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The Shape of Battle: The Art of War from the Battle of Hastings to D-Day and Beyond
by Allan MallinsonA distinguished military historian tells the dramatic story of six defining battles in world history.Every battle is different. Each takes place in a different context—the war, the campaign, the weapons. However, battles across the centuries, whether fought with spears and swords or advanced technology, have much in common. Fighting is, after all, an intensely human affair; human nature doesn't change. So why were certain battles fought as they were? What gave them their shape? Why did they go as they did: victory for one side, defeat for the other? In exploring six significant feats of arms—the war and campaign in which they each occurred, and the factors that determined their precise form and course—The Shape of Battle answers these fundamental questions about the waging of war. Eschewing polemics, The Shape of Battle doesn't try to argue a case. It lets the narratives—the battles—speak for themselves.
The Shaping of Grand Strategy: Policy, Diplomacy, and War
by Williamson Murray James Lacey Richard Hart SinnreichWithin a variety of historical contexts, The Shaping of Grand Strategy addresses the most important tasks states have confronted: namely, how to protect their citizens against the short-range as well as long-range dangers their polities confront in the present and may confront in the future. To be successful, grand strategy demands that governments and leaders chart a course that involves more than simply reacting to immediate events. Above all, it demands they adapt to sudden and major changes in the international environment, which more often than not involves the outbreak of great conflicts but at times demands recognition of major economic, political, or diplomatic changes. This collection of essays explores the successes as well as failures of great states attempting to create grand strategies that work and aims at achieving an understanding of some of the extraordinary difficulties involved in casting, evolving and adapting grand strategy to the realities of the world.
The Shark and the Sardines
by Juan José Arévalo June CobbThe Shark and the Sardines is a scathing allegorical short story by Juan José Arévalo Bermejo (1904-1990), who was the first of the reformist presidents of Guatemala (1944-1951). As a country that had seen a series of dictatorships following its independence from Spain, Arévalo’s 1944 election is considered by historians to be the first fair and democratic election in Guatemala’s republican history.Arévalo’s administration was marked by unprecedented relatively free political life during his six-year term. An educator and philosopher, he understood the need for advancement in individuals, communities, and nations by practical means.“It appears to be a truism today that anything touching upon US-Latin American policy is bound to end either in histrionics or hysteria, whether of the Left or Right. And former president of Guatemala, Juan Jose Arevalo’s The Shark and the Sardines is no exception. Free flowing, full of rhetoric at once both surly and suave, astream with shockers, statistics and stilettos, it promulgates what the blurbs dubb a “poetically tragic fable”, depicting in iridescent black and white the tortured heart beating south of our border, wherein Uncle Sam emerges as the Shark and the mestiza have-nots, the poor Sardines.”—KIRKUS Review
The Sharpe Collection: Books #12-15
by Bernard CornwellThe Sharpe Collection: Books #12-15: Sharpe's Devil, Sharpe's Battle, Sharpe's Tiger, and Sharpe's Triumph
The Sharpe Collection: Books #16-18
by Bernard CornwellThe Sharpe Collection: Books #16-18: Sharpe's Fortress, Sharpe's Trafalgar, and Sharpe's Prey
The Shattered Blue Line
by Patrick A. DavisINSIDE AN AIR FORCE ACADEMY SEX SCANDAL INVESTIGATION, ANOTHER HEINOUS CRIME COMES TO LIGHT: MURDER. Major Nathan Malone figured his DWI charge was about to get him fired from the Office of Special Investigations. Instead, he's pulled from his holding cell to take on a shocking case: during an ongoing Congressional investigation into a sex scandal at the U.S. Air Force Academy, two female cadets are found brutally murdered. Accustomed to living on the edge, and used to his chiseled looks opening doors, Malone finds his devil-may-care attitude is shaken to the core as he and his partner, the uncompromising Marva "Mother" Hubbard, track a sadistic killer intent on keeping the secrets of the past buried deep.
