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Infantry Small Arms of the 21st Century: Guns of the World's Armies
by Leigh NevilleThe author of Guns of the Special Forces 2001-2015 presents a comprehensive overview of 21st century military guns used by small armies around the world. Soldiers in today's modern armies have access to ever more advanced infantry weapons; lighter, more compact and more accurate than anything seen in the last century. These include combat pistols, personal assault rifles, submachine guns, sniper rifles, shotguns, light machine guns and squad automatic weapons. Infantry Small Arms of the 21st Century features all these weapons and more, examining each in exhaustive detail. The author draws on the operational combat experience of the users in war zones such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Ukraine. As well as assessing and comparing the potency of different nations weapon systems, the book looks to the future demands of the infantry man.
Infantry Warfare, 1939–1945: A Photographic History
by Simon Forty Jonathan FortyThe infantry can always be found at the sharp end of the battlefield. You may be able to crush an opponent with armour or artillery, but there’s only one way to take and hold ground and that’s with riflemen – the ‘poor bloody infantry’. And it is the infantrymen of the Second World War – from all sides, Allied and Axis – who are the subject of this highly illustrated history. It uses over 400 wartime photographs plus contemporary documents and other illustrations to show the developments in equipment, training and tactical techniques and to give an insight into the experience of the infantry soldier during the conflict. Although the infantry were critical to the war effort, their contribution is often overshadowed by the more dramatic roles played by soldiers with more specialized skills – like tank crew, paratroopers and special forces. They also suffered devastating casualties, in particular during the last phase of the war in the west when around 20 per cent of an infantry division’s riflemen were likely to die and over 60 per cent could expect to be wounded. So as well as describing how the infantry fought, the authors look at the motivation which kept them fighting in awful conditions and despite brutal setbacks. The result is a thorough, detailed and revealing portrait of infantry warfare over seventy years ago.
Infection: Double Helix, Book One (Star Trek: The Next Generation #51)
by John Gregory BetancourtA Star Trek adventure set during The Original Series era from bestselling author John Gregory Betancourt!Like the twisted strands of mutant chromosomes, an insidious alien conspiracy winds its way through the entire Alpha Quadrant, just as it stretches across several years of Starfleet history—beginning near the very start of Captain Picard's command of the Starship Enterprise™!It is only the first year of the U.S.S. Enterprise™-D's ongoing mission when a virulent epidemic strikes the populace of Archaria III, endangering the lives of thousands and provoking acts of mob violence against those believed responsible for the spread of the disease. While Data and Natasha Yar team up to uncover the true origins of the virus, Dr. Crusher finds that the implacable sickness resists all her efforts to find a cure. The desperate quest for a cure becomes even more urgent when Deanna Troi succumbs to the dreaded plague...again and again.
Inferno: The Fiery Destruction of Hamburg 1943
by Keith LoweIn the summer of 1943, British and American bombers launched an attack on the German city of Hamburg that was unlike anything the world had ever seen. For ten days they pounded the city with over 9,000 tons of bombs, with the intention of erasing it entirely from the map. The fires they created were so huge they burned for a month and were visible for 200 miles. The people of Hamburg had no time to understand what had hit them. As they emerged from their ruined cellars and air raid shelters, they were confronted with a unique vision of hell: a sea of flame that stretched to the horizon, the burned-out husks of fire engines that had tried to rescue them, roads that had become flaming rivers of melted tarmac. Even the canals were on fire. Worse still, they had to battle hurricane-force winds to escape the blaze. The only safe places were the city's parks, but to reach them survivors had to stumble through temperatures of up to 800°C and a blizzard of sparks strong enough to lift grown men off their feet. Inferno is the culmination of several years of research and the first comprehensive account of the Hamburg firestorm to be published in almost thirty years. Keith Lowe has interviewed eyewitnesses in Britain, Germany, and America, and gathered together hundreds of letters, diaries, firsthand accounts, and documents. His book gives the human side of an inhuman story: the long, tense buildup to the Allied attack; the unparalleled horror of the firestorm itself; and the terrible aftermath. The result is an epic story of devastation and survival, and a much-needed reminder of the human face of war.
