Warfare and defence Books

Book SynopsisThe true story of the greatest battle of World War II and the basis of the film of the same name, directed by Richard Attenborough. The true story of the greatest battle of World War II and the basis of the 1977 film of the same name, directed by Richard Attenborough.Trade Review'The most brilliant reporter now alive' * Malcolm Muggeridge, 1973 *'I know of no other work of literature of World War II as moving, as awesome and as accurate in its portrayal of human courage.' * General James A Gavin *

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times and FT Book of the Year When a rising power threatens to displace a ruling one, the most likely outcome is war. In this razor-sharp analysis, Harvard scholar Graham Allison examines the phenomenon known as Thucydides’s Trap, which is currently playing out between the world’s two biggest superpowers: the US and China. Through uncanny historical parallels, Destined for War shows how close we are to the unthinkable. Yet, stressing that war is not inevitable, Allison also reveals how clashing powers have kept the peace in the past — and what painful steps international leaders can and must take to avoid disaster.Trade Review‘[Destined for War] sounds a useful, even important warning call.’ -- Max Hastings * The Sunday Times *‘I hope people like Jeff Bezos read this timely book and resolve to build the political forces we need.’ -- Dominic Cummings * The Spectator *‘Graham Allison is one of the keenest observers of international affairs around. He consistently brings his deep understanding of history’s currents to today’s most difficult challenges and makes our toughest foreign policy dilemmas accessible to experts and everyday citizens alike. That’s why I regularly sought his counsel both as a senator and as vice president. In Destined for War, Allison lays out one of the defining challenges of our time—managing the critical relationship between China and the United States.’ -- Joe Biden * former Vice President of the United States *‘Thucydides’s Trap identifies a cardinal challenge to world order: the impact of a rising power on a ruling power. I read the book with great interest. I can only hope that the US-China relationship becomes the fifth case to resolve itself peacefully, rather than the 13th to result in war.’ -- Henry Kissinger * former United States Secretary of State *‘Can the US avoid confrontation with China? That is the geopolitical question of our age. In most cases, Thucydides was right: when a new power arises in the world, it results in a clash with the dominant power. This important and fascinating book extracts lessons for how we can avoid such a confrontation.’ -- Walter Isaacson * author of Steve Jobs and The Innovators *‘You can bet that China’s leaders will read Allison’s warnings about Thucydides’s Trap. I only wish I could be as sure about America’s leaders. But every informed citizen should buy a copy.’ -- Niall Ferguson‘One of the most insightful and thought-provoking books I have ever read on the most important relationship in the world: the US and China. If Graham Allison is right—and I think he is—China and the US must heed the lessons in this superb study in order to build a strategic relationship that avoids a war which neither side would win.’ -- General (Ret.) David Petraeus * Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, former Director of the CIA, and former Commander of US Central Command *‘A provocative thesis on one of today's most pressing foreign policy issues and a page turner of the first order, Destined For War is a must read. Professor Allison writes with the propulsive narrative drive appropriate for such an immediate and danger-fraught topic. I can only hope that all senior policy experts read this timely book to prevent our country from falling into the trap Professor Allison so ably warns us against.’ -- Christopher Reich * bestselling author of Invasion of Privacy *‘Do China and America want war? No. Might they be compelled into conflict by severe structural stress? Yes. Thankfully, Allison charts an essential course to avoid a catastrophic collision. Destined for War will be studied and debated for decades.’ -- Kevin Rudd * former Prime Minister of Australia *‘An important new book.’ * Financial Times *‘Graham Allison has written a gripping book that decision-makers and citizens alike must read, digest, and act upon.’ -- Samantha Power‘For policymakers, scholars, and citizens on both sides of the Pacific Ocean, Destined for War is essential reading.’ -- Ash Carter‘Graham Allison has written the most important foreign policy book of our time.’ -- Sandy Winnefeld‘Graham Allison is the Paul Revere of the nuclear age. In his brilliant book, Allison provides us with a heart stopping look into a future that may end as abruptly as the past began.’ -- William Cohen‘Essential, even indispensable reading for every diplomat—and financier or businessman — that contemplates China and its relations with the world.’ -- Kurt Campbell‘Destined for War is a must-read for anyone concerned about US-China relations. A gifted combination of scholarship with truly accessible writing.’ -- Amitai Etzioni‘Reading Destined for War and drawing from its lessons could help to save the lives of millions of people.’ -- Klaus Schwab‘If any book can stop a world war, it is this one. This gripping book is a must read for policy makers in both nations as well as the general public.’ -- Sam Nunn‘Graham Allison has been a source of inspiration for me as a student and diplomat. As with Essence of Decision, Destined for War again provides us with his penetrating insights into global politics in the 21st century and beyond.’ -- Ban Ki-Moon * former Secretary General of the United Nations *‘Surely another classic in the making, Destined for War is a brilliant example of ‘thinking in time,’ which — as the author shows — is against us.’ -- Brendan Simms * author of Europe: The Struggle for Supremacy *‘Thought-provoking and very readable.’ * The Sunday Times *‘As a single volume on the shape of the gathering rivalry and co-operation between the United States and China, this book is to be highly recommended. It is clearly written with a popular audience in mind. As such it can join the ranks of a number of such books that explain a wide range of complex concepts and historical episodes in a way that the layperson can readily engage with.’ * NZ International Review *‘[A]rgue[s] persuasively that adjusting to this global power shift will require great skill on both sides if conflagration is to be avoided ... helpfully illustrated with maps and charts...with wide-ranging, erudite case studies that span human history ... this fine book show[s] that China intends to evict the United States from Asia in order to restore its dominance over what it considers its historic spheres of influence. Unfortunately, Washington is poorly prepared to deal with a China that strategises in terms of the symbolic undercurrents and sensitivities illuminated so dramatically by Allison.’ -- Judith Shapiro * The New York Times Book Review *‘[A] brief but far-reaching book in which potted history is incisively deployed ... One of the many strengths of Destined for War is the restoration of the late Samuel Huntington’s 'Clash of Civilisations' theory, disparaged in the mid-1990s but subliminally gaining force by the day. Mr. Allison approvingly paraphrases Huntington’s notion that 'the Western myth of universal values' is 'not just naive but inimical to other civilisations, particularly the Confucian one with China at its centre.’ -- Robert D. Kaplan * The Wall Street Journal *‘Hugely influential.’ -- Niall Ferguson * TLS *

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Book SynopsisCHRISTOPHER PIKE’s first book in his trilogy Making Sense of War examined war as a social phenomenon. About War (2021) explained why war, organised violence, happens. War in Context shows – through examples from history – how the state legitimises war and how war legitimises the state, and how Britain has used military force in the past. Pike asks: is war necessary? Can it be predicted? Is terrorism war? Is terrorism effective and how should it be countered? What were the implications of al Qaeda’s attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon in September 2001? What then might be the effect on world stability of America’s less assertive leadership? War in Context looks at deterrence, the basis for nuclear strategy; and the strategic implications of such modern phenomena as cyborgs, Artificial Intelligence and Drones. But the human factor is emphasised – the moral and physical pressure on commanders of robots and hypersonic missiles. Above all, it is humans who decide how and when death is delivered. Science increases the intensity of battle, but man, not the machine, controls the outcome. The book ends with an assessment of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

