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Breakout at Stalingrad
by Heinrich Gerlach'One of the greatest novels of the Second World War' The Times. 'A remarkable find' Antony Beevor. 'A masterpiece' Mail on Sunday. Stalingrad, November 1942. Lieutenant Breuer dreams of returning home for Christmas. But he and his fellow German soldiers will spend winter in a frozen hell – as snow, ice and relentless Soviet assaults reduce the once-mighty Sixth Army to a diseased and starving rabble. Breakout at Stalingrad is a stark and terrifying portrait of the horrors of war, and a profoundly humane depiction of comradeship in adversity. The book itself has an extraordinary story behind it. Its author fought at Stalingrad and was imprisoned by the Soviets. In captivity, he wrote a novel based on his experiences, which the Soviets confiscated before releasing him. Gerlach resorted to hypnosis to remember his narrative, and in 1957 it was published as The Forsaken Army. Fifty-five years later Carsten Gansel, an academic, came across the original manuscript of Gerlach's novel in a Moscow archive. This first translation into English of Breakout at Stalingrad includes the story of Gansel's sensational discovery.
The Bloomsbury Affair (A Flora Maguire Mystery #5)
by Anita Davison1905 London is a heady mix of unimaginable wealth and simmering political tensions, and with war looming Flora Maguire wants to keep her family safe. So when her beloved charge Viscount Edward Trent is accused of murder, she's determined not to leave the investigation to the police. Flora has trodden the path of amateur sleuth before, but with so much at stake, this time it's personal. Slowly the body of the victim found stabbed on a train bound for Paddington starts giving up its secrets, and Flora and her husband Bunny become mired in a murky world of spies, communists and fraudsters. And with the police more sure than ever that Edward is their murderer, Flora must work fast to keep him safe. Anita Davison's compulsive story-telling, combined with the irresistible mix of historical drama and gripping mystery, make this unputdownable.
The Liar: A gripping story of dangerous obsession
by Jennifer WellsCan you really trust what you see? 'Eerie and intriguing. I can't believe it's a first novel' Fern Britton, Bestselling Author and TV Presenter. 1935. A mother's journey to find out what really happened to her only daughter. Complex and intriguing, full of twists and turns. Perfect for the fans of Lesley Pearse and Dilly Court. What would you do if you saw a girl in a crowd whose face had the same, identical birthmark as your only child? A child who, nearly ten years ago, you were told died? It's 1935 and housewife Emma glimpses a face in a crowd – a little girl with a very unique birthmark. Transfixed by the sight of a stranger; Emma becomes convinced that the girl is her long-lost daughter taken from her at birth. There is only one problem: Emma's daughter is dead. So who is the stranger? The Liar follows Emma's journey as she tries to find out what really happened to her daughter – a journey that unearths secrets from the past and ends in obsession... 'An intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing... If you like compelling mysteries you will love this well written story' Rosie Clarke. What people are saying about THE LIAR: 'This is well worthy of 5 stars. I highly recommend this book' 'I was gutted when I got to the end because I wanted to keep reading!' 'A compelling and well written novel' 'It's so unexpected, with twists and turns that were both shocking and exciting'
The Murderess: A heart-stopping story of family, love, passion and betrayal
by Jennifer WellsThe Murderess is a heart-stopping story of family, love, passion and betrayal set against the backdrop of war-ravaged Britain. Perfect for fans of Lesley Pearse and Dilly Court. 1931: Fifteen-year-old Kate witnesses her mother Millicent push a stranger from a station platform into the path of an oncoming train. There was no warning, seemingly no reason, and absolutely no remorse. 1940: Exactly nine years later, Kate returns to the station and notices a tramp laying flowers on the exact spot that the murder was committed; the identity of the victim, still remains unknown. With a country torn apart by war and her family estate and name in tatters, Kate has nothing to lose as she attempts to uncover family secrets that date back to the Great War and solve a mystery that blights her family name. 'Engrossing, un-put-downable and heartwrenching!' Faith Hogan.