Inferno
by Keith LoweIn the summer of 1943, British and American bombers launched an attack on the German city of Hamburg that was unlike anything the world had ever seen. For ten days they pounded the city with over 9,000 tons of bombs, with the intention of erasing it entirely from the map. The fires they created were so huge they burned for a month and were visible for 200 miles. The people of Hamburg had no time to understand what had hit them. As they emerged from their ruined cellars and air raid shelters, they were confronted with a unique vision of hell: a sea of flame that stretched to the horizon, the burned-out husks of fire engines that had tried to rescue them, roads that had become flaming rivers of melted tarmac. Even the canals were on fire. Worse still, they had to battle hurricane-force winds to escape the blaze. The only safe places were the city's parks, but to reach them survivors had to stumble through temperatures of up to 800°C and a blizzard of sparks strong enough to lift grown men off their feet. Inferno is the culmination of several years of research and the first comprehensive account of the Hamburg firestorm to be published in almost thirty years. Keith Lowe has interviewed eyewitnesses in Britain, Germany, and America, and gathered together hundreds of letters, diaries, firsthand accounts, and documents. His book gives the human side of an inhuman story: the long, tense buildup to the Allied attack; the unparalleled horror of the firestorm itself; and the terrible aftermath. The result is an epic story of devastation and survival, and a much-needed reminder of the human face of war. Includes nineteen maps and thirty-one photographs, many never seen before
Inferno: The True Story of a B-17 Gunner's Heroism and the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History
by Joe PappalardoJoe Pappalardo's Inferno tells the true story of the men who flew the deadliest missions of World War II, and an unlikely hero who received the Medal of Honor in the midst of the bloodiest military campaign in aviation history.There’s no higher accolade in the U.S. military than the Medal of Honor, and 472 people received it for their action during World War II. But only one was demoted right after: Maynard Harrison Smith.Smith is one of the most unlikely heroes of the war, where he served in B-17s during the early days of the bombing of France and Germany from England. From his juvenile delinquent past in Michigan, through the war and during the decades after, Smith’s life seemed to be a series of very public missteps. The other airmen took to calling the 5-foot, 5-inch airman “Snuffy” after an unappealing movie character.This is also the man who, on a tragically mishandled mission over France on May 1, 1943, single-handedly saved the crewmen in his stricken B-17. With every other gunner injured or bailed out, Smith stood alone in the fuselage of a shattered, nameless bomber and fought fires, treated wounded crew and fought off fighters. His ordeal is part of a forgotten mission that aircrews came to call the May Day Massacre. The skies over Europe in 1943 were a charnel house for U.S. pilots, who were being led by tacticians surprised by the brutal effectiveness of German defenses. By May 1943 the combat losses among bomb crews were a staggering 40 to 50 percent.The backdrop of Smith’s story intersects with some of the luminaries of aviation history, including Curtis Lemay, Ira Eaker and “Hap” Arnold, during critical times of their storied careers. Inferno also examines Smith’s life in a new, comprehensive light, through the use of exclusive interviews of those who knew him (including fellow MOH recipients and family) as well as public and archival records. This is both a thrilling and horrifying story of the air war over Europe during WWII and a fascinating look at one of America's forgotten heroes.
