Böcker utgivna av Pen & Sword Books Ltd

After four years of fighting and two major victories, Julius Caesar had the upper hand in the Third Roman Civil War and had control of Rome itself. Yet despite this success, his surviving opponents still fought on, with the two sons of Pompeius Magnus taking command of the war against Caesar, along with Titus Labienus, previously one of Caesars' own trusted subordinates. This opposition made another stand at Munda in Spain, which proved to be the final battle of Caesar's career, and the closest he came to defeat. Gareth Sampson describes the campaigns that set the context for the battle and analyses in detail the opposing commanders and their forces, their relative strengths and weaknesses, organization, equipment, and tactics. The battle itself is recounted in detail through its various phases before considering the aftermath of the victory which saw Caesar's victory unravel almost immediately, leading to his downfall on the Ides of March.

About 10 years ago a chance encounter led Bandy to be entrusted with a treasure trove of wartime notes, photos, paintings and ephemera that coalesced themselves into the memoirs of a WW2 RAF Nursing Orderley, LAC Harold Scrafield. A story unfolded through these papers of an older call up, wartime nursing, and travel through the Mediterranean area during the war. Further research found that one of "Scra's" postings was to a secret medical mission in Yugoslavia. This was Maj Lindsay Rogers' SOE medical expedition to Titos Partisans organised by Fitzroy Maclean. Of course, this is not described as such in his writings, just as a trip from Bari to Yugoslavia via landing craft, and "escape by HM Gunboat" back to Ancona in Italy. Included inside are many of Scra's original and unpublished photos, and an amount of his pictures of the partisans both in Yugoslavia and at Bari. Nursing at the Frontline tells of his entry into Carthage, initially sleeping on the hastily dug graves of the German defenders, the story of the units hosts, the White Sisters and the mostly unknown day to day routine of the an RAF Mobile Field Hospital. Scra also finds himself with air operational squadrons, finds time to photograph before and after pictures of the bombing of Monte Cassino, and to deal with death. Now, over 40 years since Scra wrote down his memoirs in long hand, almost 80 since the events he describes and 10 years since Bandy was entrusted with them,  they are published to make for a fascinating read. From Carthage and the White Sisters to the events in Yugoslavia that Scra was involved with. These memoirs take you into the under reported and little known world of the wartime male RAF Nursing Orderly at the sharp end.

In the early 1960s, Japanese firm Yamaha, previously known as a musical instrument maker, took their first faltering steps into the arena of top flight motorcycle racing. They were comparative latecomers in this world, but soon made stars of riders like Phil Read and Bill Ivy. Their two-stroke engines developed quickly, and within a few short years they were challenging rivals Honda for the top places in the world's most prestigious race, the Isle of Man TT. By the early 1970s, Yamaha had emerged from the shadow of their competitors to dominate Grand Prix motorcycle sport with their TZ models. More than this though, Yamaha democratised racing by building a machine that was both capable of winning, and also within the reach of any aspiring motorcycle racer. The engine was so versatile - and so effective - that it even lent itself to powering three wheeled machines, and a clutch of sidecar World Championships also fell to Yamaha as a result. The biggest names of the decade - Grant, Mortimer, Williams, O'Dell and Taylor - wrote their names in the TT history books under the Yamaha banner.

