Military History
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Burma ’44: The Battle That Turned Britain’s War in the East
‘A thrilling blow-by-blow account’ The Times
‘A first-rate popular history of a fascinating and neglected battle… a veritable page-turner’ BBC HistoryIn February 1944, a rag-tag collection of clerks, drivers, doctors, muleteers, and other base troops, stiffened by a few dogged Yorkshiremen and a handful of tank crews managed to hold out against some of the finest infantry in the Japanese Army, and then defeat them in what was one of the most astonishing battles of the Second World War.
What became know as The Defence of the Admin Box, fought amongst the paddy fields and jungle of Northern Arakan over a fifteen-day period, turned the battle for Burma. Not only was it the first decisive victory for British troops against the Japanese, more significantly, it demonstrated how the Japanese could be defeated. The lessons learned in this tiny and otherwise insignificant corner of the Far East, set up the campaign in Burma that would follow, as General Slim’s Fourteenth Army finally turned defeat into victory.
Burma ’44 is a tale of incredible drama. As gripping as the story of Rorke’s drift, as momentous as the battle for the Ardennes, the Admin Box was a triumph of human grit and heroism and remains one of the most significant yet undervalued conflicts of World War Two.
The new, sweeping World War II book from James Holland, THE SAVAGE STORM, is available for pre-order now.
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£7.30£10.40 -
The Armchair General World War One: Can You Win The Great War? (The Armchair General, 2)
‘The Armchair General team has done it again. An absorbing read for Christmas.’
Peter Caddick-Adams‘Brilliant and immersive.’
Harry SidebottomThe second book in the Armchair General series, where YOU choose the fate of the First World War
________________________________
HISTORY IS WRITTEN BY THE VICTORS. WILL IT BE YOU?
TAKE THE HOTSEAT
Assume the role of real historic decision-makers: general, leaders, soldiers and intelligence officers of the Allied Forces during World War I.EXAMINE THE INTELLIGENCE
Explore eight key moments from the First World War, using real contemporaneous intelligence: including the July Crisis, the Battle of the Somme, and the Russian Revolution.CONSIDER THE SCENARIO & MAKE YOUR DECISION
From battlefields to the Royal Courts, each tactical and strategic decision you make leads to a different outcome.Will you follow the path of the past – or shape a new history…?
________________________________PRAISE FOR THE ARMCHAIR GENERAL SERIES
‘An original and exciting approach…The Armchair General adds enormously to our understanding of the conflicts’ JAMES HOLLAND
‘A reminder that history is a never ending now, a relentless and endless present that comes without the luxury of hindsight’ AL MURRAY
‘Wonderfully original…putting readers at the heart of the decision-making process and allowing them, literally, to change the course of history. This is counterfactual history at its very best’ SAUL DAVID
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£9.50£18.00 -
The World War 2 Trivia Book: Interesting Stories and Random Facts from the Second World War: Volume 1 (Trivia War Books)
When was the last time someone around you brought up World War Two?It’s a pretty popular war. Maybe you heard about it yesterday. Maybe last month. But it was probably recent. And when it came up, did you wish that you could be the one to casually drop a fact that would have everyone in the room going, “Wow, I never knew that!”
With this book, you can be that person.
You can read it in just a few minutes a day.
Chapters are bite-sized and easy to read, meant for normal people instead of war historians!
Each chapter ends with a bonus helping of trivia and some quick questions to test your knowledge.
You’ll zoom through this book and be hungry for more.
Get ready to impress your friends with your knowledge – not just of the main events of World War Two, but of all the gritty details and weird true facts. By the time you finish this book, you’ll have a fact for every occasion, from the first moment someone thought about having a second World War, to the most recent blockbuster movies about it.
So get ready to meet characters from Adolf Hitler, rejected art student, to Jack Churchill, the broadsword-swinging male model. Find out why World War Two started in the first place, and why it’s never a good idea to invade Russia in winter. Learn why the United States was going to stay out of the war, how Canadians stole airplanes for the British, and what an orange soft drink has to do with the Nazis.
Some of the things you’re going to learn are sad. Some are scary. Some are sexy. And some are downright strange! It’s everything your history teacher never got around to telling you.
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£10.50£11.40 -
The Vietnam War: An Intimate History
**The New York Times Bestseller**
**The book of the landmark documentary, The Vietnam War, by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick**The definitive work on the Vietnam War, the conflict that came to define a generation, told from all sides by those who were there.
More than forty years after the Vietnam War ended, its legacy continues to fascinate, horrify and inform us. As the first war to be fought in front of TV cameras and beamed around the world, it has been immortalised on film and on the page, and forever changed the way we think about war.
Drawing on hundreds of brand new interviews, Ken Burns and Geoffrey C. Ward have created the definitive work on Vietnam. It is the first book to show us the war from every perspective: from idealistic US Marines and the families they left behind to the Vietnamese civilians, both North and South, whose homeland was changed for ever; politicians, POWs and anti-war protesters; and the photographers and journalists who risked their lives to tell the truth. The book sends us into the grit and chaos of combat, while also expertly outlining the complex chain of political events that led America to Vietnam.
Beautifully written, this essential work tells the full story without taking sides and reminds us that there is no single truth in war. It is set to redefine our understanding of a brutal conflict, to launch provocative new debates and to shed fresh light on the price paid in ‘blood and bone’ by Vietnamese and Americans alike.
