book consists of public documents which have been located, gathered, combined, reformatted, and enhanced with a subject index, selectively edited and bound to provide easy access.

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Book SynopsisSince the mid-19th century, the United States has frequently employed the U.S. Army on its southern border to perform various roles in support of the Nation, from outright war, to patrolling the border, to chasing bandits while securing persons and property on both sides of the border, and most recently to supporting civil law enforcement and anti-drug efforts. The military generally provides support to law enforcement and immigration authorities along the southern border. Reported escalations in criminal activity and illegal immigration, however, have prompted some lawmakers to re-evaluate the extent and type of military support that occurs in the border region. Events since 9/11, such as the recent deployment of National Guard Soldiers to the Mexican border, are only the latest manifestation of this long tradition. This book reviews the lengthy history of the U.S. Army on the Mexican border and highlights recurring themes that are relevant to today''s ongoing border security mission. This book consists of public documents which have been located, gathered, combined, reformatted, and enhanced with a subject index, selectively edited and bound to provide easy access.

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Book SynopsisInitially, the author intended to write a book entitled "Alleviating Stress of the Soldier". However, after going through the extensive literature and recalling his childhood memories of war times, he decided to write "Alleviating Stress of the Soldier and Civilian". Sufficient historical evidence indicates that both soldiers as well as civilians have faced the war and tolerated its deleterious consequences simultaneously. However, a soldier and his/her family face unexpected and unpredictable stresses requiring: physical and mental fitness, character, dedication, commitment, communication, mutual understanding, adjustment, discipline, tolerance, patience, isolation, resilience, hyper-vigilance, minimum vulnerability, sanitation, nutritional stress, sleep deprivation, patriotism, and sacrifice. This book (i) confers basic knowledge of diversified stresses; (ii) prepares readers to face stresses with patience, endurance, and resilience; (iii) and presents novel strategies of alleviating physical, psychological, and physiological stresses of war-wounded soldiers, prisoners of war (POWs), and veterans. The book guides the soldiers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, SEALS (sea, air, and land), POWs, and civilians to handle their professional and family stresses without having to suffer from Combat Stress Reaction (CSR) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) before, during, and/or after the war or conflict. It also guides those who experienced early childhood neglect, physical and/or sexual abuse, and other stresses of diversified origin. It is envisaged that this timely released book will be particularly of great interest to the soldier''s family members, their spouses, children, parents, relatives, and friends because of its motivational messages, immediate demand, and versatility. The author hopes that this unique manuscript will encourage, motivate, excite, and guide young soldiers, civilians, and their families to tackle stresses with courage, patience, and resilience to successfully accomplish their trainings, adventurous professional career, and married life.

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Book SynopsisIn Spymaster's Prism, the legendary spymaster Jack Devine aims to ignite public discourse on our country's intelligence and counterintelligence posture against Russia, among other adversaries.

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Book SynopsisThe Second World War was the cause of more civilian casualties, many of them young people, than of military. In Britain, young people were on the front line, facing the threat of enemy invasion and the fragmentation of daily life. Their education was disrupted as their schools were taken over by government, the military and ARP; as pupils were evacuated and staff conscripted; curriculum was diluted and part-time schooling instituted; and concerns over food and accommodation increased. Along with the physical dangers of bombing and the increased disease caused by deprivation and social dislocation, youngsters endured psychological and emotional pressure from anxieties over home and family. Young people worked in industry and agriculture; served in the Home Guard and ARP; carried out voluntary activities in health and welfare; and prepared for military service as cadets and in uniformed organisations. School buildings aided the war effort as military HQs, training centres, research centres for weapons development and, central to ARP, especially in the cities, were often at the forefront of the bombing. This book attempts an overview of the circumstances under which youngsters grew up between 1939 and 1945 on the Home Front, with particular emphasis on the 14-18 age group.Table of ContentsContents, Acknowledgements, Abbreviations, Introduction, Chapter 1: The Context of Schooling, Chapter 2: The re-purposing of school premises, Chapter 3: Youngsters in defence of the nation, Chapter 4: Schools under attack, Chapter 5: Young people serving the nation, Evacuation figures for British cities, Bibliography, Index

