Search results for ""Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.""

The New Hawsepipe takes the mystery out of all Coast Guard and STCW 95 requirements. Striving to climb through the ranks to Merchant Marine? Let The New Hawespipe be your travel mate. This companion reference guide will take you step-by-step through classes, exams, sea time, and how to build positive relationships with Coast Guard personnel and will serve as your closest ally while you build your maritime career. Topics covered include: – IMO policy changes, STCW 95 – Setting realistic goals for completing all requirements – Gaining the right sea time for the right license – Planning, from applications to licensing – Class descriptions and expectations – Finding endorsements and expiration dates for increased job marketability – Comprehensive list of Coast Guard-approved training facilities, financial aid resources, and how to transfer from the military to the Merchant Marines – Preparation for all Coast Guard exams, including off-site and Category I classes – Monitoring Coast Guard policy changes

Read more less

Chesapeake Crimes II is an eclectic mix of mystery and murder. No sooner do the stories start than the bodies begin to fall. Fifteen mysteries written by fifteen different authors—all members of Chesapeake Sisters in Crime and some of the hottest authors in mystery today—are a must-read for anyone serious about murder mysteries. In these pages you will find Edgar, Anthony, and Agatha Award winners. Authors include Goodie Cantwell, Nora Charles, Leone Ciporin, Carla Coupe, Elizabeth Foxwell, Chris Freeburn, Barb Goffman, Peggy Hanson, G. M. Malliet, Sherriel Mattingly, Valerie O. Patterson, Judy Pomeranz, Harriette I. Sackler, Marcia Talley, and Sandi Wilson.

Read more less

Keeping a ship safe and secure occurs through the investment of time and effort by both the Vessel Security Officer and the crew. Some of the topics covered in this volume include training, drills, exercises, and recordkeeping; threat assessment and analysis; creating a vessel security plan; and maritime terrorism. The appendices contain a Declaration of Security and 33 CFR Part 104 among other documents. This text complements any security course and can serve as a training handbook for a Vessel/Ship Security Officer or Company Security Officer.

Read more less

Due to a strong industry need, many academies and technical schools now offer courses on refrigeration and air-conditioning. Marine Refrigeration and Air Conditioning introduces this complicated subject in a detailed, straightforward manner. Mechanical refrigeration is used onboard in many ways, including refrigerated ship’s stores, air-conditioning, and refrigerated cargo storage areas. Although reciprocating compressors have been the standard for decades, systems using rotary and centrifugal compressors are quickly becoming the norm. Author James A. Harbach addresses both systems and discusses the changes step-by-step. Since the 1990s, environmental concerns have had a major effect on refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. Today’s students are required to learn how to retrofit existing systems and replace entire units. These tasks are explained fully in this title.

Read more less

The Complete Book of Anchoring and Mooring addresses anchoring systems, techniques, and permanent moorings for boats from twelve feet to eighty feet in length. It covers monohulls, multihulls, light displacement sailboats, cruisers, sportfishers, passagemakers, and workboats. In short, it is for all recreational and working boats in this size range. Since the last printing of this book a number of revolutionary anchor concepts have appeared on the boating scene. These unique designs have shown exceptional performance when compared by a renowned testing agency with their contemporaries. Changes made to this revised second edition ensure its continued role as the state-of-the-art source book for the boating world.

Read more less

Children love to discover nature’s wonders, and this book will encourage them to do just that. Focusing one special area—the marshland of the Chesapeake and its tributaries—the book presents a small number of commonly found birds, so children will not be disappointed in their search. Young birders will also see how the beauty of the marsh itself changes with the seasons. The book is not a typical field guide, but concentrates on a small number of commonly found birds, so children will not be disappointed in their search. Finding Birds in the Chesapeake Marsh can spark a lifelong appreciation for the birds and their surroundings. Middle Grade: ages 8-12.

Read more less

From the time of Elizabeth I in the second half of the sixteenth century, London has dominated the marine insurance markets. This led the English to develop a law of marine insurance as well. A Chamber of Assurances was established in England in 1575, and the law of marine insurance, rooted in custom, developed through the cases decided by the courts. In the United States, marine insurance underwriting began in the eighteenth century, although British firms continued to dominate. The American law of marine insurance took its cue from English law; there was no American statute, and English legal precedents were cited routinely in American courts. For fifty years after the English law was codified in the Marine Insurance Act 1906 (MIA), it could truly be said that there was a unified Anglo-American law of marine insurance, and that English law was part of the “general maritime law” of the United States. The unity of the Anglo-American law, which was so beneficial to the international marine insurance industry, was broken abruptly in 1955 by the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Wilburn Boat v. Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co., a case that created controversies over the uniformity of the law that have yet to subside. The purpose of this work is to explore the extent of the breakdown of the uniformity of the law and to point to its cure.