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£9.50 -
Spitfire The History Of A Legend
THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN The Supermarine Spitfire was developed by R.J. Mitchell and his team for just one reason to intercept and shoot down enemy bombers from British skies. Lauded by the Chairman of Vickers as a real killer fighter , the Spitfire was so advanced that it proved a huge challenge to the British aviation industry. The project ran so late that it only began to arrive in significant numbers even as the Battle of Britain was beginning. It was during the Battle of Britain in 1940 that the Spitfire became an enduring legend and a symbol of the British fighting spirit, partnering with the Hawker Hurricane to defeat the might of Hitler s Luftwaffe and prevent invasion. From 1942-3 onwards, it would range and fight around the world, from Malta and North Africa to Soviet Russia and Burma, often taking on new roles like ground attack and bomber escort for which it had never been designed. Profusely illustrated with the pick of historic photographs, Spitfire The History of a Legend covers all the significant Marks developed during the Spitfire s operational service, explaining how the aircraft evolved to meet the challenges presented by the war s changing requirements and by the threat of new generations of Luftwaffe fighters. It also includes coverage of fascinating Spitfire variants including the Seafire, Seafang and Spiteful.Read more
£10.80£19.00Spitfire The History Of A Legend
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On a Knife Edge: How Germany Lost the First World War (Cambridge Military Histories)
Was the outcome of the First World War on a knife edge? In this major new account of German wartime politics and strategy Holger Afflerbach argues that the outcome of the war was actually in the balance until relatively late in the war. Using new evidence from diaries, letters and memoirs, he fundamentally revises our understanding of German strategy from the decision to go to war and the failure of the western offensive to the radicalisation of Germany’s war effort under Hindenburg and Ludendorff and the ultimate collapse of the Central Powers. He uncovers the struggles in wartime Germany between supporters of peace and hardliners who wanted to fight to the finish. He suggests that Germany was not nearly as committed to all-out conquest as previous accounts argue. Numerous German peace advances could have offered the opportunity to end the war before it dragged Europe into the abyss.Read more
£19.00£23.80 -
The Future of War: A History
For as long as there have been wars there have been fears about the next war. Where are the new dangers? What is the best defence? How might peace come about? This is the history of how over the last 150 years we have tried – rightly and wrongly – to predict war’s future.
‘Britain’s leading academic strategist … read this book’ Economist
‘Insightful and opinionated … expertly covers centuries of evolving mayhem’ Gary J. Bass, The New York Times
‘A bonfire of predictions … Freedman’s purpose in this wise book is to discern patterns in the way we have thought about war’s future’ Shashank Joshi, Financial Times
‘It reflects the author’s immense knowledge and wisdom. It should feed our humility, because it reminds us of mankind’s unlimited capacity for folly’ Max Hastings, The Times
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£9.60£10.40The Future of War: A History
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War: The Definitive Visual History
Follow the epic 5,000-year story of warfare – from the earliest battles to the War on Terror – with this guided tour of every major conflict.
Combining a clear and compelling historical narrative with a wealth of fascinating eyewitness accounts and photography throughout, this is the ultimate guide to the history of military conflict, from the armies of ancient
Egypt to the rise of Isis in Syria and Iraq, and the ongoing Yemeni civil war.War explores the battles, the warriors, the tactics, and the weapons and technology that have shaped conflict worldwide. Lavishly illustrated with paintings, photographs, artefacts, and maps, this book offers a uniquely detailed and visually rich view of all major aspects of human conflict.
Whether on the bloody battlefields of the ancient world or in the modern era of drones and laser-guided missiles, this is the complete story of the wars that have shaped our world.
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£23.80£28.50War: The Definitive Visual History
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The Complete Illustrated History of the First & Second World Wars: With More Than 1000 Evocative Photographs, Maps and Battle Plans
This comprehensive history begins by looking at the origins of WWI and then chronicles the war a year at a time. The second half of the book details the history of WWII, from the rise of Hitler and the persecution of the Jewish race to the attacks on Pearl Harbor and the dropping of the atom bombs. All aspects of war are covered including war illnesses, espionage, propaganda and the atrocities on all sides. There are special features dedicated to the weaponry and tactics that shaped the wars. Written by experts in their field and illustrated with over 1000 photographs, battle plans and maps, it is a fascinating guide for both specialist and general readers.Read more
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Gunner Jack Dunkirk to Burma: The Untold Story of 130 Assault Field Regiment Royal Artillery
‘Churchill needed a victory and it was decided that we were just the lads to do it, and retake Burma without aircraft, just brute force and ignorance.’
– Alf Smith, D Troop, 316 Battery, 130th (Lowland) Field RegimentThe Lowlanders had a hell of a war. Despatched to the far side of the globe to face the merciless might of the Imperial Japanese Army, this steadfast band of volunteers and conscripts endured operations that are now all but forgotten, overlooked in even the most comprehensive published histories of the Second World War.
They were ordinary men facing extraordinary horrors, a gang of amateurs forged into a crack unit that took on some of the Royal Artillery’s toughest engagements in Burma. Drawing upon hundreds of archive documents, unpublished memoirs and declassified reports, their astonishing story of hardship, humour and heroism is told here for the first time. This painstakingly-researched book traces their journey from enlistment to demob, examining the battles they fought, the way they lived, and the triumphs and tragedies they experienced along the way. It weaves together the grand strategies of politicians and generals with first-hand accounts from those at the sharp end, from the gunners on the ground, to the infantry they supported, to the pilots battling for the skies above them.
‘Screaming shells were exploding everywhere. I threw myself hard against a fallen tree and could hardly believe it was our own guns… I could feel my body being violently compressed with every explosion. The pungent smell of cordite was everywhere while the shrapnel whined all around us.’