Having their origins in the Army of Louis XIV, the dragoons were originally mounted infantry. During the wars of the 1e Empire, they became 'jacks of all trade' equally capable as fighting as battle cavalry, scouting or operating as infantry. Yet, precious few studies have been made of the dress of these thirty regiments or of the ten regiments of lancers which evolved from the dragoons in 1811. The dress and equipment of each regiment of dragoons and lancers in Napoleon's army is analysed and portrayed here with greater accuracy than previously possible. This is because renowned Napoleonic author, Paul Dawson has been granted access to over 1,000 archive boxes, found in the Service Historique de l'Armée de Terre in Paris and the Archives Nationales. These have enabled the author to assesses how the wide ranging 1806 uniform regulations and the more famous Bardin regulations were adopted in practice. This vast resource, as yet untapped by the majority of researchers and historians for understanding the Napoleonic era in general, provides detail never before revealed to the general public. This is possible because every year a regiment would be inspected, and the condition of the uniforms assessed. A return of all the clothing to be disposed of was made, and the appropriate number of new items ordered. Items of clothing and equipment needing repair was also recorded, as was how many items had been repaired since the last inspection. Upon joining a regiment, the recruit was given his first full set of clothing and equipment, which came from stoppages in his pay. Each item of clothing had a specified life. If the items needed repair or replacement inside the prescribed period due to misuse the cost was borne by the soldier. All of this was recorded. There was an annual quota of money available to a colonel to pay for clothing renewals and repairs for his regiment. In addition, the regimental Council of Administration drew funds to buy raw materials, equipment and headdresses. These funds also covered sundry items such as the epaulettes of the adjutant-sous-officiers, lace for rank stripes, service chevrons, musicians and drummers lace, plumes and pompoms, such is the remarkable level of detail these records contain. These invaluable sources provide bias free empirical data from which we can reconstruct the life story of a regiment, its officers and above all its clothing. In addition to the official records, the author has constructed how the regiments were dressed from diaries, letters, and even cases of fraud. As well as providing the recorded details, this book shows in scores of beautiful illustrations exactly how each regiment appeared. These images include period paintings as well as works specifically commissioned for this book, plus unique photographs of existing items of uniform. Now, for the first time since the days of Napoleon, we can say exactly what was worn by Napoleon's cavalry.

Today Trooping the Colour gathers crowds of tourists; along with the pomp and ceremony it is an event filled with tradition that spans many hundreds of years. In that history lies duty, a call to arms, and a rallying in battle. The regimental colours were presented to the soldiers daily so that they would recognize it in the melee of battle and rally toward it. In 1748 the Grenadier Guards began this tradition, also called the Kings Birthday Parade, which is now held annually at Horse Guards Parade in London. Boots, buckles and busbies gleaming, formations perfect and eyes right, Trooping the Colour is the culmination of months of hard work by the staff of the London District and the Royal Household, without whom state ceremonial and public duties would not exist. From regimental bands and gun salutes to Lord Lieutenants and Yeoman, it is the personalities and traditions that make the history of ceremonial duties so colourful. Trooping the Colour describes the histories of the key personalities and units of the London District, the Royal Household. Their histories are intertwined in one of the most complex narratives of the modern age. It describes the numerous moments, stories and traditions behind the many appointments that produce some of the most awe-inspiring displays now taken for granted. The book examines those defining moments in contemporary British history when planning and experience have delivered breathtaking spectacles of grandeur enjoyed by billions of people around the globe. Though it's not all parades and pomp though, these fine regiments have served with distinction in battles across the world and through time. This book explores London's Ceremonial Regiments at war and on parade.

For centuries women's history has been dismissed, or ignored entirely. Women make up half of society, and yet few pages have been written about women's history, their lives, and contributions. It is time to redress this imbalance and recognize the significant involvement and impact women have had throughout history. Enter the Georgian period, hailed as the Age of Enlightenment. Amidst a backdrop of cultural blossoming, intellectual fervour, and the whirlwind of the Industrial Revolution, society underwent seismic shifts politically, socially, and technologically. However, for women, the landscape remained largely unchanged; the expectations of domesticity, marriage, and motherhood persisted as steadfast norms. Embarking on a journey through diverse backgrounds, from aristocracy to enslavement, this book introduces ten remarkable women who defied societal norms during the Georgian period. Among them are political activists, social reformers, a literary luminary, a pioneer in palaeontology, and a mathematical prodigy. These trailblazers dared to pursue careers, passions, and lifestyles deemed scandalous by societal standards, challenging the status quo and carving out paths of empowerment in a world reluctant to grant them their due recognition. Each embodies the spirit of feminism, resisting the grip of patriarchy and leaving an indelible mark on history.

