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Blood Money: Stories of an Ex-Recce's Missions in Iraq
by Johan RaathA former Special Forces soldier—and presidential bodyguard—shares heart-stopping stories of his time as a private military contractor in Iraq.“I remember the cracking sound of the AK-47 bullets as they tore through our windscreen . . . A piece of bullet struck my bulletproof vest in the chest area and another piece broke off and lodged in my left forearm.”Johan Raath and a security team were ambushed in May 2004 while on a mission to reconnoiter a power plant south of Baghdad for an American firm. He had been in the country for only two weeks. This was a taste of what was to come over the next few years as he worked as a private military contractor (PMC) in Iraq.His mission? Not to wage war, but to protect lives. Raath and his team provided security for engineers working on reconstruction projects in Iraq. Whether in the notorious Triangle of Death, in the deadly area around Ramadi, or in the faction-ridden Basra, Raath had numerous hair-raising experiences.Key to his survival was his training as a Special Forces operator, or Recce.This riveting account offers a rare glimpse into the world of private military contractors and the realities of everyday life in one of the world’s most violent conflict zones.
Blitzkrieg: From the Ground Up
by Niklas ZetterlingFrom the author of Bismarck: &“A work of simply outstanding scholarship . . . unreservedly recommended for . . . World War II Military History collections&” (Midwest Book Review). The successes of the German Blitzkrieg in 1939-41 were as surprising as they were swift. Allied decision-makers wanted to discover the Germans&’ secrets, even though only partial, incomplete information was available to them. The false conclusions drawn became myths about the Blitzkrieg that have lingered for decades. It has been argued that rather than creating a new way of war based on new technology, the Germans fitted the new weapons into their existing ideas on warfare. The conduct of German soldiers, particularly the lower-ranking men, on the battlefield was at the core of the concept, and German victories rested upon the quality, flexibility, and mobility of the small combat units. This book focuses on the experiences of the enlisted men and junior officers in the Blitzkrieg operations in Poland, Norway, Western Europe, and Russia. Using accounts previously unpublished in English, military historian Niklas Zetterling &“not only shows you the big picture, economically, strategically, but also takes you right into the Panzers,&” showing how a company commander led his tanks, how a crew worked together inside a tank, and the role of the repair services. &“For those of us who are interested in the tactics and strategy of the early war years, it is a book you won&’t want to miss&” (A Wargamers Needful Things). &“In support of his convincing argument the author uses several accounts of German actions seen through the eyes of the soldiers and junior officers who had to put theory into practice on the battlefield. 4.5 stars.&” —Army Rumour Service
The Typhoon Truce, 1970: Three Days in Vietnam when Nature Intervened in the War
by Robert F. CurtisThis military history chronicles a time during the Vietnam War when fighting stopped and the 101st Airborne helped those in need during a natural disaster. For three days during the Vietnam War, it wasn&’t rockets or artillery that came through the skies, but a horrific force of nature that suddenly put both sides in awe. When Super Typhoon Joan arrived in October 1970, an unofficial truce began. Air crewman faced masses of Vietnamese civilians outside their base perimeters for the first time. Could we trust them not to shoot? Could they trust us not to drop them off in a detention camp? Truces never last, but while they do, life changes for everyone involved. The &“typhoon truce&” stopped the war for three days in northern I Corps—that area bordering the demilitarized zone separating South Vietnam from North. Then, less than a week later, Super Typhoon Kate hit the same area with renewed fury. As the entire countryside was flooded, the people faced war and natural disaster at the same time. No one but the Americans had the resources to help the people who lived in the lowlands, and so they did. The everyday dangers they faced were only magnified by low clouds and poor visibility. But the aircrews of the 101st Airborne went out to help anyway. In this book, we see how, for a brief period during an otherwise vicious war, saving life took precedence over bloody conflict.