Read more less

Many books document the workboats of the Chesapeake, but for decades bay waters have been home to another kind of craft: sailboats designed and built strictly for the fun of racing or cruising. This book traces the popularity of sailing yachts in the Chesapeake Bay. Here, the term yacht does not suggest a large or luxurious vessel; rather, it describes a pleasure boat of any size. The author depicts these sailing yachts not only by the details of their design and construction, but also through the eyes and actions of their skippers and crews, effectively alternating factual history with the carefree and often humorous perspective of the sailors. From early contests that involved working craft to today’s regattas and one-design events, racing boats have provided an outlet for the competitive spirit of the crew. A variety of bay cruising boats have carried their owners comfortably around the bay and beyond. And the occasional boat has succeeded in both areas, as exemplified by the famous Finisterre, a cruising design that won the Newport-Bermuda race three times in a row. Among the bay designers, Thomas C. Gillmer is known for his association with the Pride of Baltimore, a replica of the historic Baltimore schooner. He also designed the Seawind 30, said to be the first fiberglass boat to sail around the world. Other bay boats described in the book include two versions of a Tancook whaler, the Owens Cutter, the Oxford 400, and boats by William C. Dickerson and Thomas E. Colvin. The illustrations presented throughout the book—whether hull-line sketches, sail-plan drawings, or full-sail photos—are reminders of the particular beauty of sailing yachts and the special joy of yachting on the bay.

Read more less

The fast, nimble pilot schooners of the Chesapeake Bay—employed not only for piloting but also for cargo carrying—began to build their legend in the eighteenth century, becoming blockade runners during the American Revolution, privateering vessels during the War of 1812, and armed dispatch and policing vessels for European navies. They were also a favored type for the activities of pirates, smugglers, and slavers. Variations of the final “clipper” model of the Baltimore schooner continued the vessels’ reputation through the nineteenth century as both great yachts and humble “pungy” schooners carrying produce. Geoffrey Footner documents the family tree of this distinctive American schooner in both text and illustration, including hull lines from sources around the world.

Read more less

Designed for those who make their living on the sea or who navigate offshore for recreation, this comprehensive textbook introduces the mariner to each navigation and communication system and outlines its uses and limitations in practical application. An introduction to the basic theory of radio waves and how they affect system use is followed by descriptions of the various types of equipment and how they function. Especially useful for the navigator are discussions of radio direction finding systems, including radar beacons; hyperbolic radio navigation systems; satellite navigation systems, including the Global Positioning System and the Global Navigation Satellite System; hydrosonic systems; radar; and Automatic Radar Plotting. The sections on communications cover all systems in application in the marine field, including the Global Maritime Distress Safety System. Also discussed are shipboard control systems, including compasses and steering systems, and integrated bridge systems. This book also provides excellent preparation for those studying for a license examination or serving aboard ships in the military.

Read more less

Between 1821 and 1842, Charles Bird King, a famous artist, painted individual portraits of 143 Indians. In this fictionalized account, Sauncey, an eight-year-old free black, lives in Mr. King’s house with her mama, Mr. King’s cook. Sauncey dreams of becoming a grand lady with a feather in her bonnet like the ones in the portraits. One day the yard boy tells Sauncey that he has just been down on Pennsylvania Avenue and has seen Indians. Her mama says that Mr. King is going to paint their pictures. Later, when everyone is out, Sauncey answers a knock on the door—Indians! Early reader–ages 5-8.

Read more less

Maryland Loyalists in the American Revolution tells the story of Marylanders who could not engage in the passionate rebellion that was breaking out all around them. Although most were nearly as disillusioned with England as their rebel counterparts, the loyalists held their ground and refused to join in an armed conflict with the mother country. More than three hundred Eastern Shore men joined the First Battalion of Maryland Loyalists, a provincial red-coat regiment raised in 1777. Their tale is tragic. They were ill-used by the British high command and shipped off to Florida to fight England’s enemy, Spain. Many lost their homes and jobs; some were banished to Nova Scotia. Their thoughts and reasons for siding with England were brushed aside, their regiment seldom mentioned, their struggles and hardships forgotten. Using rare and previously unpublished documents, muster rolls, and letters, the author examines the words and deeds of these forgotten Marylanders. M. Christopher New has uncovered a fascinating chapter of American history.