The Shattered Lens: A War Photographer's True Story of Captivity and Survival in Syria
by Jonathan Alpeyrie Stash LuczkiwDiscover a gripping and harrowing tale of war and torture from the man who lived it in this powerful memoir by the celebrated war journalist who not only documented over a dozen conflict zones worldwide but was also captured and held hostage by Syrian rebels in 2013.Capturing history was Jonathan Alpeyrie’s job but he never expected to become a news story himself. For a decade, the French‑American photojournalist had weaved in and out of over a dozen conflict zones. He photographed civilians being chased out of their homes, military trucks roving over bullet‑torn battlefields, and too many bodies to count. But on April 29, 2013, during his third assignment to Syria, Alpeyrie was betrayed by his fixer and handed over to a band of Syrian rebels. For eighty‑one days he was bound, blindfolded, and beaten. Not too far away, President Bashar al‑Assad’s forces and those in opposition continued their bitter and bloody civil war. Over the course of his captivity, Alpeyrie kept his spirits up and strived to see, without his camera lenses, the humanity in his captors. He took part in their activities, taught them how to swim, prayed with them, and tried learning their language and culture. He also discovered a dormant faith within himself, one that strengthened him throughout the ordeal. The Shattered Lens is the firsthand account of a photojournalist who has always answered the next adrenaline‑pumping assignment. Yet, during his headline‑making kidnapping, he was left to consider the value and risks of his career, ponder the violent conflicts he had seen, and put the historical events over which we have no control into perspective.
The Shattered Skies (The Cruel Stars Trilogy #2)
by John BirminghamHumanity&’s last surviving heroes must protect a shattered civilization from an all-conquering enemy in this thrilling sequel to The Cruel Stars.The Sturm, an empire of &“species purists,&” have returned from the farthest reaches of Dark Space to wage a war against what they call mutants and borgs: any human being with genetic or neural engineering. In a sneak attack, they overwhelmed almost all of humanity&’s defenses, blasting vicious malware across galaxy-spanning networks, dark code that transformed anyone connected to the system into a mindless psychotic killer. The Sturm&’s victory seemed complete, their final triumph inevitable, until one small band of intrepid, unlikely heroes struck back.Commander Lucinda Hardy and Admiral Frazer McLennan used the Armadalen Navy&’s final surviving warship to fend off the Sturm, destroying the massed power of an entire Attack Fleet. With brilliant tactics—and support from drunken, grief-ravaged pirate Sephina L&’trel and treasonous battle-rig operator Booker—this ragtag crew sent the Sturm running, managing to save Princess Alessia, the sole surviving heir to the gigantic Montanblanc ul Haq Corporation and perhaps Earth&’s only remaining senator.Now left with the remains of a fallen civilization, they must work together to rebuild what was lost and root out the numberless enemies of Earth. The Sturm invaders remain vastly more powerful—and they may not be the only threat lurking in the darkness of space.
The Shattering (Guardians of Ga'Hoole #5)
by Kathryn LaskyIn the Guardians of Ga'Hoole Series Book 5, Eglantine unwittingly becomes a spy for Kludd, leader of the Pure Ones. She is brainwashed by an owl to infiltrate the Great Ga'Hoole Tree. Soren and his friends successfully reverse her odd behavior and brainwashing.