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Book SynopsisA ground-breaking new study brings us a very different picture of the Second World War, asking fundamental questions about ethical commitmentsAccounts of the Second World War usually involve tales of bravery in battle, or stoicism on the home front, as the British public stood together against Fascism. However, the war looks very different when seen through the eyes of the 60,000 conscientious objectors who refused to take up arms and whose stories, unlike those of the First World War, have been almost entirely forgotten.Tobias Kelly invites us to spend the war five of these individuals: Roy Ridgway, a factory clerk from Liverpool; Tom Burns, a teacher from east London; Stella St John, who trained as a vet and ended up in jail; Ronald Duncan, who set up a collective farm; and Fred Urquhart, a working-class Scottish socialist and writer. We meet many more objectors along the way -- people both determined and torn -- and travel from Finland to Syria, India to rural England, Edinburgh to Trinidad.Although conscientious objectors were often criticised and scorned, figures such as Winston Churchill and the Archbishop of Canterbury supported their right to object, at least in principle, suggesting that liberty of conscience was one of the freedoms the nation was fighting for. And their rich cultural and moral legacy -- of humanitarianism and human rights, from Amnesty International and Oxfam to the US civil rights movement -- can still be felt all around us. The personal and political struggles carefully and vividly collected in this book tell us a great deal about personal and collective freedom, conviction and faith, war and peace, and pose questions just as relevant today: Does conscience make us free? Where does it take us? And what are the costs of going there?'[An] excellent book' - DAILY TELEGRAPH'A moving tribute' - SPECTATORTrade Review[An] excellent book... [Kelly] sheds light on a little considered aspect of the war -- Patrick Bishop * Daily Telegraph *A moving tribute to moral courage, and a scholarly memorial of more innocent times * Allan Mallinson, Spectator *[Battles of Conscience] takes five pacifists...and skilfully weaves their stories into a broader narrative about how claims of conscience ruled the lives of the 60,000 British citizens who stood apart as conscientious objectors through [WWII] * Times Literary Supplement *[An] intriguing, original book... Kelly makes a fair case for...[the] importance in thinking through the collective and individual duties of citizens in a national public emergency * Literary Review *An intriguing, original book . . . Kelly is sympathetic towards but clear-eyed about his cast of characters . . . [and] their importance in thinking through the collective and individual duties of citizens in a national public emergency . . . questions which are hardly irrelevant in an age of pandemics, lockdowns and vaccine mandates -- Alan Allport * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisForeword by Sir Charles Huxtable KCB CBE, Commander in Chief, UK Land Forces, 1988-1990. In Great Britain today there are thousands of individuals who, having served their country, have been unable to return themselves to health in mind and body, and who require specialist help and care. This book tells the story of the horrors and fears veterans could not leave behind on the battlefield, and which continue to haunt them and disrupt their lives, and those close to them. It is an essential guide to a wide range of battle stress, war-experience and mental conditions. The case histories and types of patient will be of interest to the Caring Professions, the Social Services, the Armed Forces, and to all Families with members serving, or who have served, in the Armed Forces.Trade Review"A comprehensive, carefully researched and invaluable source of information on this important aspect of psychology and the conduct of military operations..." -- Rt Hon Paddy Ashdown MP"Should bury, once and for all, any lingering doubts about the existence of battle stress. It brings home starkly what is perhaps not generally appreciated, that thousands of veterans, suffering varying degrees of distress as a result of service to their country, need continuing help... A list of useful contact addresses runs to 16 pages and there are indispensable glossaries of medical and military terminology...." -- Soldier Magazine, February 1999"...Given its comprehensive nature and easy-to-read style we have no hesitation in recommending it" -- Scottish Legion News (February/March 1999)Table of ContentsPreface; Acknowledgements; Introduction; Shot at Dawn'; The Early Activities of Ex-Service Charitable Organisations; The Second World War: Casualties of Dunkirk, North Africa and Italy; The Second World War: Casualties of the Far East and of Europe; Demobilisation, Resettlement and the Military Hospitals; Other Conflicts: Korea, Cyprus, Malaya, Aden; Help is Available -- but is it enough?; More Recent Conflicts: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Civilian Tragedies; Treatment of the Mentally Disabled; A Wide Range of Cases; What Can and Cannot be Done for the Mentally Disabled Ex-Serviceman; The Lighter Side of the Work; Select Bibliography; Appendix A: Military and other Terms and Abbreviations; Appendix B: Medical Terms and Abbreviations; Appendix C: Useful Addresses -- Where to go for Help; Index.

