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The Pirate Menace: Uncovering the Golden Age of Piracy
by Angus KonstamThis new account explores the most notorious pirates in history and how their rise and fall can be traced back to a single pirate haven, Nassau. Angus Konstam, one of the world's leading pirate experts, has brought his 30 years of research to create the definitive book on the Golden Age of Piracy. Many of the privateers the British had used to prey on French and Spanish shipping during the War of the Spanish Succession turned to piracy. The pirates took over Nassau on the Bahamian island of New Providence and turned it into their own pirate haven, where shady merchants were happy to buy their plunder. It became the hub of a pirate network that included some of the most notorious pirates in history: Blackbeard, 'Calico Jack' Rackam, Charles Vane and Bartholomew Roberts. The growth of piracy led to a major surge in attacks in the Caribbean and along North America's Atlantic seaboard. With the fragile maritime economy of the Americas threatened with collapse, major ports were threatened and trade brought to a standstill, the British government finally declared war on the pirates. The Pirate Menace draws on extensive research, as well as a wide range of first-hand accounts, to produce a new history of the heyday of historical piracy.
1217: The Battles that Saved England
by Dr Catherine HanleyAn engrossing history of the pivotal year 1217 when invading French forces were defeated and the future of England secured. In 1215 King John had agreed to the terms of Magna Carta, but he then reneged on his word, plunging the kingdom into war. The rebellious barons offered the throne to the French prince Louis and set off the chain of events that almost changed the course of English history. Louis first arrived in May 1216, was proclaimed king in the heart of London, and by the autumn had around half of England under his control. However, the choice of a French prince had enormous repercussions: now not merely an internal rebellion, but a war in which the defenders were battling to prevent a foreign takeover. John's death in October 1216 left the throne in the hands of his nine-year-old son, Henry, and his regent, William Marshal, which changed the face of the war again, for now the king trying to fight off an invader was not a hated tyrant but an innocent child.1217 charts the nascent sense of national identity that began to swell. Three key battles would determine England's destiny. The fortress of Dover was besieged, the city of Lincoln was attacked, and a great invasion force set sail and, unusually for the time, was intercepted at sea. Catherine Hanley expertly navigates medieval siege warfare, royal politics, and fighting at sea to bring this remarkable period of English history to life.
Man of Bones: From the author of The Times 'Thriller of the Year' (A\revol Rossel Thriller Ser.)
by Ben CreedTHE TIMES 'THRILLER OF THE YEAR' AND CWA GOLD DAGGER SHORTLISTED AUTHOR RETURNS!'Ben Creed has a genuine gift for conjuring up Stalin's Leningrad in all its beauty and misery' THE TIMES'You'll find yourself looking over your shoulder when you leave the house!' Trevor WoodWinter 1953. Beneath a pitch-black Leningrad sky, two bodies lie near the towering statue of Lenin outside the Finland Station. 'Nothing sinister, here, just a simple hit and run,' an officer in the MGB secret police assures militia detective Revol Rossel. Now he knows it's murder.Only recently released from a brutal Siberian labour camp and determined to find his missing sister at last, Rossel wants nothing to do with this new case. But his alcoholic, broken superior officer, Captain Lipukhin, seizes upon it as his salvation - a last chance to be a true Soviet hero.Along with sharp-witted Senior Lieutenant Lidia Gerashvili, and Major Nikitin, the interrogator who once cut off Rossel's fingers, Rossel sets off on the trail of a murderer whose crimes surpass those of even the deranged tsar Ivan the Terrible. A trail leading to a dark, hidden episode in Bolshevik history filled with unspeakable horrors.There is only one eyewitness - Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known as Lenin, whose giant right hand stretches out towards the frozen River Neva. Lenin, Rossel thinks, seems to be pointing at someone. But who?PRAISE FOR BEN CREED'Reminded me of Gorky Park, only I liked this tense, complex thriller even better'JAMES PATTERSON'Brilliantly orchestrated and totally engrossing' THE CRIME WRITERS' ASSOCIATION'A worthy successor to Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko' FINANCIAL TIMES'A fantastically tense atmosphere . . . A spine-tingling page-turner' SUN
Angel of Grasmere: From Dunkirk to the Fells
by null Tom PalmerTarn grapples with the loss of her brother at Dunkirk as she faces the threat of Nazi invasion in the Cumbrian countryside in this gripping wartime tale from Tom Palmer. July 1940 – as Tarn struggles to come to terms with the loss of her beloved brother in the chaos of the British retreat at Dunkirk, she and her friends scour the hills around their Lake District home, watching for any signs of the long-dreaded Nazi invasion. But as the war drags on, with little good news from the front, the locals become aware of someone carrying out anonymous acts of kindness, such as saving a flock of sheep from a snowdrift and getting help for an injured farmer who might other wise have died. With no one claiming credit, they come to think of this unidentified stranger as a kind of guardian angel, but when his identity is finally revealed can Tarn come to terms with the truth…?