– Bill Bryden, F Troop, 494 Battery, 130th (Lowland) Field RegimentThe narrative follows Jack McLean, who as a reckless teenager joined his local Territorial Army unit (139th Field Regiment: the Lewisham Gunners) shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. Sent to join the British Expeditionary Force in France, after gamely standing on the Escaut Line against experienced German troops he was evacuated through Dunkirk. As Britain braced for invasion, young Jack was ordered to join the untested 130th (Lowland) Field Regiment to offer it the benefit of his ‘battle experience’.
Despite a faltering start with antiquated equipment, the Lowlanders were soon sent over the ocean to take part in the first foray back into Burma after the Japanese invasion. They were hardened in the Somme-like slaughter of Donbaik and, as 1943’s ill-fated Cannibal expedition descended into catastrophe, fought for their lives on the palm-fringed shores of the Bay of Bengal, surrounded on the beach with their backs to the sea.
‘The gunners leaned out with their rifles at the ready. If ever men prayed hard, we who watched did then. Lurching and heaving, the good old ‘Quad’ waded through, and the gunners, yelling like mad, opened fire with their rifles as they passed the ill-fated copse.’
– Ronnie Nicholson, Regimental Headquarters, 130th (Lowland) Field RegimentLater, as an experimental ‘assault’ regiment in a unique Combined Operations formation, they held the line against the shock Japanese Arakan offensive of 1944. Ultimately assigned to a fractious multi-national task force headed by notorious American general ‘Vinegar Joe’ Stilwell, their war culminated in a ten-month, thousand-mile slog through monsoon rains and remote mountainous jungle to reach Mandalay, chasing a stubborn enemy rearguard through country that was eminently suited to the tactics of ambush and infiltration for which the Japanese soldier was rightly feared and admired.
Until now, surviving details of their staggering feat of human endurance have lain buried in archives, a neglected sideshow to an ill-remembered theatre of conflict; the forgotten of the Forgotten Army.
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£16.10 -
Gold on Blue: A life in the Royal Marines Band Service
This is the story of a fourteen-year-old boy who joined the Royal Naval School of Music at its wartime camp at Burford in Oxfordshire in the late 1940s. He rose through the ranks to spend 6 ½ years as the professional head of the Royal Marines Band Service, retiring shortly before 11 colleagues were killed at Deal by IRA terrorists.It is the story of a life in music. Of voyages in HMS Sheffield, HMS Hermes, the QE2 and theRoyal Yacht Britannia. A life of duty, honour, ceremony and tradition that includes Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, the 1966 World Cup Final and the honeymoon cruise of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales.
This is not a story of one triumph after another. It is the story of someone who, occasionally, was in the right place at the right time. Someone who saw opportunities and embraced them.
Someone who, if he was given the chance, would do it all again.
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£9.50 -
The Fourth Force: The Untold Story of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Since 1945
Set up in August 1905, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary was originally a logistic support organization, part of the Navy proper but run on civilian lines, comprising a miscellaneous and very unglamorous collection of colliers, store ships and harbour craft. Just over a century later it has evolved beyond recognition: its ships compare in size, cost and sophistication with all but the largest warships, and the RFA itself has developed into an essential arm of all three Services. It is truly the Fourth Force as it is known to its own personnel and without it, the current worldwide deployment of British service men and women would be simply impossible. This book charts the veritable revolution that has overtaken the RFA since the end of the Second World War. New technology and techniques reflect the rapid growth in the importance of logistics in modern warfare, while the broadening role of the RFA is to be seen in the history of its operations, many of them little known to the public. Woven together from a combination of technical ship data, official correspondence and personal recollections, it is predominantly about the men and women of the RFA and their stories an insight into the underreported history of a service whose initials unofficially translate as Ready For Anything.Read more
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The Pussers Cook Book: Traditional Royal Navy recipes
This is the revised and updated edition of The Pussers Cook Book- recipes
- Dits
- tidbits
- facts
- memoriesThe Pussers Cook Book contains many of the most popular and loved traditional dishes served in the Royal Navy’s Galleys from the mid-1960s to the early 1980s.
Some of these dishes are being served on the ships and shore bases of today’s modern navy, although some have been slightly altered and others given, let’s say, more politically correct names.
Woven between the recipes in this book are true facts and tidbits about the food, the cooks and general life aboard ship.
Along with the recipes, this book aims to preserve a segment of British history, Royal Navy social history, which is fading all too quickly and would otherwise be lost in the grey sea-mists of oblivion.
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£14.00 -
The Royal Marines: 1664 to the present: History of the Royal Marines 1664-2000
A unique Corps, recruited as soldiers but trained to serve at sea, the Royal Marines are the recognized experts in amphibious warfare, possessors of an invaluable combination of military and naval skills. Despite their ability to survive the most hostile environments, however, the institutional survival of the Royal Marines has often been in doubt. Their curious existence, between land and sea services, has placed them in danger of disbandment by those anxious to cut defence costs. They have survived by their willingness to undertake almost any job – as the first garrison of Australia, ship’s butchers, immaculate naval bandsmen – and do it better than anyone else. Always at the forefront, they trained as fusiliers, with flintlock muskets when other infantry still carried matchlocks. Marines made the first heli-borne assault at Suez in 1956 and in the 1960s switched overnight from jungle warfare to duty in Arctic waters.
This absorbing book, revealing the story behind the Marines’ historical fortitude and gallantry, is published to tie in with the bi-centenary of the service receiving the distinction ‘Royal’, and with the twentieth anniversary of the Falklands War.