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Book SynopsisInsecure Gulf examines how the concept of Arabian/Persian Gulf 'security' is evolving in response to new challenges that are increasingly non-military and longer-term. Food, water and energy security, managing and mitigating the impact of environmental degradation and climate change, addressing demographic pressures and the youth bulge and reformulating structural economic deficiencies, in addition to dealing with the fallout from progressive state failure in Yemen, require a broad, global and multi-dimensional approach to Gulf security. While 'traditional' threats from Iraq, Iran, nuclear proliferation and trans-national terrorism remain robust, these new challenges to Gulf security have the potential to strike at the heart of the social contract and redistributive mechanisms that bind state and society in the Arab oil monarchies. Consequently, Insecure Gulf explores the relationship between 'traditional' and 'new' security challenges and situates it within the changing political economy of the GCC states as they move at varying speeds toward post-oil structures of governance. It describes how regimes are anticipating and reacting to the shifting security paradigm, and contextualises these changes within the broader political, economic, social and demographic framework. It also argues that a holistic approach to security is necessary for regimes to renew their sources of legitimacy in a globalising world.Trade Review'Insecure Gulf' provides the first detailed assessment of the developments in the Persian Gulf sub-region in the post-oil era. It is the one of the few books of its kind not to be obsessed with the sub-region's energy riches, and in looking to highlight the uncertainties of a future from which oil income may not provide sufficient protection, warns of the sub-region's impending demographic, economic and environmental crises. Sympathetically written and meticulously researched, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen draws our attention to the dangers of a perfect storm forming in the Gulf Arab countries in which domestic challenges could combine with externally-induced security or economic shocks to expose these societies to crises of such magnitude that could test their very socio-political foundations. This is a must read. -- Anoush Ehteshami, Professor of International Relations at Durham UniversityKristian Coates Ulrichsen's absorbing book is rich in detail and profoundly incisive. It is brilliant in its analysis and masterful in scope, tackling the most important and toughest questions on security in the Gulf region. Fascinating, fluently written and insightful, 'Insecure Gulf' offers a genuinely original perspective on this important subject. This is compulsory and highly engaging reading. -- Dr Steven Wright, Department of International Affairs, Qatar University'Insecure Gulf' offers a broad-ranging yet consistently cogent survey of the major trends that threaten the stability of the Arab Gulf states at the present moment and in the foreseeable future. It highlights not only the concrete, material challenges that confront regimes in this part of the world but also the ideational dynamics that shape how strategic realities get interpreted and prioritized. And the book accomplishes this while remaining accessible to non-specialists. An enlightening tour d'horizon. -- Fred H. Lawson, Professor of Government, Mills College

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Book SynopsisThe atrocities of civil wars present us with many difficult questions. How do seemingly ordinary individuals come to commit such extraordinary acts of cruelty, often against unarmed civilians? Can we ever truly understand such acts of 'evil'? Based on a wealth of original interviews with perpetrators of violence in Sierra Leone's civil war, this book provides a detailed response. Moving beyond the rigid bounds of political science, the author engages with sociology, psychology and social psychology, to provide a comprehensive picture of the complex individual motives behind seemingly senseless violence in Sierra Leone's war. Highlighting the inadequacy of current explanations that centre on the anarchic nature of brutality, or conversely, its calculated rationality, this book sheds light on the critical but hitherto neglected role played by the emotions of shame and disgust. Drawing on first-hand accounts of strategies employed by Sierra Leone's rebel commanders, it documents the manner in which rebel recruits were systematically brutalised and came to perform horrifying acts of cruelty as routine.In so doing, it offers fresh insight into the causes of extreme violence that holds relevance beyond Sierra Leone to the atrocities of contemporary civil wars.Trade Review'Kieran Mitton goes beyond analysis of violence as “breakdown” or “strategy” to provide a compelling, fascinating and very insightful account of the psychological functions of violence in Sierra Leone's vicious civil war.' * David Keen, Professor of Complex Emergencies, London School of Economics *'No author to date has been able to supply a convincing explanation of the reasons for the RUF's extraordinary brutality, but in this lucid, well organised and well expressed book Kieran Mitton does just that. A significant and original contribution.' * Stephen Ellis, author of External Mission: The ANC in Exile, 1960-1990 *'Kieran Mitton's readable book seeks to explain atrocity in the Sierra Leone civil war, rather than the causal factors of the war which occupy much of the literature, and presents a new and very plausible thesis to comprehend the incomprehensible. Mitton challenges assumptions of rationality or irrationality within explanations of the worst sorts of violence and offers thought-provoking analysis of why people who are not inherently violent become brutalised and brutal.' * David Harris, Lecturer in African Studies, University of Bradford, author of Sierra Leone: A Political History *'Rebels in a Rotten State is an important and interesting addition to the remarkably vast, and growing, literature on the war in Sierra Leone. It is distinguished by its careful and learned attention to the causes and nature of the atrocities of the war, rather than to the war itself. The author is consistently informative and fair – even where he disagrees with the interpretation of others, including mine, he does so with reason, diffidence and charm.' * Lansana Gberie, author of A Dirty War in West Africa: The RUF and the Destruction of Sierra Leone *'This outstanding study, so impressively and carefully researched, makes important contributions in number of areas: to our understanding of the war in Sierra Leone, to the political economy of civil wars more generally, to the challenges of "reconciliation" after horrendous periods of blood-letting and, above all, to the dynamic and complex sources of atrocious violence in conditions of civil war. What makes the book stand out is, not least, the even-handedness, respect and sophistication with which the author critically assesses the many attempts that have been made to explain what many find inexplicable. As such, it is also a deeply humane treatment of the human capacity for extreme violence and evil.' * Mats Berdal, Professor of Security and Development, Department of War Studies, King's College London *