The Girl with the Glass Heart: A Novel
by Daniel SternElly Kaufman is too young, too beautiful, and too intense to accept life on its own terms; instead, she creates havoc in the world around herIn postwar Indianapolis, young dreamer Elly is navigating adolescence in a tight-knit family. Her search for truth leads her through a variety of experiences—and loves. To a famous architect, she is a symbol of undying youth; to a struggling actor, she is the unspoiled image of creative will; to an ex-GI, she is a thief; to a young musician, she is the source of inspiration. But what will Elly be to herself?
Flavor Lab Creations: A Physicist's Guide to Unique Drink Recipes
by Logan RichardsonDiscover the Science of Unique Drinks with this Mixologist GuideAre you a novice mixologist? Are you a soda lover, or a connoisseur of unique alcoholic drinks? Would you like to know the science behind your favorite cocktail, mocktail, or coffee drinks? Well, this is the cocktail recipe book for you!Find your next favorite drink. In, Flavor Lab Creations Logan Richardson, the creator of Flavor Lab, combines cooking with science in a fun and accessible way. Richardson takes a mixologist approach and shares detailed recipes with scientific facts. This book explains the origins of unique drinks and the yummy nontraditional ingredients.A mixologist guide to drinks from cocktails to strawberry milkshakes. Flavor Lab Creations goes beyond the simple spirit and mixed drinks options, Richardson takes us directly to unique options like a soda drink called Oleo Saccharum and a fermented cocoa bean chocolate tea. Inside Flavor Lab Creations, you’ll find: Curious drinks such as the Viking Blaand Mixologist recipes in this coffee and cocktail cookbookScientifically fun approaches to unique drinks and alcoholic drinksIf you enjoyed books like Cocktails Made Simple, Mocktail Party, or The Coffee Recipe Book you’ll love Flavor Lab Creations.
Operation Typhoon: The German Assault on Moscow, 1941 (Casemate Illustrated)
by Philippe NaudA visual look at the Nazi assault on the Soviet capital in the series that&’s &“a welcome addition . . . targeted at the general World War II enthusiast&” (Globe at War). After the initial successes of Operation Barbarossa, at the end of September 1941, Hitler turned his focus to Moscow, with the unshakeable belief that capturing the capital would knock the Soviets out of the war. On the face of it, it was an unequal matchup in Germany&’s favor, but the picture was, in fact, a great deal more complex; the Germans had suffered very significant losses since the invasion of Russia had begun and had issues with logistics and air support. The Soviets, under the command of Gen. Zhukov, were beginning to be better supplied with reinforcements and were prepared to defend to the death. This volume in the Casemate Illustrated series concentrates on the main German assault of October 1941. Guderian&’s panzer divisions at first made sweeping gains, as they had done so many times before, and large parts of the Red Army were encircled at Vyazma and Bryansk. These successes allowed the Soviets time to regroup, as the encircled armies did not surrender and had to be dealt with. Then, three engagements followed at Mtsensk, Maloyaroslavets and the Mojaisk defense line that proved that the war in the east was not entering its final days, as German high command believed. Illustrated with over 150 photographs, plus profile drawings of tanks, vehicles, and aircraft, this book gives a vivid impression of the situation for both protagonists, and a detailed analysis of the critical days as the fate of Moscow—and perhaps the whole war—hung in the balance.
