Warfare and defence Books
Helion & Company Carrier Killer: China's Anti-Ship Ballistic
Book Synopsis
£16.96
Shambhala The Art of War Pocket Edition
Book Synopsis
£7.59
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Frostgrave The Red King
Book SynopsisThis first supplement for Frostgrave: Second Edition offers a huge campaign filled with new monsters, magic, and treasure.Fires rage throughout the Frozen City as an inhuman army pours out of the cracks between realities. In the distant past, a cabal of city elders sought to save their lives by making a pact with a demon prince and now the Red King has come to collect what he is owed, claiming Frostgrave as his own. Many have already fled before the Red King''s demonic hordes, while others seek to weather the storm, turning their bases into make makeshift fortresses. The wizards of Frostgrave must choose--do they stand and fight, or do they abandon this great repository of mystical knowledge to the ravages of unearthly fire?The Red King is the first supplement designed for Frostgrave: Second Edition. In this sprawling, epic campaign, wizards will be pushed to their limits, fighting not only against one another and the perils of the Frozen
£17.00
Orion Publishing Co Mud Blood and Poppycock
Book SynopsisThe true story of how Britain won the First World War.The popular view of the First World War remains that of BLACKADDER: incompetent generals sending brave soldiers to their deaths. Alan Clark quoted a German general''s remark that the British soldiers were ''lions led by donkeys''. But he made it up.Indeed, many established ''facts'' about 1914-18 turn out to be myths woven in the 1960s by young historians on the make. Gordon Corrigan''s brilliant, witty history reveals how out of touch we have become with the soldiers of 1914-18. They simply would not recognize the way their generation is depicted on TV or in Pat Barker''s novels.Laced with dry humour, this will overturn everything you thought you knew about Britain and the First World War. Gordon Corrigan reveals how the British embraced technology, and developed the weapons and tactics to break through the enemy trenches.Trade Review'Corrigan brings a mass of evidence coupled with an ability to write clear, crisp, highly readable narrative...Mud, Blood and Poppycock should be in every school library' - Correlli Barnett, DAILY MAIL'A fascinating read because he sets it up as a trial by jury. Each chapter takes a specific 'myth' of the Great War and subjects it to a test of evidence. The result - even if you want to disagree with Corrigan's overall thesis - is gripping' - George Kerevan, SCOTSMAN
£12.99
Transworld Publishers Ltd The Making Of The British Army
Book SynopsisA professional solder for thirty-five years, Allan Mallinson began writing while still serving. His first book was a history of four regiments of British light dragoons, one of which he commanded. His debut novel was the bestselling A Close Run Thing, the first in an acclaimed series chronicling the life of a fictitious cavalry officer before and after Waterloo (The Tigress of Mysore is the fourteenth in the series). His The Making of the British Army was shortlisted for a number of prizes, while 1914: Fight the Good Fight won the British Army's Book of the Year' Award. Its sequel, Too Important for the Generals, is a provocative look at leadership during the Great War, while Fight to the Finish is a comprehensive history of the First World War, month by month.Allan Mallinson reviews for the Spectator and the TLS and also writes for The Times. He lives on Salisbury Plain.Trade ReviewFascinating... clear and concise... important. It is hard to see this book being bettered in the near future -- Simon Heffer * DAILY TELEGRAPH *I learned a lot -- Jeremy Paxman * OBSERVER *This is no mere paperback edition of Mallinson's acclaimed 2009 hardback. He presents a revised and updated version that no self-respecting defense commentator can risk being without * THE TIMES *A compelling history of the British Army -- Emmanuelle Smith * FT *Mallinson is surely right to stress the one enduring quality of the British Army: 'operational resilience' -- Saul David * SPECTATOR *
£13.49
Harvard University Press History of the Peloponnesian War Volume II
Book SynopsisThe Peloponnesian War was really three conflicts (431–421, 415–413, and 413–404 BC) that Thucydides was still unifying into one account when he died some time before 396 BC. Although unfinished and as a whole unrevised, in brilliance of description and depth of insight this history has no superior.
£23.70
William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company Charles Lindbergh
Book Synopsis
£18.69
Headline Publishing Group Vietnam
Book SynopsisVietnam: The Unwinnable War is a dramatic guide to the suffering, sacrifice and heroism of one of the most significant and debated periods in twentieth-century history. Expertly retold with searing imagery and accounts of the events that unfolded, this definitive visual history memorializes this controversial and bloody conflict. Also included are 20 pieces of memorabilia reproduced on the page, taken from US archives and personal collections to give an authentic and moving telling of events, from personal letters from US soldiers, US Airborne calling cards, extracts from US Army phrasebooks, and even letters sent between the Vietnamese and American governments during the fighting.See the war through the eyes of those that experienced it first-hand and gain a deeper understanding of this historical moment and its human and political cost.
£24.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Cyprus 1974
£22.50
Pen & Sword Books Ltd A History of Modern Mercenary Warfare
Book SynopsisExplores the development of modern mercenary forces from the British SAS led deniable operation in Yemen in late 1960's right up to today's War in Ukraine. Covers notable figures such as Tak Takevesia , Fred Big Fred' Mrafano , SAS veteran .Bill Scully, American Vietnam veteran Major Mac' Mackenzie and Costas Georgiou.