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Tank Craft 2: Sherman Tanks British Army and Royal Marines Normandy Campaign 1944
With production in excess of 55,000 the Sherman tank was eventually in service with most Allied armies of the Second World War and by the time of the Normandy landings was the mainstay of Britain’s armoured battalions. In his second book in the TankCraft series, Dennis Oliver uses wartime photos and extensively researched, exquisitely presented colour illustrations to cover the Sherman tanks used by the units of the Royal Armoured Corps and the Royal Marines during the fighting in northern France. As with all the books in the TankCraft series, a large part of this work showcases available model kits and aftermarket products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales. Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field are also explained as is the complex system of markings employed by British armoured regiments. This book will give the modeller all the information and knowledge required to recreate an authentic miniature representation of the tanks that fought from the beaches of Normandy, through the battles for Caen and on to killing fields of Falaise.Read more
£12.60£14.20 -
Mountain Commandos at War in the Falklands: The Royal Marines Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre in Action During the 1982 Conflict
Sunset, 8 June 1982, East Falkland. Eight specially trained Royal Marines infiltrate Goat Ridge, a long rocky hilltop between Mount Harriet and Two Sisters which are occupied by a battalion of 600 Argentine infantry. The next day, from their hiding place just metres away from the enemy, they note and sketch the Argentine positions, then withdraw as stealthily as they had come. Their daring patrol provides essential intelligence that guided the British assault which overwhelmed the Argentine defences two days later. This was just one example of the missions undertaken by the Royal Marines Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre during the Falklands War, all of which are described in graphic detail in Rod Boswell s eyewitness account. Using his own recollections and those of his comrades, he describes their operations in the Falklands the observation posts set up in the no man s land between San Carlos and Port Stanley, their role in the raid at Top Malo House, and the reconnaissance patrols they carried out close to the Argentine lines during the conflict. His first-hand account gives a fascinating insight into the operational skills of a small, specially trained unit and shows the important contribution it made to the success of the British advance. It also records the entire experience of the Falklands War from their point of view the long voyage south through the Atlantic, the landings, the advance and the liberation of Stanley.Read more
£20.00£23.80 -
Royal Marines Commandos
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.Read more
£9.20£10.40Royal Marines Commandos
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ROYAL NAVY HANDBOOK
The ‘Royal Navy Handbook’ provides the only official definitive guide to the structure of the Royal Navy of today and the future. From the Strategic defence forces of the Vanguard class of SSBNs, through the surface and submarine fleet, including the details of proposed new carriers, destroyers and submarines, to maritime airpower and the Rapid Deployment forces, the Royal Marines Commandos, to the vital Support forces of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Marine services and shore naval bases, this is the complete work of reference for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Every class of ship, aircraft and vehicle is included with a brief background, complete specifications and a colour illustration. The guide also includes details of the future procurement plans of the Royal Navy, a section on the historic ships of the navy, including HMS Victory and Belfast and a complete list of RN and RFA pennant numbers.Read more
£0.30ROYAL NAVY HANDBOOK
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Royal Marine Commando Funny Slang Notebook 100 Page 6×9 Matte Blank Lined
Royal Marine Commando Lined Notebook 100 page 6×9 featuring funny slang front cover and RM logo/cap badge on the internal pages.Printed on high quality white lined paper.
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£6.20 -
Living the Dream, Serving the Queen: A Collection of Royal Navy Memories
For over 400 years the Royal Navy has been the pride of the British Isles, but it wouldn’t be the organisation it is today without the people who make up the crews of these ships and establishments. Here is a collection of over a dozen stories from people who have served their time in the Royal Navy and now recollect their experiences serving their country in the senior service. From the 1950s boy sailor to the sailors who currently serve, we read about the runs ashore, the lifelong friendships, the funny stories, near incidents and the ships they served on. – What happened in New York harbour when a boat was taking crew to shore? – Who caused a huge tailback of traffic outside Faslane naval base? – What did Prince Philip whisper to a Chief Petty Officer during an inspection? – Which submariner saved a man from certain death from electrocution only to be snubbed later? These stories plus much more will help the reader understand why matelots, when asked how they are, reply with, “I’m living the dream, serving the Queen!”Read more
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Rocket Propellants at the Royal Gunpowder Mills
South Site was a later addition to the Royal Gunpowder Factory purchased in 1887 for the production of nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine and cordite. After the Second World War, it became a research establishment to develop propellants and explosives.
This book, discusses the research undertaken in P1 Branch where Bryan Howard worked from 1964 to until the site closure in 1989. However, it also mentions other activities within P1 and the other branches that Bryan was not personally involved in, giving a hint of the breadth of work carried out.
It has been compiled from Bryan’s notes made in the years following his retirement.Read more
£5.70 -
The Silent Deep: The Royal Navy Submarine Service Since 1945
‘The Ministry of Defence does not comment upon submarine operations’ is the standard response of officialdom to enquiries about the most secretive and mysterious of Britain’s armed forces, the Royal Navy Submarine Service. Written with unprecedented co-operation from the Service itself and privileged access to documents and personnel, The Silent Deep is the first authoritative history of the Submarine Service from the end of the Second World War to the present. It gives the most complete account yet published of the development of Britain’s submarine fleet, its capabilities, its weapons, its infrastructure, its operations and above all – from the testimony of many submariners and the first-hand witness of the authors – what life is like on board for the denizens of the silent deep.
