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A Tale of Two Subs: An Untold Story of World War II, Two Sister Ships, and Extraordinary Heroism
By Jonathan J. McCullough. 2009
On November 19, 1943, the submarine USS Sculpin, under attack by the Japanese, slid below the waves for the last…
time in what would become one of the most remarkable stories in U.S. Naval history. Not only did several crewmembers survive the sinking - an extremely rare event in World War II submarine warfare - but several were aboard a Japanese aircraft carrier enroute to a POW camp when it was in turn torpedoed and sunk by the Sculpin's sister ship, the USS Sailfish. At the end of World War II, several unlikely survivors would tell a tale of endurance against these amazing reversals of fortune. For one officer in particular, who knew that being captured could have meant losing the war for the allies, his struggle was not in surviving, but in sealing his own fate in a heartbreaking act of heroism which culminated in the nation's highest tribute, the Medal of Honor. Sculpin Lt. Commander John Phillip Cromwell was one of the few who knew that American Naval Intelligence had succeeded in cracking Japan's top-secret codes. Cromwell also knew that if the Japanese confirmed this by torturing him, it would force Naval Intelligence to change their encryption, which would potentially change the course of the war. This is Cromwell's story as well.The incredible interconnection of the Sculpin and the Sailfish has been thoroughly researched by Jonathan McCullough. Through access to the few living survivors, scores of oral histories, never-before translated Japanese war documents, and interviews with Navy veterans, McCullough delivers a gripping and, intimate account for the reader.Duel in the Snows
By Charles Allen. 2004
In December 1903 a British army marched over the Himalayas to counter a non-existent Russian threat and was confronted by…
a medieval Tibetan army ordered to stop it by non-violent means. It was a clash between the mightiest political power in the world and the weakest. Leading the mission was the charismatic Francis Younghusband. Commanding the army escort was an officer determined to do things by the book: General James Macdonald. The result was conflict at every level.Drawing on diaries, letters and unpublished first-hand accounts, Charles Allen reveals not only the true character of one of Britain's great imperial heroes but also the calamitous outcome for the Tibetan people of Britain's last attempt at empire-building.The Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment
By Clinton Cox. 1991
In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer
By Irene Gut Opdyke, Jennifer Armstrong. 1999
IRENE GUT WAS just 17 in 1939, when the Germans and Russians devoured her native Poland. Just a girl, really.…
But a girl who saw evil and chose to defy it."No matter how many Holocaust stories one has read, this one is a must, for its impact is so powerful."--School Library Journal, StarredA Book Sense Top Ten PickA Publisher's Weekly Choice of the Year's Best Books A Booklist Editors ChoiceThe Rocket Propelled Grenade
By Ramiro Bujeiro, Gordon Rottman. 2010
Osprey's new Weapon series provides a highly-detailed yet affordable overview of the development, use, and impact of small arms throughout…
history - from the sword to the machine gun.Learn the surprising truths behind one of modern warfare's most popular and controversial firearms. Developed immediately after World War II, the RPG-series have proved to be simple, flexible, and powerful devices, which have had an impact far beyond original expectations. Track its development and deployment firsthand, from the Vietnam hills to the streets of modern Baghdad.Gordon Rottman provides a detailed analysis of perhaps one of the most important weapons to be developed in the 20th century. He has been at the receiving end of the RPG-2 and RPG-7 as well as firing them himself, providing personal testament to the effectiveness with which they accomplished their missions. This in-depth coverage is well-accompanied by Ramiro Bujeiro's battlescene artwork and Tony Bryan's cutaway illustrations.The Wall and the Gate: Israel, Palestine, and the Legal Battle for Human Rights
By Michael Sfard. 2017
From renowned human rights lawyer Michael Sfard, an unprecedented exploration of the struggle for human rights in Israel's courtsA farmer…
from a village in the occupied West Bank, cut off from his olive groves by the construction of Israel’s controversial separation wall, asked Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard to petition the courts to allow a gate to be built in the wall. While the gate would provide immediate relief for the farmer, would it not also confer legitimacy on the wall and on the court that deems it legal? The defense of human rights is often marked by such ethical dilemmas, which are especially acute in Israel, where lawyers have for decades sought redress for the abuse of Palestinian rights in the country’s High Court—that is, in the court of the abuser.In The Wall and the Gate, Michael Sfard chronicles this struggle—a story that has never before been fully told— and in the process engages the core principles of human rights legal ethics. Sfard recounts the unfolding of key cases and issues, ranging from confiscation of land, deportations, the creation of settlements, punitive home demolitions, torture, and targeted killings—all actions considered violations of international law. In the process, he lays bare the reality of the occupation and the lives of the people who must contend with that reality. He also exposes the surreal legal structures that have been erected to put a stamp of lawfulness on an extensive program of dispossession. Finally, he weighs the success of the legal effort, reaching conclusions that are no less paradoxical than the fight itself. Writing with emotional force, vivid storytelling, and penetrating analysis, Michael Sfard offers a radically new perspective on a much-covered conflict and a subtle, painful reckoning with the moral ambiguities inherent in the pursuit of justice. The Wall and the Gate is a signal contribution to everyone concerned with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and human rights everywhere.The Modern Middle East: A Political History Since the First World War