The Secret: A captivating read which will keep you guessing!
by Jennifer WellsA tightly woven story full of secrets and lies with a breathtaking finale. London 1920 – Troubled young dancer, Lily, is invited to remote Elmridge House, home of the wealthy theatre benefactor Dr Cuthbertson to escape her troubled past. An isolated guest room and a surprise pregnancy leave her longing to return to the stage and her London life. She soon discovers that Elmridge House is not all that it seems – the house holds secrets which make it difficult for her to leave. Missensham 1942 – Young nurse Ivy Watts is called out to a patient at Elmridge House, home of the aloof Mrs Cuthbertson and reclusive Dr Cuthbertson. Ivy is entranced by the opulence of the house and its glamorous past, but when she tells her mother about Mrs Cuthbertson, her mother becomes fearful and forbids her from returning to the house. What secrets does Elmridge House hold? And why does Ivy's mother live in fear of the mysterious Mrs Cuthbertson? Perfect for the fans of Lesley Pearse and Susan Lewis.
Blackbird: The Story of the Lockheed SR-71 Spy Plane
by James Hamilton-PatersonThe American 'spy' aircraft, the SR-71 'Blackbird' was deliberately designed to be the world's fastest and highest-flying aircraft and has never been approached since. It was conceived in the late 1950s by Lockheed Martin's highly secret 'Skunk Works' team under one of the most (possibly the most) brilliant aero designers of all time, Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson. Once fully developed in around 1963/4 the Blackbird represented the apogee of jet-powered flight. It could fly at well over three times the speed of sound above 85,000 feet and had an unrefuelled range of 3,200 nautical miles. It flew with great success until 1998 (with NASA 1999). Despite extensive use over Vietnam and later battlefields none was ever shot down (unlike the U2 in the Gary Powers incident). The Blackbird's capabilities seem unlikely ever to be exceeded. It was retired because its job could be done by satellites, and in today's steady trend towards unmanned military aircraft it is improbable that anyone will ever again need to design a jet aircraft capable of such speed.
Guernica: Painting the End of the World (The Landmark Library #5)
by James AttleeA brilliant, concise account of the painting often described as the most important work of art produced in the twentieth century, as part of the stunning Landmark Library series.Pablo Picasso had already accepted a commission to create a work for the Spanish Republican Pavilion in 1937 when news arrived of the bombing of the undefended Basque town of Gernika.James Attlee offers an illuminating account of the genesis, creation and complex afterlife of Picasso's Guernica. He explores the historical and cultural context from which the painting sprang and the meanings it accrued during its travels across Europe and the Americas, as well as its influence on artists both living and dead. Finally, he argues for its continuing importance as a warning of what happens when the forces of darkness go unchallenged.Praise for Guernica:'Helps you appreciate Guernica's daring and resonance' Literary Review'An impressive overview of the painting's conception and execution, and its subsequent life as an exhibit and a symbol... Attlee's book succeeds in showing how influential Guernica has been' Sunday Times'Attlee digs up rich examples of the debate and devotion that invariably attended the painting... Guernica literature abounds; but this book is a worthwhile addition' Spectator
New Arrivals at Mulberry Lane: Full of family, friends and foes! (The Mulberry Lane Series #4)
by Rosie Clarke1943, Mulberry Lane, London. In the midst of another bleak winter, life is hard for the residents of The Lane. When Rose Merchant arrives at Mulberry Lane, she is carrying a secret that haunts her. How can she tell her landlady and the Lanes' matriarch Peggy Ashley that she is the daughter of a murderer? As Rose learns that she is amongst friends she gradually learns to trust and even to love. But when Peggy's estranged husband Laurie returns home for good, both Rose and Peggy's lives are once again turned upside down. Can they both find their way through the heartache to find happiness?
Mulberry Lane Babies (The Mulberry Lane Series #3)
by Rosie Clarke1941, Mulberry Lane, London. War rages but new arrivals bring new hope. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Cathy Sharp. Life is hard for all on Mulberry Lane as the war rages into yet another year. Desperate times push people into dangerous situations. Menacing shadows lurk on dark street corners, threatening the safety of those who are alone and vulnerable. When Peggy's twins are born early, Maureen and Nellie are there to lend a helping hand. The mothers of Mulberry Lane stick together despite the grim conditions of war-torn London and a shadowy fear that stalks their lives. Neighbours and friends look out for each other and new life brings hope and joy to the Lane. What readers are saying about the series: 'When it comes to writing sagas, Rosie Clarke is up there with some of the best in the business' Bookish Jottings. 'Full of drama, romance and secrets... A perfect example of its genre' That Thing She Reads. 'This is wonderful historical fiction that is so character-driven you'll wish these women lived on your street' Kathleen Gray, NetGalley. 'Absolutely loved this latest instalment and revisiting the ladies of the Lane. Another great story of love and heartache' Wendy Haines, NetGalley.
