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The Somme: Also Including The Coward (Casemate Classic War Fiction #3)
by A. D. GristwoodTwo World War I classics: The story of a British soldier enduring the battle in France and a novella starring a man who takes drastic steps to escape the Great War.The million British dead have left no books behind. What they felt as they died hour by hour in the mud, or were choked horribly with gas, or relinquished their reluctant lives on stretchers, no witness tells. But here is a book that almost tells it. . . . Mr. Gristwood has had the relentless simplicity to recall things as they were; he was as nearly dead as he could be without dying, and he has smelt the stench of his own corruption. This is the story of millions of men—of millions.&” —H. G. Wells In The Somme and its companion The Coward, first published in 1927, the heroics of war and noble self-sacrifice are completely absent, replaced by the gritty realism of life for the ordinary soldier in World War I and an unflinching portrayal of the horrors of war. Written under the guidance of master storyteller H. G. Wells, they are classics of the genre. Based on A. D. Gristwood&’s own wartime experiences, The Somme revolves around a futile attack during the 1916 Somme campaign. On the battlefront, Tom Everitt is wounded and must be moved back through a series of dressing stations to the General Hospital at Rouen. Few other accounts of the war give such an accurate picture of trench life, and The Spectator praised Gristwood&’s &“very effective writing,&” calling The Somme &“a book which anyone who was not in the War should read.&”The Coward concerns a man who shoots himself in the hand to escape the chaos during the March 1918 retreat—an offense punishable by death—and is haunted by fear of discovery and self-loathing. Together, these works offer a vivid, immersive view of the First World War and the suffering it inflicted on the men who fought it.
The Somme: Death of a Generation
by John HarrisThe bloodiest battle in the history of the British Army.In 1916 the Great War seemed caught in a stalemate. The British were determined to break it with a huge summer push. By the time the campaign wound down in November, it proved to be the most destructive ever encounter for the Army, seeing thousands of casualties for every day of the conflict. It wasn’t meant to have been like this: the British had a massive artillery superiority, and were primed to crush their enemy. In the end, despite fierce fighting, the Germans lost far fewer men.The Somme has come to be an emblem for the horrors of war, for the pounding of shells and the hunkering down in rain-sodden trenches. What happened? How did it go so wrong for the British? Here in sharp detail, the bestselling writer John Harris tells the story of one the key battles of world history, describing in gripping terms how a series of events soon spiralled wildly, and hopelessly, out of control.This is an unforgettable history of assault and bitter defence that takes the reader into the ferocious heart of a conflict whose scars remain today.
The Somme: Herosim and Horror in the First World War
by Martin GilbertFrom one of our most distinguished historians, an authoritative and vivid account of the devastating World War I battle that claimed more than 300,000 livesAt 7:30 am on July 1, 1916, the first Allied soldiers climbed out of their trenches along the Somme River in France and charged out into no-man's-land toward the barbed wire and machine guns at the German front lines. By the end of this first day of the Allied attack, the British army alone would lose 20,000 men; in the coming months, the fifteen-mile-long territory along the river would erupt into the epicenter of the Great War. The Somme would mark a turning point in both the war and military history, as soldiers saw the first appearance of tanks on the battlefield, the emergence of the air war as a devastating and decisive factor in battle, and more than one million casualties (among them a young Adolf Hitler, who took a fragment in the leg). In just 138 days, 310,000 men died.In this vivid, deeply researched account of one history's most destructive battles, historian Martin Gilbert tracks the Battle of the Somme through the experiences of footsoldiers (known to the British as the PBI, for Poor Bloody Infantry), generals, and everyone in between. Interwoven with photographs, journal entries, original maps, and documents from every stage and level of planning, The Somme is the most authoritative and affecting account of this bloody turning point in the Great War.