Read more less

This book is designed to serve as a textbook for students and a reference for today’s engineering officers, port engineers, superintendent engineers, and other maritime professionals. Steam turbine propulsion systems are included, but the coverage has been reduced in recognition of the popularity of main propulsion diesel engines, covered in volume 2, and the anticipated increasing applications of aeroderivative gas turbines. Reciprocating steam engines have been eliminated. Pumps, pumping systems, and heat exchangers are given extensive coverage. Computer applications for machinery and system management are presented, including an entire chapter on maintenance management. Relevant material on international and national laws, classification society requirements, and standards, such as ISO 9000 series and the ISM code, are included in the text. The characteristics of fuels are presented along with a discussion of fuel testing and analysis, and a section on bunkering. A chapter on safety and management discusses shipboard engineering operations, shipyard repair planning and economics, and safety management. Each chapter includes review questions and references for additional study.

Read more less

The late Dr. Elton N. Woodbury had a fascination for butterflies ever since, as a preschooler, he and a friend encouraged the friend’s younger sister to sample a yellow sulphur butterfly—hoping to discover whether it tasted buttery. The toddler ran screaming to her mother, and despite being punished, young Elton developed his interest into a lifelong study. The result is a first-ever field guide to butterflies that occur naturally on the Delmarva Peninsula. All sixty-one adult butterfly species found in the area are included in the guide, which is beautifully illustrated with 132 photographs by the author. Differences in color or wing patterns between the sexes are also illustrated to aid in identification. The species accounts that form the bulk of the book include a description of the adult butterfly, the larva, and the egg, information on the food sources, habitat, and range of each butterfly. Anatomy, metamorphosis, habitats, enemies, longevity, mimicry, and migration of butterflies in general are investigated in a chapter on the natural history of the butterfly. Dr. Woodbury has shared his hints for photographing butterflies and attracting them to your garden, and his appreciation for the important place of these creatures in our environment.

Read more less

On September 26, 1981, millions of viewers watched on NBC television as Nolan Ryan pitched his fifth no-hitter. Late in the game, commentator Tony Kubek asked Joe Garagiola, “Did you ever see anybody throw faster than Nolan Ryan?” Without hesitating, Joe replied, “Sure. Rex Barney.” This is the story of Rex Barney, the man who threw faster than Feller and Ryan; and whose pitching career sped by quicker than his fastball because he could not control it. Barney became a legend as part of the most exciting era of the Brooklyn Dodgers—1943 to 1951. In his own inimitable style, Rex tells the story of his battle to control his fastball and his own life, including his struggles to overcome illness and a near-fatal stroke. Along the way, Rex takes the reader into dugouts, clubhouses, and broadcast booths to meet many of the managers, stars, and scrubinis he has known during his fifty years in baseball.

Read more less

Sally and her dog Tucker often sit on a hill overlooking the water and watch her friends sailing their boats. But instead of joy and pleasure, the sight fills her with pain and anger, because Sally is sitting in a wheelchair as a result of a car accident. At the doctor’s office, Sally meets a brave man who has discovered that his wheelchair need not be a prison, and Tucker finds a little duck with a broken wing hiding in the yard. These two new unlikely friends teach Sally that with help from others, a determination to succeed, and lots of hard work, miracles can happen. Early reader–ages 5-8.

Read more less

Tantalizing descriptions of the bay’s intricate waterways—word pictures of how they are transformed over the four seasons of the year—and an informative discussion of the bay’s geology, ecology, and human history will entice the reader to get out and poke around in and on the water. Author John Page Williams, director of special field programs for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and author of the Naturalist’s Almanac in Chesapeake Bay Magazine, writes in a lucid, easygoing style as he introduces these waterways that he has been exploring for over thirty years. He fills readers in on all they need to know about water safety, boat selection, and seamanship, including discussions on the various ways to propel their boats—motoring, rowing, paddling, and poling. In addition, there is a chapter on natural history gear, such as binoculars, field guides, cast nets, books, and maps. In the second section, the author focuses attention on a single example of each of a wide range of waterways that represent the varied ecological niches that ring the bay. These trip descriptions include information on access points, a short historical overview, physical characteristics of each watercourse and its banks, and remarks on the flora and fauna to be found there, in a narrative that at once stimulates and inspires.

Read more less

Bouncing into the weeds from the back of a pickup truck, a little blue and yellow raft begins a day of adventures on a river of the Chesapeake Bay. Originally intended as a birthday present for a waterman’s son, the raft sets off on its own. Will it find its way home? Early reader–ages 5-8.

Read more less

This book has become the definitive field guide to the Chesapeake. Flora and fauna descriptions are arranged according to the bay’s nine major habitats—from freshwater wetlands to saltwater marshes. The most important field marks of more than 500 species are shown in 350 superb pen-and-ink drawings, which make this benchmark work as beautiful as it is useful. The book is designed as a user-friendly introduction to the natural history of the Chesapeake Bay. Scientific jargon is kept to a minimum. Illustrations and text are paired to present an easy-to-use primer on the estuarine system. The book takes an ecological approach to life above and below the Chesapeake’s surface. Wetland and aquatic communities are emphasized.