For over 70 years, from 1643 to 1715, Louis XIV fought a series of increasingly bitter wars with the Dutch, the Spanish, the British and the Austrians. During his long reign France was the foremost power in Europe and the king used his military and economic strength to expand French territory to the north into the Low Countries, to the Rhine, and south to the Pyrenees. To enable this expansion, and defend it against the powerful armies that combined to oppose him, he depended on a select group of exceptional commanders - remarkable men close to the throne, who held the prestigious title of Marshal of France. These are the distinguished soldiers James Falkner focuses on in this perceptive and original study, and their colourful careers and long-reaching campaigns give us a fascinating insight into the European warfare of the period and into their relationship with their master, the Sun King. Among them are Turenne, the pre-eminent commander of the early years of Louis's reign; Luxembourg who never lost a battle; elegant Villeroi who confronted the Duke of Marlborough at the Battle of Ramillies; Boufflers, famous for his defence of Lille; Villars who remarkably outwitted and defeated Prince Eugene; Tallard, who endured catastrophe and capture at the Battle of Blenheim; Berwick, James II's illegitimate son, the English Marshal; and brawling Vendôme who, though defeated at Oudenarde, later triumphed against the British and Austrians in Spain. Their skill as commanders and their qualities of leadership during a turbulent era in European history are a primary focus of James Falkner's absorbing book, but he also looks at them as remarkable and varied individuals who expressed the military spirit of their age.

"We must be careful with Occam's Razor, lest we cut ourselves on our own blades."In How to Solve True Crime: Occam's Razor and the Limitations of Simplicity in Investigations, we delve into the intriguing realm of criminal investigations where the seemingly straightforward principle of Occam's Razor is both a guiding light and a potential pitfall. Venture on an intellectual journey that explores the delicate balance between simplicity and complexity in unravelling mysteries, as the razor-sharp tool of Occam's Razor is wielded with both precision and, at times, with unintended consequences. This compelling non-fiction work meticulously dissects a collection of lesser-known true crime cases, skilfully examining instances where Occam's Razor was either masterfully applied or regrettably misused. Through riveting narratives and insightful analysis, discover how pursuing the simplest explanation can lead investigators astray, leaving crucial details and alternative scenarios overlooked. From high-profile investigations to obscure and overlooked cases, How to Solve True Crime uncovers the hidden nuances of Occam's Razor, shedding light on its power to illuminate truth and its potential to obscure it. Prepare to be captivated by the untold stories behind the scenes of criminal justice, as this book challenges preconceptions and questions the simplicity that often shrouds the complexities of true crime.

The men and women who found themselves responsible for Tudor princes and princesses were chosen for a variety of reasons and came from different backgrounds. The outcome of their labour was almost as varied. These are the stories of the men and women who moulded the Tudors and what happened to them in the throne's shadow. Amongst their number were gentlewomen, veterans of the Wars of the Roses, a Plantagenet princess, Welsh speakers, royal uncles and the children of convicted traitors. For some, there were rewards, pensions and preferment. For others, there was only disaster. For those who sought power themselves, including Edward VI's guardians Edward Seymour and John Dudley, the executioner's axe awaited. Jasper Tudor protected his nephew Henry Tudor during thirteen difficult years in exile, fulfilling the role of bodyguard, secret agent and adviser. Lady Margaret Beaufort advised on the birth, education and marriages of her grandchildren. Princes and princesses were reared from infancy by women whom the ruling monarch could trust. Mother Jak and Sybil Penn became surrogate mothers. Governesses, including Margaret Countess of Salisbury and Lady Margaret Bryan, were loyal, kind and protective. Others, like Anne Shelton, were appointed to make the lives of their royal charge a misery. It was left to Katherine Parr, a strongminded intelligent woman, to exercise her right as Henry VIII's queen to take a close personal interest in the education of her step-children. Faced with dysfunctional families and turbulent times, governors and governesses faced imprisonment, execution or ruin on behalf of their royal charges. But the rewards were worth the risk.