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Book SynopsisDuring the last decade, 'Hybrid Warfare' has become a novel yet controversial term in academic, political and professional military lexicons, intended to suggest some sort of mix between different military and non-military means and methods of confrontation. Enthusiastic discussion of the notion has been undermined by conceptual vagueness and political manipulation, particularly since the onset of the Ukrainian Crisis in early 2014, as ideas about Hybrid Warfare engulf Russia and the West, especially in the media. Western defence and political specialists analysing Russian responses to the crisis have been quick to confirm that Hybrid Warfare is the Kremlin's main strategy in the twenty-first century. But many respected Russian strategists and political observers contend that it is the West that has been waging Hybrid War, Gibridnaya Voyna, since the end of the Cold War. In this highly topical book, Ofer Fridman offers a clear delineation of the conceptual debates about Hybrid Warfare. What leads Russian experts to say that the West is conducting a Gibridnaya Voyna against Russia, and what do they mean by it? Why do Western observers claim that the Kremlin engages in Hybrid Warfare? And, beyond terminology, is this something genuinely new?Trade Review'Impressive... a well-documented, tightly-argued, and well-written discussion of the concepts behind what is thought of as “hybrid warfare”.'‘Fridman’s work brings the idea of hybrid warfare back to the centre of the academic, military and policy-relevant debate. … By unearthing a fascinating trove of observations and recommendations, this book makes a substantial contribution to peace and conflict resolution studies.’ -- Europe-Asia Studies'With the production of this masterpiece, Fridman's name now belongs amongst the most respected. His thorough treatment of multiple dimensions of warfare, from both the Western and Russian perspective is commendable . . . this book is a must read for those engaged in security affairs.''The West and Russia both claim hybrid warfare is an approach used by the other side. Fridman explains how Russia and the West got into such an insane blame-game in this fascinating volume, which is about the idea of hybrid warfare rather than its practice.''A welcome addition to the evolving literature on [hybrid warfare] … Fridman’s study represents a useful start of a deeper, historically-focused analysis.' -- Defence & Security Analysis'Succinct, solidly researched, clearly written and jargon-free . . . [Fridman] brings nuance and understanding to a field of study too often characterised by black and white simplicities. . . everyone with an interest in international security should give this book a read.''A thorough examination of the origins of "hybrid warfare" and its political evolution in Europe. Readers can draw their own conclusions about Russia as a threat, but Fridman’s research is penetrating and his insight into how the Kremlin sees the changing character of war is profound.' -- Frank Hoffman, Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute'This fascinating and well-researched book helps bridge the gap between Western and Russian concepts of "hybrid warfare" -- not to reconcile them, but to explore the differences. The work exposes the underlying conceptual divergences, and thus helps explain the current tension between Russia and the West. This is a fascinating and attractively-written study of a phenomenon that affects us all.' -- Richard Sakwa, Professor of Russian and European Politics, University of Kent, and author of 'Frontline Ukraine: Crisis in the Borderlands''This book brings much needed depth, clarity, and nuance to the discussion of Russian hybrid warfare -- a topic of recent high concern, frequently invoked by soldiers and statesmen. There is no comparable work to this volume in terms of its fluency with the concept and associated literature and controversies in both English and Russian. Highly readable, perceptive, and consistently astute.' -- David Betz, Professor of War in the Modern World, Department of War Studies, King’s College London, author of 'Carnage and Connectivity: Landmarks in the Decline of Conventional Military Power''This timely work will prove to be a classic introduction to the historical and contemporary forms of Russian "hybrid war". Fridman's parsing of the distinctions between the western and Russian concepts is excellent.' -- Emile Simpson, Research Fellow, Harvard University, and author of 'War From the Ground Up: Twenty-First Century Combat as Politics'

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