By Mehran Kamrava. 2005
The first succinct and authoritative overview of the making of the modern Middle East, this lucid book brings a valuable…
mix of historical perspectives and contemporary analysis to a wide audience of readers seeking expert knowledge about this troubled and fascinating region. Giving a rich perspective on the region's historical and political evolution, the book traces the influence of factors such as religion, culture, and economics and illuminates events and topics currently in the news. With its broad thematic sweep and its balanced presentation of contentious issues, it is essential reading for general readers and students who want to better understand the world today. Mehran Kamrava sets the stage with a concise discussion of the evolution of Islam and the religion's profound role in the region. He then looks at, in turn, the rise and fall of the Ottomans, the trials of independence and state-building, the emergence and fiery spread of nationalism, the two Arab-Israeli wars of 1967 and 1973, the Iranian Revolution, and the two Gulf Wars and beyond, including discussion of the invasion of Iraq by the United States. After tracing the consequences of these historical events for a host of political phenomena, Kamrava gives detailed attention to three pivotal issues: the challenges of economic development, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the question of democracy. He also examines issues that will shape the future: population growth, environmental pollution, and water scarcity.MacArthur at War: World War II in the Pacific
By Walter R. Borneman. 2016
The definitive account of General Douglas MacArthur's rise during World War II, from the author of the bestseller The Admirals.World…
War II changed the course of history. Douglas MacArthur changed the course of World War II. MACARTHUR AT WAR will go deeper into this transformative period of his life than previous biographies, drilling into the military strategy that Walter R. Borneman is so skilled at conveying, and exploring how personality and ego translate into military successes and failures.Architect of stunning triumphs and inexplicable defeats, General MacArthur is the most intriguing military leader of the twentieth century. There was never any middle ground with MacArthur. This in-depth study of the most critical period of his career shows how MacArthur's influence spread far beyond the war-torn Pacific.Marrow of the Nation: A History of Sport and Physical Culture in Republican China
By Andrew D. Morris. 2004
This book shows how sporting culture and ideology played a crucial role in the making of the modern nation-state in…
Republican China. Marrow of the Nation tells the dramatic story of how Olympic-style competitions and ball games, as well as militarized forms of training associated with the West and Japan, were adapted to become an integral part of the modern Chinese experience.The Armed Forces Officer
By U.S. Department of Defense.
This edition is a classic series of books of the same title. These books have provided a foundation of thought,…
conduct, standards, and duty for American commissioned officers. Available now to the general public, this new edition takes the series inspirational premise into the new century. It educates officers of all services, as well as civilians, about the fundamental moral-ethical requirements of being a commissioned officer in the armed forces of the United States.Footprints in the Snow: The Autobiography of a Chinese Buddhist Monk
By Sheng Yen. 2008
In this landmark memoir, a renowned Buddhist master traces his spiritual journey against the panoramic story of China from the…
pre-Communist era to the present. Master Sheng Yen has devoted much of his life to spreading the teachings of Chinese Buddhism--a practice that antedates the more familiar Japanese and Tibetan traditions--throughout the world. He became known in the United States after he began founding meditation centers here in 1980. Now in his late seventies, he tells the remarkable story of his life and spiritual education in Footprints in the Snow. From descriptions of the private world of Buddhist masters to first-hand accounts of Chinese history, it is a rare document that is both an important look at China's past and a compelling spiritual journey across a lifetime. Sheng Yen's story is of a life lived in the last years of the Republic of China, the Sino-Japanese War, and the founding of the People's Republic of China. An eye-opening slice of modern history as well as an authoritative introduction to an ancient religious tradition, Footprints in the Snow will appeal to spiritual seekers, travelers who want to understand more about China, or anyone looking for a fascinating story.Wuhan 1938: War, Refugees, and the Making of Modern China
By Stephen R. Mackinnon. 2008
During the spring of 1938, a flood of Chinese refugees displaced by the Anti-Japanese War (1937-1945) converged on the central…
Yangzi valley tri-city complex of Wuhan. Stephen MacKinnon tells the full story of Wuhan's defense and fall, and how the siege's aftermath led to new directions in the history of modern Chinese culture, society, and politics.China: Visions through the Ages
By Gary M. Feinman, Deborah A. Bekken, Lisa C. Niziolek, Thomas A. Skwerski. 2018
At the entrance of The Field Museum’s Cyrus Tang Hall of China, two Chinese stone guardian lions stand tall, gazing…