£21.25
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Weapons of the Viking Warrior
Book SynopsisBetween the late 8th and late 11th century Viking warriors had a massive impact not just in northern Europe, but across a huge arc from the western Mediterranean round through northern Europe and the Baltic to the Middle East and Central Asia. Their success depended in part on their skills in battle, their unique sense of strategic mobility, and on the quality of their weapons and equipment. Written by an expert on early medieval weaponry, this book examines the weapons of the typical Viking warrior, dispels some of the myths of the popular image, such as double-headed axes, and considers the range of weapons that actually underpinned the Vikings' success including bows and arrows.Drawing upon contemporary literary and historical accounts from the North Atlantic to the Arab world, surviving examples of weapons and armour, and practical experimentation and reconstructions by modern weapon-smiths and re-enactors, this study casts new light on how Viking weapons were made and u
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Oathmark
Book SynopsisA mass-battle fantasy game in which players can field combined armies of humans, elves, goblins, dwarves, and more, and develop that army over the course of a campaign. Empires have fallen, and the land is broken. The great oathmarks that once stood as testaments to the allegiances and might of nations have crumbled into ruin. In this lost age, fealty and loyalty are as valuable as gold and as deadly as cold iron, and war is ever-present. Created by Joseph A. McCullough, designer of Frostgrave and Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago, Oathmark is a mass-battle fantasy wargame that puts you in command of the fantasy army you''ve always wanted, whether a company of stalwart dwarves or a mixed force with proud elves, noble men and wild goblins standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the battle-line. Fight through an integrated campaign system and develop your realms from battle to battle, adding new territories, recruiting new troop types and growing to ec
£21.25
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Russian Battleships and Cruisers of the
Book SynopsisThis title tells the fascinating story of the development and deployment of the mighty Russian fleets, the pride of the Tsar, which went to war against the Japanese and met with all-encompassing destruction.This book examines the major warships of the Imperial Russian Navy which participated in the Russo-Japanese War. The focus is on the battleships, coastal defense warships, and cruisers of the Pacific Squadron and Baltic Squadron that fought during the war. It discusses in detail their design and development between the years of 1885 and 1905, concentrating particularly on battleships and cruisers. The book explores, in depth, the mutually influential relationship between Russian and foreign warship design, as Russia progressed from a reliance on foreign designs and shipyards towards an ability to produce its own influential ships, such as the Novik. The title also outlines the gripping operational history of the Russian warships which participated inTable of ContentsIntroduction /Design and Development /Combat in the Russo-Japanese War /Ship Statistics /Bibliography /Index
£10.79
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Ia Drang 1965
Book SynopsisThis title is highly illustrated account of the Ia Drang campaign of 1965, a key event in the Vietnam War, which was immortalized in the film We Were Soldiers Once and Young.The Pleiku campaign of OctoberNovember 1965 was a major event in the Vietnam War, and it is usually regarded as the first substantial battle between the US Army and the People''s Army of Vietnam. The brigade-sized actions involving elements of the US 1st Cavalry Division at Landing Zones X-Ray and Albany in the valley of the river Drang have become iconic episodes in the military history of the United States. In 1965, in an effort to stem the Communist tide, the Americans began to commit substantial conventional ground forces to the war in Vietnam. Amongst these was the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), a new type of formation equipped with a large fleet of helicopters. On October 19, North Vietnamese forces besieged a Special Forces camp at Plei Me, and after the base was relieved Table of ContentsThe strategic background Chronology Opposing commanders Opposing forces Opposing plans The campaign Aftermath The battlefields today Bibliography Index
£14.39
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Panzer IV
Book SynopsisHighly illustrated introduction to one of the most important German tanks of the Second World War with over 150 archive photographs plus specially commissioned colour profiles.
£14.24
Orion Publishing Co Goose Green
Book SynopsisThe most in-depth and powerful account yet published of the first crucial clash of the Falklands war - told from both sides. 'An excellent and fast paced narrative' Michael McCarthy, historical battlefield guideTrade ReviewThorough and exhaustive * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Probably the best and most detailed description of a key battle in the 1982 Falklands War ... an excellent and fast paced narrative -- Michael McCarthy, historical battlefield guide
£9.49
Manchester University Press Children Born of War in the Twentieth Century
Book SynopsisThis book explores the life courses of children born of war in different twentieth-century conflicts, including the Second World War, the Vietnam War, the Bosnian War, the Rwandan Genocide and the LRA conflict. It investigates both governmental and military policies vis-à-vis children born of war and their mothers, as well as family and local community attitudes, building a complex picture of the multi-layered challenges faced by many children born of war within their post-conflict receptor communities. Based on extensive archival research, the book also uses oral history and participatory research methods which allow the author to add the voices of the children born of war to historical analysis.Table of Contents1 Children born of war: an introduction2 Children born of war: who are they? Experiences of children, mothers, families and post-conflict communities 3 Children born of war during and after the Second World War 4 Bui Doi: the children of the Vietnam War5 Bosnia: a new dimension of genocidal rape and its children6 African conflicts7 Unintended consequences…Epilogue: children born of war: lessons learnt?Index
£26.00
Shambhala Publications Inc The Pocket Samurai
Book SynopsisSelected writings from the most influential texts of the samurai era—in a pocket-size edition. The samurai of Japan, who were the country''s military elite from medieval times to the end of the nineteenth century, were synonmous with valor, honor, and martial arts prowess. Their strict adherence to the code of bushido ("the way of the warrior"), chivalry, and honor in fighting to the death continues to capture the imagination of people today, inspiring authors, filmmakers, and artists. The Pocket Samurai contains the essential writings of the era by the most esteemed samurai and philosophers of the age, including the iconic Miyamoto Musashi, author of The Book of Five Rings; Yamamoto Tsunetomo, author of Hagakure, the best-known explication of the samurai code; Takuan Soho, the Zen priest and adviser to samurai; Yagyu Munenori, whose The Life-Giving Sword describes a deeply spiritual approach to sword fighting; and others.