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Book SynopsisThis third edition of Moral Constraints on War offers a principle by principle presentation of the ethics of war as is found in the age-old tradition of the Just War. Parts one and two trace the evolution of Just War Theory, analyzing the principles of jus ad bellum and jus in bello: the principles that determine the conditions under which it is just to start a war and then conduct military operations. Each chapter provides a historical background of the principle under discussion and an in-depth analysis of its meaning. More so than in the previous editions, there is a special focus on the transcultural nature of the principles. Besides theoretical clarifications, each of the principles is also put to the test with numerous historical and contemporary examples. In Part three, Just War Theory is applied in three specific case studies: the use of the atomic bomb against Japan in World War II, the Korean War (1950-53), and the use of armed drones in the war on terror. Bringing together aTrade Review“This classic book is deservedly in its third, reinforced, and re-vitalized edition. The message is the same: fight only just wars, with due restraint, aiming throughout for nothing less than safe and lasting peace.” -- Patrick Mileham, International Society for Military EthicsTable of ContentsPrefaceBruno Coppieters, Carl Ceulemans and Nick FotionIntroductionNick Fotion, Bruno Coppieters, Carl Ceulemans, Ruben Apressyan, Zafer Kizilkaya and Xu TianPART I Jus ad Bellum Chapter 1: Just CauseBruno Coppieters, Carl Ceulemans, Zafer Kizilkaya, Anthony Hartle and Xu TianChapter 2: Legitimate AuthorityBruno Coppieters, Carl Ceulemans, Jelle Leunis, Xu Tian and Zafer KizilkayaChapter 3: Right IntentionsBruno Coppieters, Boris Kashnikov, Zafer Kizilkaya and Xu TianChapter 4: Likelihood of SuccessNick Fotion, Bruno Coppieters, Zafer Kizilkaya and Xu TianChapter 5: ProportionalityNick Fotion, Zafer Kizilkaya, Xu Tian, Bruno CoppietersChapter 6: Last Resort Bruno Coppieters, Ruben Apressyan, Boris Kashnikov, Zafer Kizilkaya and Xu TianPART II Jus in Bello Chapter 7: DiscriminationCarl Ceulemans, Bruno Coppieters, Anthony Hartle, Zafer Kizilkaya, Jelle Leunis, Xu Tian and Guy Van DammeChapter 8: ProportionalityNick Fotion, Bruno Coppieters, Zafer Kizilkaya, Guy Van Damme and Xu TianChapter 9: The Doctrine of Double EffectBruno Coppieters and Nick FotionChapter 10: Are Combatants Moral Equals?Carl Ceulemans and Nick FotionPART III CasesChapter 11: Dropping the Atomic Bomb. Nick FotionChapter12: The Bombings of Hiroshima and NagasakiBruno CoppietersChapter 13:The Korean War, 1950-1953Nick FotionChapter 14: Drone WarfareCarl Ceulemans and Jelle LeunisChapter 15: Concluding CommentsNick Fotion, Bruno Coppieters, Carl Ceulemans and Xu Tian

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Book SynopsisAdrian Carton de Wiart's autobiography is one of the most remarkable of military memoirs. He was the son of a Belgian barrister, Leon Constant Ghislain Carton de Wiart (1854-1915). He, himself, was intended for the law, but abandoned his studies at Balliol College, Oxford, in 1899 to serve as a trooper in the South African War. He abandoned the law for all time on 14 September 1901 when he received a direct commission in the 4th Dragoon Guards. Carton de Wiart's extraordinary military career embraced service with the Somaliland Camel Corps (1914-15), liaison officer with Polish forces (1939), membership of the British Military Mission to Yugoslavia (1941), a period as a prisoner of war (1941-43), and three years as Churchill's representative to Chiang Kai-shek (1943-46). (Churchill was a great admirer.) During the Great War, besides commanding the 8th Glosters, Carton de Wiart was GOC 12 Brigade (1917) and GOC 105 Brigade (April 1918). Both these command were terminated by wounds. He was wounded eight times during the war (including the loss of an eye and a hand), won the VC during the Batlle of the Somme, was mentioned in despatches six times, and was the model for Brigadier Ben Ritchie Hook in the Sword of Honour trilogy of Evelyn Waugh.

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Book SynopsisA supplement devoted to playing solo and co-operative games of Frostgrave.There are many tales of the Frozen City, and not all of them tell of battles between rival wizards. Often, the greatest adventures are those that pit a wizard and his trusty warband against the myriad perils found amidst the ruins of Felstad.This new supplement for Frostgrave presents full rules for playing solo and co-operative games in which the feuds and skirmishes of wizards take a back seat to the exploration and unlocking of the mysteries of the city. These include guidelines for both dungeon crawls and adventuring in the ruins, new traps, unique random encounters, and four multi-scenario mini-campaigns to get players started. Why should wizards fight amongst themselves? There is plenty of treasure for all and the Frozen City is enemy enough!

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Book SynopsisON WAR is the most significant attempt in Western history to understand war, both in its internal dynamics and as an instrument of policy. Since the work's first appearance in 1832 it has been read throughout the world, and has stimulated generations of soilders statemen, and intellectuals from Marx and Bismarck to Raymond Aron.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisAn updated set of expanded wargaming rules for the exceptionally popular post-apocalyptic vehicle game, Gaslands.2019 Tabletop Minions Award winnerUK Games Expo Awards: Best Miniatures Rules (2018)Shoot, ram, skid, and loot your way through the ruins of civilization with Gaslands: Refuelled, the tabletop miniature wargame of post-apocalyptic vehicular mayhem. This update to the original Gaslands includes expanded and enhanced perks, sponsors, vehicle types, and weapons. Gaslands: Refuelled contains everything a budding wasteland warrior needs to build and customize their fleet of vehicles in this harsh post-apocalyptic future. Featuring a host of options for scenarios, environmental effects, and campaigns, allowing players to create their anarchic future.Trade ReviewIf you’re a board gamer looking for an easy entry point to the miniatures hobby, Gaslands is about as close a thing to perfect as I can imagine. -- Eric Tonjes * Shut Up & Sit Down *If you want to play a miniatures game that’s truly unique from the standard laser guns and swords, Gaslands is a must […] Whether it’s a destruction derby, Mario Kart-style racing or protecting a massive war rig that you’re escorting across a barren desert, there’s lots to love in this gas-guzzling, budget miniatures game. -- Michael Whelan * Dicebreaker *I highly recommend this game…. It jumps up off the table. You can feel the mud flying around. -- Joel Eddy * Drive Thru Reviews *It’s Awesome! -- Ding & Dent * Episode 69 - Gaslands Review *There is an extremely fun game here packed in for a fantastic price. -- Jacob Stauttener * Must Contain Minis *An amazing amount of fun. -- No Pun Included * Episode 12 *There’s a new hobby obsession in my life that I am in love with and it’s called Gaslands. -- The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast * Jamie Talks About: Gaslands and the Joy of a Miniatures Hobby *In Gaslands (think: a breezier, less crunchy, more modern Car Wars) there are no ranges of miniatures to draw from. Instead, the game encourages you to Mad Max-ify Matchbox and Hotwheels cars to use in your games. How much fun is this? Lots. -- Gareth Branwyn * Boing Boing *Whether you’re a minis player looking for an excuse to let out your inner War Boy or someone looking to make use of your (or your child’s) toy car collection for a fast, fun skirmish game, Gaslands is great way to get onto the fury road for an hour or two. -- Rob Wieland * Geek & Sundry *

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Book SynopsisWhen Russia invaded in 2022, Ukrainians became soldiers overnight. Journalist Tom Mutch stayed in Kyiv, documenting their sacrifices, major battles, hidden stories and the war's profound human and strategic impact.

