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Fighting the Night: Iwo Jima, World War II, and a Flyer's Life
By Paul Hendrickson. 2024
From the acclaimed and best-selling author of Hemingway&’s Boat, the profoundly moving story of his father&’s wartime service as a…
night fighter pilot, and the prices he and his fellow soldiers paid for their acts of selfless, patriotic sacrificeIn the fall of 1944, Joe Paul Hendrickson, the author&’s father, kissed his twenty-one-year-old wife and two baby children goodbye. The twenty-five-year-old first lieutenant, pilot of a famed P-61 Black Widow, was leaving for the war. He and his night fighter squadron were sent to Iwo Jima, where, for the last five and a half months of World War II, he flew approximately seventy-five missions, largely in pitch-black conditions. His wife would wait out the war at the home of her small-town Ohio parents, one of the countless numbers of American family members shouldering the burden of being left behind.Joe Paul, the son of a Depression-poor Kentucky sharecropper, was fresh out of high school in 1937 when he enlisted in mechanic school in the peacetime Army Air Corps. Eventually, he was able to qualify for flight school. After marriage, and with the war on, the young officer and his bride crisscrossed the country, airfield to airfield, base to base: Santa Ana, Yuma, Kissimmee, Bakersfield, Orlando, La Junta, Fresno. He volunteered for night fighters and the newly arrived and almost mythic Black Widow. A world away, the carnage continued. As Paul Hendrickson tracks his parents&’ journey, together and separate, both stateside and overseas, he creates a vivid portrait of a hard-to-know father whose time in the war, he comes to understand, was something truly heroic, but never without its hidden and unhidden psychic costs.Bringing to life an iconic moment of American history, and the tragedy of all wars, Fighting the Night is an intense and powerful story of violence and love, forgiveness and loss. And it is a tribute to those who got plunged into service, in the best years of their lives, and the sacrifices they and their loved ones made, then and thereafter.The Jhanas: A Practical Guide to Deep Meditative States
By Shaila Catherine. 2024
Experience new levels of joy, calm, and clarity with this revised and enhanced edition of the bestselling Focused and Fearless.The…
Pali word jhana literally means &“to meditate.&” It also refers to a traditional series of states of absorption, each deeper than the last, in which the mind is undistracted by sensation, thoughts, or moods. Shaila Catherine&’s friendly, wise approach, blended with contemporary examples and pragmatic "how to" instructions that anyone can try, will show meditators (and non-meditators) how to attain these extraordinary states with relative ease. But jhana practice is about much more than just meditation or concentration; it offers a complete path toward bliss, fearlessness, and true awakening. From the introduction: Jhanas are states of happiness that can radically transform the heart, reshape the mind, imbue consciousness with enduring joy and ease, and provide an inner resource of tranquility that surpasses any conceivable sensory pleasure. Jhanas are states of deep rest, healing rejuvenation, and profound comfort that create a stable platform for transformative insight. In this approach to jhana, we use the calming aspects of concentration to support the investigative aspects of insight meditation. The fruit of concentration is freedom of heart and mind. This new edition of the meditation classic clarifies crucial points and offers twenty-one additional exercises, making this a great book for both those new to jhana practice and those looking to deepen their practice.DK Eyewitness Kraków (Travel Guide)
By Dk Eyewitness. 2024
Whether you want to enjoy a coffee in Kraków's iconic market square, explore the cavernous Wieliczka salt mine, or simply…
indulge in moreish Pierogi, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Kraków has to offer. With winding medieval streets, monumental palaces, soaring Gothic spires, and an imposing castle overlooking the city, Kraków is a historic gem. This array of medieval architecture belies the city's cosmopolitan vibrancy; Kraków abounds with atmospheric pubs, trendy wine bars, and an excellent assortment of eateries serving delectable Polish delicacies.Our updated guide brings Kraków to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations that place you inside the city's iconic buildings and neighborhoods.You'll discover: -Our pick of Kraków's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems-The best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay -Detailed maps and walks that make navigating the city easy -Easy-to-follow itineraries -Expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe -Color-coded chapters to every part of Kraków, from the Old Town to Wawel Hill, Kazimierz to Piasek and Nowy Swiat -A lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you goTouring the country? Try our DK Eyewitness Poland.Rick Steves Pocket Athens (Rick Steves)
By Rick Steves. 2024
Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves! This colorful, compact guidebook is perfect for spending…