Christmas is for Children: An Uplifting Christmas Read To Help Spread Some Festive Cheer...
by Rosie ClarkeTimes are hard in London... dare they hope for a miracle this Christmas? Perfect for the fans of Katie Flynn and Dilly Court. December 1930. Christmas should be for the children – but with the Depression biting deeper, it looks like many in the East End will wake up to nothing on Christmas morning. Widower Robbie Graham is out of luck and work. Some weeks, he earns just enough to put food on the table for his children, Ben and Ruthie. A treat for their Christmas stockings is a distant dream for his little family. Local cake shop owner Flo Hawkins can't bear the thought of any child having nothing for Christmas. Along with her beloved sister Honour, she hatches a plan to bring some festive cheer to the community. But maybe this year, it will be Flo who receives the greatest gift of all...
The Death of the Fronsac: A Novel
by Neal AschersonA STORY OF SABOTAGE, BETRAYAL AND THE TERRIBLE SADNESS OF EXILE. 'Remarkable'The Times. 'A magnificent novel'The Times. 'Gripping'The Spectator. Scotland, 1940: The Fronsac, a French warship, blows up in the Firth of Clyde. The disaster is witnessed by three locals. Jackie, a young girl who thinks she caused the explosiong by running away from school. Her mother Helen, a spirited woman married to a dreary young officer; and their lodger, a Polish soldier whose country has just been erased from the map by Hitler and Stalin. All their lives will be changed by the death of the Fronsac.
Ball Lightning
by Cixin Liu'Cixin Liu is the author of your next favourite sci-fi novel' WIRED On his fourteenth birthday, right before his eyes, Chen's parents are incinerated by a blast of ball lightning. Striving to make sense of this bizarre tragedy, he dedicates his life to a single goal: to unlock the secrets of this enigmatic natural phenomenon. His pursuit of ball lightning will take him far from home, across mountain peaks chasing storms and deep into highly classified subterranean laboratories as he slowly unveils a new frontier in particle physics.Chen's obsession gives purpose to his lonely life, but it can't insulate him from the real world's interest in his discoveries. He will be pitted against scientists, soldiers and governments with motives of their own: a physicist who has no place for moral judgement in his pursuit of knowledge; a beautiful army major obsessed with new ways to wage war; a desperate nation facing certain military defeat.Conjuring awe-inspiring new worlds of cosmology and philosophy from meticulous scientific speculation, Ball Lightning has all the scope and imagination that so enthralled readers of Cixin Liu's award-winning Three-Body trilogy.Praise for Cixin Liu: 'Your next favourite sci-fi novel' Wired'Immense' Barack Obama'Unique' George R.R. Martin'SF in the grand style' Guardian'Mind-altering and immersive' Daily Mail'A milestone in Chinese science-fiction' New York Times'China's answer to Arthur C. Clarke' New YorkerWinner of the Hugo and Galaxy Awards for Best Novel
The Candle Factory Girl: A gritty story of deceit and betrayal... (Banbury Street #1)
by Tania Crosse1930's London - A backstreet saga full of hopes, dreams and the fight for survival. Perfect for the fans of Rosie Clarke and Lindsey Hutchinson. Work at Price's Candle Factory in Battersea is tedious for intelligent, seventeen-year-old Hillie Hardwick, but she knows she is lucky to have a job at all. Her home life is no better, as she constantly battles with her exacting and bullying father in order to protect her mother and five younger siblings from his abuse. Her only solace is her loving relationship with the chaotic Parker family and her best friend, Gert Parker. When matters violently escalate for Hillie, smitten Jack-the-Lad Jimmy Baxter seems her only salvation. But could this be the biggest mistake of her life, and should she be looking for protection nearer home? A story that crackles with unease where courage and friendship are the only hope. What readers are saying: 'This is a great saga that packs so much emotion and passion into it that you are swept away' Dash Fan Book Reviews. 'This is a wonderful saga... In my opinion, this is her best book yet. I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this one as a truly great read' Good 'N Ready. 'I really enjoyed this book, it has some great characters and I loved the setting!' Donna's Book Blog. 'For me it was a fast read, really well written storyline with characters you get invested in' Holly Senecal, NetGalley.