The Somme: The Darkest Hour On The Western Front
by Peter Hart Nigel SteelA major new history of the most infamous battle of the First World War, as described by the men who fought it. On 1 July 1916, Douglas Haig's army launched the 'Big Push' that was supposed finally to bring an end to the stalemate on the Western Front. What happened next was a human catastrophe: scrambling over the top into the face of the German machine guns and artillery fire, almost 20,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers were killed that day alone, and twice as many wounded - the greatest loss in a single day ever sustained by the British Army. The battle did not stop there, however. It dragged on for another 4 months, leaving the battlefield strewn with literally hundreds of thousands of bodies. The Somme has remained a byword for the futility of war ever since. In this major new history, Peter Hart describes how the battle looked from the point of view of those who fought it. Using never-before-seen eyewitness testimonies, he shows us this epic conflict from all angles. We see what it was like to crawl across No Man's Land in the face of the German guns, what it was like for those who stayed behind in the trenches - the padres, the artillerymen, the doctors. We also see what the battle looked like from the air, as the RFC battled to keep control of the skies above the battlefield. All this is put in the context of the background to the battle, and Haig's overall strategy for the Western Front, making this the most comprehensive history of the battle since Lyn MacDonald's bestselling work over 20 years ago.
The Somme: The Epic Battle in the Soldiers' own Words and Photographs
by Richard van EmdenThe epic and brutal WWI battle is vividly recounted through the words and photos of the soldiers who lived through it. One of the most famous battles of the Great War, the offensive on the Somme took place in 1916, from July and November. It was there that Kitcheners famous Pals Battalions were first sent into action en masse. It was a battlefield where many of the dreams and aspirations of a nation, hopeful of victory, were agonizingly dashed. Because of its legendary status, the Battle of the Somme has been the subject of many books. Yet this volume is the first of its kind, in which the soldiers&’ own stories and photographs are used to illustrate both the campaign's extraordinary comradeship and its carnage.
The Somme: The Royal Flying Corps And The Battle Of The Somme 1916
by Peter HartOne of the bloodiest battles in world history—a military tragedy that would come to define a generation.On July 1, 1916, the British Army launched the &“Big Push&” that was supposed to bring an end to the horrific stalemate on the Western Front between British, French, and German forces. What resulted was one of the greatest single human catastrophes in twentieth century warfare. Scrambling out of trenches in the face of German machine guns and artillery fire, the Allied Powers lost over twenty thousand soldiers that first day. This &“battle&” would drag on for another four bloody months, resulting in over one million causalities among the three powers. As the oral historian at the Imperial War Museum in London, Peter Hart has brought to light new material never before seen or heard. The Somme is an unparalleled evocation of World War I&’s iconic contest—the definitive account of one of the major tragedies of the twentieth century.
The Song of the Jade Lily: A Novel
by Kirsty Manning“Kirsty Manning weaves together little-known threads of World War II history, family secrets, the past and the present into a page-turning, beautiful novel."— Heather Morris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of AuschwitzA gripping historical novel that tells the little-known story of Jewish refugees who fled to Shanghai during WWII.1939: Two young girls meet in Shanghai, also known as the “Paris of the East”. Beautiful local Li and Jewish refugee Romy form a fierce friendship, but the deepening shadows of World War II fall over the women as they slip between the city's glamorous French Concession district and the teeming streets of the Shanghai Ghetto. Yet soon the realities of war prove to be too much for these close friends as they are torn apart. 2016: Fleeing London with a broken heart, Alexandra returns to Australia to be with her grandparents, Romy and Wilhelm. Her grandfather is dying, and over the coming weeks Romy and Wilhelm begin to reveal the family mysteries they have kept secret for more than half a century. As fragments of her mother's history finally become clear, Alexandra struggles with what she learns while more is also revealed about her grandmother's own past in Shanghai.After Wilhelm dies, Alexandra flies to Shanghai, determined to trace her grandparents' past. Peeling back the layers of their hidden lives, she is forced to question what she knows about her family—and herself. The Song of the Jade Lily is a lush, provocative, and beautiful story of friendship, motherhood, the price of love, and the power of hardship and courage that can shape us all.
The Song of the Stork: A Story Of Love, Hope And Survival
by Stephan CollishawA Jewish girl finds refuge with a village outcast during WWII in this &“elegantly crafted, beautifully written novel about love, survival and hope&” (William Ryan). In a small Eastern European village, fifteen-year-old Yael is on the run from Nazi invaders. The so-called village idiot, Aleksei is a solitary mute who does not want for company. But as the brutal winter advances, he reluctantly takes Yael in. As she begins to win his trust, a delicate relationship develops between them. But beyond Aleksei&’s remote homestead, the war rages on, and Yael cannot hide forever. A Jewish partisan group is organizing in the woods to mount a counterattack. Torn between her love and her need to fight, Yael must find her voice as the voices around her are being extinguished.