The War Artist: Brand-new for 2024, the next captivating, historical novel from Jan Casey about a female war artist in World War 2.
by Jan Casey'Excellent! Jan has written a memorable story about a war time artist that's so descriptive you are completely immersed in it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sybil is an extraordinary woman taking on this...' - NetGalley reviewer, 5****'Excuse me,' the man interrupted her as if there was absolutely nothing she could say to comfort him. 'I have to get on with my digging.' Then he stabbed violently at her sketchbook with his finger. 'Get it all down,' he snarled. 'Every single disgusting, pathetic detail. And shove it in their faces.'London, 1940Following a chance meeting with her former teacher, young painter Sybil Paige wins a coveted assignment from the War Artists' Advisory Committee, and so begins her journey across the length and breadth of the country, sketching everything from airfields and assembly lines to farms and factories.Sometimes it's milkmaids and poultry keepers, brave and hopeful; sometimes it's the harrowed faces of those digging through the rubble to find their loved ones and livelihoods. But armed with her sketchbook, Sybil captures it all, determined to tell the stories of the thousands of women fighting their own battles on the home front. Above all, she wants the voices of her subjects to shine through.But amidst the scenes of despair and courage, the one picture Sybil cannot paint and yet cannot purge from her brain, no matter how hard she tries, is the image of a woman folded into a chair, the crumpled telegram about her missing husband clasped in her hand. Because a self-portrait, Sybil well knows, requires the artist to find her own voice.With each new commission, Sybil grows in confidence. But, like the many people she meets and sketches, she fears the future: will it bring hope or heartbreak?***Readers love Jan Cacey:'[A] captivating, heart wrenching saga... I adamantly recommend' - 5* reader review'A story of courage and hope' - 5* reader review'I love this book... This book drew me in straight away and I just wanted to keep on reading until I finished it. A lovely story' - 5* reader review'Poignant, warm, gut wrenching and hopeful, this book is just beautiful. I stayed riveted the entire time and could not put it down' - 5* reader review'The book is full of fervor and the characters grow from beginning to end! I could not put the book down!' - 5* reader review
The Stalin Affair: The Impossible Alliance that Won the War
by Giles Milton'Page-turning . . . a sizzling high-stakes tale' JAMES HOLLAND'This book might read like the screenplay of a gripping movie, yet every word is accurate and verified' ANDREW ROBERTS 'Giles Milton is a phenomenon' DAN SNOW'Another rollercoaster ride from Giles Milton. Endlessly surprising' ANTHONY HOROWITZFrom internationally bestselling historian Giles Milton comes the remarkable true story of the Allies' secret mission to wartime Moscow. In the summer of 1941, as Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, Stalin's forces faced a catastrophic defeat which would make the Allies' liberation of Europe virtually impossible. To avert this disaster, Britain and America mobilized an elite team of remarkable diplomats with the mission of keeping the Red Army in the war. Into to the heart of Stalin's Moscow Roosevelt sent Averell Harriman, the fourth richest man in America and his brilliant young daughter Kathy. Churchill dispatched the reckless but brilliant bon vivant Archie Clark Kerr - and occasionally himself - to negotiate with the Kremlin's wiliest operators. Together, this improbable group grappled with the ingenious, mercurial Stalin to make victory possible. But they also discovered that the Soviet dictator had a terrifying masterplan for the post-war world. Based on astonishing unpublished diaries, letters and secret reports, The Stalin Affair reveals troves of new material about the most unlikely coalition in history.