Infidelities: Stories of War and Lust
by Josip NovakovichTragicomedy of the highest order, this stellar collection is Croatian writer Novakovich's best ever. Hailed as one of the best short story writers of the 1990s, Josip Novakovich was praised by the New York Times for writing fiction that has "the crackle of authenticity, like the bite of breaking glass." In his new collection, he explores a war–torn Balkan world in which a schoolchild's innocence evaporates in a puff of cannon smoke, lust replaces love, and the joy of survival overrides all other pleasures. As Serb, Croat, and Bosnian Muslim armies clash in the cities and countryside of the former Yugoslavia, it's hard to tell the front lines from the home front. The characters in Infidelities––soldiers and civilians alike––are caught in the ridiculous, often cruelly whimsical contradictions of war and the paranoia and folly of those who conduct it. In "Ribs," a Croatian woman whose husband has already been taken by the war will go to any length to keep her son out of the army, including sleeping with the draft officer, a tryst that leads to an unexpected, and disturbing, spiritual vision. A Buddhist soldier in the Bosnian Muslim military isly accused of being an informer to the enemy Serbs after his detachment ambushes itself in "Hail." A draft dodger is in the hospital for a transplant, in "A Purple Heart," when a high–ranking Croatian general steals the heart for himself (and dies) while the dodger suddenly discovers a new thirst for life. In "Spleen," a Bosnian émigré in America learns that even in the throes of passion she cannot find release from the haunting memories of her homeland. These stories cover a broad sweep of time, reaching back to the first shots of World War I in Sarajevo and forward to the plight of Balkan immigrants in contemporary America. Throughout, acts of compassion, gallows humour, even desire arise from a landscape devastated by tragedy.
Infiltration
by Don PendletonWith bloodied hands in everything from child porn to identity theft and spam scams, an elusive Russian cybercrime organization is poised for the big score. They've hacked into Wall Street's financial systems with a big prize at stake. Called upon for a blitz, Mack Bolan takes the network's top hacker into custody. Using the tech wizard to help him infiltrate the group's Manhattan ranks, Bolan poses as a gun for hire. Battered by intelligence leaks and enemy fire from New York to Boston, Bolan stays in grim pursuit. The complete destruction of the organization's infrastructure is priority one. If he stays lucky-and alive-Bolan will turn his sights on the scheme's mastermind. Nothing less than all-out war at the kingpin's Hamptons fortress and his Russian stronghold will deliver the justice Bolan demands for the victims of this ruthless enterprise.
The Infiltrator: A Derek Harrington Novel (Derek Harrington #2)
by T. R. HendricksT. R. Hendricks's Derek Harrington returns in The Infiltrator, an adventure of man vs wild—and the domestic terrorists hidden there. One year after the clash with his former students in upstate New York, retired Marine Warrant Officer and SERE instructor Derek Harrington is the tip of the FBI’s spear in their mission to eradicate the domestic terrorist group known as Autumn’s Tithe. After several successful operations, intelligence points to one final camp in the remote Kentucky wilderness, and Derek prepares to take down Autumn’s Tithe for good.At the same time ex-FBI Special Agent Hannah Kittle, or Sarah as she is known to the group, devises a plan to meet Derek and her one-time Bureau colleagues head on. Yet her benefactor's faith in Sarah's ability to lead Autumn's Tithe is waning, and other plans are being enacted. Knowing full well what it means for her should those plans succeed where she has failed, Sarah will stop at nothing to see that she is the victor. As the competing agendas unravel, events place Derek and Sarah on a collision course, setting the stage for a confrontation that will bring Autumn’s Tithe right to Derek’s doorstep.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
The Infiltrator: A Taskforce Story
by Brad TaylorRetired Special Forces officer Brad Taylor's thrilling new short story features Israeli operatives, Aaron and Shoshana, as the two wed at Jerusalem's Western Wall amid a backdrop of turmoil and a new plot to attack the city's holiest site.Taskforce operators Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill are used to traveling all over the world for counterterrorist missions, but this time they're in the Old City of Jerusalem under happier circumstances. Their friends Aaron and Shoshana, former operatives with Israeli Mossad, are getting married and they've chosen to tie the knot at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount. The holiest site in Judaism and the third holiest in Islam, the Temple Mount is a fault line between Jews and Muslims, the flash point for eons of strife--and it will still prove to be true today. Unbeknownst to them, a cell of Palestinian terrorists has planned an attack against innocent tourists to incite the Arab world to demand that Israel retreat from the holy site. But the terrorists don't realize that they themselves are being played by an infiltrator with a subversive plot that will lead to the Arabs' loss of control of the Temple Mount. But even the infiltrator doesn't know the full scope of the terrorists' plans; they're preparing a strike much greater than he envisions--one that could split the fault line into total war. As Pike and Jennifer explore the Old City with their Israeli friends, neither the terrorists nor the infiltrator remember one immutable truth: In war, the enemy gets a vote.Includes an excerpt from Brad Taylor's latest Pike Logan thriller, Operator Down.
