Böcker av John Pike

Historical narrative and chronicle of struggle for mastery of Europe.

A forensic study of Vietnam's war, imperial history and international relations in the years following the Second World War.A forensic study of war, imperial history and international relations, following the Second World War and leading into the Cold War and defeat of Western imperialism in Asia. And above all, the story of the pivotal battle and French defeat at Dien Bien Phu. It shows France's revanchist attempt to regain imperial 'glory' in her former Asian empire following humiliation in the Second World War - defeat and Vichy. The effort was spurred by de Galle's chauvinism and desire to recover France's honour and reputation, after so many humiliations by friend and foe. The Communist led Vietminh, were guided to victory by ruthless revolutionary Ho Chi Min - far from the attractive 'Uncle Ho' who is revered as a communist saint in contrast to louche playboy emperor Bao Dai - and the very able General Giap. Communist strength in rural Vietnam society - the Vietminh represented a nation in arms - was backed by supplies from Communist China and the Soviet Union. It was an existential struggle on the French side - the end of cafe society, and the gravy train for planters, officials, the military, and politicians. Military matters including General Giap's strategy and tactics are analyzed in detail, but it was a 'soldiers' war', told at ground-level, and readers will feel the heat and fear of battle, be shocked at war crimes, and intrigued by the tales of Graham Greene et al. The global importance was not lost on the powers following exhaustion from world war and in the shadow of the Cold War. All great leaders were involved, Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Churchill, Stalin, Khruschev, Chou En-Lai and Mao Zedong, Under the shadow of the A bomb, a negotiated peace and first detent of the Cold War would end in the sumptuous salons of Geneva.

The conflict, personal rivalry and contrast in personality, generalship and command, between the two iconic commanders in the Thirty Years War, King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden for the Protestant powers, and Albrecht von Wallenstein, Duke of Friedland.

From one of America's favorite artists comes one of the most popular watercolor books ever written. Drawing upon a lifetime of perfecting the craft he loves, Pike provides artists at all levels of expertise with information on everything from choosing a brush to producing a variety of washes. Abundantly illustrated with 166 paintings.

The principal aim of this book is to help practising managers to develop and implement a strategy for the introduction of Total Quality Management (TQM) within their own organizations. It provides a practical guide to the stages, key considerations and potential pitfalls of implementation.