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Book SynopsisThoughts on issues of character, leadership, integrity, personal and public virtue, and ethics, the selections in this volume converge around the central theme of how man can rise with dignity to prevail in the face of adversity—lessons just as valid for the challenges of present-day life as they were for the author''s Vietnam experience.

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZESHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZEA wake-up call' Amal ClooneyDevastating rape and sexual abuse continue to be a pervasive and all-too-often hidden feature of conflict zones the world over' HM Queen CamillaFrom award-winning war reporter and co-author of I Am Malala, this is the first major account to address the scale of rape and sexual violence in modern conflict.Christina Lamb has worked in war and combat zones for over thirty years. In Our Bodies, Their Battlefield she gives voice to the women of conflicts, exposing how in today's warfare, rape is used by armies, terrorists and militias as a weapon to humiliate, oppress and carry out ethnic cleansing.Speaking to survivors first-hand, Lamb encounters the suffering and bravery of women in war and meets those fighting for justice. From Southeast Asia where comfort women' were enslaved by the Japanese during World War Two to the Rwandan genocide, when an estimated quarter of a million women were rTrade Review Shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize 2020 Shortlisted for the Orwell Prize 2021 ‘A wake-up call to the magnitude and horrors of rape in war – the world's most neglected war crime. These women’s stories will make you weep, and then rage at the world's indifference.’ Amal Clooney ‘Sharing these stories is necessary and incredibly brave’ Sheryl Sandberg 'Christina Lamb has done the impossible – and written women into history … An extraordinary achievement of in depth journalism, powerful storytelling, grit and heart. A wake up call to the magnitude and horror of rape of women throughout history and the world. If you read one book this year, read this. Astounding.' Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues ‘For millennia mass rape has been a weapon of war. But the testimony of abuse is almost entirely absent from all recorded history. At last this brave, beautiful and brutal book allows victims to speak – devastatingly, inspirationally’ Bettany Hughes ‘This is the most powerful and disturbing book I have ever read. It must have taken courage to research and write this book. Christina Lamb has more than accomplished her duty. It is now our duty to face this terrible truth – that of man’s inhumanity to woman.’ Anthony Beevor, Spectator ‘A brave and harrowing book, and were there justice in the world, would be at the top of the bestsellers list for weeks.’Melanie Reid, The Times ‘A deeply traumatic and important book … Provides a corrective that is by turns horrific and profoundly moving … Lamb is an extraordinary writer. Her compassion for those she talks to and deep understanding of how to tell their stories makes this a book that should be required reading for all – even though (and perhaps because) it is not an enjoyable experience … Powerful’ Peter Frankopan, Guardian

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Book SynopsisBringing together the work of nine leading historians, and superbly illustrated with contemporary photography and colour maps, The Second World War gives readers a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of history's greatest conflict.The period from 1939 to 1945 saw some of the most devastating and remarkable events in living memory. Labouring beneath a daily burden of fear, sacrifice, deprivation and uncertainty, soldiers and civilians of all nationalities were driven to extremes of selfless loyalty, dogged determination or bitter cruelty by the demands of a world at war. This book tells the stories of the men and women who lived and died during the Second World War, from politicians to factory workers, and from High Command to the conscripted men on the front lines. The experience of war is brought to life through a wealth of contemporary documentation, private writings and historical research, whilst the political, military and historical significance of the war isTrade ReviewA soundly written, well-illustrated, succinct and academically reliable single volume. * The National Army Museum *Table of ContentsEurope 1939–1943 · The War at Sea · The Mediterranean 1940–1945 · The Pacific · The Eastern Front 1941–1945 · Northwest Europe 1944–1945

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Book SynopsisThe essential guide to the Russian way of war, aimed not onlyat students of military and international affairs but at all those who want tounderstand how conflict in our world is evolving.

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Book SynopsisRussia is intent on attacking beyond Ukraine. Can Europe defend itself?

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Book SynopsisFor more than 2,000 years, Sun Tzu''s The Art of War has provided leaders with essential advice on battlefield tactics, managing troops and terrain, and employing cunning and deception. An elemental part of Chinese culture, it has also become a touchstone for the Western struggle for survival and success, whether in battle, in business or in relationships. Now, in this crisp, accessible new translation, John Minford brings this seminal work to life for today''s readers. A lively, learned introduction, chronologies and suggested further reading are among the valuable apparatus included in this authoritative volume. Even those readers familiar with The Art of War will experience it anew, finding it more fascinating - and more chilling - than ever.Little is known about Sun Tzu (544-496 B.C.) and his life during the Warring States period after the decline of the Zhou dysnasty, but his classic, The Art of War, has been one of the central works of Chinese lite

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Book SynopsisMartha Gellhorn was one of the twentieth century's greatest war correspondents. The Face of War is a selection of her reports, on the conflicts in Spain, Finland, China and World War II, with later reports on Vietnam, Israel and Central America.Trade ReviewOne of the very greatest correspondents to cover the conflicts of this bloodies and most violent of centuries * Independent *

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Book Synopsis'War is an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to our will'Writing at the time of Napoleon's greatest campaigns, Prussian soldier and writer Carl von Clausewitz created this landmark treatise on the art of warfare, which presented war as part of a coherent system of political thought. In line with Napoleon's own military actions, Clausewitz illustrated the need to annihilate the enemy and to make a strong display of one's power in an 'absolute war' without compromise. But he was also careful to distinguish between war and politics, arguing that war could only be justified when debate was no longer adequate, and that if undertaken, its aim should ultimately be to improve the wellbeing of the nation. Combining military theory and pratice, On War has had a profound influence on subsequent thinking on warfare.This edition contains a detailed introduction examining Von Clausewitz's skill and reputation as a writer, philosopher and politTable of ContentsOn WarPreface to the Pelican EditionIntroduction by Anatol RapoportOn WarIntroduction by Col. F. N. MaudeIntroduction of the AuthorBrief Memoir of General Clausewitz by the TranslatorBook One: On The Nature Of WarI. What is War?II. End and Means in WarIII. The Genius for WarIV. Of Danger in WarV. Of Bodily Exertion in WarVI. Information in WarVII. Friction in WarVIII. Concluding RemarksBook Two: On The Theory Of WarI. Branches of the Art of WarII. On the Theory of WarIII. Art or Science of WarIV. MethodicismV. CriticismVI. On ExamplesBook Three: Of Strategy In GeneralI. StrategyII. Elements of StrategyIII. Moral ForcesIV. The Chief Moral PowersV. Military Virtue of an ArmyVI. BoldnessVII. PerseveranceVIII. Superiority of NumbersIX. The SurpriseX. StratagemXI. Assembly of Forces in SpaceXII. Assembly of Forces in TimeXIII. Strategic ReserveXIV. Economy of ForcesXV. Geometrical ElementXVI. On the Suspension of the Act in WarXVII. On the Character of Modern WarXVIII. Tension and RestBook Four: The CombatI. IntroductoryII. Character of the Modern BattleIII. The Combat in GeneralIV. The Combat in General (continuation)V. On the Signification of the CombatVI. Duration of the CombatVII. Decision of the CombatVIII. Mutual Understanding as to a BattleIX. The BattleX. Effects of VictoryXI. The Use of the BattleXII. Strategic Means of Utilizing VictoryXIII. Retreat After a Lost BattleSketches For Book Eight: Plan Of WarI. IntroductionII. Absolute and Real WarIII. (A) Interdependence of the Parts in War(B) Of the Magnitude of the Object of the War, and the Efforts to be MadeIV. Ends in War More Precisely Defined—Overthrow of the EnemyV. Ends in War More Precisely Defined (continued)—Limited ObjectVI. (A) Influence of the Political Object on the Military Object(B) War as an Instrument of PolicyConcluding Remarks by Anatol RapoportNotesReferencesGlossaryIndex