£10.46
Regnery Publishing Inc Putin's Playbook: Russia's Secret Plan to Defeat
Book SynopsisWith a new introduction about the crisis in Ukraine.Putin’s Playbook is urgently essential reading. A former U.S. intelligence specialist who was born and raised in the Soviet Union explains what Vladimir Putin wants and how he plans to get it. Russia’s ruler is following a carefully devised plan to defeat the United States.Rebekah Koffler came to America as a young woman. After 9/11, she joined the Defense Intelligence Agency, devoting her career to protecting her new country. Now she reveals in chilling detail Putin’s long-range plan—his “playbook”—to weaken and subdue the United States, preparing for the war that he believes is inevitable.With the insight of a native, Koffler explains how Russians, formed by centuries of war-torn history, understand the world and their national destiny. The collapse of the Soviet empire, which Putin experienced as a vulnerable KGB agent in East Germany, was a catastrophic humiliation. Seeing himself as the modern “Czar Vladimir” of a unique Slavic nation at war with the West, he is determined to restore Russia to its place as a great power.Koffler’s analysis is enriched by her deeply personal account of her life in the Soviet Union. Devoted to her adopted homeland but concerned about the complacency of her fellow citizens, she appreciates American freedoms as only a survivor of totalitarianism can. An opportunity to view ourselves and the world through the eyes of our adversary, Putin’s Playbook is a rare and compelling testimony that we ignore at our peril.
£11.69
Profile Books Ltd War: How Conflict Shaped Us
Book SynopsisNew York Times 10 Best Books of 2020 Sunday Times best books for Autumn 2020 Guardian critics' pick for Autumn 2020 Wall Street Journal notable book of 2020 The time since the Second World War has been seen by some as the longest uninterrupted period of harmony in human history: the 'long peace', as Stephen Pinker called it. But despite this, there has been a military conflict ongoing every year since 1945. The same can be said for every century of recorded history. Is war, therefore, an essential part of being human? In War, Professor Margaret MacMillan explores the deep links between society and war and the questions they raise. We learn when war began - whether among early homo sapiens or later, as we began to organise ourselves into tribes and settle in communities. We see the ways in which war reflects changing societies and how war has brought change - for better and worse. Economies, science, technology, medicine, culture: all are instrumental in war and have been shaped by it - without conflict it we might not have had penicillin, female emancipation, radar or rockets. Throughout history, writers, artists, film-makers, playwrights, and composers have been inspired by war - whether to condemn, exalt or simply puzzle about it. If we are never to be rid of war, how should we think about it and what does that mean for peace?Trade ReviewOnly an historian with MacMillan's comprehensive knowledge, command of sources, clarity of thought, and artful writing could succeed so brilliantly with one volume on this sweeping topic. -- Robert B. Zoellick, former President of the World BankThis important book teaches us to realize the impressive way in which war invades every aspect of our society. Read and learn. -- George ShultzWar is awful but somehow alluring, dreaded but, too often, welcomed. On these pages, with her vast gifts as an historian and story teller, Margaret MacMillan explains why. -- Evan Thomas, author of * Ike's Bluff *Readable and convincing ... yet another tour de force from Margaret MacMillan -- Professor Joseph S. Nye, Jr., Harvard University and author of * Do Morals Matter? *MacMillan's book ranges briskly and fluently across the entire history of human warfare ... she is a bracingly unsentimental observer with an admirable eye for detail. -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *a lively piece of non-academic writing that brings a sense of urgency to the study of war and society. It reads, though, as if spoken. History-telling, above all the history of battle, is an oral tradition, and MacMillan is its master. The book is full of the kind of detail designed not only to make a point, but also to keep the listener alert. She might just as well have been telling these stories and their curiosities across a campfire before battle ... excellent historical exposé -- Roger Boyes * The Times *Elegant ... War is not a historical aberration best forgotten but a clear and ever-present danger for humanity. It merits continuing historical inquiry and political discussion. War is as good a place as any from which to start -- John Thornhill * FT *brilliant and stimulating -- Martin Chilton * Independent *The writing about war in history is sometimes formidable but forbidding (Homer), sometimes rambling but romantic (Churchill), sometimes searching but searing (Erich Maria Remarque). It seldom is energetic and engaging. This book is. * Globe and Mail *[A] richly eclectic discussion of how culture and society have been molded by warfare throughout history ... MacMillan writes with enormous ease, and practically every page of this book is interesting, even entertaining. * New York Times *MacMillan cogently explains via colourful historical anecdotes how understanding war means we can also understand our emotions, our ideas and our capacity for good - as well as for cruelty. -- Ben East * Observer *delightfully readable. The author wears the immense scholarship underpinning the book lightly. Her writing style is crisp and there is an enviable clarity of thought. This should come as no surprise. MacMillan's previous books, notably Peacemakers, her magisterial account of the 1919 Versailles conference, are critically acclaimed and have won several important awards. War is another fine achievement, and should be widely read by those wishing to understand how armed conflict has shaped, and continues to shape, the world in which we live today. -- Robert Gerwarth * Irish Times *
£9.99
Footnote Press Ltd The Heat and the Fury
£10.44
Springer International Publishing AG Afghanistan and the Vietnam Syndrome: Comparing
Book SynopsisGreat powers have often found that military adventurism to force their will in distant lands comes with the risk of spending excessive military, economic, and moral capital to the extent that war is no longer sustainable. Written by a former BBC Afghanistan correspondent who set up the corporation’s bureau in Kabul in the early 1990s, this book draws both from scholarly knowledge as well as first-hand insights on how the Americans met that fate in Vietnam, and the Soviets and Americans in Afghanistan. America’s 1975 retreat from Vietnam was a consequential event, prompting US commentators to explain it as reluctance to get involved in foreign wars, a mindset described as the Vietnam Syndrome. As Deepak Tripathi points out, the Vietnam experience made the Americans determined to give the Soviets their own Vietnam. The 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and retreat after a decade of occupation, represented the revenge America sought. However, President George W. Bush’s decision to invade Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks was the beginning of a long military venture that ended in retreat in 2021. Addressing an academic as well as a general audience, Tripathi explores parallels between wars in Afghanistan and Vietnam, and shows how the United States and the Soviet Union met the same fate.Table of ContentsChapter 1. 9/11 Reprisal.- Chapter 2. Overreach.- Chapter 3. War On Terror.- Chapter 4. Afghan War.- Chapter 5. Iraq War.- Chapter 6. Arab Spring.- Chapter 7. Return to Kabul.- Chapter 8. Conclusion.