Read more less

A remarkably diverse population of bird life, migratory and indigenous, lives in the region known as the Chesapeake Bay country. It is one of the finest locations on the eastern seaboard for observing wild birds. Among the cattail and wild rice, the cordgrass and loblolly, from the countryside north of Baltimore to the windswept beaches of the Atlantic, are the imperiled canvasback, the boat-tailed grackle, the secretive king rail, the fragile egret, and the evasive snowy owl. Illustrated with photographs and line drawings, this book is indispensable to bird watchers and conservationists in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Read more less

This handbook serves as a practical guide for all phases of knot techniques—both practical and decorative in purpose. Much more than a reference work, the handbook leads the interested reader to the mastery of an artistic and absorbing hobby. Common types of work knots, such as hitches, sheepshanks, and bowlines are demonstrated along with a good explanation of blocks and tackle. There are sections on sennet braiding, ornamental designs, lashings, securing hawsers, boatswain’s chair, hammock making, and various ties which provide an excellent foundation for understanding and executing general knot work and weaving. The detailed illustrations and clearly written text in this small book make knot tying easy for the beginner. More than 400 knots for all types of outdoor activities, crafts, trades, hobbies, and handicrafts are indexed by name and use, and illustrated

Read more less

The seventy-mile chain of largely uninhabited islands along the Eastern shore of Virginia is one of the last remaining natural seashore areas of the Atlantic coast. These barrier islands and bordering marshlands exist today pretty much as they must have in pristine times. Because of its wilderness aspect, diversity, and location of the islands, this region has the richest assortment of bird life in the Middle Atlantic states. The Eastern Shore is known for its numerous nesting colonies of terns, skimmers, laughing gulls, herons, egrets, and ibises; large breeding clapper rail populations; large concentrations of migratory birds of various species and for its large segment of the Atlantic brant and greater snow goose populations that winter there. This book deals with the nearly 200 species of shorebirds, seabirds, and marsh birds that have attracted bird-watchers to the area since the late 1800s.

Read more less

The M42 Duster was a tracked antiaircraft vehicle developed by Cadillac for the US Army in the early 1950s. The vehicle adapted the Bofors 40 mm AA gun to a modified M41/T41 tank chassis. Although never particularly prolific in the intended air defense role, the Duster did find a niche during the Vietnam War. The M42 was relatively small and agile, and the high rate of fire and loud report from its guns were quite intimidating. These traits, along with simple availability, resulted in the type being pressed into ground combat against infantry and light vehicles, for which it received moderate acclaim. This volume includes over 300 photos of this quirky vehicle. Every nook and cranny of the interior and exterior is shown, along with many fascinating combat photos.

Read more less

As of 2023, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is the fastest manned jet aircraft ever produced. It set the record in 1976 and has been retired since the late 1990s. With its unrivalled speed and stunning appearance, the Blackbird has maintained an almost supernatural mystique to this day. The type entered service in the 1960s as a high-altitude (and obviously extremely high speed) military reconnaissance aircraft. Just 32 were built, nearly half of which were written off in accidents. Nearly 300 images are packed into this latest entry in the Legends of Warfare series. This is a great gift for your favorite modeler, pilot, or aspiring pilot.

Read more less

How well do you really know your best friend? Use this book to find out! Inside you will find over 300 “pinky swear” questions to make you think, ponder, and LOL. From hilarious “would you rather” questions to revealing “this or that” questions, this book will have you talking, laughing, and sharing with every page! It’s perfect for long car rides, sleepovers, video calls, and hangouts. The book is organized into chapters called All About Us, Our Favorite Things, Goals and Dreams, The Tough Stuff, Relationships, and Life As We Know It. Each chapter includes prompts, questions, quote art, and plenty of room to personalize the pages! It’s the most fun way to build connections and get even closer to the friends you already have and the new ones you’ll make.

Read more less

Let’s get crafty! Join internationally renowned artist and content creator Lucia Mallea on a fun and colorful crafting journey through 24 stylish projects. From stunning paper flowers and cheerful party decorations to DIY home décor and even stylish fashion accessories, you’ll learn how to elevate inexpensive craft supplies into stunning works of art like cake stands, flower curtains, parrot earrings, statement stars, and more. Each project includes frustration-free step-by-step instructions and gorgeous photos of the finished results. You’ll discover how to choose the right tools, master basic techniques, and add fun embellishments to your creations. And the best part? This book includes handy ready-to-go templates and a bonus pull-out project. So gather some friends and break out the glue gun—it’s time to craft yourself happy!