The Tank Killers: A History of America's World War II Tank Destroyer Force
by Harry Yeide&“A fantastic read . . . Whether your interest is armour or history I would highly recommend this book&” (Military Modelling). The tank destroyer was a bold—though some would say flawed—answer to the challenge posed by the seemingly unstoppable German Blitzkrieg. The TD was conceived to be light and fast enough to outmaneuver panzer forces and go where tanks could not. At the same time, the TD would wield the firepower needed to kill any German tank on the battlefield. Indeed, American doctrine stipulated that TDs would fight tanks, while American tanks would concentrate on achieving and exploiting breakthroughs of enemy lines. The Tank Killers follows the men who fought in the TDs, from the formation of the force in 1941 through the victory over the Third Reich in 1945. It is a story of American flexibility and pragmatism in military affairs. Tank destroyers were among the very first units to land in North Africa in 1942. Their first vehicles were ad hoc affairs: halftracks and weapons carriers with guns no better than those on tanks, thin armor affording the crews considerably less protection. Almost immediately, the crews began adapting to circumstances, along with their partners in the infantry and armored divisions. By the time North Africa was in Allied hands, the TD had become a valued tank fighter, assault gun, and artillery piece. The reconnaissance teams in TD battalions, meanwhile, had established a record for daring operations that would continue for the rest of the war. The story continues with the invasion of Italy and, finally, that of Fortress Europe on June 6, 1944. By now, the brass had decreed that half the force would convert to towed guns, a decision that dogged the affected crews through the end of the war. The TD men encountered increasingly lethal enemies, ever more dangerous panzers that were often vulnerable only to their guns, while American tank crews watched in frustration as their rounds bounced harmlessly off the thick German armor. They fought under incredibly diverse conditions that demanded constant modification of tactics, and their equipment became ever more deadly. By VE-Day, the tank destroyer battalions had achieved impressive records, generally with kill-loss rates heavily in their favor. Yet the army after the war concluded that the concept of a separate TD arm was so fundamentally flawed that not a single battalion existed after November 1946. The Tank Killers draws heavily on the records of the tank destroyer battalions and the units with which they fought, as well as personal stories from veterans of the force.
All Strangers Are Kin: Adventures in Arabic and the Arab World
by Zora O'NeillAn American woman determined to learn the Arabic language travels to the Middle East to pursue her dream in this &“witty memoir&” (Us Weekly). The shadda is the key difference between a pigeon (hamam) and a bathroom (hammam). Be careful, our professor advised, that you don&’t ask a waiter, &‘Excuse me, where is the pigeon?&’—or, conversely, order a roasted toilet . . . If you&’ve ever studied a foreign language, you know what happens when you first truly and clearly communicate with another person. As Zora O&’Neill recalls, you feel like a magician. If that foreign language is Arabic, you just might feel like a wizard. They say that Arabic takes seven years to learn and a lifetime to master. O&’Neill had put in her time. Steeped in grammar tomes and outdated textbooks, she faced an increasing certainty that she was not only failing to master Arabic, but also driving herself crazy. She took a decade-long hiatus, but couldn&’t shake her fascination with the language or the cultures it had opened up to her. So she decided to jump back in—this time with a new approach. In this book, she takes us along on her grand tour through the Middle East, from Egypt to the United Arab Emirates to Lebanon and Morocco. She&’s packed her dictionaries, her unsinkable sense of humor, and her talent for making fast friends of strangers. From quiet, bougainvillea-lined streets to the lively buzz of crowded medinas, from families&’ homes to local hotspots, she brings a part of the world thousands of miles away right to your door—and reminds us that learning another tongue leaves you rich with so much more than words. &“You will travel through countries and across centuries, meeting professors and poets, revolutionaries, nomads, and nerds . . . [A] warm and hilarious book.&” —Annia Ciezadlo, author of Day of Honey &“Her tale of her &‘Year of Speaking Arabic Badly&’ is a genial and revealing pleasure.&” —The Seattle Times
First Kills: The Illustrated Biography of Fighter Pilot Wladyslaw Gnys