The Shelburne Escape Line: Secret Rescues of Allied Aviators by the French Underground, the British Royal Navy & London's MI-9
by Don Douglass Réanne Hemingway-DouglassAn account of WWII rescues that &“pays tribute to the audacity and heroism of the men and women of the French Resistance and Allied military personnel&” (Warship World). The Shelburne was one of the later escape lines that operated within Nazi-occupied Europe. It was established at the end of 1943 by two agents who worked for MI-9, the London-based military intelligence agency responsible for providing assistance to Allied servicemen stranded behind enemy lines. Working with the French Resistance, these agents arranged for groups of Allied airmen to be taken from &“safe houses&” in Paris to Brittany, where a Royal Navy motor gunboat picked them up from a secluded beach and delivered them back to England. Eight audacious evacuation operations were conducted between January and August, 1944, without the Shelburne Line ever being infiltrated by the Gestapo. Aspects of the Shelburne story have been told previously in memoirs by several of the participants, including the late MP Airey Neave, who was an MI-9 operative. However, Hemingway-Douglass expands the story to include recollections of some of the local Breton people who were involved with the Line. The second half of the book comprises personal stories of airmen and other individuals who were affiliated with the Shelburne Line or were otherwise caught up in the war in France. A lifelong Francophile, Hemingway-Douglass took eight years to research and write the book. She describes it as a labor of love that pays tribute to the heroism and courage of &“ordinary&” people, while reinforcing the fact that war touches everybody.&“Fascinating . . . A must read for military and espionage enthusiasts.&” —The Bulletin (Military Historical Society)
The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862
by Gary W. GallagherThis volume explores the Shenandoah Valley campaign, best known for its role in establishing Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's reputation as the Confederacy's greatest military idol. The authors address questions of military leadership, strategy and tactics, the campaign's political and social impact, and the ways in which participants' memories of events differed from what is revealed in the historical sources. In the process, they offer valuable insights into one of the Confederacy's most famous generals, those who fought with him and against him, the campaign's larger importance in the context of the war, and the complex relationship between history and memory. The contributors are Jonathan M. Berkey, Keith S. Bohannon, Peter S. Carmichael, Gary W. Gallagher, A. Cash Koeniger, R. E. L. Krick, Robert K. Krick, and William J. Miller.
The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864
by Gary W. GallagherGenerally regarded as the most important of the Civil War campaigns conducted in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, that of 1864 lasted more than four months and claimed more than 25,000 casualties. The armies of Philip H. Sheridan and Jubal A. Early contended for immense stakes. Beyond the agricultural bounty and the boost in morale a victory would bring, events in the Valley also would affect Abraham Lincoln's chances for reelection in the November 1864 presidential canvass. The eleven original essays in this volume reexamine common assumptions about the campaign, its major figures, and its significance. Taking advantage of the most recent scholarship and a wide range of primary sources, contributors examine strategy and tactics, the performances of key commanders on each side, the campaign's political repercussions, and the experiences of civilians caught in the path of the armies. The authors do not always agree with one another, yet, taken together, their essays highlight important connections between the home front and the battlefield, as well as ways in which military affairs, civilian experiences, and politics played off one another during the campaign.Contributors:William W. Bergen, Charlottesville, VirginiaKeith S. Bohannon, State University of West GeorgiaAndre M. Fleche, University of VirginiaGary W. Gallagher, University of VirginiaJoseph T. Glatthaar, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRobert E. L. Krick, Richmond, VirginiaRobert K. Krick, Fredericksburg, VirginiaWilliam J. Miller, Churchville, VirginiaAaron Sheehan-Dean, University of North FloridaWilliam G. Thomas, University of Nebraska-LincolnJoan Waugh, University of California, Los AngelesGenerally regarded as the most important Civil War military operation conducted in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the campaign of 1864 lasted more than four months and claimed more than 25,000 casualties. Beyond the loss of agricultural bounty to the Confederacy and the boost in Union morale a victory would bring, events in the Valley also would affect Abraham Lincoln's chances for reelection in the November 1864 presidential canvass. The eleven original essays in this volume reexamine common assumptions about the campaign, its major figures, and its significance. Taking advantage of the most recent scholarship and a wide range of primary sources, contributors consider strategy and tactics, the performances of key commanders on each side, the campaign's political repercussions, and the experiences of civilians caught in the path of the armies. The contributors are William W. Bergen, Keith S. Bohannon, Andre M. Fleche, Gary W. Gallagher, Joseph T. Glatthaar, Robert E. L. Krick, Robert K. Krick, William J. Miller, Aaron Sheehan-Dean, William G. Thomas, and Joan Waugh. The editor is Gary W. Gallagher.-->