Infiltrator: Infiltrator (Star Trek: The Next Generation #42)
by W.R. ThompsonIn this white-knuckled Star Trek: The Next Generation thriller, followers of the bloodthirsty tyrant Khan Noonien Singh bring the galaxy to the brink of another Eugenics War. Centuries ago, the brutal Khan Noonien Singh&’s remaining followers left Earth for the planet Hera to continue his experiments in selective breeding. Now, they are finally ready to launch their plan of universal domination—with the USS Enterprise as their weapon. Captain Picard must enlist the help of Heran expatriate Astrid Kemal to defeat her fellow superbeings. But unless the captain and crew of the Enterprise can stop them, the Heran infiltrators could alter the genetic landscape of the galaxy for generations to come.
Infinite Dreams: Stories
by Joe HaldemanThe vast silent sweep of infinite space, the limitless confines of a man's skull - thirteen dazzling stories including the Hugo-winning Tricentennial.
Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace
by Ashley BryanThis book details artist Ashley Bryan's experiences as a Black soldier in the segregated army of WWII, and how love and the pursuit of art sustained him. In May of 1942, at the age of eighteen, Ashley Bryan was drafted to fight in World War II. For the next three years, he would face the horrors of war as a black soldier in a segregated army. He endured the terrible lies white officers told about the black soldiers to isolate them from anyone who showed kindness - including each other. He received worse treatment than even Nazi POWs. He was assigned the grimmest, most horrific tasks, like burying fallen soldiers-but was told to remove the black soldiers first because the media didnot want them in their newsreels. And he waited and wanted so desperately to go home, watching every white soldier get safe passage back to the United States before black soldiers were even a thought. For the next forty years, Ashley would keep his time in the war a secret. But now, he tells his story. The story of the kind people who supported him. The story of the bright moments that guided him through the dark. And the story of his passion for art that would save him time and time again. Filled with never-before-seen artwork and handwritten letters and diary entries, this illuminating and moving memoir by Newbery Honor-winning illustrator Ashley Bryan is both a lesson in history and a testament to hope.
INFINITE STARS: DARK FRONTIERS
by Bryan Thomas SchmidtContinuing the definitive space opera anthology series. Today's most popular writers produce new stories in their most famous universes, alongside essential and seminal short fiction from past masters.The definitive collection of explorers and soldiers, charting the dark frontiers of our expanding universe. Amongst the infinite stars we find epic sagas of wars, tales of innermost humanity, and the most powerful of desires - our need to create a better world. The second volume of seminal short science fiction, featuring twenty-six new stories from series such as Wayfarers, Confederation, The Lost Fleet, Waypoint Kangaroo, Ender, Dream Park, the Polity and more.Alongside work from tomorrow's legends, revisit works by masters who helped define the genre: Arthur C. Clarke, Jack Campbell, Becky Chambers, Robert Heinlein, George R.R. Martin, Susan R. Matthews, Orson Scott Card, James Blish, E.E. "Doc" Smith, Tanya Huff, Curtis C. Chen, Seanan McGuire, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, Larry Niven and Steven Barnes, Gardner Dozois, David Farland, Mike Shepherd, C.L. Moore, Neal Asher, Weston Ochse, Brenda Cooper, Alan Dean Foster, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Kevin J. Anderson, David Weber and C.J. Cherryh.Infinite Stars: Dark Frontiers brings you the essential work from past, present, and future bestsellers as well as Grand Masters of science fiction.