The Street of Broken Dreams: Winner of Romantic Saga of the Year 2020 (Banbury Street #2)
by Tania CrosseWinner of Romantic Saga of the Year 2020. Summer 1945. The nation rejoices as the Second World War comes to an end but Banbury Street matriarch, Eva Parker, foresees trouble ahead. Whilst her daughter, Mildred, awaits the return of her fiancé from overseas duty, doubts begin to seep into her mind about how little she knows of the man she has promised to marry. Or are her affections being drawn elsewhere? Meanwhile, new neighbour, dancer Cissie Cresswell, hides a terrible secret. The end of the conflict will bring her no release from the horrific night that destroyed her life. Can she ever find her way back? Under Eva's stalwart care, can the two young women unite to face the doubt and uncertainty of the future? In 2020, this poignant story of love and war won the RNA award for Best Romantic Saga. It is perfect for fans of Elaine Everest and Daisy Styles. What readers are saying about The Street of Broken Dreams: 'With warmth radiating from every page, The Street of Broken Dreams is an atmospheric story of love and hope' Jennifer Wells. 'Gripping, gutsy and absolutely unputdownable... A must-read for saga fans everywhere' Julie, NetGalley. 'I read this book in one sitting and I would highly recommend it' Stephanie, NetGalley.
Game of Hearts (The Regency Romance Trilogy)
by Katy Moran'A swashbuckling, sparkling world of a novel' Suzannah Dunn Thrilling Regency romance, set against an Outlander-like background of passion and war, this will delight lovers of Poldark and Bridgerton.1817 Cornwall and London In a family scorched by scandal and scarred by war, Crow, the Earl of Lamorna, is as self-destructive as he is charismatic, and it will only take one spark to set his world aflame. So when Crow's young brother catches him in flagrante with their widowed stepmother, a lethal chain of events is set in motion.Heiress Hester Harewood is on the run from the men who shot her father. The last thing she needs is a complicated aristocrat offering her his protection. But who is more dangerous? Those she is running from? Or Crow himself? For Crow is glamorous and unpredictable, yet capable of such tenderness that Hester's heart is in as much danger as her life...Game of Hearts was previously published as False Lights by K.J. Whittaker and on Kindle as Hester and Crow by Katy Moran.
Storm of Steel (The Bernicia Chronicles #6)
by Matthew HarffyAD 643. Anglo-Saxon Britain. A gripping, action-packed historical thriller and the sixth instalment in the Bernicia Chronicles. Heading south to lands he once considered his home, Beobrand is plunged into a dark world of piracy and slavery when an old friend enlists his help to recover a kidnapped girl.Embarking onto the wind-tossed seas, Beobrand pursues his quarry with single-minded tenacity. But the Whale Road is never calm and his journey is beset with storms, betrayal and violence.As the winds of his wyrd blow him ever further from what he knows, will Beobrand find victory on his quest or has his luck finally abandoned him?Praise for Matthew Harffy: 'Nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind' Giles Kristian'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron'A terrific novel. It illuminates the Dark Ages like a bolt of lightning' Toby Clements'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' Simon Turney'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson'Harffy's writing just gets better and better... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans'Harffy has a real winner on his hands... A genuinely superb novel' Steven McKay'A breathtaking novel that sweeps the reader into a dark and dangerous world' Paul Fraser Collard
Fortress of Fury (The Bernicia Chronicles #7)
by Matthew HarffyBeobrand is besieged in the action-packed instalment in the Bernicia Chronicles set in AD 647 Anglo-Saxon Britain. War hangs heavy in the hot summer air as Penda of Mercia and his allies march into the north. Caught unawares, the Bernician forces are besieged within the great fortress of Bebbanburg. It falls to Beobrand to mount the defence of the stronghold, but even while the battle rages, old and powerful enemies have mobilised against him, seeking vengeance for past events. As the Mercian forces tighten their grip and unknown killers close in, Beobrand finds himself in a struggle with conflicting oaths and the dreadful pull of a forbidden love that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. With the future of Northumbria in jeopardy, will Beobrand be able to withstand the powers that beset him and find a path to victory against all the odds? Love these historical thrillers? Pre-order A Time for Swords today – the start of an exciting new series from bestselling author of the Bernicia Chronicles, Matthew Harffy. Praise for Matthew Harffy: 'Nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society. 'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman. 'Visceral tales of battle, revenge, and honour, but the saga of Beobrand never loses sight of what it means to be a hero in such a bloody age' Graham McNeill.'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind' Giles Kristian. 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald. 'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron. 'A terrific novel. It illuminates the Dark Ages like a bolt of lightning' Toby Clements. 'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' Simon Turney. 'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson. 'Harffy's writing just gets better and better... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans. 'Harffy has a real winner on his hands... A genuinely superb novel' Steven McKay. 'A breathtaking novel that sweeps the reader into a dark and dangerous world' Paul Fraser Collard.