£18.74
Bristol University Press Grand Strategy in 10 Words: A Guide to Great
Book SynopsisIn a world that has returned to great power rivalry, understanding the grand strategy of these powers is crucial. This book introduces ten key terms for analysing grand strategy and shows how the world’s great powers – the United States, China, Russia and the European Union (EU) – shape their strategic decisions today. Outlining the steps needed for a less confrontational grand strategy and a more peaceful and stable world order, this lively and accessible introduction shows how the choices made in each of these ten areas will determine the course of world politics in the first half of the 21st century.Table of ContentsIntroduction: No Peace from Corona – Why Grand Strategy and Great Powers Remain Important 1. Simple: But Not Easy 2. Competitive: The Other Players Have a Strategy Too 3. Rational: Reason Trumps Ideology, Religion, and Emotion 4. Allied: One Needs Allies but Cannot Always Choose Them 5. Comprehensive: There Is No Hard, Soft or Smart Power – Just Power 6. Creative: An Art as Well as a Science 7. Agile: Taking Decisions, Acting, and Taking New Decisions 8. Courageous: Dare to Go in, Dare to Get out, Dare to Stay out 9. Dirty: No Great Power Can Keep its Hands Clean 10. Proactive: A Strategy for Action Conclusion: Power to Engage
£20.89
Stanford University Press The Russian Way of Deterrence: Strategic Culture,
Book SynopsisFrom a globally renowned expert on Russian military strategy and national security, The Russian Way of Deterrence investigates Russia's approach to coercion (both deterrence and compellence), comparing and contrasting it with the Western conceptualization of this strategy. Strategic deterrence, or what Dmitry (Dima) Adamsky calls deterrence à la Russe, is one of the main tools of Russian statecraft. Adamsky deftly describes the genealogy of the Russian approach to coercion and highlights the cultural, ideational, and historical factors that have shaped it in the nuclear, conventional, and informational domains. Drawing on extensive research on Russian strategic culture, Adamsky highlights several empirical and theoretical peculiarities of the Russian coercion strategy, including how this strategy relates to the war in Ukraine. Exploring the evolution of strategic deterrence, along with its sources and prospective avenues of development, Adamsky provides a comprehensive intellectual history that makes it possible to understand the deep mechanics of this Russian stratagem, the current and prospective patterns of the Kremlin's coercive conduct, and the implications for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.Trade Review"With a sophisticated understanding of strategic culture and an encyclopedic review of recent military thinking by Russian authors, Dmitry (Dima) Adamsky presents a creative and convincing new argument about Russian deterrence strategy. This is a must-read for anyone in academia or the policy world who wants to know how Russia thinks about war."—Kimberly Marten, Barnard College, Columbia University"It is one thing to say, 'they don't think the way we do.' It is quite another to explore in depth how and why that is so—which is why The Russian Way of Deterrence is so profoundly important. A landmark work, invaluable today, and of enduring importance as a study of strategic culture."—Eliot Cohen, Johns Hopkins SAIS"Only Dmitry (Dima) Adamsky could have written this book, which brings together his knowledge of strategic culture, the evolution of modern Russian military thinking, and a deep knowledge of Russian military organizations. It comes at a time when it is needed."—Stephen Peter Rosen, Harvard University"In this rich and provocative book, Dmitry (Dima) Adamsky explores the distinctive approach to deterrence and coercion that has emerged in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Drawing on extensive research and careful analysis, Adamsky assesses the relevance of that new approach for understanding Russia's war against Ukraine."—David Holloway, Stanford University"A magisterial study, revealing the evolution of the theory and practice of deterrence within the Russian strategic community. In this insightful account, Dmitry (Dima) Adamsky excels in synthesizing the Russian approach to deterrence, and coercion, through the lens of strategic culture literature."—Michael Kofman, Center for Naval Analyses (CNA)"[A] timely and enlightening book.... [Adamsky] presents a rich analysis of Russian strategic culture focused on Russia's unique approach to coercion, which differs significantly from that of the West. This, he argues, is a product of Russia's history, culture and ideational influences."—Angela Stent, SurvivalTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. Strategic Culture and Deterrence Scholarship 2. Genealogy of Deterrence à la Russe 3. Cultural Sources of Deterrence à la Russe 4. Critical Examination and Culmination Point 5. War in Ukraine and Avenues of Future Research Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index
£19.79
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Russias War on Everybody
Book SynopsisYou may not be interested in Russia. But Russia is interested in you.Russia's 2022 attack on Ukraine saw confrontation between Moscow and the West spill over into open conflict once again. But Russia has also been waging a clandestine war against the West for decades. Hostile acts abroad, from poisoning dissidents to shooting down airliners, interfering in elections, spying, hacking and murdering, have long seemed to be the Kremlin's daily business. But what is it all for? Why does Russia consistently behave like this? And what does it achieve?Now containing a new preface to the paperback edition, Keir Giles explains how and why Russia pushes for more power and influence wherever it can reach, far beyond Ukraine and what it means not just for governments, but for ordinary people. Bringing together stories from the military, politics, diplomacy, espionage, cyber power, organised crime and more, Giles describes how Moscow conducts its campaigns across the globe, anTrade ReviewSuperb . . . coherent and eminently readable. . . . Giles brings home the causes and consequences of Moscow's actions to the average reader. . . . Russia's War on Everybody is an invaluable piece of a growing mosaic of renewed expertise on, and interest in, Russia. . . . It is a needed accompaniment to the more academic reflections on the Kremlin's behavior. . . . Giles is a welcome guide for readers along this path. * Diplomatic Courier *[Giles's] analysis of the way the current government thinks and acts should be taken seriously. He has an excellent grasp of Putin's view of the world. * The Conversation *An important book. -- Martin Chilton * The Independent *An important and timely book that covers the range of current activities of Russia's ruling regime, discussing issue areas that are only going to become more important in coming decades. * War in Ukraine: Update from Kyiv *An essential text on understanding modern Russia's role in the world, delivering a deep dive into the many facets of the Russian mindset when dealing with the West. * Eliot Higgins, founder and director of Bellingcat *Keir Giles has long been one of the most informed and consistent