History and Archaeology

This book is a comprehensive collector’s guide to Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) civilian contractors’ private-purchase and service-issue clothing, equipment, and weapons as they were worn and used in the field between 2002 and 2014. A host of detailed photographs show what civilian contractors both in combat and in non-combat roles looked like in Afghanistan a

Reichsführer-SS, Chief of German Police, Reich Commissar for the Consolidation of German Nationhood, Reich Minister of the Interior, Commander of the Replacement Army, and Commander-in-Chief of Army Group Vistula—Heinrich Himmler ultimately combined all of these positions in his person. All of his roles are described and explained in detail for the first time in this comprehensive book. What were

This meticulously researched volume is a must in the library of any aviation buff: the most comprehensive descriptive and illustrated history of military and civilian aircraft and their pilots (men and women) to increase the range and endurance of their aircraft. Beginning with the proof of concept efforts to establish the airplane as a true flying machine from 1900 to WWI, it then delves into civ

This illustrated book covers the complete history of the United States’ Los Angeles class attack submarines from initial design and construction, through testing and trials, to its current operations. The nuclear-powered USS Los Angeles (SSN-688) class attack submarine represented the lead ship of the largest group of vessels constructed for the US Navy during the Cold War, and was purposefully de

The Sturmgeschütz, or StuG, as it is more popularly known, while conceived as self-propelled, infantry support artillery, in time, formed the backbone of Germany’s anti-tank operations during WWII. With more than 135 war-era photos, this volume chronicles the design, development, and deployment of the first six (of nine variants) of this famed and feared weapon. The material is arranged in seven c

The first of two volumes on the legendary P.08 Luger (Pistole Parabellum), this illustrated book presents the design, manufacturing, and development of the various models from 1900 through the Weimar Republic period of the 1920s. Adopted by the Swiss in 1901 and then by the German army, the Luger would remain in service until the beginning of World War II and see use in the postwar East Germany, a

The Stuart light tanks were the first tanks taken into combat by US troops during WWII. Production of these vehicles can be broken into two categories: the early tanks powered by air-cooled radial engines, and late vehicles powered by twin V-8 engines. This volume explores the late vehicles with Cadillac water-cooled engines, the M5 and M5A1, as well as the M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage. Stuart light

The Colt M1911 is one of the most well-known and popular military weapons of the 20th century. Designed by John Browning, this pistol, with its legendary reliability and firepower, represents the developmental starting point of a majority of automatic pistols to this day. It was the standard-issue sidearm of the US armed forces for more than 70 years and is still in use throughout the world. This

The Avro Lancaster was the Royal Air Force's main four-engine bomber in World War II. Its superb design, overall performance, and load-carrying capacity proved key factors in successfully prosecuting the nocturnal bombing offensive against Hitler's industrial and military base. With its ability to carry up to 16,000 pounds in explosives and incendiaries, specialist Lancasters could also deliver th

Since the mid-1980s, the American High Mobility Military Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or Humvee) has become synonymous with the US military.  In service all around the world for decades, it remains—Iraq War controversies notwithstanding—the world standard in light military tactical vehicles.  Gradually nearing the end of its frontline service, it has earned a place of honor beside the much-loved Jeep o

The Grumman-designed TBF Avenger was unquestionably the most successful torpedo bomber in the US fleet during WWII. Developed just prior to the US entry in WWII, the type made its combat debut at the Battle of Midway. Demand for the large carrier-borne aircraft, which could drop conventional bombs and depth charges in addition to torpedoes, soon outstripped Grumman's capacity. To supply the needed

From the international bestselling author of KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON and THE LOST CITY OF Z, a mesmerising story of shipwreck, mutiny and murder, culminating in a court martial that reveals a shocking truth.

Since earliest times, human beings have pondered the incomprehensible questions of the universe, life . . . and the afterlife. Where did mortal man go to join the immortal Gods?

Over the years, startling evidence has been uncovered, challenging established notions of the origins of life on Earth--evidence that suggests the existence of an advanced group of extraterrestrials who once inhabited our world. The first book of the revolutionary Earth Chronicles series offers indisputable documentary evidence of the existence of the mysterious planet Nibiru and tells why...

This book presents for the first time a complete and accurate picture of their development, organization and operational use before and during the war.

This is the first book ever to chronicle in detail all of the Mirage III, 5, F1 and 2000 aircraft and specifically their use in combat operations from the Middle East to the South Atlantic, the Persian Gulf to the steaming jungles of Ecuador and Peru. With well over three million flight hours since 1961, the Mirage has seen more combat than any present day jet fighter, including action in the Six-

This is a brutal story – but, from the safety of fifty years distance in time – it is an extremely compelling one. It is also an enduring lesson that a military unit, formed under an evil ideology, led by a social outcast and composed of vicious criminals, will sink to its lowest common denominator – hate. The Dirlewanger Battalion, also known as “Sonderkommando (special commando) Dirlewanger” was

For the first time a photographic study of the Soviet uniforms from the Revolution, Civil War, Purges, and the Great Patriotic War. Hundreds of full color highly detailed photographs of actual uniforms are combined with period black and white photographs. Actual uniforms of Marshals of the Soviet Union, to private soldiers of all services are to be found in this extensive volume.

After being overrun during the early Blitzkrieg in September 1939, and later in France in 1940, the Polish Air Force – flying British and American made fighters and bombers out of England in their own units – made a tremendous contribution to the Allied air victory. The PAFs gallant, lonely fight in September 1939 inflicted the first losses on the mighty Luftwaffe and allowed Britain a nine month

Operational and technical history of Germany's World War II jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.