Read more less

Discover how dreams and time-honored metaphysical techniques can transform your life. Through astrology, palmistry, chakras, and more, Dream Your Reality shows how to harness a person’s untapped abilities and learn the different facets of dream manifestation. Whether you are seeking love, a successful career, a fulfilling relationship, improved health, or spiritual guidance, inborn skills can be awakened through the power of dreaming. • Includes ancient secrets, astrology, palmistry, chakras, mantras, yantras, mandalas … and other powerful modalities to create abundance, overcome addictions, and lead a more fulfilling life. • Using the tools in this book, the reader can utilize the subconscious mind in various ways and train it for achieving physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and financial empowerment and bliss Readers will learn to use their own inborn skills and talents to create their own reality. The universality and timelessness of these proven methods can manifest what everyone desires and change lives. Unlock the information contained within your physical body, empower yourself, and create your reality by making your dreams come true.

Read more less

Everything you need to know to photograph and postprocess images of the night sky with standard DSLR and mirrorless camera equipment Ever look up at the sky and say, “Wow!”? This is the best way to capture the universe in photographs. Everything you need to know about photographing: • the moon • eclipses • the Milky Way • star fields • star trails • comets • meteor showers A complete list of the equipment you will need shows that you probably already have all or most of what is recommended, as this book is for photography with your standard camera, lenses, and tripod, not telescopes and tracking tripods. All the camera settings you need are included, as well as exact processing techniques to help you make your best images. Lots of illustrations with complete technical information will help you plan your exact strategy.

Read more less

A raw collection of photos and stories spotlighting the artistic process and dangerous adventures of a Chicago graffiti artist as he creates unsponsored works of art around the world More than 350 photographs combine with previously untold firsthand stories to offer readers a rarely seen look into graffiti art and street culture, a subculture that has grown seemingly without boundaries. Vibrant, urgent prose takes readers into the emotions and physical experience of bringing street art into existence, capturing the moments of creation as well as the camaraderie of souls bound by these acts of expression. • Each story is a real-life mini action adventure following FLEX | KYM’s trajectory from local artist to world traveler to incarcerated individual to creator with reignited passion • Underpinning the story of the art is that of Chicago and its growth into a city internationally recognized for live-action urban painting • As the art ignites a path to form global networks, the journey takes readers to New York, New Jersey, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Boston, Vienna, Warsaw, Prague, Bratislava, Catania, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Stockholm, Bangkok, Barcelona, Istanbul, Athens, and Berlin • Features images of art by FLEX, ARK, FACT, SKOL, DTEK, SPIN, HEAR, NYKE, and other graffiti artists from Chicago and beyond This visceral look at the artistic process takes readers deep inside the world of graffiti art—a subculture that is now more celebrated than ever.

Read more less

​Lovingly crafted photo book of San Miguel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site consistently voted one of the most beautiful cities in the world. From the authors of Villages of West Africa: An Intimate Journey across Time comes this stunning coffee-table book, a photographic journey through the history, culture and day-to-day beauty of life in San Miguel de Allende. This magnificently preserved 480-year-old Spanish Colonial city, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, is considered by many to be one of the most picturesque towns in the world. Sitting at an elevation of 6,400 feet on a vast plateau in the Sierra Madre mountains, San Miguel is enveloped by luminous skies, richly colored walls, lush gardens, bustling markets, joyous festivals, an extraordinary array of galleries, exquisite shops and performances by world-renowned musicians and dance troupes that color the life in San Miguel. Long time residents, architects Cathi and Steven House, have lovingly captured the beauty of San Miguel’s 17th century architecture, its people, festivals and charming cobblestone streets, shared in more than 700 masterful images and accompanying text to present the heart and soul of this impressive city. San Miguel de Allende: The Soul of Mexico is perfect for travelers, those interested in Mexican history, culture and cuisine, anyone thinking of retiring abroad, artists, architects, photographers, and anthropologists. Divided into the following sections: • Architecture • The Arts • Holy Days • People • Churches • Markets • Gardens & Plazas • Festivals

Read more less

Reveals the contemporary art phenomenon of disrupted realism through the paintings of 43 artists at its core. Profoundly shaped by the events, forces, and overflow of today's disjointed, social-media-heavy life, these artists' paintings are “disrupted” stylistically, thematically, or sometimes both. They allow us to appreciate how art relates to the "super-fast, simultaneous, almost dizzyingly paced scrolling" of our lives. • Foreword by artist Nicholas Wilton, founder of Art2Life • Features a special essay on artist Jenny Saville, who has inspired many contemporary representational artists to disrupt their art • More than half of the artists are from outside the US; includes women and BIPOC artists • Artists' comments presented in an engaging question-and-answer style • Artists include Casey Baugh, Jenny Saville, Joseph Lee, Ruprecht von Kaufmann, Justin Mortimer, and dozens more • Art writer and curator John Seed is the foremost authority on disrupted realism and is the author of Disrupted Realism: Paintings for a Distracted World

