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Swimming with Warlords
by Kevin SitesIn this electrifying first-person account, journalist and author Kevin Sites goes deep into the geopolitical morass of Afghanistan to emerge with critical insights into both a people and a war that few truly comprehend.As a journalist for NBC News, Kevin Sites made his first trip to Afghanistan in October 2001, crossing the Amu Darya River at night, traveling with Northern Alliance fighters as they toppled the Taliban regime with the help of American forces. In that first hundred days, he lost seven colleagues and nearly his own life. Since then, Sites has returned five more times. On his last trip in summer 2013, on the eve of America's planned withdrawal, he retraced the steps of his first original odyssey to examine what, if anything, has changed.Using his trademark immersive style, Sites uncovered surprising stories with unexpected truths. He swam in the Kunduz River with an infamous warlord named Nabi Gechi, who demonstrated his fearsome killing skills as well as a genius for peaceful invention. Sites talked with ex-Taliban fighters, politicians, female cops, farmers, drug addicts, and diplomats, and patrolled with American and Afghan soldiers. In Swimming with Warlords he helps us understand this country of primitive beauty, dark mysteries, and savage violence, as well as the conflict that has cost billions of dollars and thousands of lives--and what we might expect tomorrow and in the years to come.
Swingboats on the Sand (Holidays at Home)
by Grace ThompsonA loving family proves to be the greatest gift in this delightful British wartime saga following Wait Till Summer, the Holidays at Home series debut. In 1940, foreign travel is no longer feasible due to the War, so &“holidays at home&” enjoy a new lease of life, meaning business is booming for Piper&’s Café at St. David&’s Wells. However, not everyone in the family-run business is as happy as they seem. Beth Castle has known Freddy Clements her entire life, and they are certain to become engaged any day now. But war changes everything, and with Freddy and her brothers going off to fight, it appears their lives will turn in unexpected directions. Grace Thompson is an acclaimed author of saga and romance novels, and a mainstay of libraries throughout the United Kingdom and beyond. Born and raised in South Wales, she is the author of numerous series, including the Valley series, the Pendragon Island series, and the Badgers Brook series. She published her forty-second novel shortly after celebrating her eightieth birthday, and continues to live in Swansea.
Swinging The Sledgehammer: The Combat Effectiveness Of German Heavy Tank Battalions In World War II
by Major Christopher W. WilbeckThis thesis is a historical analysis of the combat effectiveness of the German schwere Panzer-Abteilung or Heavy Tank Battalions during World War II. During the course of World War II, the German Army developed heavy tank battalions to fulfill the concept of breaking through enemy defenses so faster, lighter mechanized forces could exploit the rupture. These heavy tank battalions had several different tables of organization, but were always centered around either the Tiger or the Tiger II tank. They fought in virtually every theater of Europe against every enemy of Germany. Ultimately, the German military created eleven Army and three Waffen-SS heavy tank battalions. Of the Army battalions, the German command fielded ten as independent battalions, which were allocated to Army Groups as needed. The German Army assigned the last heavy tank battalion as an organic unit of the elite Panzer Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland. The Waffen-SS allocated all of their battalions to a different Waffen-SS Corps.Because these units were not fielded until late in 1942, they did not participate in Germany's major offensive operations that dominated the early part of World War II. Germany's strategic situation after mid-1943 forced their military onto the defensive. Consequently, there are very few instances when heavy tank battalions attacked as a breakthrough force. During the latter part of the war, they were used in many different ways to provide defensive assistance along very wide frontages. This study assesses the German heavy tank battalions as generally effective, primarily because of the high kill ratio they achieved. However, based upon observations from a wide variety of examples, this study also outlines several areas where changes may have increased their effectiveness.