by Stefan W. Gnys&“Remarkably detailed . . . It is a tribute to Wladyslaw Gnys, the decorated ace pilot, but also to the charming and humble man himself.&” —Hamilton Magazine Polish pilot Wladyslaw (Wladek) Gnys was credited with shooting down the first two German aircraft of World War II on September 1, 1939. On this day, as Gnys&’ squadron took off near Kraków to intercept the German invaders, German Stuka pilot Frank Neubert attacked, killing the captain. Wladek, who barely survived himself, evaded the pursuing Stukas and went on to make the first Allied kills, while Neubert was credited with the first aerial kill of the war. Fifty years after the invasion of Poland, in the summer of 1989, Gnys and Neubert met and shook hands, making news around the world. They reconciled their differences and remained friends until their deaths. This event symbolized the prevailing friendly coexistence between Poland and Germany. Written by his son Stefan and drawing from his logbooks, this highly illustrated biography of Wladek Gnys is the most in-depth account of the Polish hero&’s life. It tells Wladek&’s story from his childhood in rural Poland, through his time flying in three Allied air forces during World War II, his capture and escape during Operation Overlord, and his reconciliation with Neubert and his commemoration as a national war hero in Poland. &“Tells the story of one man&’s ride through the history of most of the 20th century . . . This is far from a run-of-the-mill wartime story, being more of a touching and revealing look into an extraordinary life.&” —Aircrew Remembered
Knights: Chivalry and Violence (Casemate Short History)
by John Sadler Rosie Serdiville&“A really informative book . . . It whets the appetite to learn more&” of the medieval warriors, their training, armor, weapons, and chivalry (Army Rumour Service). Originally warriors mounted on horseback, knights became associated with the concept of chivalry as it was popularized in medieval European literature. Knights were expected to fight bravely and honorably and be loyal to their lord until death if necessary. Later, chivalry came to encompass activities, such as tournaments and hunting, and virtues including justice, charity, and faith. The Crusades were instrumental in the development of the code of chivalry, and some crusading orders of knighthood, such as the Knights Templar, have become legend. Boys would begin their knightly training at the age of seven, studying academics and learning to hunt before becoming assistants to older knights, training in combat and learning how to care for a knight&’s essentials: arms, armor, and horses. After fourteen years of training, and when considered a master of all the skills of knighthood, a squire was eligible to be knighted. In peacetime, knights would take part in tournaments. Tournaments were a major spectator sport, but also an important way for knights to practice their skills—knights were often injured and sometimes killed in melees. Knights figured large in medieval warfare and literature. In the fifteenth century, knights became obsolete due to advances in warfare, but the title of &“knight&” has survived as an honorary title granted for services to a monarch or country, and knights remain a strong concept in popular culture.ular culture.
Men of Barbarossa: Commanders of the German Invasion of Russia, 1941
by Samuel W. Mitcham Jr.&“&‘A must read&’ for Eastern Front fans, as well as anyone seeking to find out more about the titanic struggle between Hitler and Stalin.&” —Armchair General This book not only tells the story of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, but describes the expertise, skills, and decision-making powers of the men who directed it, including new insights into the invasion&’s many tactical successes, as well as its ultimate failure. This objective is massive in scope, because Operation Barbarossa was massive in scale, arguably the largest military operation of all time. The campaign also changed the world forever. Before Barbarossa, Hitler&’s Wehrmacht seemed invincible, like an unstoppable force of nature. No one, it seemed, could check the Führer&’s ambitions, much less defeat him. Barbarossa changed all of that. By the end of 1941, Allied victory seemed to be a very real possibility. Few would have bet on it sixteen or seventeen months earlier. Pitting Germany in total war against the Soviet Union on a 1,000-mile front, Operation Barbarossa was truly staggering in its magnitude. Wars, however, are not fought by numbers, they are fought by men. In this book we learn of the villains and heroes, famous commanders and unsung leaders, and about those who were willing to stand up to the Führer and those who subordinated themselves to his will. The result is a book that casts a fresh perspective on one of history&’s most crucial military campaigns.