London has always been a major transport hub. Indeed, it owes its origins to being the location in ancient times of what was then the lowest bridging point of the River Thames. From the 1830s to 1914 it became the focal point of Britain's railway system. In that time a railway network of extraordinary complexity developed, serving the needs of London's citizens and providing access for huge numbers of visitors of all kinds. Here we consider some of the ways in which the railways contributed to London's transformation into a world city, perhaps THE world city of the Victorian and Edwardian period. With an emphasis on the social impact of the railways, the book examines, among other issues, how they contributed to the growth of suburbia, helped to provide London with vital supplies of food and fuel, the way in which the Underground made it quicker and easier to move about, produced huge, luxurious hotels and spectacular bridges and destroyed some of the capital's worst slums. London has always had an underbelly and the coming of the railways created new opportunities for criminal activity. In fictional crime, Sherlock Holmes made frequent use of the railways. Artists found in railways a source of inspiration for their works. Above all, the railways broke down regionalism and helped to develop and reinforce the domination of London over Britain's political and cultural life.

Mary Tudor, Henry VIII's sister, lived a remarkable life. A princess, duchess and queen, she was known as the English Rose for her beauty. Mary Tudor, Queen of France, aims to explore the life of one of the few who stood up to Henry VIII and lived to tell the tale. Henry VIII is well known, but his larger-than-life character often overshadows that of his sisters. Mary Tudor was born a princess, married a king and then a duke, and lived an extraordinary life. This book focuses on Mary's life, her childhood, her relationship with Henry, her marriages and her relationship with her husbands. Mary grew up in close proximity to Henry, becoming his favourite sister, and later, after her marriage to the French king, she married his best friend, Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. The events impacting the siblings will be reviewed to examine how they may have changed and shaped their relationship.

"This book tells of the awe in which the veterans of World War 2 were held by the post war generation, the close bonds of trust and loyalty within tank crews and the deep respect, often expressed through humour, between tanks and infantry. It also gives a human feel for the early Cold War conditions in the British Army of the Rhine."**- Brigadier Gavin Thompson, Colonel Commandant, The Royal Tank Regiment**Jim (James) Selway, a subaltern with the Royal Tank Regiment in the Korean War - relates a young officer's experiences from 1949 until his retirement from the army in 1959, initially as a Tank Troop Commander and later as B Squadron's 'Battle Captain'. Jim's hard-earned experience of soldiering in combat and peacetime gives a rare and fascinating flavour into the life of an RTR officer. In Part One, Jim Selway writes about his initial service and training in the Post-war British army. He recalls the disappointment of Officer training which didn't capitalise on real world lessons and the vastly more valuable training environment within the regiments. He talks about the experience of preparing for and travelling to a distant misunderstood war and his experiences on the ground as a troop commander in Korea, the last time British and United Nations forces held off an numerically overwhelming, politically indoctrinated but technically inferior force. The motto of the Royal Tank Regiment is 'Fear Naught' and Jim's account will show how the Regiment lived up to it in the face of what Brigadier Brian Parritt vividly described as 'Chinese Hordes and Human Waves' in his book on the conflict. Following the unrestrained fighting in Korea, Part Two of his memoirs describes, through the lived experience of postings to Suez, Britain, Germany and Norway, how budgetary constraints and the challenges of the Cold War diluted the focus of the army from operational excellence with the requirement to maintain morale. Jim argues that the brass's insistence on various values, particularly the retention of sporting traditions, helped overcome the disappointments and challenges of 'budget' soldiering in a peacetime army. Technology may have changed much since the 50s, but this deeply personal memoir provides insight into the leadership styles and challenges faced by a generation long exposed to war and remains relevant for soldiers today. We should neither forget nor underestimate the value of their experience and knowledge.

The book you hold in your hands is not a standard whisky book. Of course, it does contain information that can be found in countless other books on the subject, such as tasting notes, distillery histories and the general development of the golden liquid we all adore. A whisky book that did not contain such information would be odd indeed, but the emphasis in the following narrative is very much on the darker history of the drink. Whisky noir, if you please. Within these pages can be found cannibals, ghouls and ghosts - unlikely tales that all have one thing in common; whisky. Not just whisky, though, for we are delving deep into the amber gold and turning over a history that has never been told. Until now. Interspersed with whisky quotes, some well-known, other's more obscure, with this book to hand the reader will never be without an interesting snippet of conversation when sharing a whisky with friends.