Switchboard Soldiers: A Novel
by Jennifer Chiaverini“An eye-opening and detailed novel about remarkable female soldiers. . . Chiaverini weaves the intersecting threads of these brave women’s lives together, highlighting their deep sense of pride and duty.”--Kirkus ReviewsFrom New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini, a bold, revelatory novel about one of the great untold stories of World War I—the women of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, who broke down gender barriers in the military, smashed the workplace glass ceiling, and battled a pandemic as they helped lead the Allies to victory. In June 1917, General John Pershing arrived in France to establish American forces in Europe. He immediately found himself unable to communicate with troops in the field. Pershing needed operators who could swiftly and accurately connect multiple calls, speak fluent French and English, remain steady under fire, and be utterly discreet, since the calls often conveyed classified information.At the time, nearly all well-trained American telephone operators were women—but women were not permitted to enlist, or even to vote in most states. Nevertheless, the U.S. Army Signal Corps promptly began recruiting them.More than 7,600 women responded, including Grace Banker of New Jersey, a switchboard instructor with AT&T and an alumna of Barnard College; Marie Miossec, a Frenchwoman and aspiring opera singer; and Valerie DeSmedt, a twenty-year-old Pacific Telephone operator from Los Angeles, determined to strike a blow for her native Belgium.They were among the first women sworn into the U.S. Army under the Articles of War. The male soldiers they had replaced had needed one minute to connect each call. The switchboard soldiers could do it in ten seconds.The risk of death was real—the women worked as bombs fell around them—as was the threat of a deadly new disease: the Spanish Flu. Not all of the telephone operators would survive.The women of the U.S. Army Signal Corps served with honor and played an essential role in achieving the Allied victory. Their story has never been the focus of a novel…until now.
Switzerland and the Second World War
by David Cesarani Georg KreisThis collection of essays sheds light on the history of Switzerland during World War II, covering such topics as: trade; financial relations; gold; refugees; defence; and foreign relations. It also touches on official post-war measures to suppress Switzerland's involvement in the war.
Sword Beach: British 3rd Division/27th Armoured Brigade (Battleground Europe)
by Tim Kilvert-JonesAs the left most inland flank of the D-Day landings, Sword Beach was thought most likely to receive the first German counterattacks. The British troops selected for the assault had the tasks of securing the beach and advancing on the heavily defended medieval town of Caen. The troops also were determined to link up with British paratroopers and glider units who had landed the night before on special missions and were not equipped to withstand an armored counterattack alone.Backed up by an impressive array of modified armored vehicles, the veteran 3rd Division, spearheaded by No. 4 Army Commando and 41 Royal Marine Commando, stormed ashore and secured its objectives with moderate casualties. No. 4 Commando also reached the airborne troops before they could be overwhelmed by German armor. However, the British failed to secure the key town of Caen on schedule.The action on this Normandy beach is now covered in all the detail that has become standard with the Battleground Europe series.
Sword Point
by Harold CoyleGambling on hostile relations between Iran and the US, the Soviet Union invades Iran. America strikes back but when the Soviet onslaught is stopped by an American counter-attack, the superpowers discover that Iranian fanatics have a nuclear bomb ready to explode.
Sword Song: The Battle for London (Last Kingdom (formerly Saxon Tales) #4)
by Bernard CornwellThe fourth installment of Bernard Cornwell’s New York Times bestselling series chronicling the epic saga of the making of England, “like Game of Thrones, but real” (The Observer, London)—the basis for The Last Kingdom, the hit television series.The year is 885, and England is at peace, divided between the Danish kingdom to the north and the Saxon kingdom of Wessex in the south. Warrior by instinct and Viking by nature, Uhtred, the dispossessed son of a Northumbrian lord, has land, a wife and children—and a duty to King Alfred to hold the frontier on the Thames. But a dead man has risen, and new Vikings have invaded the decayed Roman city of London with dreams of conquering Wessex... with Uhtred’s help. Suddenly forced to weigh his oath to the king against the dangerous turning tide of shifting allegiances and deadly power struggles, Uhtred—Alfred’s sharpest sword—must now make the choice that will determine England’s future.
Sword and Baton: Senior Australian Army Officers from 1900 to 2001 (Federation #1)
by Justin ChadwickSword and Baton is a collection of 86 biographies representing every Australian Army officer to reach the rank of major general from Federation to the outbreak of World War II. This is the first of two volumes, and its scope is broad, including chaplains-general, surgeons-general and British Army officers who served with the AIF or the permanent forces. Author Justin Chadwick portrayal of these officers careers provides a lens through which he examines trends such as the development of military skills which ensured that, by the commencement of hostilities in 1914, Australia boasted a pool of well-trained, albeit inexperienced officers. The effects of command under pressure of war and the enormous physical impact of combat are likewise portrayed in these comprehensive biographies. By the end of hostilities Australian officers had garnered immense experience and were among the best in the Allied forces. Ironically, this hard-won skill base was to be all but lost in the interwar period. Sword and Baton offers its readers more than a series of biographies. Rather, it describes a crucial period in Australian military history through the lives of the extraordinary men at its head.