voices warning about the threat Putin's Russia poses its neighbours and the West as a whole, and this book is a combative and comprehensive assessment of the challenge... it deserves to be read and discussed widely, not least to get us thinking about what else we may face in the future. * Professor Mark Galeotti, author of 'We Need To Talk About Putin' *Nobody cuts through the nonsense around what Russia does, and why it does it, like Keir Giles. If anybody was still in any doubt about why Russia is everybody's problem, the answers are here. Keir Giles lays out clearly and simply why Russia's war is not just against Ukraine - it's against all of us. * Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Former President of Estonia *An invaluable and timely wake up call. . . . A thought provoking, comprehensive and excellent book that should be absorbed by all those concerned with the progression and eventual outcome of what is by now a long term struggle between Russia as at present misgoverned and a wide swathe of the rest of the world. * Sir Andrew Wood, British Ambassador to Moscow, 1995-2000 *Relevant, timely, and essential for understanding why Russia must be defeated, not only in Ukraine but in its war on everybody. * LTG (Ret) Ben Hodges, Human Rights First *A compelling text on why Russia is a threat not just to the Western world as such, it's a threat to every citizen; directly and maliciously. A threat to your way of life and your loved ones. Just because its mere legitimization is not possible without such a threat. * Pavlo Klimkin, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine *This is a highly detailed and readable book. Referenced to a high standard, the reader can really dig into the sources of information, and it is academic in its framing and development of arguments without compromising its readability. Taking a completely different approach to most books, it really digs into why Russia acts as it does, and what it hopes to achieve. This is an important distinction and adds significant value compared to a lot of more recent narrative assessments of wider Russian malign activity. -- James Burton * Wavell Room *Table of ContentsDedication Table of Contents Acknowledgements Preface to the New Paperback Preface 1. What Makes Russia Different 2. Politics: Warfare By Other Means 3. Neither War Nor Peace 4. What the Russian Army is For 5. Nobody Is Too Unimportant 6. The Willing Accomplices 7. Business, Statecraft And Crime 8. What Comes Next Appendix Selected Reading Index
£12.34
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd The Dragons and the Snakes: How the Rest Learned
Book SynopsisIn 1993, a newly-appointed CIA director warned that Western powers might have ‘slain a large dragon’ with the fall of the USSR, but now faced a ‘bewildering variety of poisonous snakes’. Since then, both dragons (state enemies like Russia and China) and snakes (terrorist and guerrilla organisations) have watched the US struggle in Iraq and Afghanistan, and mastered new methods in response: hybrid and urban warfare, political manipulation, and harnessing digital technology. Leading soldier-scholar David Kilcullen reveals everything the West’s opponents have learned from twenty-first-century conflict and explains how their cutting-edge tactics and adaptability pose a serious threat to America and its allies, disabling the West’s military advantage. The Dragons and the Snakes is a compelling, counterintuitive look at the new, vastly complex global arena. Kilcullen reshapes our understanding of the West’s foes, and shows how it can respond.Trade Review'This book should be read by everyone in uniform.' -- The Times‘Impressive … The Dragons and the Snakes is based on a formidable array of military and political sources.’ -- The Financial Times‘Interesting and provocative.’ -- The Sunday Times‘An eye-opening look at the state of strategic balance between the United States and its rivals, large and small … Essential reading for anyone concerned with America’s future on the world stage.’ -- Kirkus'Disturbingly brilliant. David Kilcullen, ever the thoughtful observer of wars and the people who wage them, captures the changes in warfare that already confound and threaten to overwhelm us. He correctly shows that we are mentally and physically unprepared for the new nature of conflict, and will likely pay dearly for it.' -- Stanley McChrystal, Retd US Army General, and Partner, McChrystal Group'David Kilcullen has produced another thoughtful, important book. At a time when some believe that the return of competition with great powers might serve as an emotional catharthis to help forget the long war against jihadist terrorist organisations, the author exposes and transcends that false choice. His ideas about how to fight for peace in a dangerous world should be read and discussed not only by diplomats, defence officials, and military officers, but also by citizens concerned about securing a better future for their children.' -- H.R. McMaster, Retd US Army Lt-General, and author of 'Dereliction of Duty' and 'Battlegrounds''Once again David Kilcullen succeeds in demonstrating how our adversaries are adapting faster than we are to the experiences of the recent past. Timely advice for defence strategists on how to apply those lessons, and to plan for the next conflict, not the last.' -- Professor Sir David Omand, former UK Security and Intelligence Coordinator
£12.34
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Stalingrad 194243 1
Book SynopsisThe first in a three-book 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.After failing to defeat the Soviet Union with Operation Barbarossa in 1941, Adolf Hitler planned a new campaign for the summer of 1942 that was intended to achieve a decisive victory: Operation Blue (Case Blau). In this new campaign, Hitler directed that one army group (Heeresgruppe A) would advance to seize the Soviet oilfields in the Caucasus, while the other (Heeresgruppe B) pushed on to the Volga River. The expectation was for a rapid victory instead, German forces had to fight hard just to reach the outskirts of Stalingrad, and then found themselves embroiled in a protracted urban battle amid the ruins of a devastated city on the Volga.The Soviet Red Army was hit hard by the initial German offensive but held onto the city and then launched OperaTable of ContentsOrigins of the Campaign Chronology Opposing Commanders Opposing Forces plus Order of Battle, 28 June 1942 Opposing Plans The Campaign Analysis The Battlefield Today Further Reading Index
£15.29
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC SixDay War 1967
Book SynopsisOn one day in June, the balance of air power in the Middle East was turned upside down by perhaps the most ruthlessly effective air superiority campaign in history Operation Moked, or Focus. In 1967, the Israeli Air Force was outnumbered more than two to one by the jets of hostile Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Iraq. Operation Focus was Israel's ingenious strike plan to overturn the balance. At 0745hrs on June 6, Israeli jets hit Egypt's airfields simultaneously, first bombing runways and then strafing aircraft. Another 20 follow-up missions were already in the air, initially scheduled to hit every five minutes. This new history of Operation Focus explains how the concept for Focus was devised and meticulously planned, the astonishing rate of serviceability and turnaround speed it required from ground crews, and how the relentless tempo of strikes shattered one air force after another. It is the story of how Israel's vTable of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Attacker's Capabilities /Defender's Capabilities /Campaign Objectives /Order of Battle /The Campaign /Analysis /Conclusion /Bibliography /Index