The Shenandoah Valley Campaigns, Omnibus E-book
by Gary W. GallagherThis Omnibus ebook contains the two-volume collection of essays, edited by Gary Gallagher, that covers the Shenandoah Valley Campaigns of 1862 and 1864.1862:This volume explores the Shenandoah Valley campaign, best known for its role in establishing Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's reputation as the Confederacy's greatest military idol. The authors address questions of military leadership, strategy and tactics, the campaign's political and social impact, and the ways in which participants' memories of events differed from what is revealed in the historical sources. In the process, they offer valuable insights into one of the Confederacy's most famous generals, those who fought with him and against him, the campaign's larger importance in the context of the war, and the complex relationship between history and memory.The contributors are Jonathan M. Berkey, Keith S. Bohannon, Peter S. Carmichael, Gary W. Gallagher, A. Cash Koeniger, R. E. L. Krick, Robert K. Krick, and William J. Miller.1864:Generally regarded as the most important Civil War military operation conducted in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the campaign of 1864 lasted more than four months and claimed more than 25,000 casualties. Beyond the loss of agricultural bounty to the Confederacy and the boost in Union morale a victory would bring, events in the Valley also would affect Abraham Lincoln's chances for reelection in the November 1864 presidential canvass. The eleven original essays in this volume reexamine common assumptions about the campaign, its major figures, and its significance. Taking advantage of the most recent scholarship and a wide range of primary sources, contributors consider strategy and tactics, the performances of key commanders on each side, the campaign's political repercussions, and the experiences of civilians caught in the path of the armies. The contributors are William W. Bergen, Keith S. Bohannon, Andre M. Fleche, Gary W. Gallagher, Joseph T. Glatthaar, Robert E. L. Krick, Robert K. Krick, William J. Miller, Aaron Sheehan-Dean, William G. Thomas, and Joan Waugh. The editor is Gary W. Gallagher.
The Shepherd
by Frederick ForsythChristmas Eve, 1957: An RAF pilot needs a miracle to make it home as his fighter jet begins to fail, in a story by the #1 New York Times–bestselling author. It is Christmas Eve, 1957, and there are cozier places to be than the cockpit of a de Havilland Vampire fighter plane. But for the Royal Air Force pilot who has just taken off from West Germany, this single-seat jet is the only way to make it back to England for Christmas morning. His flight plan is simple; the fuel tank is full. In sixty-six minutes, he will be back in Blighty. But then the plane begins to fail. First the compass goes haywire, then the radio dies. Lost and alone above the English coast, the pilot is searching for a landing strip when the fog closes in, signaling certain death. He has given up hope when a second shadow appears—a Mosquito fighter-bomber of World War II vintage. The plane is a &“shepherd,&” guiding the Vampire to a safe landing, and its appearance is a gift from fate, a miracle out of time—but for one lonely pilot, the mystery has just begun. A classic bestseller, beloved by aviation fans (including actor John Travolta, who calls it &“one of my favorites because it personalizes the two planes&”) and general readers alike, The Shepherd is a gripping, heartwarming tale for a cold winter&’s night.
The Sheriff & the Amnesiac
by Ryanne Corey"WHO IS JENNY KYLE? "Seems as if everybody in Bridal Veil Falls is asking that question. The feisty redhead with the high-powered motorcycle made quite an impression on the little Montana town—even before the accident that stole her memory…Sheriff Tyler Cook—a champion rodeo rider who'd walked away from a million-dollar career to become the law in his hometown—wants to know her story, too. But folks are starting to think his interest isn't purely professional… And the sparks flying between the sassy stranger and the rock-solid Western lawman have the town wondering if she'll be sticking around—even after she remembers who she is…
The Sheriff of Ramadi
by Dick CouchIn this ground-breaking book, best-selling author and former U.S. Navy SEAL Dick Couch reports on the actions of the SEAL Task Unit during the Battle of Ramadi in Iraq s al-Anbar Province between 2005 and 2007. When he began his research, the author thought he would be writing about the SEALs courage in the face of a losing cause. Instead, he discovered a startling success story whose importance has gone unrecognized in the war against al-Qaeda. Couch argues that the lessons of Ramadi, with SEALs fighting alongside regular forces in an urban war zone, call for using this strategy more widely. One of the most significant military engagements in the global war against terrorism since 9/11 and the most sustained and vicious engagement ever fought by SEALs, the Battle of Ramadi demonstrates both their code of brotherhood and ability to adapt in an urban battle space, which Couch identifies as the keys to the SEALs success on the battlefield. The story of PO2 Michael Monsoor, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the battle, is a compelling example of their extraordinary brotherhood. First published in hardcover in 2008, the book is now available in paperback for the first time.