Read more less

A detailed travel guide of Cape Cod written by a local resident and expert, updated and revised with multiple new locations to visit. Within the pages of this book are tours of select locations around the beautiful Cape Cod peninsula. The author and guide is a 12th-generation Cape Codder. Readers are taken from one end of Cape Cod to the other, following succinct, clear directions, and provided with engaging information about each site along the way. There are many well-known attractions listed here, but also many less recognized spots that only "locals" would truly know and treasure: • popular beaches • historic homes • lighthouses from Sandwich • sites around the Cape via Provincetown, Chatham, Falmouth, and back to Bourne This book goes deeper into the soul of Cape Cod. It will leave the reader and visitor feeling as if they are one with the land, much as the author does. With all the locations listed in geographical order, it is possible to walk, bike, and drive the Cape, seeing everything conveniently and simply.

Read more less

This is a comprehensive history of Italian mountain troops (the Alpine infantry “Alpini” and the mountain artillery “Artiglieria da Montagna”) from the 1870s to the present. The Alpini suffered a crushing defeat to the Ethiopian army at Adwa in 1896. During WWI, the Italian mountain troops fought against Austrian Gebirgsjäger high in the Alps. This fighting, known as the war of snow and ice, involved some of the most demanding mountaineering and high-elevation combat of the modern era. Grueling mountain battles continued during the Second World War, and the Alpini remained ready to fight through the Cold War and beyond. The book addresses unit organization and development, missions, and uniforms and equipment from the inception of these units, through both world wars, and to the present. The narrative history of the Alpini is accompanied by more than 300 photographs. This is the first English-language history of this elite troop.

Read more less

This is the little-known story of the 406th Fighter Group, a famous but unsung P-47 unit in the European theater of operations (ETO) in WWII. The 406th was the first unit in the ETO to employ the 5-inch, high-velocity aerial rocket (HVAR) secret weapon. Even if not immediately familiar with the 406th, many readers will have seen a frequently published gun camera photo of a 406th FG P-47 flying into a massive explosion. The Thunderbolt was an incredibly fearsome weapon in the hands of units like the 406th, in one case even causing a German commander to surrender his 20,000 troops to the US Army without a ground battle taking place. The "Raiders" were praised by Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe, commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne, for their aerial defense of his paratroopers when they had run out of ammunition. In 2005, a Thunderbolt in the colors of the 406th was featured by the US Postal Service in the 2005 American Advances in Aviation stamp series, the only P-47 to appear on a US stamp. This illustrated history of the 406th Fighter Group serves as a historical reference for students of the air war in Europe. With many rare images and unique color profiles, the book will also prove a great resource for modelers and artists.

Read more less

The Sud Aviation S.E. 210 Caravelle was a 1950s-era French-built jet airliner named after the famed 15th-century caravela ships used during the Age of Exploration. Along with the British de Havilland Comet, on which it was partially based, the Caravelle was one of the earliest jet-powered passenger airliners. In April 1959, it became the world’s first successful jet airliner to enter scheduled service, which it did with Scandinavian Air Lines System (SAS). The S.E. 210 remained in production until 1972 and eventually retired in 2005. With its unusual rear-mounted engines, it influenced such later jet airliner designs as the Douglas DC-9 and Tupolev Tu-134. The history of the Caravelle’s design, development, and operational use is presented in detail in this book, as is its use by many of the world’s most famous airlines of the era, including Air France, SAS, Swissair, Finnair, Royal Jordanian, Austrian Airlines (AUA), United, Indian Airlines, and VARIG. Technical specifications for the Caravelle and its variants, as well as period photographs, bring to life the fascinating history of this early, and influential, commercial jet airliner.

Read more less

Anzio Annie, Anzio Express, "Leopold"; known by many names, the German 8 cm Kanone 5 Eisenbahngeschütz (railway gun), commonly abbreviated K5(E), was the most successful and widely used of Germany's railway gun designs. Twenty-four of the weapons, capable of shelling England from positions in France, were built and were used by Germany on most of their fronts, including France, Italy, Russia, and Holland. The operation and use of these these fearsome weapons are presented through 80 period black-and-white photos. The vintage photos are supplemented by over 150 full-color photos of the only surviving examples, illustrating the nuances of the construction of these massive weapons.