Mary Kate (The Tarabeg Series #2)
by Nadine DorriesDorries is the queen of the saga and she is back with a heart-wrenching, captivating new novel' Bookish Jottings. Liverpool, 1963. Mary Kate Malone is seventeen and bitterly unhappy that her father has married again after the death of her mother. On her last day at school, she decides to leave home in Tarabeg on the west coast of Ireland and head for Liverpool to find her mother's sister. But absolutely nothing goes to plan. Within hours of disembarking, she finds herself penniless and alone, with no place to stay and no idea how she will survive. Meanwhile, back in Ireland, where old sins cast long shadows, a long-buried secret is about to come to light and a day of reckoning, in the shape of a stranger from America, will set an unstoppable chain of events in motion. What readers are saying about the Tarabeg Series: 'A brilliant read, a wonderful story and I have already pre-orderd the next book' 'Great read! Nadine Dorries is a top author, love her books!' 'Did not want it to end!! Gripping, detailed... Really draws you in to the story
The Three-Body Problem Trilogy: Remembrance of Earth's Past (The Three-Body Problem)
by Cixin LiuRead the award-winning, critically acclaimed, multi-million-copy-selling science-fiction phenomenon – soon to be a Netflix Original Series from the creators of Game of Thrones. Not only a remembrance of Earth's past but also a reflection on humanity's future, the trilogy weaves a complex web of physics, philosophy and history, taking the reader from the Cultural Revolution to the heat death of the universe.By turns sombre, despairing, lyrical, and hopeful, the trilogy comprises the award-winning The Three-Body Problem, The Dark Forest and Death's End. Across the series, Cixin Liu asks the desperate, melancholic question of our time: will humanity reach for the stars or die in its cradle?Praise for The Three-Body Problem: 'Your next favourite sci-fi novel' Wired'Immense' Barack Obama'Unique' George R.R. Martin'SF in the grand style' Guardian'Mind-altering and immersive' Daily Mail'A milestone in Chinese science-fiction' New York Times'China's answer to Arthur C. Clarke' New YorkerWinner of the Hugo and Galaxy Awards for Best Novel
South Sudan: The Untold Story from Independence to Civil War
by Hilde F. JohnsonIn July 2011, South Sudan was granted independence and became the world's newest country. Yet just two-and-a-half years after this momentous decision, the country was in the grips of renewed civil war and political strife. Hilde F. Johnson served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan from July 2011 until July 2014 and, as such, she was witness to the many challenges which the country faced as it struggled to adjust to its new autonomous state. In this book, she provides an unparalleled insider's account of South Sudan's descent from the ecstatic celebrations of July 2011 to the outbreak of the disastrous conflict in December 2013 and the early, bloody phase of the fighting. Johnson's frequent personal and private contacts at the highest levels of government, accompanied by her deep knowledge of the country and its history, make this a unique eyewitness account of the turbulent first three years of the world's newest – and yet most fragile – country.
The Horse in the Ancient World: From Bucephalus to the Hippodrome (Library of Classical Studies)
by Carolyn WillekesThe domestication of the horse in the fourth millennium BC altered the course of mankind's future. Formerly a source only of meat, horses now became the prime mode of fast transport as well as a versatile weapon of war. Carolyn Willekes traces the early history of the horse through a combination of equine iconography, literary representations, fieldwork and archaeological theory. She explores the ways in which horses were used in the ancient world, whether in regular cavalry formations, harnessed to chariots, as a means of reconnaissance, in swift and deadly skirmishing (such as by Scythian archers) or as the key mode of mobility. Establishing a regional typology of ancient horses – Mediterranean, Central Asian and Near Eastern – the author discerns within these categories several distinct sub-types. Explaining how the physical characteristics of each type influenced its use on the battlefield – through grand strategy, singular tactics and general deployment – she focuses on Egypt, Persia and the Hittites, as well as Greece and Rome. This is the most comprehensive treatment yet written of the horse in antiquity.