Absent-Minded Beggars: Yeomanry and Volunteers in the Boer War
by Will BennettThe British Army suffered one of its greatest crises when in December 1899 the Boer irregulars inflicted three reverses in South Africa in 'Black Week'. A nation grown accustomed to success was stunned. Part of the answer was a very British blend of patriotism and pragmatism. For the first time civilian volunteers and part-time soldiers were allowed to fight overseas to the horror of traditionalist professional soldiers. Yet, by the end of the Boer War, almost 90,000 men had volunteered to serve the Colours. Much of sporting high society joined the newly formed Imperial Yeomanry. The Volunteers sent infantrymen to serve alongside the regulars and the City of London financed the raising of the City Imperial Volunteers. Men also came forward from the colonies. This book tells the story of these volunteer units.
Fighting with the Screaming Eagles: With the 101st Airborne from Normandy to Bastogne
by Robert BowenA member of the 101st Airborne&’s Glider Infantry recalls WWII, from the horror of D-Day to the despair of Nazi captivity, in this compelling memoir. As World War II broke out, Robert Bowen was drafted into Company C, 401st Glider Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Soon afterwards, he found himself storming Utah Beach amid the chaos of D-Day, through unfamiliar terrain littered with minefields and hidden snipers. Bowen was wounded during the Normandy campaign but went on to fight in Holland and the Ardennes, where he was captured. That&’s when his &“trip through hell&” truly began. In each of Bowen&’s campaigns, the 101st &“Screaming Eagles&” spearheaded the Allied effort against the Nazi occupation of Europe. At Bastogne, they stood nearly alone against the onslaught of enemy panzers and grenadiers. His insights into life behind enemy lines after his capture provide as much fascination as his exploits on the battlefield. Written shortly after the war, Bowen&’s narrative is immediate and compelling. An introduction by the world&’s foremost historian of the 101st Airborne, George Koskimaki, further enhances this classic work.
Recollections of an Airman (Vintage Aviation Library)
by Louis Arbon StrangeThis candid WWI memoir takes readers inside the cockpit with an RAF officer on the Western Front from the outbreak the Great War until its end in 1918. Louis Arbon Strange was at the Royal Air Force&’s Central Flying School when war broke out in 1914. He immediately reported to Royal Flying Corps headquarters and joined No. 5 Squadron. Strange remained on active duty throughout the war, serving his country over the Western Front from August of that year until the enemy&’s surrender. Strange transferred to No. 6 Squadron in 1915 and went on to form and command No. 23 Squadron. Due to illness, he did not accompany his squadron to France, but spent that time training others. He took charge of the Machine-Gun School at Hythe and other schools of aerial gunnery before returning to the Front. There he commanded the 23rd Wing and finally took command of the 80th Wing from June 1918 until the end of the war. As Strange chronicles his experiences, he provides unique insight into how and why the Allied airmen eventually prevailed.
The U.S. Army Cooks' Manual: Rations, Preparation, Recipes, Camp Cooking (The Pocket Manual Series)
by R. SheppardThis compendium of US Army cooking manuals features recipes, camp cooking tips, and more from the Revolutionary War to WWI. This collection of excerpts from US Army cooking manuals illustrates how America fed its troops from the late eighteenth century to the early twentieth, offering a glimpse of what daily life was like for those preparing and consuming the rations. With an introduction explaining the historical background, this is a fascinating and fun exploration of American army cooking, with a dash of inspiration for feeding your own army! Beginning with a manual from 1775, you will learn how the Continental Congress kept its Patriot forces fed. A manual from 1896 prepares Army cooks for any eventuality—whether in the garrison, in the field, or on the march—with instructions on everything from butchery and preserving meat to organizing food service and cleaning utensils. Along with classic American fare such as chowder, hash, and pancakes, it also includes recipes for Crimean kebabs, Turkish pilau, and tamales. In contrast, a 1916 manual offers a detailed consideration of nutrition and what must be one of the first calorie counters. Instructions are given on how to assemble a field range in a trench or on a train. Among the more unusual recipes are head cheese—meat stew made from scraps—and pickled pigsfeet. Later manuals produced during WWI include baking recipes for breads and cakes, as well as how to cook dehydrated products. &“Culinary and military historians will equally find this a valuable resource.&” —Booklist
Fortune Favours the Brave: The Battles of the Hook Korea, 1952–53 (Military History Ser.)