£15.29
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Netherlands East Indies Campaign 194142
Book SynopsisAt the end of 1941, Imperial Japan targeted The East Indies in an attempt to secure access to precious oil resources. The Netherlands East Indies Campaign featured complex Japanese and Allied operations, and included the first use of airborne troops in the war. This highly illustrated study is one of the less well-known campaigns of the Pacific War.Imperial Japan''s campaigns of conquest in late 1941/early 1942 were launched in order to achieve self-sufficiency for the Japanese people, chiefly in the precious commodity of oil. The Netherlands (or Dutch) East Indies formed one of Japan''s primary targets, on account of its abundant rubber plantations and oilfields--the latter, in particular, was highly prized, given that the colony was the fourth-largest exporter of oil in the world. Japan itself lacked any form of domestic production. The Japanese dispatched an enormous naval task force to support the amphibious landings over the vast terrain of the NetherlandTable of ContentsOrigins of the Campaign Chronology Opposing Commanders Opposing Forces and Orders of Battle Opposing Plans The Campaign Aftermath Further Reading Index
£14.39
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd Securing the State
Book SynopsisGovernments recognise that national security in the turbulent conditions of the early twenty-first century must centre on the creation of public confidence that normal life can continue even in the face of threats such as terrorism and proliferation, and of natural hazards such as pandemics and climate change. Based on his own experience in government, David Omand argues that while public security is vital for good government, the effects of bad government will result from failure to maintain the right relationship between justice, liberty, privacy, civic harmony and security measures. His book examines in detail how secret intelligence helps governments to deliver security, but also risks raising public concern over its methods. A set of ethical principles is proposed to guide intelligence and security work within the framework of human rights. Securing the State provides a new way of thinking about the cycle of activities that generates secret intelligence, examines the issues that arise from the way that modern intelligence uses technology to access new sources of information, and discusses how the meaning of intelligence can best be elucidated. The limits of intelligence in enabling greater security are explored, especially in guiding government in a world in which we must learn not to be surprised by surprise. Illustrated throughout by historical examples, David Omand provides new perspectives for practitioners and those teaching security and intelligence studies and for a wider readership offers an accessible introduction to pressing issues of public policy.Trade Review'An invaluable handbook for politicians, intelligence professionals, journalists and anyone else who wants to know what should and should not be done in the name of securing the state in an age of surprise, turbulence and implacably hostile terrorist networks that are more than capable of using the latest technology.' * The Economist *'Few books on national security become instant classics in their field. Sir David Omand's brilliantly insightful and authoritative Securing the State will be one of those. It is one of the most important studies on the role intelligence services play in crafting successful counterterrorism measures by governments, the book's primary, although not sole, focus.' * The Washington Times *'David Omand's superb book is a reminder of why state security is important. ... Every security practitioner should read this book, which distils so much experience gathered at the sharp end of security. Sir David Omand is undoubtedly one of the most able people to have served in British government since the Second World War.' * Times Literary Supplement *'We live today in a complex, unstable and interconnected world which requires expert navigation if it is to be understood. David Omand's career in, and commitment to, the security of the British citizen is beyond peer and here, in a highly readable form, is simply the best available guide to the current challenges to our safety and what needs to be done to mitigate them.' * Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT GCMG, former Secretary of State for Defence and Secretary General of NATO *'A thoughtful, exceptionally well-informed book. Essential reading for anyone seriously interested in the role of intelligence in modern government.' * Sir John Scarlett, Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) 2004-2009 *'Anyone considering the complexities of security and intelligence work in the twenty-first century will find David Omand's masterly analysis stimulating and thought-provoking.' * Eliza Manningham-Buller, Director General of the Security Service (MI5) from 2002-7 *
£23.75
National Academies Press A Survey of Attitudes and Actions on Dual Use Research in the Life Sciences
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£69.35
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Gallipoli Battleground Europe
Book SynopsisTells of the disastrous campaign at Gallipoli in 1915 when the allies failed to knock Turkey out of the war. Featuring photographs, this book provides detailed historical descriptions of the area and the events. It is of interest to the armchair historian and the intrepid visitor to the sites.
£11.69
Penguin Putnam Inc George Marshall
Book SynopsisThe extraordinary career of one of America's most distinguished soldier-statesmen.
£18.69
Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) Climate Change on the Battlefield
Book SynopsisErin Sikorsky is Director of the Center for Climate and Security (CCS), USA. Previously, Erin served on the US National Intelligence Council (NIC) and in the US intelligence community for over a decade. She is an adjunct professor at George Mason University, USA, and a visiting fellow at University of Pennsylvania's Perry World House.
£20.89
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Robert the Bruce
Book SynopsisAn honest depiction of one of the great war leaders and statesmen of the Middle Ages.
£17.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Celtic Warfare
Book SynopsisCovers Celtic warfare from 5th century BC to 1st century AD.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Fighting Captain
Book SynopsisThe Fighting Captain won third prize in the King George Book of the Sea Award in 1994. First Pen & Sword Paperback edition of bestselling hardback published by Leo Cooper in 1994. This is an incredible first hand account of Walkers career by his Gunnery Officer on HMS Starling, Walkers own ship.