The Mint: Lawrence after Arabia (Modern Classics Ser.)
by T. E. LawrenceIn 1922, his dreams of an independent Arabia shattered, T.E. Lawrence enlisted in the RAF under the assumed name John Hume Ross. Though methodical and restrictive, life there seemed to suit Lawrence: "The Air Force is not a man-crushing humiliating slavery, all its days. There is sun & decent treatment, and a very real measure of happiness, to those who do not look forward or back." With poetic clarity, Lawrence brings to life the harsh realities of barracks life and illuminates the strange twilight world he had slipped into after his war experiences. For anyone interested in the life of one of the 20th century's most enduring heroes and his life beyond the well-documented Arab revolt, The Mint is essential and compelling reading.
Diplomacy and Reform in Iran: Foreign Policy under Khatami (International Library of Iranian Studies)
by Edward WastnidgeNuclear power has for the most part dominated Western media and academic analyses concerning Iranian foreign policy in recent years. This focus, however, can be misleading, especially as regards the early presidency of Mohammad Khatami (1997–2005). In a riposte to Samuel Huntington's 'Clash of Civilisations' theory, Khatami proposed that there ought to be a 'Dialogue among Civilisations'. In this book, Edward Wastnidge examines Khatami's proposition, derived from the contemporary Iranian polymath Dariush Shayegan, not as a philosophical suggestion, but as a real foreign policy tool that enabled Khatami to make overtures towards the US. Across bi-lateral and multi-lateral examples, he explores its specific application and how it was used to create foreign policy and aid diplomacy. Furthermore, by placing the development of the idea within Iran's domestic political context, Wastnidge is also able to shed light onto the rise of the reform movement during this period. Based on extensive research, Diplomacy and Reform in Iran is a timely contribution to scholarship, and important reading for students and researchers of contemporary Iran and the complexities of Iranian foreign policy.
The Third Force in the Vietnam War: The Elusive Search for Peace 1954-75 (International Library of Twentieth Century History)
by Sophie Quinn-JudgeIt was the conflict that shocked America and the world, but the struggle for peace is central to the history of the Vietnam War. Rejecting the idea that war between Hanoi and the US was inevitable, the author traces North Vietnam's programs for a peaceful reunification of their nation from the 1954 Geneva negotiations up to the final collapse of the Saigon government in 1975. She also examines the ways that groups and personalities in South Vietnam responded by crafting their own peace proposals, in the hope that the Vietnamese people could solve their disagreements by engaging in talks without outside interference. While most of the writing on peacemaking during the Vietnam War concerns high-level international diplomacy, Sophie Quinn-Judge reminds us of the courageous efforts of southern Vietnamese, including Buddhists, Catholics, students and citizens, to escape the unprecedented destruction that the US war brought to their people. The author contends that US policymakers showed little regard for the attitudes of the South Vietnamese population when they took over the war effort in 1964 and sent in their own troops to fight it in 1965. A unique contribution of this study is the interweaving of developments in South Vietnamese politics with changes in the balance of power in Hanoi; both of the Vietnamese combatants are shown to evolve towards greater rigidity as the war progresses, while the US grows increasingly committed to President Thieu in Saigon, after the election of Richard Nixon. Not even the signing of the 1973 Paris Peace Agreement could blunt US support for Thieu and his obstruction of the peace process. The result was a difficult peace in 1975, achieved by military might rather than reconciliation, and a new realization of the limits of American foreign policy.
Military Leaders and Sacred Space in Classical Greek Warfare: Temples, Sanctuaries and Conflict in Antiquity (Library of Classical Studies)
by Sonya NevinThe ancient Greeks attributed great importance to the sacred during war and campaigning, as demonstrated from their earliest texts. Among the first four lines of the Iliad, for example, is a declaration that Apollo began the feud between Achilles and Agamemnon and sent a plague upon the Greek army because its leader, Agamemnon, had mistreated Apollo's priest. In this first in-depth study of the attitude of military commanders towards holy ground, Sonya Nevin addresses the customs and conduct of these leaders in relation to sanctuaries, precincts, shrines, temples and sacral objects. Focusing on a variety of Greek kings and captains, the author shows how military leaders were expected to react to the sacred sites of their foes. She further explores how they were likely to respond, and how their responses shaped the way such generals were viewed by their communities, by their troops, by their enemies and also by those – like Herodotus, Thucydides and Xenophon – who were writing their lives. This is a groundbreaking study of the significance of the sacred in warfare and the wider culture of antiquity.