Infinity Engine: Transformation Book Three
by Neal AsherIn the outskirts of space, and the far corners of the Polity, complex dealings are in play. Several forces continue to pursue the deadly and enigmatic Penny Royal, none more dangerous than the Brockle, a psychopathic forensics AI and criminal who has escaped the Polity’s confinements and is upgrading itself in anticipation of a deadly showdown, becoming ever more powerful and intelligent. Aboard Factory Station Room 101, the behemoth war factory that birthed Penny Royal, groups of humans, alien prador, and AI war drones grapple for control. The stability of the ship is complicated by the arrival of a gabbleduck known as the Weaver, the last living member of the ancient and powerful Atheter alien race. What would an Atheter want with the complicated dealings of Penny Royal? Are the Polity and prador forces playing right into the dark AI’s hand, or is it the other way around? Set pieces align in the final book of Neal Asher’s action-packed Transformation trilogy, pointing to a showdown on the cusp of the Layden’s Sink black hole, inside of which lies a powerful secret, one that could destroy the entire Polity.
Infinity Ring Book 6: Behind Enemy Lines (Infinity Ring #6)
by Jennifer A. NielsenFix the past. Save the future. Dak, Sera, and Riq involve themselves in one of the most bizarre spy missions in history . . . and the outcome of World War II hangs in the balance.
Infinity's Shore (The Uplift Saga #5)
by David BrinA once peaceful planet of refugees faces complete annihilation in this hard science fiction sequel to Brightness Reef.Book Two in the Uplift Storm TrilogyIt&’s illegal to occupy the planet Jijo, but six castaway races have managed to coexist there for some time. They&’ve successfully hidden from watchful law enforcers of the Five Galaxies—until now . . .After making an amazing discovery far away—a derelict armada whose mere existence triggered interstellar war—the Terran exploration vessel Streaker and its crew of humans and dolphins arrive at Jijo in search of sanctuary from the Galactic forces out to destroy them.But they were followed. As behemoth Galactic starships descend upon Jijo, heroic—and terrifying—choices must be made. Together, human and alien settlers must choose whether to fight the invaders or join them. The crew of the Streaker, meanwhile, discovers something that just might save Jijo and its inhabitants . . . or destroy every last one of them.&“Well paced, immensely complex, highly literate . . . Superior SF.&” —Publishers Weekly, starred review&“An imaginative drama of excitement and wonder . . . The sheer virtuosity of the prose alone makes this book worth reading.&” —SF Site
The Influence of Air Power Upon History: A Giniger Book
by Walter J. BoyneFrom the New York Times-bestselling author, an analysis of how flight has shaped warfare, politics, diplomacy, technology, and mass culture. In this book, Walter Boyne—former Air Force pilot and director of the Smithsonian&’s Air and Space Museum—examines the application of air power from the earliest days of the balloon down to the current era of space warfare, and postulates some startling new theories. The author unerringly depicts the contributions made by the people and planes of each era, some of them famous, some virtually unknown, but all vitally important. He highlights the critical competence of individuals at every step of the way, comparing the works of Guilio Douhet, William Mitchell, John Warden, and others philosophically, even as he compares the combat capabilities of leaders such as Hugh Trenchard, Bomber Harris, Herman Goering, Curtis LeMay, and Henry &“Hap&” Arnold. Aircraft, their weapons, and their employment are given equal treatment, and Boyne shares controversial, thought-provoking views on World War II bombings and air power in the Vietnam War.
The Influence of British Arms: An Analysis of British Military Intervention Since 1956 (Routledge Library Editions: International Security Studies #10)
by James H. WyllieWhich event better characterises British military interventions: the trauma of Suez or the triumph of the Falklands? This book, first published in 1984, examines these engagements and those of the intervening period to provide a sober and considered response to this question. The issues raised are central to the debate concerning Britain’s defence capabilities and its role in world politics. The author argues that it is only under severely restricted conditions that Britain could reasonably expect a successful outcome from long-range military intervention. The constraints are not merely those of military capacity: public opinion also has its role to play. By analysing these conditions and the way they have influenced the outcomes of past interventions the author points the way to framing a practical and reasonable defence and foreign policy in the Third World.