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Soviet Armoured Cars 193645
Book SynopsisAn authoritative history of the Red Army''s armored cars, the quick and maneuverable vehicles which were used in conflicts ranging from the Spanish Civil War to the occupation of Poland. The armored car has an important place in the early history of Soviet armored fighting vehicles (AFVs)--they were the most important AFV during the Russian Civil War and figured prominently in the mechanization of the Red Army that began in late 1929. The 1930s saw the development and production of a wide variety of armored cars, which were used extensively in Soviet conflicts from then on. They saw service in the Spanish Civil War, in the 1939 Manchurian conflict with Japan, in the occupation of the Baltic states, and the invasion of Poland and Finland. Although many of its armored cars were lost in the early months following the German invasion in June 1941, Russia continued with its armored car development program, and the final model, the BA-64, was accepted for service in 1942 wTrade ReviewFull of detail from the mechanics to the weapons and the tactics, this work has something for all interests from modellers to military enthusiasts. * GunMart *Table of ContentsEarly Developments Stalin and the First Five-Year Plan Armoured Car Types Armoured Cars in Action Epilogue and Post-War Selected Bibliography Index
£11.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC British Escort Carriers 194145
Book SynopsisThis is the fully-illustrated story of the Royal Navy''s escort carriers which battled against deadly U-Boats during the Battle of the Atlantic, giving vital air cover to the convoys that kept Britain alive in World War II.In 1941, as the Battle of the Atlantic raged and ship losses mounted, the British Admiralty desperately tried to find ways to defeat the U-Boat threat to Britain''s maritime lifeline. Facing a shortage of traditional aircraft carriers and shore-based aircraft, the Royal Navy, as a stopgap measure, converted merchant ships into small escort carriers. These were later joined by a growing number of American-built escort carriers, sent as part of the Lend-Lease agreement. The typical Escort Carrier was small, slow and vulnerable, but it could carry about 18 aircraft, which gave the convoys a real chance to detect and sink dangerous U-Boats. Collectively, their contribution to an Allied victory was immense, particularly in the long and grueling Table of ContentsIntroduction /Design & Development /Operational History /Escort Carrier Roles /Camouflage /Life on Board /Escorts in Action /Specifications
£11.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Japans Asian Allies 194145
Book SynopsisThis comprehensive and fascinating title describes and illustrates the armies of Japan''s Asian allies in World War II, and includes rare and previously unpublished wartime photographs.During the Japanese occupation of large parts of Asia and the Pacific in 1941--45, Japan raised significant numbers of troops to fight alongside them, as well as militias to guard their conquests. The total number of these soldiers is estimated at no fewer than 600,000 men. These ranged from the regular troops of Manchukuo (200,000 men), Nanking China (250,000), Thailand, and recruits from the puppet Burmese Independence Army (30,000) and Indian National Army (40,000), to constabularies and spear-wielding militias in the Philippines (15,000), Borneo, Indonesia, and New Guinea.Many of the recruits from former European colonies hoped for independence as part of the Greater East-Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere proclaimed by Japanese propaganda, but Japan''s intentions were entirely cyniTable of ContentsIntroduction Manchukuo, 1933-45 "Nanking China," 1940-45 Inner Mongolia, 1937-45 Thailand, 1941-45 Indian National Army, 1942-45 Burma, 1941-45 Indonesia, 1942-45 Malaya, 1942-45 The Philippines, 1942-45 Other Pro-Japanese Forces Empire of Vietnam, 1945 Plate Commentaries Index
£11.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC SchweinfurtRegensburg 1943
Book SynopsisThis is a new history of the US Army Air Force''s pioneering but costly raids on Germany''s Messerschmitt and ball-bearing factories in World War II.In 1943, the USAAF and RAF launched the Combined Bomber Offensive, designed to systematically destroy the industries that the German war machine relied on. At the top of the hit list were aircraft factories and plants making ball-bearings--a component thought to be a critical vulnerability. Schweinfurt in southern Germany was home to much of the ball-bearing industry and, together with the Messerschmitt factory in Regensburg, which built Bf 109 fighters, it was targeted in a huge and innovative strike.Precision required that the targets were hit in daylight, but the raid was beyond the range of any existing escort fighter, so the B-17s would go in unprotected. The solution was to hit the two targets in a coordinated double-strike, with the Regensburg strike hitting first, drawing off the defending Luftwaffe fighteTable of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Attacker's Capabilities Defender's Capabilities Campaign Objectives The Campaign Analysis and Conclusions Index
£14.24
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC German 88mm Gun vs Allied Armour
Book SynopsisFew weapons developed a more deadly reputation than the German ''88'' in the role of anti-tank gun, its long reach and lethal hitting power making it a significant problem for every type of British and later American armour. Despite its individual potency, it was almost always utilized as part of a comprehensive system of defences that relied on a mix of weapons carefully deployed in anticipation of the enemy''s likely avenue and method of attack. Used in this way, the 88 became a particularly deadly part of the Afrika Korps'' attempts to shatter British armoured power in the Western Desert.Initially extremely successful over the course of 1941 and 1942 in Operations Battleaxe and Crusader, the Allies'' tactics and vehicles (such as the American-made M3 and the Crusader III) eventually evolved to deal with the 88''s awesome power. This detailed new book tells the story of that evolution and provides an in-depth treatment of this key weapon of World War II.Table of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development Technical Specifications The Combatants Combat Analysis Aftermath Bibliography Index
£12.59
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC North Cape 1943
Book SynopsisA beautifully illustrated study of the dramatic British/German clash in the North Sea that resulted in the sinking of the German battleship Scharnhorst.The German battleship Scharnhorst had a reputation for being a lucky ship. Early in the war she fought off a British battlecruiser and sunk a carrier, before carrying out two successful forays into the Atlantic. In the spring of 1943, the Scharnhorst was redeployed to Norway. There, working in concert with other German warships such as the battleship Tirpitz, she posed a major threat to the Arctic convoys the Allied sea lifeline to Russia. Her presence, alongside Tirpitz, forced the British to tie down ships in Arctic waters.When Tirpitz was put out of action, and Hitler demanded naval support for the war in Russia, the crew of the Scharnhorst under Rear-Admiral Bey, had to act. In late December 1943, she put to sea, her target an Allied convoy passing through the Barents Sea on its way Table of ContentsOrigins of the campaign Chronology Opposing commanders Opposing forces Opposing plans The campaign Aftermath The Wreck of the Scharnhorst Further reading Index
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Absolute Emperor
Book SynopsisFrom the late Revolutionary Wars and Egyptian campaign, to the battles of Austerlitz, Borodino, Leipzig, and Waterloo, Absolute Emperor is a mass battle wargame that provides all the rules needed to play during this period of grand armies and sweeping campaigns. Players'' armies are composed of multiple corps, with command and control being of the utmost importance, all influenced by the elan of your general. Do you follow in the footsteps of Napoleon and be crowned the Absolute Emperor or stand against tyranny as Wellington and Blücher?