down intently at approaching visitors. One lion’s paw rests upon a decorated ball symbolizing power, while the other lion cradles a cub. Traditionally believed to possess attributes of strength and protection, statues such as these once stood guard outside imperial buildings, temples, and wealthy homes in China. Now, centuries later, they guard this incredible permanent exhibition. China’s long history is one of the richest and most complex in the known world, and the Cyrus Tang Hall of China offers visitors a wonderful, comprehensive survey of it through some 350 artifacts on display, spanning from the Paleolithic period to present day. Now, with China: Visions through the Ages, anyone can experience the marvels of this exhibition through the book’s beautifully designed and detailed pages. Readers will gain deeper insight into The Field Museum’s important East Asian collections, the exhibition development process, and research on key aspects of China’s fascinating history. This companion book, edited by the exhibition’s own curatorial team, takes readers even deeper into the wonders of the Cyrus Tang Hall of China and enables them to study more closely the objects and themes featured in the show. Mirroring the exhibition’s layout of five galleries, the volume is divided into five sections. The first section focuses on the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods; the second, the Bronze Age, the first dynasties, and early writing; the third, the imperial system and power; the fourth, religion and performance; and the fifth, interregional trade and the Silk Routes. Each section also includes highlights containing brief stories on objects or themes in the hall, such as the famous Lanting Xu rubbing. With chapters from a diverse set of international authors providing greater context and historical background, China: Visions through the Ages is a richly illustrated volume that allows visitors, curious readers, and China scholars alike a chance to have an enduring exchange with the objects featured in the exhibition and with their multifaceted histories.Royal Marines Commandos
By John Parker. 2007
The Royal Marines were originally formed under the auspices of the Royal Navy to guard its sailing ships from harm.…
They are proud of their history and origins but the Navy heritage is fading. John Parker charts how the units have moved away from their nautical beginnings to develop, over time, into the most versatile force in the British military, containing one of their most elite brigades. The Royal Marines Commandos have, over the past few years, developed into the premier fighting organisation on land, sea and air. This history deals with events associated with the Royal Marines and subsequently in their commando role, starring in all major conflicts including Italy, Malaysia, the Borneo confrontation with Indonesia, and more recently Afghanistan.Commandos
By John Parker. 2000
The Commandos were Britain's first-ever special forces, formed in 1940 using volunteers from all three services. After the war, Commando…
units of the Royal Marines engaged in virtually every military scenario involving British troops from 1945 to the present day. They became the elite of the British 'ready-to-go' forces, capable of deploying at a moment's notice to any trouble spot in the world. In this latest book in John Parker's acclaimed series on British military activity, dramatically recalled in their own words by men who were there, he recounts the major events in the 60-year history of British Commando forces.Geographies of Identity in Nineteenth-Century Japan
By David L. Howell. 2005
David L. Howell looks beneath the surface structures of the Japanese state to reveal the mechanism by which markers of…
polity, status, and civilization came together over the divide of the Meiji Restoration of 1868. The author exposes the many levels of anxiety inherent in the Meiji state's redefinition of status.Strike Command
By John Parker. 2003
The two key components of air warfare conducted by the Royal Air Force virtually for the whole of the last…
century were the fighters and the bombers. By the 1960s these two roles had evolved into a single force known in the RAF by its current title, Strike Command. Colloquially, their pilots were known as Top Guns. Full of personal tales of airborne derring-do in just about every conflict in which Britain has been engaged, this is the latest in John Parker's excellent series of elite fighting units.Task Force
By John Parker. 2003
The Royal Navy at the start of the twenty-first century had undergone the most remarkable transformation. The Fleet is today…
the smallest since the start of the Napoleonic wars as surface vessels are no longer viable as a principal line of defence. That preserve is now in the hands of Britain's nuclear-armed submarine fleet, well chronicled in THE SILENT SERVICE and the Air Force, as outlined in STRIKE COMMAND. This book will complete the triangle of our essential military might, telling the story of today's sea-going ultra-mobile, rapid reaction, missile- and aircraft-carrying task force. John Parker includes personal interviews from the men and women who have served in the Senior Service to bring his story vividly to life.What Every Person Should Know About War
By Chris Hedges. 2003
AcclaimedNew York Timesjournalist and author Chris Hedges offers a critical -- and fascinating -- lesson in the dangerous realities of…
our age: a stark look at the effects of war on combatants. Utterly lacking in rhetoric or dogma, this manual relies instead on bare fact, frank description, and a spare question-and-answer format. Hedges allows U. S. military documentation of the brutalizing physical and psychological consequences of combat to speak for itself. Hedges poses dozens of questions that young soldiers might ask about combat, and then answers them by quoting from medical and psychological studies. What are my chances of being wounded or killed if we go to war? What does it feel like to get shot? What do artillery shells do to you? What is the most painful way to get wounded? Will I be afraid? What could happen to me in a nuclear attack? What does it feel like to kill someone? Can I withstand torture? What are the long-term consequences of combat stress? What will happen to my body after I die?This profound and devastating portrayal of the horrors to which we subject our armed forces stands as a ringing indictment of the glorification of war and the concealment of its barbarity.China's Livestock Revolution: Agribusiness and Policy Developments in the Sheep Meat Industry
By Scott Waldron, Colin Brown, John Longworth, Zhang Cungen. 2007
This book focuses on the growing sheep meat industry while drawing on associated research from other areas of the Chinese…
livestock section. Using this research, the authors use the sheep meat industry case study to illustrate the broader trends that apply more generally to the Chinese livestock sector, especially in the case of ruminant livestock.