The Influence Of British Operational Intelligence On The War At Sea In The Mediterranean June 1940 - November 1942
by Lieutenant Commander Mark E. StilleIntelligence derived from a number of sources, primarily the decryption of high-level German and Italian communications, provided British forces in the Mediterranean with extraordinary insights into Axis naval operations. This level of intelligence was instrumental to the success of British forces during most of the decisive points during the naval war in the Mediterranean and indirectly had great influence on the ground war in North Africa. Many of the hallmarks of the nature in which operational intelligence was used retains relevance for today's operational commander. These include use of intelligence to identify and attack enemy centers of gravity, the importance of incorporating intelligence into the planning process, use of intelligence as a force multiplier but not as a force substitute, and the dissemination and handling of sensitive intelligence.
The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783
by A. T. MahanFirst published almost a century ago, this classic text on the history and tactics of naval warfare had a profound effect on the imperial policies of all the major powers. Kaiser Wilhelm is said to have "devoured" this book, and it was avidly read by presidents (including both Roosevelts), kings, prime ministers, admirals, and chancellors.This book was the work of noted U.S. naval officer and historian Alfred Mahan (1840–1914), who argued that despite great changes and scientific advances in naval weaponry, certain principle of naval strategy remain constant, and nations ignore them at their peril. Credited with stimulating the growth of modern navies in leading countries of the world, the text remains a basic authority on the strategy of naval warfare and is still used in the war colleges.Demonstrating through historical examples that the rise and fall of seapower (and of nations) has always been linked with commercial and military command of the seas, Mahan describes successful naval strategies employed in the past — from Greek and Roman times through the Napoleonic wars. Focusing primarily on England's rise as a sea power in the 18th century, the book provides not only an overview of naval tactics, but a lucid exposition of geographical, economic, and social factors governing the maintenance of sea power.The work is carefully written and exceptionally well-documented; moreover, the author's clear, well-thought-out text avoids technical language, making it accessible to a nonprofessional audience. In addition, four maps and a profusion of plans of naval battles help the reader grasp the strategy and tactics involved in some of the history's greatest maritime conflicts. In this inexpensive edition, the book represents an indispensable sourcebook for statesmen, diplomats, strategists, and naval commanders as well as students of history and international affairs. Although ships, weapons, and the global balance of power have altered greatly since 1890, the lessons taught here so vividly and compellingly are still applicable today. Includes 4 maps, 24 battle plans.
The Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire, 1793-1812. Vol. I (The Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire #1)
by Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer MahanWhen Admiral Mahan passed away in 1914, his ideas and thoughts lived on in his writings, which spanned the naval strategy of his own times and the lessons learnt from history. They are still read today at the modern naval academies and the ideas permeate the teachings at Annapolis. A flag officer in the U.S. Navy who fought during the American civil war for the Union forces, his works have gained a fame that makes him the foremost of the naval historians of the late 1800's.As a continuation of his hugely admired and influential work, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783, Admiral Mahan drew his considerable skill and critical eye to the naval operations of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. As the conflict raged on land between the continental powers and France, Britain and the Royal Navy remained off the coast to provide a constant threat to French ambitions. Mahan draws the threads of the conflict together with his customary style and attention to detail to divine the methods and actions that led to the dominance of the Royal Navy during the period. This first volume concentrates on the actions of the French revolutionary period up to 1801 and the accession of Napoleon to a position of prime power. The skirmishes, battles and blockades are described in great detail and illustrated with numerous illustrations.A masterwork by the foremost naval theorist - highly recommended.Author - Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan [27.09.2010 - 01.12.1914]Text taken, whole and complete, from the second edition published in 1894, Boston, by Little BrownOriginal Page Count - xxi and 380 pages.Illustrations -- 10 maps and plans.
The Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire, 1793-1812. Vol. II (The Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire #2)
by Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer MahanWhen Admiral Mahan passed away in 1914, his ideas and thoughts lived on in his writings, which spanned the naval strategy of his own times and the lessons learnt from history. They are still read today at the modern naval academies and the ideas permeate the teachings at Annapolis. A flag officer in the U.S. Navy who fought during the American civil war for the Union forces, his works have gained a fame that makes him the foremost of the naval historians of the late 1800's.As a continuation of his hugely admired and influential work, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783, Admiral Mahan drew his considerable skill and critical eye to the naval operations of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. As the conflict raged on land between the continental powers and France, Britain and the Royal Navy remained off the coast to provide a constant threat to French ambitions. Mahan draws the threads of the conflict together with his customary style and attention to detail to divine the methods and actions that led to the dominance of the Royal Navy during the period. This second volume covers the period from the Peace of Amiens in 1802 to the advent of Napoleon's Russian campaign after which the conflict was borne on land almost exclusively due to the ultimate success of the Royal Navy.Author - Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan [27.09.2010 - 01.12.1914]Text taken, whole and complete, from the second edition published in 1894, Boston, by Little BrownOriginal Page Count - xix and 428 pages.Illustrations -- 3 maps and plans.
Influenza: The Hundred Year Hunt to Cure the Deadliest Disease in History
by Jeremy BrownOn the 100th anniversary of the devastating pandemic of 1918, Jeremy Brown, a veteran ER doctor, explores the troubling, terrifying, and complex history of the flu virus, from the origins of the Great Flu that killed millions, to vexing questions such as: are we prepared for the next epidemic, should you get a flu shot, and how close are we to finding a cure? <P><P>While influenza is now often thought of as a common and mild disease, it still kills over 30,000 people in the US each year. Dr. Jeremy Brown, currently Director of Emergency Care Research at the National Institutes of Health, expounds on the flu's deadly past to solve the mysteries that could protect us from the next outbreak. <P><P>In Influenza, he talks with leading epidemiologists, policy makers, and the researcher who first sequenced the genetic building blocks of the original 1918 virus to offer both a comprehensive history and a roadmap for understanding what’s to come. Dr. Brown digs into the discovery and resurrection of the flu virus in the frozen victims of the 1918 epidemic, as well as the bizarre remedies that once treated the disease, such as whiskey and blood-letting. \ <P><P>Influenza also breaks down the current dialogue surrounding the disease, explaining the controversy over vaccinations, antiviral drugs like Tamiflu, and the federal government’s role in preparing for pandemic outbreaks. Though 100 years of advancement in medical research and technology have passed since the 1918 disaster, Dr. Brown warns that many of the most vital questions about the flu virus continue to confound even the leading experts. <P><P>Influenza is an enlightening and unnerving look at a shapeshifting deadly virus that has been around long before people—and warns us that it may be many more years before we are able to conquer it for good.
Information at Sea: Shipboard Command and Control in the U.S. Navy, from Mobile Bay to Okinawa (Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology)
by Timothy S. WoltersThis is the first book to explore information management at sea as practiced by the U.S. Navy from the Civil War to World War II.The brain of a modern warship is its combat information center (CIC). Data about friendly and enemy forces pour into this nerve center, contributing to command decisions about firing, maneuvering, and coordinating. Timothy S. Wolters has written the first book to investigate the history of the CIC and the many other command and control systems adopted by the U.S. Navy from the Civil War to World War II. What institutional ethos spurred such innovation? Information at Sea tells the fascinating stories of the naval and civilian personnel who developed an array of technologies for managing information at sea, from signal flares and radio to encryption machines and radar.Wolters uses previously untapped archival sources to explore how one of America's most technologically oriented institutions addressed information management before the advent of the digital computer. He argues that the human-machine systems used to coordinate forces were as critical to naval successes in World War II as the ships and commanders more familiar to historians.