by A.J. BarkerAll too little remembered today, the Korean War was bitterly fought out under atrocious conditions of weather and terrain. Greatly outnumbered by their Communist Chinese and North Korean enemy, the United Nations forces fought with extraordinary resolve and gallantry. The Hook, the name given to a prominent ridge on the Peninsula, saw more blood spilt than any other feature in this prolonged and grisly war. Not surprisingly it became known as 'the bloody Hood'.The two costliest battles are described in detail in Fortune Favours The Brave, a classic account of the war. Both involved British infantry battalions of 29 Commonwealth Brigade. In November 1952, The Black Watch saw off a major Chinese attack against all odds. In May 1953 it was the turn of 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment to face what must have seemed an overwhelming onslaught. Along a 1,000 yard front the greatest concentration of artillery fire since the Great War was brought to bear on Chinese human-wave attacks.In the morning the Dukes still held the ground despite heavy casualties. This feat of arms, achieved by battalion made up mainly of young National Servicemen from yorkshire, ranks among the finest in the long and glorious history of the British Army.
Some of Tim's Stories (Stories And Storytellers Ser. #2)
by S.E. HintonFrom the author of The Outsiders: &“Immediate and gripping&” tales of two boys whose lives diverge in dramatic ways after a shared childhood tragedy (School Library Journal). Terry and Mike were cousins who were as close as cousins could be—more like twin brothers, really. They thought they were invincible and that the happy times would last forever, until the day their fathers headed off for their annual deer-hunting trip. That was when everything started to change, and their paths went in very different directions. Years later, another fateful event will send one of them to prison—and the other to a bartending job in Oklahoma—while the prospect of an eventual reunion looms . . . From the award-winning author of That Was Then, This Is Now and Rumble Fish, &“Some of Tim&’s Stories is a compact set of vignettes&” full of &“sharp, concise observation&” (The New York Times).
North Pole, South Pole: The Epic Quest to Solve the Great Mystery of Earth's Magnetism
by Gillian TurnerThis &“fantastic story&” of one of physics&’ great riddles takes us through centuries of scientific history (Simon Lamb, author of Devil in the Mountain). Why do compass needles point north—but not quite north? What guides the migration of birds, whales, and fish across the world&’s oceans? How is Earth able to sustain life under an onslaught of solar wind and cosmic radiation? For centuries, the world&’s great scientists have grappled with these questions, all rooted in the same phenomenon: Earth&’s magnetism. Over two thousand years after the invention of the compass, Einstein called the source of Earth&’s magnetic field one of greatest unsolved mysteries of physics. Here, for the first time, is the complete history of the quest to understand the planet&’s attractive pull—from the ancient Greeks&’ fascination with lodestone to the geological discovery that the North Pole has not always been in the North—and to the astonishing modern conclusions that finally revealed the true source. Richly illustrated and skillfully told, North Pole, South Pole unfolds the human story behind the science: that of the inquisitive, persevering, and often dissenting thinkers who unlocked the secrets at our planet&’s core. &“In recent years, many very good books for interested non-scientists have been published: Richard Dawkins&’s Climbing Mount Improbable and The Ancestor&’s Tale, Stephen Jay Gould&’s The Lying Stones of Marrakech, and Dava Sobel&’s Longitude and The Planets, to name some of them. North Pole, South Pole . . . is a worthy addition to that list . . . Turner has a great story to tell, and she tells it well.&” —The Press (New Zealand)
Knight of Germany: Oswald Boelcke German Ace (Vintage Aviation Library #Vol. 3)
by Johannes WernerThe story of the World War I fighter pilot the Red Baron himself sought to emulate . . .German air ace Oswald Boelcke was a national hero during World War I. He was the youngest captain in the German air force, decorated with the Pour le Mérite while still only a lieutenant, and credited with forty aerial victories at the time of his death.Becoming a pilot shortly before the outbreak of the war, Boelcke established his reputation on the Western front first in reconnaissance, then in scouts, before finally becoming the best known of the early German aces, along with Max Immelmann. After Immelmann’ s death, he was taken off flying and traveled to the Eastern front where he met a young pilot called Manfred von Richthofen. Transferred back to the Western Front in command of Jasta 2, he remembered von Richthofen when new small fighting units were formed and chose him as a pilot for his new Staffel. Boelcke was tragically killed in a flying accident during combat in October 1916, although not before the reputation of his unit, together with his own, had been firmly established forever.This absorbing biography was written with the blessing of Boelcke’s family. Professor Werner was given access to his letters and other papers, and presents here a rounded and fascinating portrait of a great airman and a remarkable soldier who became known as the father of the German Jagdflieger.This edition has been completely reoriginated while remaining faithful to the language of the time of its original translation from German in the 1930s.