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Book SynopsisThis is a highly detailed study of the German auxiliary troops who fought for Britain in the American Revolutionary War and won a distinguished reputation on a host of battlefields.During the American Revolutionary War (177583), German auxiliary troops provided a vital element of the British war effort. Some 30,000 German troops served in North America, continuing a long-established relationship between Britain and various German principalities. These troops were widely referred to as mercenaries, implying that they sold their services individually, but they were in fact regular troops hired as a body by the British. Initially feared by the American population, the German troops came to be highly respected by their opponents. Their role in the fighting would inform the tactics and methods of a generation of German officers who returned to Europe after the war, many of whom went on to hold senior commands during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.The Table of ContentsIntroduction Recruitment and Organization The Hessian Corps Arrival in America Major Actions Involving Hessians Uniforms The Regiments Temporary Units Return from America Select Bibliography Plate Commentaries Index

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Book SynopsisBetween South and Central Asia, in the high mountains and cold deserts, India, Pakistan and China have fought brutal wars over barren, uninhabited territory in a bid for control over their national peripheries, including Xinjiang and Tibet in China, and Jammu and Kashmir on the Indian subcontinent. White as the Shroud explores this broader story through the most surreal of such conflicts: the Siachen war, fought between India and Pakistan for control of the eponymous glacier. The tale of Siachen highlights the absurdity of seeking hard borders in such desolate mountains, as well as the brutality of high-altitude warfare-- more soldiers were killed by the weather and terrain than by the fighting. As one of the few people to have visited both sides of the glacier, Indian and Pakistani, Myra MacDonald provides a first-hand view of the battlefield and a wealth of eyewitness testimony from combatants. She sets this account in the overarching narrative of the Kashmir conflict, India's defeat by China in 1962, and the 1999 India-Pakistan Kargil war. White as the Shroud brings a fresh perspective to one of the most volatile corners of the world, raising questions about borders and the wars fought to defend them.Trade Review'Essential reading.' -- Asian Affairs'This region is one of the world's most volatile flashpoints, where three nuclear powers persistently confront each other. MacDonald has penned a definitive tour de force, helping us to better understand the terrain and region--and why it's so dangerous.' -- Vipin Narang, Associate Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology'Myra MacDonald's narrative about the inhumane and pitiless battlefields in, or involving, disputed Jammu and Kashmir is engrossing. Her highly informative book is invaluable for anyone wanting to understand the dangers and futilities of these heavily militarised and contested areas.' -- Christopher Snedden, author of 'Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris''This essential and hard-hitting book unpacks India and Pakistan’s military contest over remote heights not meant for human survival. Based on extensive travels and immense sensitivity to the human condition at Siachen, MacDonald reminds us how confusing and nebulous such borders truly are.' -- Avinash Paliwal, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, SOAS University of London'A searching analysis of a little-known war in the Himalayan glaciers. MacDonald's fresh perspective shows how the national ambitions of India, Pakistan, and China have prolonged a bloody and absurd conflict for more than three decades.' -- Farzana Shaikh, author of 'Making Sense of Pakistan'

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Book SynopsisSecurity Studies: An Introduction, 4th edition, is the most comprehensive textbook available on the subject, providing students with in-depth coverage of traditional and critical approaches and an essential grounding in the debates, frameworks, and issues of the contemporary security agenda.This new edition has been completely revised and updated, to cover major developments such as COVID-19, the rise of populism, climate change, China and Russiaâs place in the world, and the Trump administration. It also includes new chapters on great power rivalry, emerging technologies, and economic threats.Divided into four parts, the text provides students with a detailed, accessible overview of the major theoretical approaches, key themes, and most significant issues within security studies. Part 1 explores the main theoretical approaches from both traditional and critical standpoints Part 2 explains the central concepts underpinning contemporary debTable of ContentsAn Introduction to Security Studies Paul D. Williams and Matt McDonald Part 1: Theoretical ApproachesTraditional Approaches 1.Realisms 2.Liberalisms 3.Constructivisms Critical Approaches 4.Critical Theory 5.Feminisms 6.Poststructuralism 7.Securitization 8.Postcolonialism Part 2: Key Concepts 9.Uncertainty 10.Great Power Rivalry 11.Culture 12.War 13.Coercion 14.Peace and Violence 15.Human Security 16.Responsibility to Protect 17.Development Part 3: Institutions 18.Alliances 19.Regional Organizations 20.The United Nations 21.Peace Operations 22.The Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Regime 23.Private Military and Security Companies Part 4: Contemporary Challenges 24.Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity 25.Ethnic Conflict 26.Terrorism 27.Counterterrorism 28.Counterinsurgency 29.Intelligence 30.Economic Threats 31.Transnational Organized Crime 32.Global Arms Trade 33.Migration and Refugees 34.Energy Security 35.Women, Peace, and Security 36.Environmental Change 37.Health 38.Emerging Technologies 39.Cybersecurity 40.Outer Space

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate, comprehensive guide to official country data and statistics, from the world’s most sophisticated intelligence-gathering organization. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, The CIA World Factbook 2025-2026 offers complete and up-to-date information on the world's nations. This comprehensive guide is packed with data on countries' politics, populations, economics, and environment for 2025 and looks ahead to 2026. The CIA World Factbook 2025-2026 includes the following for each country: Updated geopolitical maps Population statistics, with details on languages, religions, literacy rates, age structure, health indicators, and much more Up-to-date data on military expenditures and capabilities Geography information, including climate and natural hazards Details on prominent political figures and parties Contact information for diplomatic missions Facts on transportation, trade, and communication infrastructure Space program profiles for over 90 participating nations Also included are appendices with useful abbreviations, terror organization profiles, and more. Originally intended for use by government officials and policymakers as well as the broader intelligence community, this is a must-have resource for students, travelers, journalists, and anyone with a desire to know more about their world.