The Sherrin: A bloody battle on and off the field
by Peter StanleyThe island of New Aachen is a hotbed of turmoil, with more than just the enemy in the firing line.In May 1945, as Europe celebrates the end of WWII, the Pacific theatre remains a brutal battleground. On the remote Pacific Island of New Aachen, the site of a massacre of Australian troops three years prior, tensions run high. David Wachter, a veteran turned war historian clerk, joins a group of correspondents to cover the conflict and bring home the story of these battle-worn Australian troops. In a tense week, Wachter and his group will confront how they can—and can&’t—depict the truth of war. As tensions between conscripted Militia and volunteer AIF soldiers simmer, the cynical Lieutenant Connellan, a survivor of the massacre, struggles to keep the correspondents in line—a task growing more complicated by the minute. Despite his desire to remain an observer, Wachter is drawn into the chaos. The rivalry between the men threatens to bring a crisis to the front line. The Militia, authorised to operate up to the Equator, face a crucial turning point as New Aachen sits on that very line. The Brigadier&’s desperate attempt to boost morale with an Australian Rules football match, played with the island's only ball, the legendary 'Sherrin', could either unite the troops or incite further unrest. As the Japanese approach, the battalion launches an attack on a steep, sugar-loaf knoll nicknamed the Sherrin, just across the Equator. What will happen when disaffected militiamen reach that imaginary line? And what happens when Connellan confronts the island&’s harrowing past?
The Shetland 'Bus': Transporting Secret Agents Across the North Sea in WW2
by Stephen WynnA history of the World War II clandestine special operations group that linked German-occupied Norway with Scotland&’s Shetland Islands. The Shetland Bus was not a bus, but the nickname of a special operations group that set up a route across the North Sea between Norway and the Shetland Islands, north-east of mainland Scotland. The first voyage was made by Norwegian sailors to help their compatriots in occupied Norway, but soon the Secret Intelligence Service and the Special Operations Executive asked if they would be prepared to carry cargoes of British agents and equipment, as well. Fourteen boats of different sizes were originally used, and Flemington House in Shetland was commandeered as the operation&’s HQ. The first official journey was carried out by the Norwegian fishing vessel the Aksel, which left Luna Ness on 30 August 1941 on route to Bremen in Norway. This book examines that first journey, as well later ones, and discusses the agents and operations which members of the Shetland Bus were involved in throughout the war. It also looks at the donation of three submarine chasers to the operation, made in October 1943, by the United States Navy. These torpedo-type boats were 110 ft long and very fast, allowing journey times between Shetland and Norway to be greatly reduced and carried out in greater safety. The story of the Shetland Bus would be nothing without the individuals involved, both the sailors of the boats and the agents who were carried between the two countries. These were very brave individuals who helped maintain an important lifeline to the beleaguered Norwegians. It also allowed British and Norwegian agents a way into Norway so that they could liaise with the Norwegian Underground movement and carry out important missions against the German occupiers.Praise for The Shetland &‘Bus&’ &“Wynn—who has written or co-written several books on the Second World War—is to be commended for his detailed account of a captivating and understudied moment in the history of special operations. . . . Wynn&’s readable and engaging account of his subject explores the intersections of transnational, Second World War, and special operations history. As a result, it should be of interest to a wide readership.&” —The Northern Mariner &“Very highly recommended.&” —Firetrench &“A great book about individual spies and sailors from both sides of the water putting their lives at great risk. I really enjoyed this book and it was written in a bit of diary style, plenty of information and photographs. I certainly recommend this book to all.&” —UK Historian
The Shield Ring
by Rosemary SutcliffBjorn and Frytha share a bond, both orphans and survivors of Norman attacks on their homes in the Lake country. Growing up together in Jarl Buthar's Norse stronghold, they become fast friends, with Bjorn dreaming of becoming a harper like his father.As they come of age within this secret fortress, they hear word of the Norman attacks beyond their walls, drawing ever closer to the safety of their home. Can they help protect their adoptive home and family, or will they lose everything all over again?