Sword and Scimitar: A fast-paced historical epic of bravery and battle
by Simon ScarrowSWORD AND SCIMITAR is the gripping tale of the Great Siege of Malta from Simon Scarrow, bestselling author of the Eagles of the Empire series. A must read for fans of Conn Iggulden and Robert Harris.1565, Malta: a vital outpost between the divided nations of Europe and the relentlessly expanding Ottoman Empire. Faced with ferocious attack by a vast Turkish fleet, the knights of the Order of St John fear annihilation. Amongst those called to assist is disgraced veteran Sir Thomas Barrett. Loyalty and instinct compel him to put the Order above all other concerns, yet his allegiance is divided. At Queen Elizabeth's command, he must search for a hidden scroll, guarded by the knights, that threatens her reign. As Sir Thomas confronts the past that cost him his honour and a secret that has long lain buried, a vast enemy army arrives to lay siege to the island...
Sword and Scimitar: A fast-paced historical epic of bravery and battle
by Simon ScarrowSWORD AND SCIMITAR is the gripping tale of the Great Siege of Malta from Simon Scarrow, bestselling author of the Eagles of the Empire series. A must read for fans of Conn Iggulden and Robert Harris.1565, Malta: a vital outpost between the divided nations of Europe and the relentlessly expanding Ottoman Empire. Faced with ferocious attack by a vast Turkish fleet, the knights of the Order of St John fear annihilation. Amongst those called to assist is disgraced veteran Sir Thomas Barrett. Loyalty and instinct compel him to put the Order above all other concerns, yet his allegiance is divided. At Queen Elizabeth's command, he must search for a hidden scroll, guarded by the knights, that threatens her reign. As Sir Thomas confronts the past that cost him his honour and a secret that has long lain buried, a vast enemy army arrives to lay siege to the island...
Sword at Sunrise
by Alan EvansA thrilling story of the greatest achievement in British military history.When young Richard Langley salvages, against all odds, the doomed Landing Craft that becomes known as Bloody Norah, little does he realise that in just a year’s time both of them will be involved in the greatest combined sea and air assault in history.Back in Britain, the preparations for Operation Overlord are being finalised. Crucial to the effort will be the dawn landing on Normandy beach, codenamed Sword, and the capture of a fortified chateau under the command of the ruthless Captain Franz Engel.Success hinges on the contribution of Patrick Ward’s gilder units, Langley and Bloody Norah, and the reconnaissance gathered by nurse turned SOE agent Suzi Jones.The countdown has begun to their appointment with destiny on the 6th June 1944. D-Day.A stunning, action-packed novel of the end of the Second World War, for fans of Jack Higgins, Philip McCutchan and Douglas Reeman.
Sword of Bone: Imperial War Museum Wartime Classics
by Anthony RhodesIt is September 1939. Shortly after war is declared, Anthony Rhodes is sent to France, serving with the British Army. His days are filled with the minutiae and mundanities of Army life - friendships, billeting, administration - as the months of the 'Phoney War' quickly pass and the conflict seems a distant prospect.It is only in the spring of 1940 that the true situation becomes clear; the men are ordered to retreat to the coast and the beaches of Dunkirk, where they face a desperate and terrifying wait for evacuation.'A brilliant, shrewd novel about British soldiers during the phoney war of 1939-40 in France, leading up to the debacle of Dunkirk. Rhodes writes with a wonderfully dry, literate, clear-eyed style - a quietly confident masterwork.' William Boyd'It's wonderful to see these books given a new lease of life [...] classic novels from the Second World War written by those who were there, experienced the fear, anguish, pain and excitement first-hand and whose writings really do shine an incredibly vivid light onto what it was like to live and fight through that terrible conflict.' James Holland, Historian, author and TV presenter(P)2021 Headline Publishing Group Limited
Sword of Honor
by David KirkIn the epic historical novel Sword of Honor, David Kirk continues the saga of Musashi Miyamoto, the greatest samurai in Japanese history, as he journeys to the ancient city of Kyoto to fight for his life and his idealsHaving survived the cataclysmic battle of Sekigahara, which established the mighty Tokugawa Shogunate, young Musashi Miyamoto travels through Japan determined to proclaim his revolutionary epiphany that the "way of the sword," the ancient code that binds samurai to their masters, needs to be abolished. But during the battle Musashi insulted an adept of the powerful Yoshioka School, and a price has been put on his head. Musashi travels to Kyoto, domain of the Yoshioka, for a reckoning. He has taken up with Ameku, a beautiful blind woman branded as a witch; his burgeoning love for her will make him vulnerable. Mushashi intends to deal a crushing blow to the traditional samurai dogma by destroying the Yoshioka warriors, but Musashi will learn that his spectacular gifts with the sword are no match for the cunning of powerful lords. The wily Tokugawa governor, still struggling to establish dominance in Kyoto, sees in Musashi just the weapon he needs to overcome the rebellious Yoshioka. Sword of Honor seamlessly blends meticulous research, mesmerizing action sequences, and a driving narrative to bring this extraordinary figure to life.