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Book SynopsisWhy and how America’s defense strategy must change in light of China’s power and ambition—A Wall Street Journal best book of 2021Trade Review“Colby, the lead architect of the 2018 National Defense Strategy, here lays out—realistically, concretely and in plain-spoken American English—how Washington must act decisively to check Beijing’s growing power and ambition.”—Wall Street Journal, “Ten Best Books of 2021”“Rigorously argued and compelling. . . . This book will define the basis for future debate about U.S. defense strategy in Asia. . . . Mr. Colby earns a place as an intellectual heir to the Cold War strategists who thought seriously about how to thwart Soviet designs. . . . [He] is courageous in forcing readers to think concretely about the unthinkable. . . . The task of deterring Chinese aggression is urgent, and Mr. Colby’s book presents a needed path forward.”—Dan Blumenthal, Wall Street Journal “What to do about China’s rising might and territorial ambition? Brilliant strategist Elbridge Colby takes on this vexing and increasingly urgent challenge with a clear-eyed, forceful but carefully thought-out approach. Cogently, lucidly, he uses the lessons of history to show that the best way to avoid war is to prepare for war.”—Evan Thomas, coauthor of The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made “Colby’s well-crafted and insightful Strategy of Denial provides a superb and, one suspects, essential departure point for an urgent and much-needed debate over U.S. defense strategy.“—Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr., Foreign Affairs “An exceptional book. Elbridge Colby has written a book on defense strategy that reaches a level of theoretical mastery akin to Hans Morgenthau’s Politics Among Nations. There is no better guidebook to how we should think about war and peace in this new age of great power competition.”—Robert D. Kaplan, author of Asia’s Cauldron “This is a realist’s book, laser-focused on China’s bid for mastery in Asia as the 21st century’s most important threat.”—Ross Douthat, New York Times “Anyone interested in US strategy should read this tour de force from the primary author of the celebrated 2018 U.S. National Defense Strategy. This well-written, masterfully constructed, logically compelling book conveys the essence of strategy from one of the best current practitioners of the trade. Highly recommended!”—Robert O. Work, former Deputy Secretary of Defense “Elbridge Colby has written an outstanding book. For anyone interested in understanding what a possible war between China and the United States might look like, The Strategy of Denial is the place to start. It is analytically rigorous, well-informed, and filled with interesting and smart insights.”—John Mearsheimer, author of The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities“Succeeds brilliantly in the task of building a broad strategic framework—one that is actually new—for how to think about America’s defense in the face of a rising China. . . . The Chinese military are going to translate and classify this book—if they haven’t already.”—Michael Pillsbury, senior fellow and director for Chinese Strategy, Hudson Institute “This is an incredibly important book. . . . The definitive work on U.S. defense strategy that should guide our strategic competition with China for the years to come.”—Christian Brose, author of The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare “There are many ways to lose wars or win them, but only one way to avoid them: to envision closely enough the dangers to be averted by deterrence or defense. This book brings together pure intellect, wide knowledge, and practical experience to show how U.S. defense strategy must change—and fast.”—Edward Luttwak, author of The Rise of China vs. the Logic of Strategy “As experts continue to warn of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan within the decade, denying such an invasion must be our top defense-planning priority. Mr. Colby spells out what we need to do in order to deter—and if necessary, win—a war over Taiwan. . . . An essential read.”—Mike Gallagher, U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin, “Who Read What: Political Figures Share Their Favorite Books of 2021” “[A] brilliant . . . book on how to deal with the geopolitical and military threat from China. Will be much discussed and constantly referred to as we grapple with this challenge.”—Rich Lowry, editor of National Review (via Twitter) “The Strategy of Denial is an excellent book and a very important one. Fundamentally, it’s not an argument about ‘global stability’ . . . but rather that we need to think about defense strategy in terms of regions in order to achieve political objectives.”—Nadia Schadlow, senior fellow, Hudson Institute “Colby gives us an original and provocative approach to containing adversaries, especially China. . . . [D]istinguished by its moving seamlessly from international relations theory to detailed questions of diplomacy and force deployment.”—Robert Jervis, author of How Statesmen Think“The book is just a marvel of analytic clarity and of ruthless logic . . . a true pleasure to read . . . [and] a marvel of clear argumentation and deductive reasoning. . . . [It] cuts through a lot of politics and uncertainty in a really helpful way.”—Jennifer Lind, Dartmouth College “I suppose there are others who could have written such a book, but they didn’t, at least not with such mastery of analysis. I think I’ve read most [of the] worthwhile books on U.S. defense strategy that have appeared in the last two decades, but I’ve rarely come across one that has the intellectual rigor, the systematicity of analysis, and the sheer ruthlessness of logical reasoning—not to mention the erudition—found in The Strategy of Denial.”—Ashley J. Tellis, senior fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace “An engaging, vigorously argued and refreshingly readable case for a U.S. strategy focused on deterring China to reduce the danger of war.”—Doyle McManus, Washington columnist, Los Angeles Times “Thoughtful and rigorous. . . . Makes an extended case for curtailing other commitments to focus on China. . . . The book’s fundamental strength . . . is Colby’s willingness to test all sides of complicated debates. . . . Required reading for lawmakers, national security hands, and 2024 presidential hopefuls.”—Adam O’Neal, Washington Examiner “Exceptionally well-thought out. . . . A well-argued . . . case for why the United States should care about Beijing’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific region. . . . Its arguments are both self-evident and well explained [and] it is thoroughly enjoyable to read.”—Joshua Huminski, Diplomatic Courier “This is a book well worth reading, packed with fresh paradigm-cracking ideas, breaking all the china in thinking how to handle China.”—James Jay Carafano, National Interest

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Book SynopsisUPDATED WITH TWO NEW CHAPTERS''One of the most provocative and startling books ever written by a British commander ... an update of the two great thinkers on war and peace, Clausewitz and Sun Tsu, for our time ... it is for anyone interested in the well-being of our world'' Robert Fox, Evening StandardWhy do we try to use military force to solve our political problems? And why, when our forces win the military battles does this still fail to solve those problems? It is because the force lacks utility. From Iraq to the Balkans, and from Afghanistan to Chechneya, over the past fifteen years there has been a steady stream of military interventions that have not delivered on their promise for peace, or even political resolution. The Utility of Force explains this anomaly at the heart of our current international system.''Britain''s outstanding soldier of modern times ... a book that will assure his reputation as a serious and origina

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Book SynopsisThe remarkable story of the Allied struggle for survival told through the voices of the British, American and German soldiers who were there.Trade ReviewWilliams has drawn on the memories of an eloquent band of interviewees. A valuable and sobering re-evaluation of the liberation of northwestern Europe. * Sunday Times *Powerful writing ... excellent. This book is a triumph of the military narrative art, bearing the reader along effortlessly and weaving together grand strategy, local tactics and personal reminiscences in a superbly expert manner. * Andrew Roberts, Evening Standard *

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Book SynopsisA skirmish wargame set in a dangerous galaxy where players command a small crew of adventurers hunting for loot, while trying not to call too much attention to their activities.In a galaxy torn apart by the Last War, vast pirate fleets roam from system to system, robbing, extorting, and enslaving. Attempts to organize resistance, or to establish authority over any territory larger than a city, are quickly and brutally crushed. In this dark time, the only way to survive is to be inconspicuous and hope to be overlooked. Amidst this chaos, however, thousands of independent operators--smugglers, relic hunters, freedom fighters, and mercenaries--roam the dead stars in small ships, scratching out a living anyway they can.In Stargrave, players take on the role of one of these independent operators. Perhaps they are a cybernetic veteran of the Last War, a psion fleeing slavers, or a mystic warrior attempting to preserve ancient wisdom. Maybe they are a bounty hTrade ReviewMan I’m pumped! This is just the game. -- Ash Barker * Guerilla Miniature Games *I’ve never been more excited. It get’s your creative juices flowing. * Robs Tabletop World *Its gameplay on the tabletop is tactically rewarding, and its surrounding narrative flavour tantalising. * Wargamer *We felt Stargrave is up there with the very best of the sci-fi games we’ve played. * Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy *It’s an exciting book and we’re looking forward to getting into some Stargrave gaming soon. * Wargames Illustrated *I’m impressed. Stargrave makes me wish I had a room with a decent-sized table in it. Those are dangerous thoughts. * GeekNative *

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Book SynopsisFollow the epic 5,000-year story of warfare - from the earliest battles to the War on Terror - with this guided tour of every major conflict.Combining a clear and compelling historical narrative with a wealth of fascinating eyewitness accounts and photography throughout, this is the ultimate guide to the history of military conflict, from the armies of ancient Egypt to the rise of Isis in Syria and Iraq, and the ongoing Yemeni civil war.War explores the battles, the warriors, the tactics, and the weapons and technology that have shaped conflict worldwide. Lavishly illustrated with paintings, photographs, artefacts, and maps, this book offers a uniquely detailed and visually rich view of all major aspects of human conflict. Whether on the bloody battlefields of the ancient world or in the modern era of drones and laser-guided missiles, this is the complete story of the wars that have shaped our world.