The Songbirds of Colliers Row: A heartwarming wartime family saga
by Jennifer HartA warm-hearted, nostalgic and uplifting saga, The Songbirds of Colliers Row by Jennifer Hart will delight fans of Nadine Dorries, Donna Douglas, Anne Baker and Mary Gibson.From the ashes of war rose a song of hope...A village without a voice. That's what the locals are saying about Llandegwen, deep in the Welsh valleys. The village choir, once a source of pride for the small mining community, has been forced to disband; the elderly choirmaster heartbroken by the empty seats belonging to those who'll never return from the battlefields. The arrival of a young war widow from the East End with her little boy sets tongues wagging, not least when rumours abound that she's looking to revive the choir. Can the community set aside their grief and lift their voices, and the village's hopes, once more?
The Songbirds of Colliers Row: A heartwarming wartime family saga
by Jennifer HartFrom the ashes of war rose a song of hope...A warm-hearted, nostalgic and uplifting saga, The Songbirds of Colliers Row by Jennifer Hart is perfect for fans of Call the Midwife, Donna Douglas, Kate Thompson's Secrets of the Singer Girls and for anyone with a song in their heart...A village without a voice. That's what the locals are saying about Llandegwen, deep in the Welsh valleys. The village choir, once a source of pride for the small mining community, has been forced to disband; the elderly choirmaster heartbroken by the empty seats belonging to those who'll never return from the battlefields. The arrival of a young war widow from the East End with her little boy sets tongues wagging, not least when rumours abound that she's looking to revive the choir. Can the community set aside their grief and lift their voices, and the village's hopes, once more?(P)2017 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
The Sorrow of War: A Novel of North Vietnam
by Bao Ninh Phan Thanh HaoBao Ninh, a former North Vietnamese soldier, provides a strikingly honest look at how the Vietnam War forever changed his life, his country, and the people who live there. Originally published against government wishes in Vietnam because of its nonheroic, non-ideological tone, The Sorrow of War has won worldwide acclaim and become an international bestseller
The Sorrow of War: A Novel of North Vietnam
by Bao NinhDuring the Vietnam War Bao Ninh served with the Glorious 27th Youth Brigade. Of the five hundred men who went to war with the brigade in 1969, he is one of only ten who survived. The Sorrow of War is his autobiographical novel. Kien works in a unit that recovers soldiers' corpses. Revisiting the sites of battles raises emotional ghosts for him and the memory of war scenes are juxtaposed with dreams and remembrances of his childhood sweetheart. The Sorrow of War burns the tragedy of war in our minds.
The Sorrow of the Sea: The Nightingale and the Falcon Book III
by Stephen AryanThe epic conclusion to Stephen Aryan's The Nightingale and the Falcon trilogy, a bloody and magical reimagining of the Mongolian Empire's invasion of Persia. Great for fans of She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan.The Mongol Empire is fractured but the unstoppable warlord, Timur, has the potential to repair the damage and conquer everything in his path.After being manipulated, Temujin has severed all ties with the Kozan and embraced his heritage. As the new ruler of the Ilkhanate he is determined not to repeat mistakes made his father. But few believe Temujin is up to the task, least of all his father, as a Khan must be utterly ruthless.The new Persian army needs time before it&’s ready, forcing Kaivon and Esme to support Temujin and the Ilkhanate. Conducting dangerous missions across enemy lines they hope to slow Timur&’s conquest.Kokochin seeks to make amends by helping others fight back against the Mongols. After attracting the attention of a killer, she struggles with her darker instincts to protect herself and those around her.The world is on the verge of a war, unlike any that have come before, but who will emerge triumphant in a world of magi, spies and conquerors?The final instalment from bestselling author Stephen Aryan's sees an epic conclusion to The Nightingale and the Falcon trilogy.