Sword of Honor
by David KirkIN THE EPIC HISTORICAL NOVEL SWORD OF HONOR, DAVID KIRK CONTINUES THE SAGA OF MUSASHI MIYAMOTO, THE GREATEST SWORDSMAN IN JAPANESE HISTORY, AS HE JOURNEYS TO THE ANCIENT CITY OF KYOTO TO FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE AND HIS IDEALS.Having survived the cataclysmic battle of Sekigahara, which established the mighty Tokugawa Shogunate, young Musashi Miyamoto travels through Japan determined to proclaim his revolutionary epiphany that the "way of the samurai," the ancient code that binds warriors to their masters, needs to be abolished. But during the battle Musashi insulted an adept of the powerful Yoshioka school, and a price has been put on his head. Musashi is drawn to Kyoto, domain of the Yoshioka, driven by anger and certain that he will deal a crushing blow to the traditional samurai dogma by destroying the school. Musashi will learn, however, that the capital of the nation is rife with intrigue and potential rebellion against the newly established government, a struggle into which he unwittingly enters. Among other outcasts, Musashi will find the worth of his spectacular skill with the sword weighed against the deep cunning of manipulative Lords, and must make his reckoning with the Yoshioka, the way of the samurai, and ultimately his own nature. Only then will he be able to take one step closer to becoming the wise old sage who wrote The Book of Five Rings. Sword of Honor seamlessly blends meticulous research, mesmerizing action sequences, and a driving narrative to bring this extraordinary figure to life.From the Hardcover edition.
Sword of Honor
by Evelyn WaughThis trilogy spanning World War II, based in part on Evelyn Waugh's own experiences as an army officer, is the author's surpassing achievement as a novelist. Its central character is Guy Crouchback, head of an ancient but decayed Catholic family, who at first discovers new purpose in the challenge to defend Christian values against Nazi barbarism, but then gradually finds the complexities and cruelties of war overwhelming. Though often somber, Sword of Honor is also a brilliant comedy, peopled by the fantastic figures so familiar from Waugh's early satires. The deepest pleasures these novels afford come from observing a great satiric writer employ his gifts with extraordinary subtlety, delicacy, and human feeling, for purposes that are ultimately anything but satiric. Sword of Honor comprises the three acclaimed novels Men at Arms, Officers and Gentlemen, and Unconditional Surrender.
Sword of Honour Trilogy
by Evelyn WaughTakes three previously published books and presents them as one story. They are, in order, Men At Arms, Officers and Gentlemen, and The End of the Battle.