Read more less

Take a rare look at the artisans of the Tuareg people, who have made their home in North and West Africa for untold generations. An essential part of their hierarchical society is the group known as "Inadan"—the artists and craftspeople who make and adorn day-to-day objects, tools, crosses, jewelry, cutlery, swords, bags, musical instruments, and saddles. The artisans use local materials in traditional ways to make objects of utility and beauty. These pieces and the skills required to make them are passed from parent to child, often within closely knit family structures in which fathers, sons, mothers, and daughters work together. Through his unprecedented access to the Inadan, the author captures the fragile Inadan culture as revealed through their rituals and artifacts. To help keep Inadan skills alive, the crafters share them with you through step-by-step photos and instructions. Never-before-captured photographs by Tuareg craftsmen illustrate the materials and techniques used to create 40 objects. These objects—both functional and decorative—teach traditional techniques to modern crafters, capturing the culture and folk craft of the Inadan.

Read more less

This book goes where few have gone before, into 14 very different gardens belonging to residents of New York City. These private worlds are the work of 10 major landscape designers, who brilliantly balance visual pleasure with ecological sustainability in challenging urban settings. Design historian Lisa Zeiger tells lively stories about the designers and their plants, bringing to their work her eye for historical precedent and contemporary aesthetics. Readers will appreciate their individual ways of highlighting plant life with architectural structures, natural stone and repurposed woods, old and custom vessels, and carefully curated furniture. Although the gardens are high-end by definition, they are all respites in which nature transcends luxury. They answer to the lives of plants, and to the residents' desire for private outdoor space that enhances quiet time and social life.

Read more less

New Orleans: Elegance and Decadence focuses on the interiors, furnishings, art collections, and gardens of a handful of creative people in New Orleans in the 1990s. Dreamers and urban pioneers, they included bohemian artists, artisans, architects, preservationists, activists, antiquarians, restaurateurs, and teachers, all living outside the American mainstream. They tolerated crumbling plaster, exposed lathe, and sagging galleries in exchange for communal festivity and joie de vivre. Photographer Richard Sexton documented how and where they lived; what they hoarded, collected, and worshipped. In this second edition, historian Randolph Delehanty weaves together the history of New Orleans from the fragments he saw in those photographs. The authors explore in words and images how the combination of climate, a strongly European and Catholic culture, African influences, and the revelry of Mardi Gras have created a modern ambience unlike that of any other city in America. Much has changed in New Orleans over the 30 years since this book first appeared, but far more has stayed the same. The book celebrates the joyous spirit of this distinctive culture, an inspiration to everyone who pursues the art of living.

Read more less

A keepsake collection of maps depicting legendary and real places for the lover of literature, history, and cartography. This exploration of the "Mythical Elsewhere" explores a wide array of places, from the well known to the obscure, through the eyes of historians, explorers, conquerors, and writers across the ages. Lose yourself in the past as you travel to such destinations as Troy, the Mughal Empire, the Congo, the river Nile, El Dorado, and many more. Since time immemorial, dreamlands like these have haunted the accounts of great explorers, erudite historians, and the minds of humankind. Over the centuries, these lands have become imbued with a mysterious aura, but through the maps and descriptions in this unique atlas, they are able to be visited once again. Embark on this poetic exploration of the world, accompanied by the great explorers of antiquity and Renaissance as well as poets, scholars, and novelists of all eras. Let such greats as Herodotus, Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, and Heinrich Schliemann be your guide on this journey to dreamlike places that are sometimes imagined and imaginary but, to those who believe, always “perfectly real.”​ It's a trip you will never forget.

Read more less

While beer drinkers around the world scour market shelves for Trappist beers, few understand the enigmatic lives of the monks behind these illustrious brews. Now in its second edition, Trappist Beer Travels takes readers inside monastery walls for an in-depth look at the legendary breweries of Trappist monks. From the expansive production facilities at Chimay, to the coveted gates of Westvleteren, to the ancient sun-baked walls of Rome’s Tre Fontane, join three American beer writers as they travel the globe gaining rare access to the world's authentic Trappist breweries. This updated and expanded edition includes vibrant new and historical photographs and original artwork, as well as a brand-new chapter focused on the latest brothers to take up the craft of brewing, the monks of England's Mount Saint Bernard Abbey. Explore the histories of each abbey, their brewing traditions, details about the lives of the monks, and helpful travel tips so you, too, can plan a journey of your own.