a week or less in Athens: City walks and tours: Five detailed tours and walks showcase Athens's essential sights, including the Acropolis, a tour of the Ancient Agora, the National Archaeological Museum, and more Rick's strategic advice on what experiences are worth your time and money What to eat and where to stay: Sip authentic ouzo at a sidewalk café, chat with locals over traditional Greek mezedes, and admire views of the Acropolis from your hotel rooftop Day-by-day itineraries to help you prioritize your time A detailed, detachable fold-out map, plus museum and city maps throughout Full-color, portable, and slim for exploring on-the-go Trip-planning practicalities like when to go, how to get around on public transit, basic Greek phrases, and more Lightweight yet packed with valuable insight into Athens' history and culture, Rick Steves Pocket Athens truly is a tour guide in your pocket. Expanding your trip? Try Rick Steves Greece!DK Eyewitness The Netherlands (Travel Guide)
By Dk Eyewitness. 2024
Whether you want to immerse yourself in the timeless art of the Dutch Masters, cycle through fields of tulips in…
Keukenhof, or cruise the canals in cozy Utrecht, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that the Netherlands has to offer.The Netherlands offers a breathtaking network of canals alongside a striking background of historic city skylines. It takes only two and a half hours to drive across the country, and with its excellent train systems, exploring the magnificent, rugged heathlands and picturesque cities has never been easier.Our updated guide brings the Netherlands to life, transporting you there as no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations that place you inside the Netherlands' iconic buildings and neighborhoods.You'll discover:-Our pick of the Netherlands' must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems-The best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay-Detailed maps and walks that make navigating the country easy-Easy-to-follow itineraries-Expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe-Color-coded chapters to every part of the Netherlands, from Amsterdam to Utrecht, Zeeland to Groningen-A lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you goWant the best of Amsterdam in your pocket? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 AmsterdamDK Eyewitness Venice and the Veneto (Travel Guide)
By Dk Eyewitness. 2024
Whether you want to wander around a magical maze of canals, sample delicious cuisine, ramble through majestic mountains, or relive…
fascinating history, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Venice and the Veneto have to offer.The jewel of the Veneto, Venice is a dreamlike city filled with architectural wonders and incredible collections of art. But this region offers far more than this watery oasis. Lake Garda boasts beautiful scenery, Verona features the world's third-largest Roman Arena, and the Dolomites are rich with alpine forests and verdant hills.Our updated guide brings Venice and the Veneto to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations that place you inside the region's iconic buildings and neighborhoods.You'll discover:-Our pick of Venice and the Veneto's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems-The best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay-Detailed maps and walks that make navigating the region easy-Easy-to-follow itineraries-Expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe-Color-coded chapters to every part of Venice and the Veneto, from San Marco to Castello, The Lagoon Islands to The Dolomites-A lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you goTouring the country? Don't forget to check out DK Eyewitness Italy.DK Eyewitness Naples and the Amalfi Coast (Travel Guide)
By Dk Eyewitness. 2024
Whether you want to kick back with an aperitif in the historic streets of Naples, be awed by the Roman…
site of Pompeii, or soak up the coastal splendor of Capri, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Naples and the Amalfi Coast have to offer.Naples and the Amalfi Coast are treasure troves of things to see and do. Packed with world-class eateries, hidden galleries, and Baroque churches, the ancient Naples thrums with life. Meanwhile, the nearby sights of the Amalfi Coast offer a perfectly restorative and scenic contrast to the bustle of the city.Our updated guide brings Naples and the Amalfi Coast to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations that place you inside the region's iconic buildings and neighborhoods. We've also worked hard to ensure our information is up-to-date.You'll discover:-Our pick of the area's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems-The best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay-Detailed maps and walks that make navigating the region easy-Easy-to-follow itineraries-Expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe-Color-coded chapters to every part of Naples and the Amalfi Coast, from Castel Nuovo to Spaccanapoli, Pompeii to Capri-A lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you goTouring the country? Try our DK Eyewitness Italy. Want the best of Naples in your pocket? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Naples and the Amalfi Coast.Albert Ball VC: The Fighter Pilot Hero of World War I
By Colin Pengelly. 2010
An action-packed military biography of a British fighter pilot and his rise through ranks during World War I. World War…