Sword of Justice: An epic medieval adventure from the master of historical fiction (Chivalry #4)
by Christian Cameron'The master of historical fiction' SUNDAY TIMESSharpen your sword and prepare for battle...1367: Europe stands on the brink of total war.Political alliances are beginning to rupture, and no state is immune: England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, Milan Genoa, Venice, Constantinople . . . Every mercenary knight must sharpen his sword and prepare for battle.But Sir William Gold has other problems. Just to reach Europe, he must capture its most unassailable fortress. He must also protect his liege lord, the Green Count, from assassins hell-bent on his death.The balance of power in the West will change. William Gold must trust in hope, and his men, that he lands on the winning side...Praise for Christian Cameron:'A storyteller at the height of his powers' HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY'Superb' THE TIMES'One of THE finest writers of historical fiction in the world' BEN KANE'A sword-slash above the rest' IRISH EXAMINERReaders love SWORD OF JUSTICE and the Chivalry series:'I can't recommend this too highly to any fan of historical fiction' 5 STARS'You get to experience what it must have been like to be a knight' 5 STARS'Brilliantly authentic' 5 STARS'One of the finest historical series I have ever encountered.... Outstanding' 5 STARS'I have a big issue with Christian Cameron... I read his books faster than he can write them!!!' 5 STARS'Historical saga at its best!' 5 STARSIF YOU'VE READ AND LOVED SWORD OF JUSTICE, DON'T MISS THE BRAND NEW BOOK IN THE CHIVALRY SERIES, HAWKWOOD'S SWORD.
Sword of Justice: An epic medieval adventure from the master of historical fiction (Chivalry #4)
by Christian Cameron'The master of historical fiction' SUNDAY TIMESSharpen your sword and prepare for battle...1367: Europe stands on the brink of total war.Political alliances are beginning to rupture, and no state is immune: England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, Milan Genoa, Venice, Constantinople . . . Every mercenary knight must sharpen his sword and prepare for battle.But Sir William Gold has other problems. Just to reach Europe, he must capture its most unassailable fortress. He must also protect his liege lord, the Green Count, from assassins hell-bent on his death.The balance of power in the West will change. William Gold must trust in hope, and his men, that he lands on the winning side...Praise for Christian Cameron:'A storyteller at the height of his powers' HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY'Superb' THE TIMES'One of THE finest writers of historical fiction in the world' BEN KANE'A sword-slash above the rest' IRISH EXAMINERReaders love SWORD OF JUSTICE and the Chivalry series:'I can't recommend this too highly to any fan of historical fiction' 5 STARS'You get to experience what it must have been like to be a knight' 5 STARS'Brilliantly authentic' 5 STARS'One of the finest historical series I have ever encountered.... Outstanding' 5 STARS'I have a big issue with Christian Cameron... I read his books faster than he can write them!!!' 5 STARS'Historical saga at its best!' 5 STARSIF YOU'VE READ AND LOVED SWORD OF JUSTICE, DON'T MISS THE BRAND NEW BOOK IN THE CHIVALRY SERIES, HAWKWOOD'S SWORD.
Sword of Justice: An epic medieval adventure from the master of historical fiction (Chivalry Ser.)
by Christian Cameron1367: Europe stands on the brink of total war.Political alliances are beginning to rupture. No state is immune: England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, Milan, Genoa, Venice, Constantinople . . . Every mercenary knight for hundreds of miles must sharpen his sword and prepare for battle.But Sir William Gold has other problems. Just to reach Europe, he must capture its most unassailable fortress. He must also protect his liege-lord, the Green Count, from assassins hell-bent on his demise.The balance of power in the West will change. William Gold must trust to hope, and his men, that he lands on the winning side . . .
Sword of Kings: A Novel (Saxon Tales #12)
by Bernard CornwellThe twelfth installment of Bernard Cornwell’s New York Times bestselling series chronicling the epic saga of the making of England—"superior entertainment that is both engaging and enlightening” (Washington Post), and the basis for The Last Kingdom, the hit Netflix series.It is a time of political turmoil once more as the fading King Edward begins to lose control over his successors and their supporters. There are two potential heirs—possibly more—and doubt over whether the once separate states of Wessex and Mercia will hold together . Despite attempts at pulling him into the political fray, Uhtred of Bebbanburg cares solely about his beloved Northumbria and its continuing independence from southern control.But an oath is a strong, almost sacred commitment and such a promise had been exchanged between Uhtred and Aethelstan, his onetime companion in arms and now a potential king. Uhtred was tempted to ignore the demands of the oath and stay in his northern fastness, leaving the quarrelling Anglo-Saxons to sort out their own issues. But an attack on him by a leading supporter of one of the candidates and an unexpected appeal for help from another, drives Uhtred with a small band of warriors south, into the battle for kingship—and England’s fate.