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Book SynopsisAN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERA Telegraph Best Book of the Year''An intense, evocative portrait of one of the most remarkable figures of our era'' ANNE APPLEBAUM''This is the Zelensky book we've been waiting for' CATHERINE BELTONTHE TIMES: A BEST BOOK OF 2024 NEXT YEAR'S TOP READSGUARDIAN: BOOKS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2024INDEPENDENT: A BOOK OF THE MONTHWritten with unprecedented access, this is the first inside, intimate account of the Russian invasion of Ukraine from the perspective of President Zelensky and his team.Based on four years of reporting; extensive travels with President Zelensky to the front; and dozens of interviews with him, his wife, his friends and enemies, his advisers, ministers and military commanders, The Showman tells an intimate and eye-opening story of the President's evolution from a slapstick actor to a symbol of resilience, revealing how he managed to rally the world's democracies behind his cause.Clear-eyed about the President's early failures as a peacemaker and his willingness to silence political dissent, the book offers a complex picture of a man struggling to break what he sees as a historical cycle of oppression that began generations before he was born. Even as the war drags on, Zelensky lays out his vision for its future course and, through his actions, demonstrates his strategy for countering the Russians and keeping the West on his side. The result is a riveting, up-close picture of the invasion as experienced by its number one target and improbable hero.The Showman, as a work of eyewitness journalism, provides an essential perspective on the war defining our age. As a study in leadership and human resolve, its appeal is timeless and universal.''Intimate but unflinchingly objective, this biography gives you a seat at Zelensky''s war cabinet and penetrates his mind as he battles to save Ukraine''s freedomand ours'' Peter Pomerantsev, author of Nothing Is True and Everything Is PossibleTrade Review'Superb… in coming years, there may be [many] biographies of Zelensky… few, though, will better Shuster’s credentials. A fluent Russian speaker, he knew Zelensky’s team long before the war, remaining part of the inner circle when the president became the world’s most in-demand interviewee. In the invasion’s early days, he was among the few journalists allowed through the formidable security of the wartime bunker…The result is a vivid account of life beneath the ground at 11 Bankova Street in Kyiv… an elegant account of the invasion’s first year as seen by those in the very eye of the storm' Daily Telegraph 'A brilliant piece of extended reportage … Shuster’s book does justice to a complex man, who is fighting our fight as well as his own' The Times A compelling piece of living history and Shuster, who has reported from Russia and Ukraine for the best part of two decades, skilfully pieces together the transformation of Zelensky… highly readable' Independent ‘An intense, evocative portrait of one of the most remarkable figures of our era. This book offers a front row seat to history as it is being made’ Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer-Prize winning author of Twilight of Democracy ‘A narrative tour de force that takes us deep behind the scenes of the Ukrainian president’s bunker during the tensest days of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Shuster gives an astonishingly intimate portrayal of the former comedian turned wartime leader battling to save his nation – and Europe – that nevertheless maintains a doggedly honest and critical balance' Catherine Belton, author of Putin’s People

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Book SynopsisThe second in a three-part series examining the Stalingrad campaign, one of the most decisive military operations in World War II, that set the stage for the ultimate defeat of the Third Reich. By early September 1942, 6.Armee and 4.Panzer-Armee had reached the outskirts of Stalingrad, and Hitler believed it was about to fall. He ordered for the capture of the city as soon as possible, but this was easier said than done. On 13 September, a direct German assault was launched against the city on the Volga and a protracted urban battle followed amid the ruins, already devastated by massive Luftwaffe raids. Although hit hard by the initial German offensive, a ruthless and obstinate Red Army was able to hold onto the city through a costly battle of attrition that sacrificed huge amounts of men and materiel. This second volume in the Stalingrad trilogy, written by a leading expert on the military history of the Eastern Front, brings the fighting in the city to life in full visual detaiTable of ContentsOrigins of the Campaign Chronology Opposing Commanders Opposing Forces and Order of Battle, 1 September 1942 Opposing Plans The Battle of Stalingrad Analysis The Battlefield Today Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisA clear-eyed analysis of the role the United States should play in the world as it exists todayTrade Review“Lieber provides a magisterial account of American global leadership, from the Cold War to the covid crisis, and the challenges posed by ambitious adversaries, China, Russia and Iran.”—Russell A. Berman, author of Fiction Sets You Free“What is America’s global role in the 21st century? With his usual common sense and cool logic, Robert Lieber cuts to the core and describes a path that is both realistic and principled.”—Elliott Abrams, former Deputy National Security Advisor“The world cannot do without a strong and engaged America, but the United States is losing its way. Drawing on his long career as one of the world’s most prominent scholars of international affairs, Robert Lieber brings wisdom and prudence to a case for the return of American leadership.”—Tom Nichols, author of The Death of Expertise“In recent decades, the emotional impetus behind American foreign policy has vacillated between overoptimism combined with complacency and pessimism combined with resignation. In Indispensable Nation, Robert Lieber makes a strong case for a reasoned and sustainable approach to international challenges and opportunities. As the world witnesses the return of large-scale war in Europe, this book should be read widely and debated.”—H. R. McMaster, author of Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World

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Book SynopsisDark necromancers have laid claim to forsaken kingdoms and summoned forth the souls of those who defiled their oathmarks. The dead, once again, march to war. As armies of wraiths and skeletal warriors bring destruction to their lands, the small kingdoms of the Marches also turn to the spirits of the dead. Gathering the most ancient and powerful of oathmarks, they recall the spectral forms of those that died in loyal battle to once again come forth in defence of their kingdoms. With these ethereal warriors joining their ranks, the kings of the Marches may yet stand. This supplement for Oathmark: Battles of the Lost Age introduces the forces of the dead to the game. Some armies will use dark magic to summon the souls and corpses of traitors from the past, while others will recall the spirits of loyal warriors that gave their lives and willingly fight again. This book also includes expanded rules for characters, which allow you to chart their progress from battle-to-batt