Dramatic episodes are revealed for the first time: how HMS Warspite gathered intelligence against the Soviet Navy’s latest ballistic-missile-carrying submarine in the late 1960s; how HMS Sovereign made what is probably the longest-ever trail of a Soviet (or Russian) submarine in 1978; how HMS Trafalgar followed an exceptionally quiet Soviet ‘Victor III’, probably commanded by a Captain known as ‘the Prince of Darkness’, in 1986. It also includes the first full account of submarine activities during the Falklands War. But it was not all victories: confrontations with Soviet submarines led to collisions, and the extent of losses to UK and NATO submarine technology from Cold War spy scandals are also made more plain here than ever before.
In 1990 the Cold War ended – but not for the Submarine Service. Since June 1969, it has been the last line of national defence, with the awesome responsibility of carrying Britain’s nuclear deterrent. The story from Polaris to Trident – and now ‘Successor’ – is a central theme of the book. In the year that it is published, Russian submarines have once again been detected off the UK’s shores. As Britain comes to decide whether to renew its submarine-carried nuclear deterrent, The Silent Deep provides an essential historical perspective.
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£17.10£19.00 -
Royal Naval Submarines 1901 to 2008
This is a must-buy for the Royal Navy and Submarine enthusiast, being a complete directory of RN submarines from the outset to the present day. There is a wealth of detail on each class. Every entry contains the specification, launch dates of individual boats, details of evolving construction and armament and other salient information in a compact form. The high quality of the drawings of the majority of classes adds to the value of this work which includes the very latest Astute submarines currently coming into service. This book is a complete directory of submarines and will be widely welcomed by all with an interest, professional or lay, in the subject.Read more
£11.60£14.20Royal Naval Submarines 1901 to 2008
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The Elite Few: A History of the UK Royal Marines
“The Elite Few: A History of the UK Royal Marines” is a book that traces the history of the Royal Marines from their origins in the 17th century to the present day. Written by Marc Ferrari, the book covers the Royal Marines’ role in major conflicts, such as the Battle of Trafalgar, the Falklands War, and the Gulf War, as well as their involvement in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions around the world.
The book also explores the Royal Marines’ unique training and selection process, including the grueling Commando Course and the Special Boat Service selection. It delves into the various roles and units within the Royal Marines, from the Commandos to the Band Service, and examines their traditions, mottos, and insignia.
“The Elite Few” provides a fascinating insight into one of the world’s most elite military forces. It highlights the courage, determination, and unselfishness that are the core values of the Royal Marines, and how they have earned their reputation as one of the toughest fighting forces in the world.
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Empire of the Deep: The Rise and Fall of the British Navy
The bestselling complete history of the British Navy – our national story through a different prism.
The story of our navy is nothing less than the story of Britain, our culture and our empire. Much more than a parade of admirals and their battles, this is the story of how an insignificant island nation conquered the world’s oceans to become its greatest trading empire. Yet, as Ben Wilson shows, there was nothing inevitable about this rise to maritime domination, nor was it ever an easy path.
EMPIRE OF THE DEEP: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BRITISH NAVY also reveals how our naval history has shaped us in more subtle and surprising ways – our language, culture, politics and national character all owe a great debt to this conquest of the seas. This is a gripping, fresh take on our national story.
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£4.30£16.10 -
The Royal Navy and Fishery Protection: From the Fourteenth Century to the Present
From the first recorded mention of British ships protecting of fishing vessels in the late fourteenth century through to recent controversies over the change in emphasis to border patrols and overseas deployments, the story of the Royal Navy’s ‘Cinderella Fleet’ involves many dramatic incidents; until now, however, there has never been a book dedicated to the subject. Naval historian Jon Wise’s new work will rectify this omission. Historically there have been two main reasons why protecting fishing vessels was so important: first, fish have always constituted an essential part of the nation’s diet while, secondly, fishermen have been an important source of skilled personnel for the Royal Navy itself. It is claimed that the Fishery Protection Squadron (FPS) is the oldest in the fleet, pre-dating the formal creation of the Navy itself in the early part of the sixteenth century, yet it still remains comparatively little-known. The Squadron’s most famous operations were the ‘Cod Wars’ of 1958–76, but for six centuries it has been engaged in the many important tasks of protection and policing of fishing fleets, though more recently it has turned its attention to patrolling oil and gas fields, overseeing quotas and sustainability, and policing the ongoing disagreements over who can fish where and when. The author covers subjects as diverse as the battles with the Dutch for dominance in the North Sea, the protection of fishing on the eastern seaboard of America, and the role of the Squadron in the two World Wars. Containing many first-hand accounts, this thought-provoking narrative will be of particular interest to all those RN personnel who have served in the Squadron, and is set to become the definitive account of this vital but often unsung component of Britain’s naval forces, and its impact on national life.Read more
£20.00£23.80 -
The Complete Royal Air Force DAA (Defence Aptitude Assessment) Study Guide: With 140+ Official Style Practice Questions & Answers – Pass the RAF or Royal Navy DAA & Get Your…
What the successful DAA students who score highly first-time know, that maybe you don’t?
Are you keen to get into your desired Royal Air Force (RAF) or Royal Navy (RN) branch as soon as possible?
In order to land your dream job, serve the country, earn & save money, and begin the adventure of a lifetime?
We want to make that dream come true for you…
Yet sadly, you are directly competing against your fellow recruits in the exam – and you should aim to get into the top percentile of test takers, to ensure you get into the job role of your choice.
It’s not an easy assessment, but we’ve learned that low DAA scores are mostly down to a lack of preparation and a lack of understanding of the examined content.
We’ve provided all the up-to-date information you must know, as well as 140+ comprehensive practice questions and answers – to ensure you go into your Defence Aptitude Assessment feeling confident. Students who use our book increase their chances of passing first-time will by more than 80 percent.