£11.69
Manchester University Press Russian Grand Strategy in the Era of Global Power
Book SynopsisThis book offers a nuanced and detailed examination of two of the most important current debates about contemporary Russia's international activity: is Moscow acting strategically or opportunistically, and should this be understood in regional or global terms? The book addresses core themes of Russian activity – military, energy and economic - but it offers an unusual multi-disciplinary analysis to these themes. Monaghan incorporates both regional and thematic specialist expertise to give a fresh perspective to each of these core themes.Underpinned by detailed analyses of the revolution in Russian geospatial capabilities and the establishment of a strategic planning foundation, the book includes chapters on military and maritime strategies, energy security and economic diversification and influence. This serves to highlight the connections between military and economic interests that shape and drive Russian strategy.Trade Review'In Russian Grand Strategy in the Era of Global Power Competition, editor Andrew Monaghan brings together contributors to explore the military, political and economic features of Russian foreign policy. This book will be a useful starting point for researchers, policymakers, students of history and politics and all those looking to understand Russia’s long-term goals and sense of its place in the evolving world order.'LSE Review of Books -- .Table of ContentsForewordFlorence GaubPrefaceIan HillIntroduction Russian grand strategy and global power competitionAndrew Monaghan1 Mapping the globe and the revolution in Russia’s geospatial capabilityAlexander J. Kent2 Russia’s global maritime strategyMichael B. Petersen3 6th generation war and Russia’s global theatres of military activityCharles Bartles4 Looking to the global economy: Russia’s role as a supplier of strategically important goodsRichard Connolly5 Polar power: Russia’s 21st century power baseNazrin Mehdiyeva6 Strategic planning and management in RussiaJulian CooperConclusions Moscow’s strategy to become a ubiquitous powerAndrew Monaghan
£25.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Understanding Ancient Battle: Combat in the
Book SynopsisTraditional military history of battles focussed on the strategies of great leaders, though in modern times many scholars have discussed the ‘face of battle’, describing the personal experience of the ordinary soldier. But in between, there still lies a major gap in our understanding of ancient combat: the officer’s battle. This focuses on how units actually fought and manoeuvred in battle. Hugh Elton seeks to redress this through analysis of the interaction of equipment, morale, leadership, and terrain. After discussing source material and the general model of warfare the author follows, this book outlines by major periods what we know of equipment, organization and tactics, then shows how battle worked in a series of case studies including include Marathon, Issus, Cannae, Cynoscephalae, Mons Graupius, and Adrianople. A total of twenty-four battles are analyzed between the fifth-century BCE and the sixth century CE, covering the wars described by the great historians between Herodotus and Procopius, including accounts written by the soldiers Xenophon, Julius Caesar, and Ammianus Marcellinus.
£17.00
Hachette Books Marine Tank Battles In The Pacific
Book SynopsisNo previous book has been devoted to Marine Corps armor in World War II. Gilbert's gripping narrative combines exhaustive detail on Marine armor and combat with moving eyewitness accounts, never before published, of what it was actually like to be a Marine tanker in action in the Pacific.
£28.05
Canongate Books Letters of Note: War
Book SynopsisIn Letters of Note: War, Shaun Usher brings together some of the most remarkable letters that encapsulate the human experience of war, from unimaginable feats of courage and compassion, to unthinkable episodes of violence and horror.Includes letters by:Martha Gellhorn, Alexander Hamilton, Kurt Vonnegut, Mohandas Gandhi, Mark Twain, June Wandrey,Evelyn Waugh, Luis Alvarez, Lord Horatio Nelson & many moreTrade ReviewPraise for Letters of Note: The literary equivalent of a box of chocolates - bite-sized and pure addictive pleasure . . . The result is beautifully produced, with photographs and colour facsimiles of much of the correspondence. A gorgeous Christmas present * * Sunday Times * *Addictive, like dipping into a bag of variously tempting assorted candies, knowing that the next one will always bring surprise and pleasure * * New Yorker * *A gloriously presented compilation * * Financial Times * *As a guide to letters that deserve a wider readership, Usher's compilation is hard to beat * * Scotland on Sunday * *Quite literally the most enjoyable volume it is possible to imagine. Every page is a marvel * * Spectator * *It is hard to see how Letters Of Note could ever be surpassed * * Mail on Sunday * *Funny, tragic, brilliantly incisive, historic, lyrical, romantic and studiedly offensive, this stupendous compendium of letters ancient and modern is my book of the year. You will never tire of it -- Stephen FryIt is inspiring, and often sad, funny, and occasionally quite surreal * * GQ * *A wonderful collection of magical missives . . . It'll have you reaching for pen and paper * * Evening Standard * *A truly extraordinary reading experience * * Big Issue * *
£6.99