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Book SynopsisThis book examines the US infantry against the Chinese Army amid the unforgiving terrain of Korea during the first real clash of the Cold War.On June 25, 1950, North Korean troops invaded South Korea, triggering a bitter conflict that drew in US and other United Nations forces in support of the South, and soon prompted the Chinese to intervene on the side of the North. Featuring specially commissioned artwork, this study assesses the US and Chinese forces that clashed at Chipyongni (February 1315, 1951), Triangle Hill (October 1425, 1952), and Pork Chop Hill (July 611, 1953), casting light on the origins, doctrine, and combat effectiveness of these two very different forces during the struggle for victory in Korea. The Chinese forces fighting in Korea were composed of experienced, confident soldiers buoyed by the Communists' success in the recent Chinese Civil War. Initially armed and equipped with much the same weaponry and doctrine that they had employed in World War II, US ArTrade ReviewThis book is an excellent introduction to readers who may not know much about this war and, for those who do, it will add to their understanding. -- John Norris * Gunmart *There are tactical maps and colour illustrations to bring the action to life, with plenty of black and white photos from the conflict. A concise analysis rounds it all off. * The Armourer Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction The Opposing Sides Chipyong-ni, February 15, 1951 Triangle Hill, October 14-25, 1952 Hill 598, October 14, 1952 Analysis Aftermath Unit Organizations Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe global financial sector is increasingly vulnerable to penetration by criminal money-launderers, terrorist financiers, and proliferators of weapons of mass destruction. At the same time, it offers instruments that can be usefully employed to pursue foreign and security policy objectives. It is thus hardly surprising that finance has emerged as an arena of intense competition, if not conflict, between those seeking to exploit or attack this vital element of state power and those tasked with defending its integrity or harnessing it for legal purposes. Navias assesses the key threats to financial systems and shows how the public and private sectors are co-operating to contain them. He analyses the main characteristics of criminal money-laundering and terrorist financing, and reviews major multilateral and national regimes locked in the perpetual battle to shore up the financial sector against these constantly evolving security challenges. He also considers the uses of finance in support of key sanctions, counter-proliferation, and arms embargo policies. Uniquely, Finance and Security views these financial threats and weapons through a security and war studies prism. It will be equally invaluable to scholars of security and international relations and to professionals working in the legal, banking and compliance professions.Trade Review‘A valuable addition to the literature on this clandestine universe.’ -- CHOICE‘This detailed work … studies the growth of illegal financial activities across borders, including the money laundering of drug dealers, human traffickers, and terrorist financers. [Finance and Security] is a necessary handbook for anyone doing international business who wants to stay within the law.’ -- Foreign Affairs'Don’t fall for the idea that finance is dry; the stories Navias tells are as dramatic and famous as any of our time – of Osama bin Laden; Mexican and Colombian cartels; and the London property market.' -- Professional Security Magazine'A careful analysis of the vulnerability of global financial systems to international terrorism and other criminal activity.' -- African Business‘Finance and Security expertly goes into the money laundering and financial crime risks that are threatening to undermine global financial systems.’ -- Michael Harris, LexisNexis'Martin Navias provides a comprehensive, detailed, and empirically rich introduction to money laundering, terrorist finance, and the various tools and instruments through which they are countered. A must read for practitioners of finance and security alike!' -- Peter R. Neumann, Professor of Security Studies at King’s College London, and author of 'Bluster: Donald Trump’s War on Terror''This is a well written and useful introduction to issues of Finance and Security.' -- Michael Levi, Professor of Criminology at Cardiff University

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Book SynopsisUntil 1945, Indonesia was a Dutch colony known as the Netherlands East Indies. In 1930, the area had over 60 million inhabitants and was a major exporter of oil, rubber, tin and quinine. It was a particularly strong trading partner for Japan, providing some 13 percent of Japan''s oil needs--second only after the United States. Following Germany''s occupation of the Netherlands in May 1940, Japan decided to expand its influence in the Netherlands East Indies via diplomatic negotiations to acquire the necessary strategic goods of oil, rubber and tin. However, the negotiations did not provide Japan with the access it had hoped to gain.Up until the mid-1930s the colonial authorities considered the probability of military conflict between the major powers in Asia to be very low and that any military presence in the colony was primarily aimed at enforcing Dutch rule. This task was mainly the responsibility of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL). This force, designed primTable of ContentsIntroduction Geopolitical developments Defence of the Netherlands East Indies: principles Command and control Organisation Infantry Tanks Artillery Air defence artillery Cavalry Engineers Signals Motor transport Medical Service Supplies Aviation Indigenous auxiliary corps Army formation Weapons Combat history Uniforms and insignia Bibliography Glossary

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Book SynopsisMy War Gone By, I Miss It So is a uniquely powerful piece of writing, unparalleled in the genre. Ex-infantry officer Anthony Loyd arrived in the Balkans hoping to become a war correspondent. He wanted to see `a real war', and in Bosnia he found one. The cruelty and chaos of the conflict both appalled and embraced him - the adrenaline lure of the action perhaps the loudest siren call of all. In the midst of the daily life-and-death struggle among the Serbs, Croatians and Bosnian Muslims he was inspired by the extraordinary human fortitude he discovered. But returning home, empty and craving adrenaline, he faced his own frailties until he could bear it no longer.Trade Review'An extraordinary memoir of the Bosnian War ... savage and mercilessly readable ... deserves a place alongside George Orwell, James Cameron and Nicholas Tomalin. It is as good as war reporting gets. I have nowhere read a more vivid account of frontline fear and survival. Forget the strategic overview. All war is local. It is about the ditch in which the soldier crouches and the ground on which he fights and maybe dies. The same applies to the war reporter. Anthony Loyd has been there and knows it' Martin Bell, The Times | 'A truly exceptional book, one of those rare moments in journalistic writing when you can sit back and realise that you are in the presence of somebody willing to take the supreme risk for a writer, of extending their inner self. I finished reading Anthony Loyd's account of his time in the Balkans and Chechnya only a few days ago and am still feeling the after-effects ... I read his story of war and addiction (to conflict and heroin) with a sense of gratitude for the honesty and courage on every page' Fergal Keane, Independent | 'Not since Michael Herr wrote Dispatches has any journalist written so persuasively about violence and its seductions in all of war's minutiae of awful detail ... an account that demystifies war and the war reporter and strips them bare before the reader' Peter Beaumont, Observer | 'Undoubtedly the most powerful and immediate book to emerge from the Balkan horror of ethnic civil war ... far more revealing and convincing than anything recounted to camera by visiting journalists and politicians' Antony Beevor, Daily Telegraph | 'An astonishing book ... a raw, vivid and brutally honest account of his transition from thrill seeker to concerned reporter' Philip Jacobson, Daily Mail | 'Chilling ... a true picture into the brutality of war and should be required reading for all those politicians who use phrases such as "collateral damage" and "surgical strikes"' John Nichol, Daily Express | 'Both beautiful and disturbing' Wall Street Journal | 'Part war memoir, part coming-of-age tale and part junkie diary, it's a raw account of the hypnotic lures of violence, heroin and danger' Carla Power, Newsweek | 'This is more than just despatches from the front. There's bloodred-vivid descriptions of the fighting, sure, but there's also the dark poetic insight of a man who's seen humanity at its worst. Loyd spares us nothing - not brains spilling out on the street, not his own bleak despair, not even the jokes - and he deserves a medal for it' Maxim | 'Magnificent ... a stench of blood, excrement, mortar-fire, slivovitz and human bestiality emanates from these pages' Ben Shephard, Literary Review | 'Battlefield reportage does not get more up close, gruesome, and personal ... The fear and confusion of battle are so vivid that in places, they rise like acrid smoke from the page' New York Times | 'Loyd's strongest writing is in his descriptions of carnage - of the sound and smell of shellfire; of the sexual release of blasting away with an automatic machine gun ... This is pure war reporting, free from the usual journalistic constraints that often give a false significance to suffering. And Loyd waxes eloquent on the backblast of his war time, a heroin addiction that begins before his arrival and becomes the only way he can survive his breaks from the fighting' Salon | 'First-rate war correspondence ... [in] the great tradition of Hemingway, Caputo, and Michael Herr' Boston Globe | 'My War Gone By, I Miss It So moves at the pace of a thriller. Why bother reading war fiction when you can read such intense reporting?' LA Weekly | '[Loyd] has written an account of its horrors that will wipe out any thoughts you might have had that we have reached the limit of the worst human nature has to offer. The monstrosities he describes are beyond belief. But the book is also compelling for what it tells us about fear' National Geographic Adventure | 'A testament to his honor and courage. And while it would be impossible for one man to tell the whole story, his book shines with small truths and larger, philosophical ones about life and war' New York Post | 'My War Gone By is a brutal yet sensitive story which addresses both the nature of addiction and the experience of war. I was struck by Anthony's work and words, experiences, and for me his is an important voice and an important book.' Tom Hardy