I pilot Albert Ball&’s invincible courage and determination made him a legend not only in Britain but also amongst his enemies, to whom the sight of his lone Nieuport Scout brought fear. Ball enlisted in the British army in 1914 with the 2/7th Battalion (Robin Hoods) of the Sherwood Foresters, Notts, and Derby Regiment. By October, 1914, he had reached the rank of Sergeant and then became Second-Lieutenant to his own battalion in the same month. In June, 1915, he trained as a pilot in Hendon. Then in October, he obtained Royal Aero Club Certificate and was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He further trained at Norwich and Upavon, being awarded the pilot&’s brevet in January, 1916. In May, he opened his score, shooting down an Albatros C-type over Beaumont. Days later he shot down two LVG C-types, while flying his Nieuport 5173. Captain Albert Ball made his final flight on May 7, 1917, when he flew as part of an eleven-strong hunting patrol into action against Jagdstaffel 11, led by Lothar Von Richthofen. Albert was pursuing the Albatros Scout of Lothar, who crash-landed, wounded. Then many witnessed Albert dive out of a cloud and crash. He died minutes later in the arms of a French girl, Madame Cecille Deloffre. Ball rose from obscurity to the top rank of contemporary fighter pilots in only 15 months. In that period, he had been awarded the MC, DSO, and two Bars, and was credited with at least 44 victories.Caracalla: A Military Biography
By Ilkka Syvänne. 2017
This biography of the Roman Emperor Caracalla challenges his tyrannical reputation with a revealing narrative of his social reforms and…
military campaigns. Caracallahas one of the worst reputations of any Roman Emperor. Many ancient historians were very hostile, and the 18th century English historian Edward Gibbon even dubbed him the common enemy of mankind. Yet his reign was considered by at least one Roman author to be the apogee of the Roman Empire. He was guilty of many murders and massacres—including that of his own brother, ex-wife and daughter. Yet he instituted the Antonine Constitution, granting citizenship to all free men in the Empire. He was also popular with the army, improving their pay and cultivating the image of sharing their hardships. Historian Ilkka Syvanne explains how the biased ancient sources in combination with the stern looking statues of the emperor have created a distorted image of the man. He then reconstructs a chronology of Caracalla&’s reign, focusing on his military campaigns and reforms, to offer a balanced view of his legacy. Caracalla offers the first complete overview of the policies, events and conflicts he oversaw and explains how and why these contributed to the military crisis of the third century.Normandy: Normandy Landing Beaches (Major & Mrs Holt's Pocket Battlefield Guide)
By Tonie Holt, Valmai Holt. 2012
A compact traveler&’s guide to the French region&’s World War II historical sites, featuring planned itineraries of places to see…
and where to go. This guidebook covers the present-day battlefield and the actions that took place on and immediately behind the D-Day beaches, and Major and Mrs. Holt's Pocket Battlefield Guide to Normandy has been put together to take you around the area. This book is part of a new series of guides designed conveniently in a small size for those who have only limited time to visit, or who are simply interested in as an introduction to the historic battlefields, whether on the ground or from an armchair. They contain selections from the Holts&’ more detailed guide of the most popular and accessible sites plus handy tourist information, capturing the essential features of the Battles. The book contains many full color maps and photographs and detailed instructions on what to see and where to visit.The WWI biography of a Victory Cross recipient who fought bravely at Gallipoli, only to be shunned after the war…
for speaking out against it. The son of a former Premier of Western Australia, Hugo Throssell volunteered to join the Imperial Australian Force during the Great War. He was shipped to Gallipoli in 1915 with the 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment, which fought in a dismounted role. He was involved in the famous charge of the 10th Light Horse at the Battle of the Nek and the Battle of Hill 60. Throssell was severely wounded during the Battle of Hill 60, but refused to leave his post until the fighting was over. As soon as his wounds were dressed, he went back into the firing line until he was ordered to stand down by the Medical Officer. His determination saved his battalion at a critical moment. After the war, Throssell became an outspoken opponent of war, for which he was widely condemned. It also made employment difficult and he fell into debt. When he tried to pawn his Victoria Cross, he was offered only ten shillings. He committed suicide at forty-nine. Meticulously researched and beautifully written, this is a moving tale of heroism and tragedy.Marlborough's Shadow: The Life of the First Earl Cadogan
By J. N. Watson. 2003
Several writers have remarked that Marlborough could have never achieved his great military success during the War of the Spanish…
Succession without the support, industry and ingenuity of his Chief of Staff, Quartermaster General and Chief of Intelligence, General William Cadogan, who became the 1st Earl of Cadogan, and who, in 1722, succeeded Marlborough as Commander-in Chief of the British Army. Apart from the other considerations Marlborough, then in his 50's, was relatively frail and prone to fevers and headaches, whereas Cadogan, the better educated officer, was still in his early 30's and very fit. This, the story of a most able young general, is a must for all those interested in military history, particularly that relating to the early 18th century. However, Cadogan was a more complex -and more interesting -personality than his career as a soldier indicates. He possessed the charm, the wisdom, the powers of persuasion and the linguistic ability to make an outstanding diplomat. He proved, indeed, to be the brightest roving ambassador of the reign of George I. And yet, despite all his positive attributes he was not a man political or of financial integrity.Winged Warriors: The Cold War from the Cockpit
