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Universally admired in 479 BC, the Spartans were masters of the Greek world by 402 BC, only for their state to collapse in the next generation. What went wrong? Was the fall of Sparta inevitable? Philip Matyszak examines the political blunders and failures of leadership which combined with unresolved social issues to bring down the nation - even as its warriors remained invincible on the battlefield.The Spartans believed their constitution and society...
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Although the youngest of the Regiments in the Household Division, the Welsh Guards have established a reputation on both the battlefield, and on the parade ground, that is fully equal to the proud standards for which Guardsmen have long been famous. The Welsh Guards were formed in 1915, and they saw much hard fighting in both World Wars. Of the first thirty years of their existence, almost a third were spent at war and as a result tradition and regimental...
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The Battleground series is designed for both the battlefield visitor and the reader at home. For the former, this book is an invaluable guide and each site is described in detail. For everyone there are graphic descriptions of action, often through first-hand accounts, supported by illustrations, diagrams and maps.
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Seen through the eyes of John Fletcher-Cooke, the horrifying, but by now often-told story of the treatment meted out by the Japanese to their prisoners of war takes on an entirely new light. His is a book written without bitterness but at the same time a book which does not look back on suffering shared in the self-congratulatory spirit of an old comrades reunion. For Sir John has two remarkable advantages, one possible unique and the other certainly...
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A memoir of glamorous 1960s London-with bonus dinner party recipes. In this book, famed interior designer Mary Gilliatt recounts some of the dinner parties she enjoyed with her husband, who was the best man at Princess Margaret's wedding. The political, royal, publishing, and entertainment worlds collided at these elegant tables, and Gilliatt shares reminiscences of Peggy Guggenheim, Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, Marlene Dietrich, Arthur Koestler,...
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John Colvin's career as one of Her Majesty's Representatives in Foreign Parts never scaled the greatest heights of the ambassadorial ladder, but it did lead to two unusual postings, which he describes in this book. In 1966 he was sent to Hanoi at a time when the Vietnam War began to assume its full rigour, and his verdict on the American involvement, contrary to the widely-held view, is that they did not leave Indo-China without credit or achievement....
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As a young Irish Guards Officer in 1940, Sir Rupert Clarke became ADC to Alexander, already a distinguished officer thanks to his intelligence and courage.Alex had been the last senior officer to leave the Dunkirk beaches. For the next 4 years, the author was Alex's constant companion. In this book he shares the excitement and experiences of those years. Alex had Churchill's unwavering confidence, protected Montgomery like no other could, and was...
10) Ladysmith
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In 1899 the Boers, armed with the latest European rifles and artillery, drove through Natal to help themselves to a seaport-Durban-only to spend their energies in laying siege to the market and railway town of Ladysmith.
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The ten Scotland Yard detectives, featured in The Guvnors, are unique. Such a group of intrepid crime-busters will never exist again. They possessed only the most rudimentary education; none had a degree. Intuition and knowledge of their manor counted for more than DNA and databases. They worked tirelessly in the pursuit of criminals, used informants, worked on hunches and grabbed hold of investigations and shook them until every piece of evidence...
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In selecting my adventurers, I have had to find limits. The first has been to confine my selection to men and women who are (at least loosely) British and, even then, service and adoption have sometimes, as with Krystyna Skarbeka, taken the place of birth, and I have chosen to ignore such things as competing national claims for Tenzing Norgay. The second limit that I have set myself is generally to exclude heroic adventurers in battle, simply because...
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Whilst researching his earlier book Sea Killers in Disguise, the author unearthed a rich stem of incidents at sea which happened during the two World Wars that shocked and surprised him. This book is the result of further in-depth study covering the Second World War. It reveals a long catalogue of atrocities perpetrated not just by Germany and Japan but, sensationally, by the British and her Allies.
Thanks to Tony Bridgland's meticulous research,...
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Mark Lloyd treats this much neglected aspect of warfare thematically rather than chronologically, examining in turn the various methods by which deception has been practised through the ages. He draws on a wide range of examples to show the elaborate techniques which have been employed in the struggle to outwit the enemy. Particularly fascinating is his analysis of the fatal error of self-deception.
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From the Greek professional armies of Alexander, through the Hundred Years War, indeed, to today, mercenaries have been ever-present, their role constantly evolving. In this compelling new history William Urban takes up their captivating and turbulent story from 1550 to 1789: from the Wars of Religion to the eve of the French Revolution. William Urbans many works include the highly acclaimed The Teutonic Knights and Medieval Mercenaries. William McNeill...
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To maintain the link of communication between battlefields and HQ, between commanders and soldiers, between physically distant Corps is the vital job of the Royal Signal. But the responsibility of the Signals extends beyond the logistical requirements of inter-personal contact Electronic Intelligence and Electronic Warfare are major departments within the organisation, each of which supports the other. The Vital Link examines these diverse aspects...
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Although the Great War might be regarded as the heyday of the big-gun at sea, it also saw the maturing of underwater weapons the mine and torpedo as well as the first signs of the future potency of air power. Between 1914 and 1918 weapons development was both rapid and complex, so this book has two functions: on the one hand it details all the guns, torpedoes, mines, aerial bombs and anti-submarine systems employed during that period; but it also...
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Winston Churchill's obsession with the Dardanelles had fatal consequences for many thousands of servicemen. Moreover it almost destroyed the career of the most influential British figure of this Century. Penn's latest work examines in depth an extraordinary and ill-matched politico/military relationship which was to have the most far-reaching results.
19) Reflected Glory
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Carney Lake served for six years in a Royal Marines Commando Unit and in this book tells his story - the names of those men involved have been changed to protect their identities, but the events happened as described. The result is arguably as vivid and accurate a depiction of Britain s fighting men as has ever appeared in print. What we can see from the television screen of war and terrorism leaves us with no doubts as to the reality of modern warfare,...
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A delightful book which records favorite childhood games and recalls forgotten rhymes. With more children suffering from obesity, Susan Brewer looks at the social games we used to play from skipping to chase games, which used up our energy during recess. Instead of costly computer games, we used rhyming games, played Jacks and showed our balancing skills during competitive games of hopscotch. A charming book, full of anecdotes and nostalgia for how...
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