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Book SynopsisThe Hanseatic League was a commercial and defensive federation of merchant guilds based in harbour towns along the North Sea and Baltic coasts of what are now Germany and her neighbours, which eventually dominated maritime trade in Northern Europe and spread its influence much further afield. The League was formed to protect the economic and political interests of member cities throughout a vast and complex trading network. The League continued to operate well into the 17th century, but its golden age was between c.1200 and c.1500; thereafter it failed to take full advantage of the wave of maritime exploration to the west, south and east of Europe. During its 300 years of dominance the League’s large ships – called ‘cogs’ – were at the forefront of maritime technology, were early users of cannon, and were manned by strong fighting crews to defend them from pirates in both open-sea and river warfare. The home cities raised their own armies for mutual defence, and their riches both allowed them, and required them, to invest in fortifications and gunpowder weapons, since as very attractive targets they were subjected to sieges at various times.Table of ContentsIntroduction: origins and nature of the League/ Knights and militias, 13th–14th centuries/ Hanseatic shipping: the ‘cog’, its capabilities and influence; armed ships and piracy; river trade and river wars/ Fortified ports and siege warfare/ Introduction of cannon by land and sea/ The League in the late 15th century: the ‘age of discoveries’, from peak of prosperity to decline/ Select bibliography/ Plate commentaries/ Index

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Book SynopsisJeffrey D. Sachs presents timely and achievable plans to foster global economic growth and shift from war making to peacemaking. A New Foreign Policy explores both the danger of the “America first” mindset and the concrete steps the United States must take to build a multipolar world that is prosperous, peaceful, fair, and resilient.Trade ReviewForceful and angry, Sachs verges on hyperbole in his indictment of America past and present, but he does highlight the perils of continuing on the same path. * New York Times Book Review *His new book is entitled A New Foreign Policy: Beyond American Exceptionalism, and there is much inside to be celebrated. I never thought I would utter the words “I agree with Jeff Sachs,” let alone put them in print, yet here we are. * American Conservative *Highly recommended. * Choice *A challenging departure from the Beltway assumption that America has acted as a force for good in the world. * Financial Times *Sachs provides a broad alternative vision not only to the Trump administration’s foreign policy, but to past U.S. foreign policy more generally. * LSE Review of Books *A worthwhile read, in which Sachs demonstrates expertise on vastly different policy fields and makes a convincing case that abdicating the toxic intersection of militarism and exceptionalism is key to building a brighter future, both in the U.S. and around the world. * Global Policy *Jeffrey Sachs is one of the few prominent American academics who dares to make the bold case that the US has been on the wrong track for decades. Its non-academic style makes this book accessible to any reader who wants to gain a broad understanding of what is driving American grand strategy * International Spectator *Table of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionPart I: U.S. Exceptionalism in a Changing World 1. From Exceptionalism to Globalism2. Exceptionalism as the Civic Religion3. The Era of Global Convergence4. Eurasia on the Rise, America on the Sidelines5. Russia-U.S. Relations in the Changing World Order Part II: America’s Wars 6. American Imperialism and “Wars of Choice”7. Contradictory Promises and a Century of Conflict in the Middle East8. North Korea and the Doomsday Clock9. Trump's National Security Strategy Part III: U.S. Foreign Economic Statecraft 10. The Economic Balance Sheet on “America First”11. Foreign Policy Populism12. Economic War with China13. Will Trump Hand China the Technological Lead?14. Toward a World Economy of Regions Part IV: Renewing American Diplomacy 15. From Diplomatic Leader to Rogue Nation16. The Ethics and Practicalities of Foreign Aid17. Managing Migration and Immigration18. Achieving Sustainable Development19. A New Foreign Policy for American Security and Well-BeingNotesReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisThe ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu is universally recognized as the greatest military strategist in history, a master of warfare interpretation. This condensed version of his influential classic imparts the knowledge and skills to overcome every adversary in war, at the office, or in everyday life.

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Book SynopsisThis title explores the ships and history of the enterprising American patriots who fought the Royal Navy as privateers, and played a major part in winning the Revolutionary War at sea. During the American War of Independence (177583), Congress issued almost 800 letters of marque as a way of combating Britain''s overwhelming naval and mercantile superiority. At first, it was only fishermen and the skippers of small merchant ships who turned to privateering, with mixed results. Eventually though, American shipyards began to turn out specially-converted ships, while later still, the first purpose-built privateers entered the fray. These American privateers seized more than 600 British merchant ships over the course of the war, capturing thousands of British seamen. Indeed, Jeremiah O''Brien''s privateer Unity successfully fought the first sea engagement of the Revolutionary War in the Battle of Machias of 1775. With just 40 men, their guns, axes, and pitcTable of ContentsIntroduction Background Design & Development The Business of Privateering Life on Board Privateers in Action Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisTime is the bane of all kings. Always does it march forward, bringing change and challenges, wars and disasters, invaders and internal rebellion. This supplement for Oathmark: Battles of the Lost Age, focuses on the passage of time and its effect on a players kingdom. While wars and battle still determine their ultimate fate, many other events can affect the armies of a kingdom. Plagues and blights can reduce access to soldiers from specific territories. Attempted coups can cost a king some of his best generals. On the other hand, unexpected alliances might give a kingdom access to unusual troops, or the birth of a new heir might bring wondrous presents.Along with the rules for the passing of years, this book also presents the option to train your units to fight in special formations, such as phalanxes, shield walls, and skirmish lines. These will allow players to use their existing armies to try out new strategies and tactics to swing their battle in their favour. This book alsTrade ReviewAn amazing card game that is so full of depth and replayability, tons of variety and also an incredibly strong thematic groundwork that everything is built on. It's an incredible labor of love. * Rahdo Runs Through *The book is well done and visually appealing. * Must Contain Minis *Oathmark still stands out very nicely as a great mass battle game to dive into. My local store has gone mad for it and they're looking to run a grand campaign for the game later this Summer which was neat to see. I think they've managed to hit the sweet spot of a mass battle Fantasy game in the rank-and-flank style * OnTabletop *

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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The definitive account of the Great War and a national bestseller from eminent military historian John Keegan2018 marks the centenary of the First World War – the war that created the modern world. It destroyed a century of relative peace and prosperity and saw a continent at the height of its success descend into slaughter. It unleashed both the demons of the twentieth century - political hatred, military destruction and mass death - and the ideas which continue to shape our world today: modernism in the arts, new approaches to psychology and medicine, and radical ideas about economics and society.By the end of the war, three great empires – the Austro-Hungarian, the Russian and the Ottoman – had collapsed. But as Keegan expertly shows, the devastation extended over the entirety over Europe and still profoundly informs the politics and culture of the continent today. Pertinent, authoritative and gripping, this panoramic account of WW1 is regarded as a world history classic. ‘The best and most approachable introduction to the war’ Guardian‘Nobody describes a battle as Keegan does, vividly relating the unfolding events to the contours of the field of combat... This book is a kind of war memorial. As first-hand memory fades, The First World War honours the dead as only true history can’ Sunday Times

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