Sometime before 1518 Edward Seymour, the brother of Queen Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII, married Catherine Filliol. Catherine gained connections in the highest echelons of Tudor society and Edward the prospect of a large inheritance. It should have been a match made in heaven, but instead, within a decade, they were engulfed in uncertainty and scandal. Catherine was repudiated, and the two sons she had borne her husband eventually disinherited. The nature of this scandal is unclear but later historians accused Catherine of an affair with her father-in-law. Her exact fate remains uncertain, but by 1535, Edward was free to marry again, and he turned his attention to another heiress, Anne Stanhope, who would, in her own way, prove to be just as scandalous. Katherine Parr would call Anne "that hell", but she was strong, opinionated and fiercely intelligent. A friend of Anne Askew, a connection that almost cost her her life, Anne lived to see her brother-in-law, her half-brother, and her husband go to the block. Imprisoned in the Tower herself she managed to keep her head and ultimately emerged wealthy and powerful, dying peacefully on the 16th April 1587 at Hanworth Palace. Anne was the ultimate Tudor survivor.

The ShipCraft series provides in-depth information about building and modifying model kits of famous warship types. Lavishly illustrated, each book takes the modeller through a brief history of the subject class, highlighting differences between sister-ships and changes in their appearance over their careers. This includes paint schemes and camouflage, featuring colour profiles and highly detailed line drawings and scale plans. The modelling section reviews the strengths and weaknesses of available kits, lists commercial accessory sets for super-detailing of the ships, and provides hints on modifying and improving the basic kit. This is followed by an extensive photographic survey of selected high-quality models in a variety of scales, and the book concludes with a section on research references - books, monographs, large-scale plans and relevant websites. This volume covers the five ships of the highly successful Queen Elizabeth class, a design of fast battleship that set the benchmark for the last generation of dreadnoughts. Since its first publication in 2010 this popular class has been the subject of many new kit releases and these, and related accessories, are covered in depth in this revised edition. LES BROWN is a leading light in the Small Warships Group of the IPMS and the editor of their newsletter. He is the author of a number of titles in the ShipCraft series, including two on British light cruisers, and, with John Lambert, he produced two larger works, one on 'Flower' class corvettes and another on Allied torpedo boats. He also wrote the volume on Black Swan Class Sloops in Seaforth's 'Original Builders' Plans' series.

There's no such thing as a quiet year in video games, and 2024 has been no different. For players, a steady stream of high-profile game releases has meant there's always been something new to play regardless of what console, handheld, PC or mobile device they were using. Meanwhile, behind the scenes 2024 has been one of the most turbulent years in the history of the games industry, with widespread job losses, studio cuts, acquisitions and other controversies. Video Games Chronicle, the expert source for video game news, has covered 2024's goings-on every step of the way, and this book summarises the entire year in one handy volume. Designed like an old-school games magazine, this book presents the VGC website's best coverage of 2024 in a more traditional format. Our News section takes you through all the major stories that took place throughout the year, allowing you to relive every moment (for better or worse). Our Reviews section contains every notable VGC game review from 2024, 'remastered' and presented to you in physical form (we're big on preservation, you see). Our Features section offers some of our best long-form articles from the past year. Finally, our Previews section takes a look at some of the games coming in 2025. The world of online games media is a fast-moving one, and news and reviews usually arrive at breakneck speed then disappear from our consciousness to be replaced with the latest stories. With this book, we hope to provide a more permanent summary of the year, while also harking back to the days of the games magazines we loved so much.