The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy and the End of the Republic
by Chalmers Johnson[From the book jacket] In the years after the Soviet Union imploded, the United States was described first as the globe's "lone superpower," then as a "reluctant sheriff," next as the "indispensable nation," and, in the wake of 9/11, as a "New Rome." Here, Chalmers Johnson thoroughly explores the new militarism that is transforming America and compelling its people to pick up the burden of empire. Reminding us of the classic warnings against militarism-from George Washington's Farewell Address to Dwight Eisenhower's denunciation of the military-industrial complex-Johnson uncovers its roots deep in our past. Turning to the present, he maps America's expanding empire of military bases and the vast web of services that support them. He offers a vivid look at the new caste of professional militarists who have infiltrated multiple branches of government, who classify as "secret" everything they do, and for whom the manipulation of the military budget is of vital interest. Among Johnson's provocative conclusions is that American militarism is already putting an end to the age of globalization, and bankrupting the United States even as it creates the conditions for a new century of virulent blowback. The Sorrows of Empire suggests that the former American republic has already crossed its Rubicon-with the Pentagon in the lead.
The Soul of Armies: Counterinsurgency Doctrine and Military Culture in the US and UK
by Austin LongFor both the United States and United Kingdom counterinsurgency was a serious component of security policy during the Cold War and, along with counterterrorism, has been the greatest security challenge after September 11, 2001. In The Soul of Armies Austin Long compares and contrasts counterinsurgency operations during the Cold War and in recent years by three organizations: the US Army, the US Marine Corps, and the British Army. Long argues that the formative experiences of these three organizations as they professionalized in the nineteenth century has produced distinctive organizational cultures that shape operations. Combining archival research on counterinsurgency campaigns in Vietnam and Kenya with the author's personal experience as a civilian advisor to the military in Iraq and Afghanistan, The Soul of Armies demonstrates that the US Army has persistently conducted counterinsurgency operations in a very different way from either the US Marine Corps or the British Army. These differences in conduct have serious consequences, affecting the likelihood of success, the potential for civilian casualties and collateral damage, and the ability to effectively support host nation governments. Long concludes counterinsurgency operations are at best only a partial explanation for success or failure.
The Soul of Battle: From Ancient Times To The Present Day, How Three Great Liberators Vanquished Tyranny
by Victor Davis HansonVictor David Hanson, author of the highly regarded classic The Western Way of War, presents an audacious and controversial theory of what contributes to the success of military campaigns. Examining in riveting detail the campaigns of three brilliant generals who led largely untrained forces to victory over tyrannical enemies, Hanson shows how the moral confidence with which these generals imbued their troops may have been as significant as any military strategy they utilized. Theban general Epaminondas marched an army of farmers two hundred miles to defeat their Spartan overlords and forever change the complexion of Ancient Greece. William Tecumseh Sherman led his motley army across the South, ravaging the landscape and demoralizing the citizens in the defense of right. And George S. Patton commanded the recently formed Third Army against the German forces in the West, nearly completing the task before his superiors called a halt. Intelligent and dramatic, The Soul of Battle is narrative history at its best and a work of great moral conviction.