By Thomas McDonald. 1988
Paul McDonald is a former RAF fast-jet pilot whose flying career spanned 34 years. He is not a typical senior…
RAF officer having been brought up on a council estate in a bleak northern industrial town. He became a pilot by accident and struggled to gain his wings. He spent 14 years on operational tours overseas including 2 tours at the height of the Cold War on a Tornado tactical nuclear squadron in Germany, only 15 minutes from responding to an anticipated Soviet onslaught. Earlier he served on a low-level photo reconnaissance squadron on NATO's vulnerable southern flank. He was decorated for gallantry in 1980 and later served in Kuwait as the Senior RAF Adviser, including Operation Desert Fox, the air war against Iraq in 1998.Joseph Stalin: Images Of War (Images of War)
By David A. Semeraro. 2017
Joseph Stalin was a monster. He sacrificed his friends and allies in pursuit of power, murdered thousands with sadistic brutality…
to maintain it and callously obliterated millions more of his own people over a quarter century of his leadership. Yet almost as frightening as the horrendous crimes he committed is the idolatry that allowed this ogre to flourish. Just like fellow monster of the twentieth century Adolf Hitler, Stalin saw himself as a master of destiny, a role that to him excused the vilest atrocities. And, bafflingly, just like his Nazi counterpart, he was allowed to dominate his nation and overrun others with the enthusiastic support of the majority of the citizens whom he had subjugated. Stalin was lauded as a national savior right up until his death, which was marked by mourning crowds so vast that untold numbers perished in the crush. This unquestioning adulation is not only a mystery to todays historians but a cause for alarm. For, under the Soviet Unions present regime, there are signs that the Stalin cult is being resurrected as the Russian bear again sharpens its claws. This concise book presents a cautionary study, in words and historic photographs, of the peasants son from Georgia who as a choirboy seemed destined for the priesthood but who grew up to be a street-fighting revolutionary using torture and terror as tools to attain power. It asks how the coarse, brutish drunkard that he became could nevertheless have been lauded abroad as a cultural giant and spellbind so many millions at home as an object of worship. It provides clues as to how Stalin the military incompetent came to be seen as a statesman of equal standing to war leaders like Churchill and Hitler (whose lives are covered by companion volumes in the Pen & Sword Images of War series). And it points to the danger of rewriting history to allow the resurrection of Stalin as a father of his people in the twenty-first century rather than a bloodstained idol with feet of clay.Also Available by Nigel Blundell, from the Images of War series, Images of War Winston Churchill and Images of War Adolf Hitler.Flying Freestyle: An RAF Fast Jet Pilot's Story
By Jerry Pook. 2009
A British Royal Air Force pilot recounts his 25-year career in the cockpit during the Cold War in this military…
memoir. During a twenty-five-year flying career in the RAF, Jerry Pook has flown Hunter Fighter/Ground Attack aircraft in the Gulf, Harriers in West Germany, the supersonic Starfighter with the Dutch Air Force, the Harrier in Belize, Central America and the Tornado bomber at the Tri-national Tornado Training Establishment where he trained German and Italian pilots and navigators. Jerry had a long relationship with the Harrier Fighter/Ground Attack vertical take-off aircraft. This he flew in West Germany at the height of the Cold War operating from Wildenrath and off-base operations with Field Wing operations based in the fields and woods of the German countryside. Jerry saw action during the Falklands War when based on HMS Hermes and flying one of the few RAF Harriers in the Ground Attack role in support of the troops fighting ashore. He then enjoyed flying the American-built Starfighter RF 104G during a three-year exchange tour with the Dutch Air Force—he describes the Starfighter as &“beautiful to fly, smooth and sophisticated, supremely fast and powerful—if you took liberties with it you knew it would kill you in an instant.&” After three years with No 1 (Fighter) Squadron and again flying the Harrier, he moved to the then new Tornado, flying in its bomber role. This he continued to fly operationally and in the instructional role for thirteen years until grounded from military flying for medical reasons.Caligula: An Unexpected General
By Lee Fratantuono. 2018
A new appraisal of the brief, turbulent reign of Gaius Caligula and his achievements as a military strategist. Gaius…
Caligula reigned for four short years, from 37 to 41 CE, before his infamous tenure came to a violent end. While much has been written about his notorious excesses and court life, relatively little of his military and foreign policy has been seriously studied. This military history of Rome during Caligula&’s reign sheds light on that subject. After he grew up in a military camp, Caligula&’s years as emperor came in the wake of the great consolidation of Tiberius&’ gains in Germany and Pannonia, and in large part made possible the invasions of Gaul and Britain that were undertaken by his uncle and successor, Claudius. His expeditions in Gaul were part of a program of imitation of his storied predecessor, and crowning completion of what had been left undone in the relatively conservative military policy years of Augustus and Tiberius. Caligula: An Unexpected General offers a new appraisal of Caligula as a surprisingly competent military strategist, arguing that his achievements helped to secure Roman military power in Europe for a generation.Wellington's Men Remembered Volume 2: A Register of Memorials to Soldiers Who Fought in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo: M to Z