From the start of the war on the Eastern Front, Hitler's Ostheer, his Eastern Army, would wage a vernichtungskrieg, or war of annihilation, in the East. Never before had such a wide-reaching campaign been fought. Preparations for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union had included the drawing up of plans and allocation of resources to secure the newly conquered territories. These plans included the premeditated murder of many innocent civilians. Adolf Hitler said as much when in July 1941, shortly after Stalin ordered the formation of partisans, he told his Army High Command: 'This partisan war has some advantage for us; it enables us to eradicate everyone who opposes us.'Anticipating resistance to Nazi occupation and rule, Hitler instructed the Ostheer to act ruthlessly, not only on the front lines but in the rear areas as well. When, in July 1941, Stalin ordered partisan forces to be created, the stage was therefore set for the largest and most savage conflict ever waged between a modern military force and a guerrilla army. The scale of the partisan and anti-partisan war on the Eastern Front was as costly and bitterly fought as the struggle on the front lines themselves. Employing thousands of primary source documents and scouring eight separate state archives in six countries over a twenty-two-year period, Antonio J. Muñoz has produced what can be described as a definitive account of this part of the war behind the front lines in the East during the invasion of the Soviet Union. From the very beginning, the Nazis fought this war ruthlessly, by eliminating not only actual guerrillas, but a good portion of the civilian population. Employing dozens of wartime anti-partisan operational instructions, plus newly-created detailed battle maps and full orders of battle, Dr. Muñoz brings this little-known conflict behind the lines into focus for the very first time. The war behind the lines is detailed by district. This includes the Reichskommissariat Ostland region, which comprised the Generalbezirk Estland (Estonia), Generalbezirk Lettland (Latvia), Generalbezirk Litauen (Lithuania), Generalbezirk Bialystok (Northeastern Poland), and Generalbezirk Weißruthenien (Belarus). The book also covers the guerrilla and anti-partisan war in the Reichskommissariat Ukraine (Ukraine region) as well as in north, central and southern Russia. For Russia proper, anti-partisan operations against the guerrillas are broken down by army group area. Not only are the operations described, but the reader will also learn about guerrilla attacks and how the entire partisan movement grew from year to year, and region to region. Hitler's War Against the Partisans During Operation Barbarossa documents the whole of the beginning of the savage partisan war between June 1941 and the spring of 1942. Never before has every major, and some minor, anti-guerrilla operation been described in such detail.

London's Royal Parks are among its most beautiful and beloved spaces: just as much as the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace or St Pancras Station, the mere mention of Hyde Park or Greenwich Park is enough to evoke the capital in all its glory for residents and tourists alike. They have a magnificent history - some were royally owned as far back as the Norman conquest, others were acquired by Henry VIII during the Reformation and were great hunting grounds for successive monarchs - and since being opened to the public, they have hosted some of London's great events, including the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park and innumerable jubilees, international games and competitions and celebrations. Today, the Royal Parks are visited by over 77 million visitors. But what are the ingredients of these magnificent green spaces? We often think of wider landscapes of trees, grass, lakes, meandering footways, bedding displays and herbaceous borders. But the Royal Parks are much more than this. Defined as 'parkitecture', we find royal palaces, stately homes, villas, monuments, memorials, statues of national figures and war heroes, public art, often controversial yet inspiring, sculpture, bandstands, gates and railings of exquisite designs, fountains, refreshments rooms, lodges and pavilions, bridges and boathouses. Each of the Royal Parks is defined by its 'parkitecture', from the formality of Regent's and St James's Parks to the rurality of Bushy and Richmond Parks. This new book is a long overdue complete celebration of the many buildings and monuments of London's Royal Parks with over 250 beautiful illustrations.

Before the rise of Rome, the Greeks and Carthaginians were, for centuries, the two most powerful nations of the Western Mediterranean. From the Pillars of Hercules to Sicily and Cyrenaica, the Greeks and the Carthaginians founded cities, created trade routes, interacted with each other as competitors and collaborators, and often went to war. However, the long conflict between the Western Greeks and the Carthaginians has been neglected by modern historians, even though the wars between them are definitely among the greatest, longest, and most dramatic clashes of great powers in history when it comes to the historical breadth and the forces involved. Sotirios Drokalos gives these epic events the attention they deserve. The competition and conflicts between Greeks and Phoenicians in the West began by the time of the first colonizations during the eighth century BCE and the development of the cultural and economic activity of the two cultures. They intensified after the Greek colonies' consolidation and Carthage's rise as the most significant Phoenician city and a commercial empire during the sixth century BCE. Especially from the beginning of the fifth century BCE and for the next roughly 200 years, the Western Mediterranean was the field of a ruthless bipolar confrontation between the Greeks of the West and the Carthaginians, marked by the actions of remarkable personalities of the ancient world. This historical clash, apart from the vast and bloody battles, the invasions of one side by the other, the sieges and the mass slaughters, also included elements of cultural interaction and exchange, consisting essentially of a practical test of constitutions, social systems, and political views. Under this prism, studying that tumultuous era could be necessary today to better understand Mediterranean and European historical evolution.