The Soul of My Soldier: Reflections of a Military Wife
by Abigail B CalkinA “beautifully written, deeply honest” memoir of a marriage shaped by war and PTSD (Abigail Thomas, author of A Three Dog Life).After forty-five years of marriage, celebrated author and poet Abigail B. Calkin explores the relationship she has with her husband, who served three tours of duty in two different wars. Raw, riveting, and engaging, Calkin recounts how war and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shaped their marriage and family. Told in prose and poetry, The Soul of My Soldier is a vivid exploration of the extended and significant impact war has on loved ones, and how war affects deployed military personnel far beyond their tour of duty. “When the guns fall silent and troops return home, soldiers carry with them an emotional mine field . . . The Soul of My Soldier reveals the tender attentiveness required to survive and heal.” —Hank Lentfer, author of Faith of Cranes
The Soul of a SEAL
by Anne ElizabethLove may be the toughest battle of all Captain Bennett Oscar SheratonNavy SEAL, the best of the bestDr. Kimberly Warren Brilliant engineer, founder of secret space programWhen scientists on Dr. Warren's super-secret space mission start dying, Navy SEAL Captain Sheraton is sent in as an astronaut candidate with a hidden agenda-find the person sabotaging the program.Kimberly and Bennett's instant attraction may prove to be a major distraction-or it might be the key to both of their dreams coming true...West Coast Navy SEALs Series: A SEAL at Heart (Book 1) Once a SEAL (Book 2) A SEAL Forever (Book 3) The Soul of a SEAL (Book 4)Praise for Anne Elizabeth: "Anne Elizabeth writes Navy SEALs from the heart-action-packed, intense and sexy." -#1 New York Times bestseller Christine Feehan for Once a SEAL"Sexy romance and super-hot concept." -RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars for A SEAL Forever
The Soul of the Robot: The Soul of the Robot Book 1 (SOUL OF THE ROBOT)
by Barrington J. BayleyHe was unique. Alone in a world that did not understand him, he tested the super powers of his mind and body. More than a machine, but less than a man, he searched restlessly for the truth. Before his quest was done, he had died and been reborn, had fought his way from a grim dungeon to a royal throne. Jasperodus, the only super-robot to have been granted consciousness, must decide whether to share his soul-possessing secrets with the other robots or to betray them to save mankind.
The Sound of Life and Everything
by Krista Van DolzerA fascinating speculative historical fiction debut set in 1950s California--perfect for fans of When You Reach Me. Twelve-year-old Ella Mae Higbee is a sensible girl. She eats her vegetables and wants to be just like Sergeant Friday, her favorite character on Dragnet. So when her auntie Mildred starts spouting nonsense about a scientist who can bring her cousin back to life from blood on his dog tags, Ella Mae is skeptical--until he steps out of a bio-pod right before her eyes.But the boy is not her cousin--he's Japanese. And in California in the wake of World War II, the Japanese are still feared and despised. When her aunt refuses to take responsibility, Ella Mae and her Mama take him home instead. Determined to do what's right by her new friend, Ella Mae teaches Takuma English and defends him from the reverend's talk of H-E-double-toothpicks. But when his memories start to resurface, Ella Mae learns some shocking truths about her own family and more importantly, what it means to love.
The Sound of Thunder: Thecourtney Series 2 (The Courtney Series: The When The Lion Feeds Trilogy #2)
by Wilbur SmithA Courtney series adventure - Book 2 in the When the Lion Feeds trilogy"In the same way Sean saw it coming, he recognised it as the murderous rage which before had nearly killed a man, but still he could not prepare himself. And then it was upon him and the roaring filled his head." Some will win. And some will lose. Sean Courtney returns from the African wilds to find war has been declared between the British Empire and the Transvaal Republic. Not only that, but a rivalry is growing, between the cruel, obsessive son who bears his name, and his elder, secret son, whom he cherishes deeply. The Boer War will take from Sean, in both blood and gold, but the conflict and its consequences will also offer him everything a man could want. Sean must now decide: with both sons in his life, is he willing to pay the price he needs to keep them?
The Sound of a Thousand Stars: A Novel
by Rachel RobbinsOppenheimer meets Hidden Figures in this sweeping historical debut where two Jewish physicists form an inseverable bond amidst fear and uncertainty.Sure to captivate readers of Kate Quinn and Bonnie Garmus, The Sound of a Thousand Stars eerily mirrors modern-day questions of wartime ethics and explores what it means to survive—at any cost. Alice Katz is a young Jewish physicist, one of the only female doctoral students at her university, studying with the famed Dr. Oppenheimer. Her well-to-do family wants her to marry a man of her class and settle down. Instead, Alice answers her country&’s call to come to an unnamed city in the desert to work on a government project shrouded in secrecy.At Los Alamos, Alice meets Caleb Blum, a poor Orthodox Jew who has been assigned to the explosives division. Around them are other young scientists and engineers who have quietly left their university posts to come live in the desert.No one seems to know exactly what they are working on—what they do know is that it is a race and that they must beat the Nazis in developing an unspeakable weapon. In this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, and despite their many differences, Alice and Caleb find themselves drawn to one another.Inspired by the author&’s grandparents and sure to appeal to fans of Good Night, Irene, The Sound of a Thousand Stars is a propulsive novel about love in desperate times, the consequences of our decisions, and the roles we play in history.