Here’s exactly what you’ll be getting inside this study guide:
- Up-to-date content written by former military recruiters, for future RAF/RN personnel.
- Detailed chapters on all 6 aspects (Work Rate, Numerical Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Electrical & Mechanical Comprehension) and more!
- Over 140 hand-curated & never-seen-before practice questions that mirror the difficulty of the official assessment.
- Answers are given at the back of the book, so there’s no chance of you (or your child) cheating.
- Key information on how and where to take your DAA.
- Valuable tips for mastering each individual section
- Details on scoring, results & retakes…
- And so much more!
So, no matter whether you need practice and guidance with Work Rate or Numerical Reasoning – our highly-anticipated study guide will help you pass the Defense Aptitude Assessment faster and with real confidence – on your next attempt. So, if you want to pass your exam first time…
Scroll up and click “Add to Basket” now!
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£9.50 -
Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy from the 15th Century to the Present FULLY UPDATED AND EXPANDED
This is the fifth fully revised edition of a book first published in 1970. This longevity is testimony to its enduring value as a reference work indeed, Colledge (as it is universally known) is still the first stop for anyone wanting more information on any British warship from the fifteenth century to the present day when only the name is known. Each entry gives concise details of dimensions, armament and service dates, and its alphabetical and chronological arrangement makes it easy to track down the right ship (otherwise the Royal Navy s tradition of re-using the same names can be misleading). This new 5th edition contains some 200 new entries and revisions to many older entries. These reflect the demise of the post-Cold War ships as the Royal Navy was shrunk down as part of the peace dividend, and successive defence reviews saw the loss of significant ships classes such as the Type 42 destroyers, Type 22 frigates and the Illustrious class carriers. It is now being re-equipped in the face of new global challenges and has seen the introduction of the Queen Elizabeth class carriers, the largest ships ever built for the RN; the Type 45 destroyers; and Type 26 frigates and new patrol ships which will take on more global policing roles. Submarines should not be forgotten and the Cold War S class and T class are being replaced by the Astute class submarines, and the deterrent role, presently undertaken by the Vanguard class, is to be carried forward by the Dreadnought class submarines. Also included are the new RFAs which are increasingly taking on frontline operations to release the small number of escorts to more combative roles. In addition, there are updates to the Royal Australian, Canadian and New Zealand navies which have programmes to introduce new destroyers, Arctic patrol vessels, submarines and support ships. Since the death of Jim Colledge, who was widely respected for his pioneering research on the technical details of warships, his magnum opus has been updated, corrected and expanded with similar enthusiasm and attention to detail by Ben Warlow, a retired naval officer and author of a number of books in the field. Some press comments: A unique reference book which is the automatic starting point of research on Royal Navy ships. Lloyd s List This quite invaluable reference tool The Mariner s Mirror The book is absolutely essential in every naval historian s library. Warship WorldRead more
£20.00£23.80 -
Royal Marine 6×9 High Quality Notebook Gift Commando Matte 100 Page Lined Terram
High Quality Royal Marine Notebook, 100 pages of lined white paper each bearing the RM logo.Perfect gift for any serving or ex marine. Ideal gift for him, her or them.
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£6.20 -
Royal Navy Basic Training: The diary of a new recruit
Two years ago, I walked through the gates at HMS Raleigh to start my Royal Navy Basic Training. I had no real knowledge of what to expect over those coming weeks and this book relays those challenges and experiences, from when I first passed through the gates until my passing out parade. These are some of the things I learnt from completing the Royal Navy Basic Training: • Do what you are told and don’t question it no matter how much you might disagree.• Help each other; if you help your mates, they will help you. • Try your best. Give 100% all the time, even if you fail at something. • No matter how bad you think it is, it will be worth it in the end. This book is my diary of the 10-week Basic Training at HMS Raleigh, from when I first passed through the gates until my passing out parade.Read more
£6.60£7.10 -
Raiders from the Sea: The Story of the Special Boat Service in WWII
The Special Boat Service was a small force during World War II, never more than about 300 men. But that did not stop it from inflicting great damage on the enemy. In the Mediterranean arena and in the Aegean, which the Germans controlled after the fall of Greece and Crete, this small commando force kept up a constant campaign of harassment, thus pinning down enemy forces and preventing their joining other fronts. They travelled by night to their targets, using submarines, small surface vessels or canoes, with the commanders of the vessels often putting themselves in danger in order to help the men carry out their dangerous and secret missions. They were reliant on the co-operation of the fiercely independent Greeks and in particular the Cretans, all working together in their common objective against the German invaders. John Lodwick took part in the SBS Mediterranean campaign and writes from personal experience with the panache and verve of the squadron itself. For it is more than the story of the remarkable men who made up the force: men such as Anders Lassen, ‘the Dreadful Dane’ who was awarded a posthumous VC, Fitzroy Maclean, Eric Newby, Jock Lapraik, and Lord Jellicoe, who commanded the squadron for almost two years and who contributed a memorable foreword to this memoir. Strong, determined individuals, together the men of the Special Boat Service formed a deadly, cohesive fighting force which contributed much to the war in the Mediterranean and to whom John Lodwick’s book is an excitingly readable tribute.Read more
£11.60£14.20 -
SAS Survival Guide:The Ultimate guide to surviving anywhere: How to Survive in the Wild, on Land or Sea (Collins Gem)
THE MULTIMILLION COPY BESTSELLER
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SURVIVING ANYWHERE
The Collins Gem SAS Survival Guide is the pocket companion for adventurers everywhere. From making camp and finding food in the wild to security and self-defence in the streets, be prepared on land or sea. SAS legend John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman’s unrivalled guide will teach you:
Preparation – Understanding and assembling latest, most resilient, kit.