Assault from the Sky: Marine Corps Helicopter Operations in Vietnam
by Dick Camp&“Action-packed . . . he brings the reader artfully through the fog of war with clarity&” (20th Century Aviation Magazine). Vietnam has often been called our &“first helicopter war,&” and indeed, the US Marine Corps, as well as Army, had to feel its way forward during the initial combats. But by 1967, the combat was raging across South Vietnam, with confrontational battles against the NVA on a scale comparable to the great campaigns of WWII. In 1968, when the Communists launched their mammoth counteroffensive, the Marines were forced to fight on all sides, with the helicopter giving them the additional dimension that proved decisive in repelling the enemy. The author of this book, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient who has also worked at the USMC History Division and National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, uses his experiences as a company commander to bring the story to life by weaving personal accounts, after-action reports, and official documents into a compellingly readable narrative of service and sacrifice by Marine pilots and crewmen. The entire story of the war is depicted through the prism of Marine helicopter operations, from the first deployments to support the Army of the Republic of Vietnam against the Viet Cong through the rapid US buildup to stop the North Vietnamese Army, until the final withdrawal from our Embassy. &“Superlative research.&” —Leatherneck
Gold Run: The Rescue of Norway's Gold Bullion from the Nazis, 1940
by Robert PearsonThe WWII story of Norwegian resistance in the face of Nazi invasion: a daring escape for the Norwegian royal family and fifty tons of gold bullion. Gold Run recounts the thrilling story of the loyal Norwegians who rescued the Norwegian royal family, government, and nearly fifty tons of gold bullion from invading Nazis during World War II. One of the greatest gold snatches in history, it is a tale of loyal citizens who achieved an incredible feat against overwhelming odds through bravery, endurance, and leadership—plus a little good fortune and help from the British Royal Navy. The German invasion on the night of April 9, 1940, took Norway almost completely unawares. But one small coastal battery took swift action to protect the country&’s leadership. In desperate haste, the royal family fled Oslo by rail, dodging bombs and strafing. With extraordinary ingenuity, the gold was moved by road, rail, and fishing boat, hotly pursued by the Germans. After several instances of near disaster, the Norwegians managed to get the gold to the coast, where the Royal Navy came to the rescue. It was taken off in three Royal Navy Cruisers, HMS Enterprise, Galatea, and Glasgow. The ships were attacked in port, then constantly harassed and bombed by the Luftwaffe as they made their way back to the United Kingdom. The Germans had gained a country, but lost a king, a government, and a huge amount of bullion that would have financed their war machine.