Read more less

Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of the beach through the captivating lens of art photographer Phillip Lehans. Amid a world seeking solace during the pandemic, Lehans expertly employed pinhole photography to capture the essence of five East Hampton beaches. His deliberate choice of a slow and antiquated medium perfectly mirrored the prevailing mood of the times, offering an escape and an immersive experience in equal measure. Lehans's panoramic images skillfully evoke the tranquility and serenity that reside within our beachside dreams. Armed with a wooden camera and a manual shutter, he masterfully manipulates prolonged exposures to craft an ethereal atmosphere, where pastels dance like watercolor strokes. Every delicate nuance of nature finds its place in his compositions—a gentle breeze sweeps clouds across the sky, tracing graceful streaks of white and pastel, while the ebb and flow of tides imbue the ocean with a creamy calmness. In Lehans's mesmerizing works, we witness the infinite variations of the beach—a reminder of nature's cyclical rhythms, the passage of time, and the unfailing optimism that accompanies each new day. Allow yourself to be transported to a realm where sun, sand, and surf converge, and where the artistry of pinhole photography intertwines with the soul-stirring essence of the shore.

Read more less

In this sequel to her popular book My Heart Rocks, Amy Dykens captures her favorite beaches both at home and abroad and invites readers on a picturesque journey to explore 135 of her favorite beaches from around the world. This book serves as a visual celebration of the beauty of the natural world, filled with enthralling images and words of introspection and gratitude. Key features of the book include over 135 stunning images that capture the beauty and wonder of beaches across the globe; words of introspection and gratitude that invite readers to rediscover the magic of the natural world; a celebration of color, light, and absolute bliss through the lens of beach stones, bottle-green waves, shells, seaweed, and unique "over-underwater" photos; a virtual vacation to beaches in various locations, including the Caribbean, Cape Cod, Canada, and the west coast of France; and content that is suitable for anyone who loves the beach, from those with a favorite seashore to those with a bucket list of beaches to explore. With its rich imagery and reflective prose, Beaches is a book that inspires readers to appreciate the beauty of the world around them and to cherish the moments spent in nature.

Read more less

A sweet and endearing picture book that celebrates the magical, enduring bond between caregiver and child! Through rich colors and sparkling fireflies, the book’s message of comfort, adventure, and empowerment shines through like the moon and lights the way to inspire children to follow their dreams. Adapted from one of Jesse Terry's favorite and most requested songs, "If I Were the Moon," this enchanted tale follows the magical and dreamlike journey of Lily Grace. The moon guides Lily and her animal friends through moonlit forests and many other adventures before transporting her back to her bedroom. Safely tucked into bed with the moon still shining brightly outside her window, Lily drifts off to sleep. Was it all just a dream? Guided by a loving narrator, Lily is encouraged to fearlessly reach for her dreams, while being reassured that she is safe and protected. The moon is personified so that its power can be harnessed, while our narrator remains unnamed and unspecified, allowing the reader to be drawn into the rich and vivid fairy-tale settings, with a relatable and adventurous main character and her wonderful animal friends. From land to sea to moon to home, the fluidity and foundation of love that floats through the words will be felt by both child and caregiver!

Read more less

Finley is a piebald dachshund who just wants a new family! But with this new experience comes some very big feelings. Finley was sad. Finley was scared. Finley was anxious. Follow along with this little dog as he deals with all the emotions of being adopted. From initially feeling shy and curious to eventually feeling playful and happy, Finley slowly adjusts to his new home and a jealous kitty. Through playful illustrations, young readers will easily identify with this sweet puppy, especially the excitement he feels when his new best friend comes home for school. All pets deserve a loving home, and this adoption story leaves you feeling just as loved as Finley is by his new family. •Sweet story mirrors what a young child might feel during a similar experience such as adoption, attending a new school, or moving to a new home. •Sturdy board pages are designed for young children learning to read and encourages readers to build their emotional vocabulary in a kid-friendly, accessible format Adorable board book about a little dachshund highlights the many common emotions a young child feels when experiencing something scary or unfamiliar, and then ultimately taking comfort in the fact that when they are loved, things will be okay.

Read more less

Close your eyes, count to 10, and get ready to play hide-and-seek on the farm with Max and Moo in PEEK-A-MOO! Very young children will love lifting fun flaps to meet their favorite farm animals and making the corresponding silly animal sounds for each friend! This bright, playful, interactive board book encourages little ones to use their fine motor skills as they seek and discover with Max as he looks for Moo. Simple sentence structure and repetition reinforce vocabulary building and early language skills, making this a perfect first book for toddlers and preschoolers. • Eight easy lift-the-flaps will encourage little hands to open and close to discover who is hiding on each spread • Sturdy board book pages for reading over and over again • Surprise and delight babies and toddlers with bright artwork and funny animal onomatopoeia under each flap • Learn all about the animals on the farm, including main characters Moo the cow, Max the dog, and their friends the horse, the pigs, the frog, the goats, the hens and the rooster, the cats, and finally the ducks in the pond • The cow character Moo can be found on every spread, a BONUS seek-and-find opportunity for young readers • A perfect way for children and adults to enjoy reading together

Read more less