Anyone familiar with WWII studies in the Pacific will recognize the name Eugene B. Sledge. The author, who corresponded with Sledge 30 years ago, shared the experience of serving on Peleliu in the Palau Islands. Sledge was part of the 1st Marine Division, which led the assault. Within six weeks, the division was decimated, suffering 60% casualties. The 81st Infantry Division was then deployed to secure the island, followed by the 111st Infantry for cleanup operations. This memoir comes from a 111st Infantry member, drawing from the author's diary and letters home. Thobaben's narrative starts on November 8, 1943, as he embarked on a troop ship to Hawaii, joining the Central Pacific Campaigns in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands as part of the 3rd Battalion's medical headquarters team. In addition to recounting his own experiences, Thobaben has conducted interviews with servicemen and women from the Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Corps over the years. His work encompasses a diverse range of perspectives to provide a comprehensive view of combat life in the Pacific during WWII, some of which are featured in this unique account.

The action-packed flying career of aeronaut Charles Green (1785-1870), a working-class Londoner in the infancy of aviation, who defied death in a career of 35 years and over 500 balloon flights to make a unique contribution to world aeronautical history. His decision, in 1821, to use domestic coal-gas to inflate balloons ran completely contrary to perceived wisdom, but his success in doing so revolutionised flying for the remainder of the Georgian and Victorian eras. His innovation set the direction of aeronautics for the next 80 years - until the Wright brothers changed its course again. Inventor, innovative balloon constructor, shrewd businessman, flamboyant showman and a skilled and courageous pilot, he was the first to put into practice the concept of public air travel. Charles liked a 'tipple' in the air - but never compromised safety - and made sure his passengers enjoyed his in-flight champagne hospitality. This earned him not only the status of a national treasure - whose very name was a by-word for all things aeronautic - but also ensured he became an international legend in his own lifetime.

The first of two volumes, Monty's Normandy Hammer traces the major operations fought by Lieutenant-General Guy Simonds' II Canadian Corps in July 1944. Thrust into the epicentre of the action on the eastern flank, II Canadian Corps planned and executed two major operations to expand Second British Army's elbow room in the bridgehead even while holding the panzer divisions of the vaunted I SS Panzer Corps in place near Caen. Operation ATLANTIC, tied in with Operation GOODWOOD, completed the clearance of Caen and established bridgeheads over the Orne. Operation SPRING was a great holding attack to support Montgomery's main effort of the entire campaign, the breakout launched by the Americans codenamed COBRA. Rickard goes into exceptional detail and paints a fresh picture of Simonds as a corps commander and his role in achieving Montgomery's army group strategy. Monty' Normandy Hammer is an insightful study of command at various levels. The follow-on volume will trace the fortunes of II Canadian Corps in the climatic battles in August.

Ireland is an extraordinarily beautiful island from which millions can claim their direct ancestry. But Ireland is also an island which has experienced some truly extraordinary moments of crisis which will have directly impacted our forebears, helping to shape us into the individuals that we are today. Whenever such crises happened, whether on a national scale or within the home, there was invariably somebody standing close to hand with a quill and parchment to document the misfortunes that befell so many. In this latest book, family historian Chris Paton takes a look at some of the darkest episodes of Irish history over the last four hundred years, as well as the everyday crises that affected everyone throughout their lives. He will discuss the impact of many major events on our ancestors, including colonisation, conquest and rebellion, as well as the various pressures endured from within the family, the church, and the state. Along the way Chris highlights the records that can help us to show the various trials and tribulations faced by our ancestors, which can help to vividly bring our family histories to life, including those available both online and within Ireland's many local and national archives.