Devil's Day: From the Costa winning and bestselling author of The Loney
by Andrew Michael Hurley'The new master of menace' Sunday TimesA blizzard a century ago has passed into fable in the Endlands. Trapped by the snow, the residents of the valley found themselves at the mercy of the Devil, who brought death and destruction before being driven back to the moors. Now, the three farming families of the Endlands face a new test. The patriarch of the community, the Gaffer, has died and his grandson, John Pentecost, must decide if he will return and work the land in his grandfather's stead. He feels the pull of duty, loyalty and tradition: obligations that his pregnant wife, Kat, finds hard to understand as an outsider. And as the celebrations of the Devil's exile draw near, she realises that there is a darkness in this place which cannot be repelled. BOOK OF THE YEAR IN THE TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES, FT, METRO AND MAIL ON SUNDAY'A work of goose-flesh eeriness' The Spectator
A Dance for the King: The brand-new spellbinding and gripping historical drama from the star of Strictly Come Dancing (Buckingham)
by Anton Du BekeYou're invited to a show to remember at the prestigious Buckingham Hotel . . . In London 1942 the war is far from over for soldier Raymond de Guise. His wife Nancy is overjoyed to be reunited with her husband, and to introduce him to their son. But their safety is threatened once more as Raymond returns to the ballroom at the Buckingham Hotel, ordered to discover the dark secrets held by the glittering high society. On the dancefloor Raymond uncovers a dangerous relationship that could change the course of the war, and also threaten his marriage to Nancy. Can he protect his King and his family before it is too late?A DANCE FOR THE KING is a pageturning and epic wartime story filled with drama, mystery, dance and romance.
The Loney: 'Full of unnerving terror . . . amazing' Stephen King
by Andrew Michael Hurley'The Loney is not just good, it's great. It's an amazing piece of fiction' Stephen KingEaster 1976. Two teenage brothers, one mute, the other his lifelong protector, set off on a retreat with their parents and others from their church to a Catholic shrine on a wild, ever-changing stretch of Lancashire coastline known as the Loney. Led by new incumbent Father Bernard, the pilgrims dutifully observe the traditions leading up to the Resurrection, but the boys learn that there is a much older, darker power to be found in the landscape itself, one which is being tapped by strange rituals on the tidal island of Coldbarrow. Many years later, a child's body is discovered, and the two brothers are forced to confront the horrors of the past. The Loney always gives up its secrets, in the end. WINNER OF THE 2015 COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARDTHE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2016'This is a novel of the unsaid, the implied, the barely grasped or understood, crammed with dark holes and blurry spaces that your imagination feels compelled to fill' Observer'A masterful excursion into terror' The Sunday Times
Wellington's Hidden Heroes: The Dutch and the Belgians at Waterloo
by Veronica Baker-Smith&“An excellent account of the contribution of the newly formed (and short-lived) United Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Allied victory&” (HistoryOfWar.org). The Dutch-Belgians have been variously described as inexperienced, incompetent, and cowardly, a rogue element in the otherwise disciplined Allied Army. It is only now being tentatively acknowledged that they alone saved Wellington from disaster at Quatre Bras. He had committed a strategic error in that, as Napoleon advanced, his own troops were scattered over a hundred kilometers of southern Belgium. Outnumbered three to one, the Netherlanders gave him time to concentrate his forces and save Brussels from French occupation. At Waterloo itself, on at least three occasions when the fate of the battle &“hung upon the cusp,&” their engagement with the enemy aided British recovery. Their commander—the Prince of Orange—has been viciously described as an arrogant fool, &“a disaster waiting to happen,&” and even a dangerous lunatic. According to the assessment of Wellington himself, he was a reliable and courageous subordinate. This book reveals a new dimension of the famous campaign and includes many unseen illustrations. For the first time, a full assessment is made of the challenge which Willem I faced as king of a country hastily cobbled together by the Congress of Vienna, and of his achievement in assembling, equipping, and training 30,000 men from scratch in eighteen months. &“An extraordinary and impressively researched, written, organized and presented history that sheds considerable new light on one of the most influential battles of 19th century Europe.&” —Midwest Book Review &“A fascinating read.&” —Military Heritage