The Sound of a Thousand Stars: An absolutely heartbreaking and gripping World War 2 novel inspired by a true story
by Rachel Robbins1944, New Mexico: Alice Katz is a young Jewish physicist, one of the only female doctoral students at her university, studying with the famous Dr Oppenheimer. Her well-to-do family wants her to marry and settle down. Instead, Alice answers her country's call to go deep into the desert and lend her skills to a secret project at the heart of the fight against Germany.At Los Alamos, Alice meets Caleb, who has been assigned to the explosives division. Around them are other young scientists and engineers who have left their ordinary lives behind, telling no one where they are going and what they will be doing. Details of the project are shrouded in secrecy, but everyone knows it is a race against time to beat the Nazis before they create an unspeakable weapon of their own.In this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, and despite their many differences, Alice and Caleb find themselves drawn to one another. But as they become more and more desperate to complete their mission before the war is lost, they will face a heartbreaking choice between love for their country and love for each other...This epic tale of love in the face of war is a poignant reminder of the consequences of our decisions, and the roles we play in history. Perfect for fans of Oppenheimer, Hidden Figures and The Diamond Eye.
The Sound of a Thousand Stars: An absolutely heartbreaking and gripping World War 2 novel inspired by a true story
by Rachel Robbins'An amazing story of love and The Manhattan Project that is both sad and triumphant... haunting and magnificent' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐1944, New Mexico: Alice Katz is a young Jewish physicist, one of the only female doctoral students at her university, studying with the famous Dr Oppenheimer. Her well-to-do family wants her to marry and settle down. Instead, Alice answers her country's call to go deep into the desert and lend her skills to a secret project at the heart of the fight against Germany. At Los Alamos, Alice meets Caleb, who has been assigned to the explosives division. Around them are other young scientists and engineers who have left their ordinary lives behind, telling no one where they are going and what they will be doing. Details of the project are shrouded in secrecy, but everyone knows it is a race against time to beat the Nazis before they create an unspeakable weapon of their own.In this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, and despite their many differences, Alice and Caleb find themselves drawn to one another. But as they become more and more desperate to complete their mission before the war is lost, they will face a heartbreaking choice between love for their country and love for each other... This epic tale of love in the face of war is a poignant reminder of the consequences of our decisions, and the roles we play in history. Perfect for fans of Oppenheimer, Hidden Figures and The Diamond Eye. Everyone loves The Sound of a Thousand Stars:'Meticulously researched and beautifully rendered... Reminds us that the greatest mysteries are those of the human heart. This book will leave you breathless' Soon Wiley'A soaring testament to all those unseen souls who answered history's call and selflessly sacrificed in order to shape the world in which we live' Giano Cromley'Asks devastating questions of our past while engaging in hopeful reflections on love. The attention to historical and scientific detail is impressive, and the prose kept me turning pages' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Riveting story that shows love and destiny are forces just as powerful as faith or science' Kathleen Rooney'Beautifully done historical fiction... It had everything that I was looking for... I enjoyed the science element' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Asking questions of complicity and sacrifice that reverberate today, this beautifully written novel considers the costs of scientific advancement, the value of an individual life, and the thrilling knife's edge of being in love' Julia Fine
The Sources of Military Doctrine: France, Britain, and Germany between the world wars
by Barry R. PosenBarry R. Posen explores how military doctrine takes shape and the role it plays in grand strategy-that collection of military, economic, and political means and ends with which a state attempts to achieve security. Posen isolates three crucial elements of a given strategic doctrine: its offensive, defensive, or deterrent characteristics, its integration of military resources with political aims, and the degree of military or operational innovation it contains. He then examines these components of doctrine from the perspectives of organization theory and balance of power theory, taking into account the influence of technology and geography.Looking at interwar France, Britain, and Germany, Posen challenges each theory to explain the German Blitzkrieg, the British air defense system, and the French Army's defensive doctrine often associated with the Maginot Line. This rigorous comparative study, in which the balance of power theory emerges as the more useful, not only allows us to discover important implications for the study of national strategy today, but also serves to sharpen our understanding of the origins of World War II.