Sword of Rome: (Gaius Valerius Verrens 4): an enthralling, action-packed Roman adventure that will have you hooked to the very last page (Gaius Valerius Verrens #4)
by Douglas JacksonBestselling author Douglas Jackson expertly brings the Roman Empire to life in this brutal and bloody historical adventure. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Ben Kane and Conn Iggulden. Readers are loving Gaius Valerius Verrens! "Breakneck action, vivid characters, a fresh, believable perspective, and a fabulous plot with a stunning, unexpected end. Don't want to read it yet? Are you barking mad?" - 5 STARS"A page turner that makes you want more" - 5 STARS"I couldn't put the book down" - 5 STARS"A cracking read" - 5 STARS"Hugely enjoyable" - 5 STARS******************************************************************AMIDST THE CHAOS AND CARNAGE OF CIVIL WAR, WHERE DO A HERO'S LOYALTIES LIE? AD 68: The Emperor Nero's erratic and bloody reign is in its death throes when Gaius Valerius Verrens is dispatched to Rome on a mission that will bring it to a close. With Nero dead, the city and the Empire hold their breath, pray for peace and await the arrival of his successor, Servius Sulpicius Galba, governor of Hispania. But they pray in vain. Galba promises stability and prosperity, but his rule begins with a massacre and ends only months later in chaos and carnage. And so starts the Year of the Four Emperors: a time of civil war which will tear Rome apart and test Valerius's skills and loyalties to their very limit. Fortunate to survive Galba's fall, Valerius is sent on a mission by Rome's new Emperor, Otho, to persuade his old friend Vitellius to halt his armies, stop them marching in the north and therefore prevent inevitable confrontation and disruption. In an epic adventure that will take him the length and breadth of a divided land, the one-armed Roman fights to stay alive and stave off a bloodbath as he is stalked by the most implacable enemy he has ever faced.Gaius Valerius Verrens's adventures continue in Enemy of Rome.
Sword of Scotland: 'Our Fighting Jocks'
by Anthony LeaskThe Sword of Scotland is the story of Scotland's military heritage. Scotland's fighting men have played a part in shaping the history of our world, and many of the individual countries in it. Its contribution and its sacrifices have been out of all proportion to the size of the Country. The skirl of the pipes and the cry of 'here come the Jocks' have weakened the resolve of many a foe. The Jocks of every Scottish regiment conjure up an image of fierce determination and indomitable courage. To them defeat is unthinkable. The various reasons for this are key themes of this book. The geography of Scotland and its numerous wars with England have played their part. But for over 300 years Scottish regiments have fought with distinction and selfless sacrifice alongside their old foes and played a key role in preserving Britain's freedom. The clan structure and the tremendous pride in family that this has produced over the centuries are the foundations of the regiments of Scotland and their greatest strength in adversity. Everyone with a Scottish connection will understand and be able to relate to this book, which is the story of an unrivalled military heritage
Sword of the Caliphate
by Clay MartinA bioweapon—a global epidemic—kicks off World War III in this explosive thriller from the author of Last Son of the War God. Derek Martell is in a dead-end career, manning a fuel point in Eastern Iraq. It&’s a far fall from a life of fortune and glory, but he&’s lucky to have any job at all. Until he wakes up after a sandstorm to find Doomsday is at hand. The apocalypse has started, and his invite was late. A global catastrophe is unfolding, an epidemic that reaches every shore. Only genetic Arabs seem to be immune, and scores will be settled. One thousand years of tactical losses have been reversed in the blink of an eye. The Western world only has one card remaining to be played, a weapon of radiation and fire that has only been used twice. But backed up against the wall, what choice do they have? Teamed up with a ragtag band of other survivors, Derek is running against the clock through the burning desert. A counter strike is imminent, which won&’t matter if the locals get them first. All Derek needs is to find a plane. But first he has to dodge . . . the Sword of the Caliphate. Praise for Clay Martin&’s Last Son of the War God &“A thrilling adventure that . . . offers real insight into the mind of a Special Forces soldier.&”—Guns America Digest &“As page-turners go, this book is for certain one of them, but don&’t let that fool you into thinking the story is devoid of a sophisticated plot.&”—SOFREP
Sword of the Demon
by Richard A. LupoffThrough realms of oriental splender and superhuman conflict, a beautiful woman warrior and a fierce man-god journey to challenge a being more awesome than the gods for a magical sword that holds the power of death ... and the key to enlightenment.