Navigation – Skills, technologies and techniques to get you through unfamiliar terrain.
Food and Health – Finding resources in your environment, feeding yourself, healing yourself and avoiding disease.
Safety and Security – Recognising dangerous situations, defending yourself and saving others.
Disaster Survival – Dealing with unstable environmental conditions: what to do in the face of flash flooding or fast-spreading fire.
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£6.20£6.60 -
Arctic Convoys: Bletchley Park and the War for the Seas
An incisive account of the Arctic convoys, and the essential role Bletchley Park and Special Intelligence played in Allied success
Between 1941 and 1945, more than eight hundred shiploads of supplies were delivered to the Soviet Union protected by allied naval forces. Each journey was a battle against the elements, with turbulent seas, extreme cold, and the constant dread of torpedoes. These Arctic convoys have been mythologized as defenseless vessels at the mercy of deadly U-boats―but was this really the case?
David Kenyon explores the story of the war in the Arctic, revealing that the contest was more evenly balanced that previously thought. Battles included major ship engagements, aircraft carriers, and combat between surface ships. Amid this wide range of forces, Bletchley Park’s Naval Section played a decisive role in Arctic operations, with both sides relying heavily on Signals Intelligence to intercept and break each other’s codes. Kenyon presents a vivid picture of the Arctic theater of war, unearthing the full-scale campaign for naval supremacy in northern waters.Read more
£15.70£19.00 -
German High Seas Fleet 1914–18: The Kaiser’s challenge to the Royal Navy: 2
A superbly illustrated new account of how Germany’s High Seas Fleet was built, operated and fought, as it challenged the world’s most powerful navy in World War I.Seven years before the outbreak of World War I, the Imperial German Navy rebranded its ‘Home Fleet’ as the Hochseeflotte (‘High Seas Fleet’). This reflected a more aggressive role for it, and one that would inevitably lead to it challenging the Royal Navy. Although never large enough to match its British rival, by 1914 the High Seas Fleet was sufficiently powerful to threaten Britain’s control of the North Sea. For the next four years these waters would become their battleground, as the fleets vied for naval supremacy.
Drawing on extensive research, this book offers the reader a concise, fully illustrated account of how the entire High Seas Fleet was designed and built, how it operated, and how it fought. The fleet was a modern, balanced force of dreadnought battleships, battlecruisers, cruisers and torpedo boats, using Zeppelins and U-boats for reconnaissance. The ultimate test between them came in May 1916, when they clashed at Jutland.
Packed with spectacular original artwork, maps, 3D diagrams and archive photos, it looks not just at the ships, crews and armament, but also explores the command and doctrine of the Kaiser’s new naval weapon, and show how the fleet was forged into a force capable of taking on the most powerful fleet in the world. It also examines how the High Seas Fleet performed in action, and how the Germans battled to keep it in fighting trim until the very end of the war, when the fleet sailed to captivity and self-destruction at Scapa Flow.
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£11.00£15.20 -
Fred Dibnah’s Victorian Heroes
Fred Dibnah was a man born out of his time. His era should have been the ‘magnificent age of British engineering’ – the nineteenth century – and his heroes were the great industrial engineers of the period whose prolific innovations and dedicated work ethic inspired a national mood of optimism and captured the hearts of the British public.
Fred Dibnah’s Victorian Heroes tells the stories of some of these men – including George and Robert Stephenson, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Joseph Whitworth – and what it was that made them such inspirational figures to Fred. What were their backgrounds? Where did their drive and vision come from? What sort of people were they at work and at home? And what was their contribution to the history of industry and engineering?
Most of them – like Fred – were colourful, larger-than-life characters for whom no challenge was too great. Taking these fascinating characters as inspiration, Fred Dibnah’s Victorian Heroes gets to the very heart of what allowed nineteenth-century Britannia to rule the waves . . .
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£5.70 -
World War 1 for Teens: Amazing Facts, Key Players, Heroic Acts, Major Battles, and How the War Changed the World (What You Need to Know)
World War 1 for Teens will give you more than just the dates, facts, and figures; it will also tell the fascinating stories of what really happened, giving you all the details of how the battles were fought, and highlighting the key players. After reading this, you will know:
● The causes of the war and who was involved.
● The major battles and the turning points of the war, along with statistics and incredible stories of heroism.
● The new technology and weapons used in the war and the effects they had.
● What it was like to be a soldier in the trenches and what trench warfare was all about.
● What Winston Churchill was doing in this war.
● How General von Hindenburg won a major victory over Russia at Tannenberg in 1914.
● Why Woodrow Wilson kept America neutral during the first half of the war and why he finally stepped in from 1917 until the end.Filled with awesome tales of heroism and bravery, you will be transported back into the middle of the First World War. Read about leaders who fought for peace, and those who only wanted more power and territory. Experience the victories and defeats as if you were on the battlefield with the soldiers.
Also, look out for these add-ons throughout the book with some incredible extra insights into the war:
❖ AMAZING FACTS
Take a jump into the muddy trenches and find out everything you can about the war that changed the modern world!
Scroll up and click BUY NOW to step into World War 1!
Great for teenagers, but also children and kids of all ages – and even adults!
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£10.40 -
World War 2 for Teens: Amazing Facts, Key Players, Heroic Acts, Major Battles, and How the War Changed the World (What You Need to Know)
World War 2 for Teens will give you more than just the dates, facts, and figures; it will fill in the exciting stories of what happened by revealing the gritty details of how the battles were won and paint vivid pictures of the key players. After reading this, you will become an armchair expert on all aspects of WW2:
● The causes of the war and who was involved.