The Shield Ring
by Rosemary SutcliffBjorn and Frytha share a bond, both orphans and survivors of Norman attacks on their homes in the Lake country. Growing up together in Jarl Buthar's Norse stronghold, they become fast friends, with Bjorn dreaming of becoming a harper like his father.As they come of age within this secret fortress, they hear word of the Norman attacks beyond their walls, drawing ever closer to the safety of their home. Can they help protect their adoptive home and family, or will they lose everything all over again?
The Shield and the Sword: The Knights Of St John Jerusalem Rhodes And Malta
by Ernle BradfordAn authoritative history of the Knights of St. John, from Jerusalem to Malta, told by the bestselling author of The Great Siege. Known by many names through their centuries-long career, The Knights Hospitaller of Saint John dedicated themselves to defending the poor and sick. First formed in Jerusalem during the Crusades of the eleventh century, the Order of Saint John grew in wealth and power rivaled only by the Knights Templar. They survived exile from the Holy Land, settling first in Rhodes and then in Malta, which they famously defended against the Ottoman Empire&’s epic invasion of 1565. Even after losing Malta to Napoleon Bonaparte two centuries later, the Order of Saint John continued its mission. Ernle Bradford, whose bestselling book The Great Siege recounts their historic battle for Malta, follows the Knights of Saint John through centuries of war, politics, rivalry, and perseverance in The Shield and the Sword.
The Shield of Achilles: War, Peace, and the Course of History
by Philip BobbittHistory of war and international relations with commentary and theses.
The Shield of Time: A Time Patrol Book (TIME PATROL)
by Poul AndersonMase Everard is a man with a mission. As an Unattached Agent of the Time Patrol, he's to go anyplace - and anytime! - where humanity's transcendent future is threatened by the alteration of the past. This is Manse's profession, and his burden: for how much suffering, throughout human history, can he bear to "preserve"?Wanda Tamberley is a Patrol member in search of her mission. Recruited from sunny California in the late 20th century, she'd rather serve as a scientist in the research branch, exploring Earth's flora and fauna in epochs long past. But as hints accumulate from the Patrol's mysterious leaders uptime, it's beginning to look as if a lot of human history depends on her personal decisions - and Manse's.Meanwhile, the Exaltationists are on the loose, determined to revise human history and rule Time forever and Manse Everard is sworn to stop them, no matter what the heartbreaking cost!
The Shifter's Choice
by Jenna KernanThey took his humanity...but left a hero's heart. Feisty and street-wise, Private Sofia Touma has too much at stake to risk being distracted from her duty to the marine corps. That is, until she's assigned to help the compelling and disabled veteran Johnny Lam. More than a war hero, he's also a werewolf who can't shift back to human form. And Sofia is quickly, inexplicably drawn to him. Unlike Sofia, Johnny understands the risks involved in her loving a monster. But with each day bringing them closer together, he isn't sure he'll be able to continue to do the honorable thing...or protect her from the enemies intent on keeping him a werewolf forever.
The Shining Sea: David Porter and the Epic Voyage of the U.S.S. Essex during the War of 1812
by George C. DaughanShortly after the outbreak of the War of 1812, Captain David Porter set out at the helm of the USS Essex, intent on rounding Cape Horn and hunting British whaling and merchant ships in the Pacific Ocean. Porter’s odyssey took him to exotic isles and brought glory to the fledgling American navy, and in The Shining Sea, celebrated historian George C. Daughan tells the full story of this historic voyage for the first time. Porter’s cruise is now regarded as the greatest maritime adventure of the period, but his monomaniacal quest to capture a British man-of-war ultimately cost him his ship and the lives of over two-thirds of his crew--a disgraceful end to a daring journey. A thrilling narrative of risk and ruin on the high seas, The Shining Sea brings to life one of the war’s greatest tragedies, capturing Porter’s immense hubris and his cataclysmic failure.