By Janet Bromley, David Bromley. 2015
Wellington's Men Remembered is a reference work which has been compiled on behalf of the Association of Friends of the…
Waterloo Committee and contains over 3,000 memorials to soldiers who fought in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo between 1808 and 1815, together with 150 battlefield and regimental memorials in 24 countries worldwide.Salute of Guns
By Donald Boyd. 2012
A British World War I veteran details artillery’s role in the Great War, life on the Western Front, and soldier…
morale in this classic memoir.Salute of Guns covers a story that is almost forgotten: Artillery was the decisive weapon of the Great War. The developments in artillery tactics, equipment and shells played a major role in the final Allied victory. British artillery was in the forefront of all those changes. This book gives the reader a dramatic insight into the story of artillery in the First World War.Donald Boyd joined his local Territorial Force artillery unit in September 1914. Commissioned in 1915, he learnt his trade in France from unsympathetic pre-war Indian Army regulars who did not understand how war was changing. From 1916 to 1918 he took part in the Western Front’s major battles, including the Somme, Third Ypres, Cambrai and the 1918 offensives. The stress of an artillery subaltern’s existence, observing in the front line, keeping the guns in action at a battery position or leading ammunition columns up tracks exposed to shellfire brought him to nervous collapse twice. The author is frank about his problems and convincingly conveys the relationships within his sub-unit which helped or hindered his struggle to stay in the front line.A new foreword by Michael Orr sets Boyd’s memoir in context and documents its reliability from the archives.Praise for Salute of Guns“If I had to name the best record of Western Front fighting I should, on the whole, choose Donald Boyd’s Salute of Guns as the one that has dealt most faithfully with the most difficult to recall of all its aspects—contemporary morale.” —Robert Graves“An excellent account of service by a man dealing with the fear and mental fatigue of a long war who yet describes his military activities with great clarity. It is particularly valuable as such memoirs from the Royal Regiment are few. Pen & Sword are to be congratulated.” —British Commission for Military HistoryA century ago General Joffre, as Chief of the French General Staff, led the armies that blocked the German invasion…
at the First Battle of the Marne. He saved Paris from occupation and France from probable defeat. His calm demeanour when faced with a disaster, his ruthless dismissal of incompetent subordinates, and his skilled redeployment of his forces contributed to a historic victory. At the time many saw him as the saviour of the nation, but what should we make of him now? For Joffre contributed to the failures of the French army and its strategy before the war and during the first battles of 1914. Also his conduct of the war after the Marne futile offensives that cost thousands of lives and gained no ground, followed by near defeat at Verdun - undermined his position and led to his dismissal.Although he remained immensely popular in France, his reputation has been under a cloud ever since, and he has been overshadowed by the French generals - Ptain and especially Foch - who commanded the French army at the time of the final victory over Germany.Andr Bourachot, in this lucid and highly readable study of Joffre's career, focuses on his performance during the opening phase of the Great War. He offers a fresh and carefully considered view of the man and the soldier.An extensive traveler&’s guide to the French region&’s World War II historical sites and everything else you need to know…
about the area. Already the best-selling English-language guide to the area, universally known as &“the Bible,&” this is the sixth, completely revised, up-to-date, much expanded edition of the Definitive Guide to the D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches. The third in the Holts&’ important series of Battlefield Guides (following the Somme and the Ypres Salient), it employs the same, highly acclaimed formula. Once again, the cold facts are interlaced with anecdotes of bravery, humor, sadness, and humanity. This new edition now contains all the landing beaches: Juno, Sword, Gold, Omaha, Utah; all the airborne operations: British and American two approach routes; six timed and measured itineraries; 21 in-text itinerary maps, battle maps & diagrams; and approximately 400 recommended sites within the D-Day planned area of advance, all with photos, each with latitude & longitude references (New for this Edition). It features over 400 colored pictures and 352 pages of memorials, museums, batteries, bunkers, landing fields, historical background to the landings, the plans and what actually happened, information about Allied and German war graves, veterans&’ associations, and other commemorative associations. It also has Normandy tourist information about where to stay and to eat, and information about historical figures such as recipients of the Victoria Cross and the Medal of Honor, poets, photographers, and more.