● The major battles and the turning points of the war, along with statistics and incredible stories of heroism.
● The rise and fall of Adolf Hitler; his ambitions, mistakes, and twisted ideologies that saw him win stunning victories as well as perpetrate some of the worst atrocities ever seen.
● Winston Churchill’s inspiring stand against the Germans as he rallied Britain to fight against the evil of the Axis powers.
● America’s reluctance to join the conflict and how the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor forced their hand, which would end up shifting the direction of the war.
● The Soviet Union’s part in WWII and their Red Army as they held off the Nazis in the Siege of Leningrad during the bitter Russian winter.
● The Holocaust and how Hitler tried to wipe out the Jews in a systematic strategy of death.Filled with incredible stories, you will find yourself back in the middle of the Second World War; face to face with leaders who shaped the course of history, fighting alongside soldiers in the heat of battle, and living through extraordinary moments with those who endured.
Also, look out for these add-ons throughout the book with some incredible extra insights into the war:
❖ AMAZING FACTS
Strap on your helmet, tighten your boots, and find out all you can about the moment in history that changed the entire world!
Scroll up and click BUY NOW to step into World War 2!
Great for teenagers, but also children and kids of all ages – and even adults!
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£10.40 -
Tort Law
Takes students from zero knowledge to engaged and critical thinkers.This best-selling undergraduate textbook from renowned authors Kirsty Horsey & Erika Rackley offers a lively, accessible, and thoughtful treatment of all key tort law topics, and includes carefully chosen learning features that encourage deep and critical thinking.
Key features:
– Problem questions at the beginning of chapters set the scene, immediately putting the law in context. Outline answers and an annotated version with issues and cases to consider offer students further insights
– Author videos in every chapter enliven, explain, and enrich key topics
– ‘Counterpoint’ and ‘pause for reflection’ boxes encourage students to think critically and engage with areas of controversy or reform
– Annotated statutes and judgments explain the more difficult points of law and help students develop the invaluable skills of reading, interpreting, and analysing
– Interactive decision trees provide a visual aid to understanding key torts, and cement that knowledge through direct, step-by-step engagementNew to this edition:
– Author videos and interactive decision trees
– New and updated coverage of key legal developments, including Banks v Cadwalladr [2022] EWHC 1417 (QB) on defamation, Bloomberg LP (Appellant) v ZXC (Respondent) [2022] UKSC 5 on privacy, and Paul v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust; Polmear v Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust; Purchase v Ahmed [2022] EWCA Civ 12 on psychiatric harmDigital formats and resources:
This edition is available as an enhanced e-book, which offers an array of integrated resources to support learning. These include author videos, interactive decision trees, and support in tackling the problem question, as well as a mobile experience and convenient access, functionality tools, navigation features, and links: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks http://www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooksA selection of online resources is available to paperback, Law Trove, and enhanced e-book users, including:
– Outline answers to questions in the book
– Annotated links to external web resources and videos
– Downloadable annotated case judgments, statutes, and problem questions
– Guidance on answering problem and essay questions
– Additional content on elements of a claim in the tort of negligence and on product liability
– Access to the enhanced e-book’s videos and interactive decision treesRead more
£38.00Tort Law
£38.00 -
Early Ships and Seafaring: Water Transport Beyond Europe
In this volume Professor Sen McGrail introduces the reader to a relatively new branch of Archaeology the study of water transport how early rafts, boats and ships were built and used. Concepts, such as boatbuilding traditions, ship stability and navigation without instruments, are first described. Archaeological research is then discussed, including sea levels in earlier times, how to distinguish the vestigial remains of a cargo vessel from those of a fighting craft; and the difference between a boat and a ship.Chapters 2 and 3, the heart of the text, deal with the early water transport of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Europe, from the Stone Age to Medieval times. Each chapter includes a description of the region’s maritime geography and an exposition of its boat-building traditions. The third element is a discussion of the propulsion, the steering and the navigation of these early vessels.The sparse, often jumbled, remains of excavated vessels have to be interpreted, a process that is assisted by consideration of early descriptions and illustrations. Studies of the way traditional builders of wooden boats ply their trade today are also a great help. Experimental boat archaeology is still at an early stage but, when undertaken rigorously, it can reveal aspects of the vessel’s capabilities. Such information is used in this volume to further our understanding of data from boat and ship excavations, and to present as coherent, comprehensive and accurate a picture as is now possible, of early European boatbuilding and use.Read more
£4.70 -
Aircraft and Aviation Stamps: A Collector’s Guide (Transport Philately Series)
The author has combined his two greatest interests: Transport and Stamp Collecting and brought them together in this series of books looking at the way postage stamps have led him to increase his knowledge of our world via his interest in all forms of transport world-wide. Philately (the collecting of stamps) itself is a fascinating hobby looking at the development of postal services in all its forms, designs of stamps that have evolved the Victorian Penny-Black to today’s creations, often artistic but dependant more and more on photography with greater or lesser degrees of digital manipulation. In his quest he has covered many unusual places that have only become more accessible with the advent of cheap air travel but has still found it necessary to use his own contacts, library of related books and more recently the internet to research his subject. Like all books in this series, they been laid out as global tour starting naturally in the UK and then travelling in an easterly direction through every continent – without, it should be added, crossing the International Date Line! Readers will not find every country included but a differing selection in each volume.Read more
£6.10£16.10