The Colonel and the Eunuch
by Mai JiaThe phenomenal #1 Chinese bestseller, with over 3 million copies sold. This is a searing exploration of what makes a hero: a literary masterpiece, available in the English language for the very first time.The boy grows up in a small village in south China listening to stories about the Colonel: some say he was a legendary army doctor during the war, some say he was a traitor to the Party, still others say he is a wicked sex machine. The stories are bawdy and mesmerizing, always larger than life. Yet in reality, the Colonel is just a middle-aged man who loves his cat. And why on earth does everyone call him 'the Eunuch'?From these disparate sources, the boy tries to piece together who the Colonel really is, just as he himself grows up in a rapidly changing China. It is not until many years later, when the boy also becomes a middle-aged man, that he would look back and finally solve the puzzle.The Colonel and the Eunuch is Mai Jia's first new novel in eight years and his most ambitious work to date. An exciting departure from spy thrillers, this is a coming-of-age story, a family saga, as well as a searing exploration of what makes a hero. The Colonel is Mai Jia's singular creation: an almost mythic figure shrouded in the tragedy of war and history, whose story will move even the most stone-hearted to tears.
The Golden Library (Ben Hope #29)
by null Scott MarianiLearn the secret – or die trying Has ex-SAS soldier Ben Hope finally got out of his depth? That’s the question Ben faces when the hunt for a missing girl takes him to China. He’s a stranger in a strange land – but he’s also the victim’s only hope. To make things worse, she’s almost family. As the pressure mounts, so does the gruesome death toll. With ruthless enemies in pursuit and an unlikely alliance with an enigmatic detective his only lifeline, Ben realises that this situation is far more explosive than even he’d bargained for. Suddenly it’s no longer just the missing girl’s fate depending on him. At the heart of the mystery lies an ancient secret dating back to China’s first emperor and the legendary Terracotta Army – a secret that people will still kill for, millennia later. Ben Hope has never turned his back on those in need, and he’s no stranger to tough odds. But can he survive long enough to discover the truth – and is he ready for the consequences? Discover more about Scott Mariani and Ben Hope at www.scottmariani.com
Clive Cussler’s The Heist
by Jack du BrulIn summer 1914, a murder investigation leads Detective Isaac Bell to an explosive heist planned on the newly launched Federal Reserve System - a plot that will echo far into the future . . .----A MASTER THIEFAN ASSASSIN ACCOMPLICETHE MOST FIENDISH HEIST IN AMERICA’S HISTORYWashington D.C., 1914: President Woodrow Wilson is celebrating aboard his yacht, Mayflower, with the branch leaders of the newly created Federal Reserve. For Van Dorn agent, Detective Isaac Bell, few events could be duller. Until he notices the aeroplane flying dangerously low . . .Thwarting this aerial attack on the President and financial leaders, Bell soon learns that the strike was just the opening of an even deadlier gambit. It’s up to Bell to find the link between the attack, the mysterious death of a Newport heiress, and growing evidence of an unimaginably audacious heist: to steal a billion dollars from the country’s new and most secure banking system.Double-cross and betrayal are Bell’s stock and trade, but this time, the deeper he delves into the puzzle, the less he seems to understand. He is in a race against his most ruthless opponents yet, to prevent a financial panic that would bring the United States to its knees.----Praise for Clive Cussler:'The Adventure King' Sunday Express'Just about the best in the business' New York Post'Cussler is hard to beat' Daily Mail
Congress And Nuclear Weapons
by James M. Lindsay[Amazon] Lindsay (political science, U. of Iowa) traces the rise of congressional interest in nuclear weapons policy since the 1960s. Combining analyses of committee and floor behavior with case studies of four important programs the Trident submarine and the MX, Pershing II, and ASAT missiles he finds that the influence of Congress over nuclear weapons policy has dramatically increased.
Fractal Noise: A blockbuster space opera set in the same world as the bestselling To Sleep in a Sea of Stars
by Christopher PaoliniFractal Noise is a compelling story of first contact and a gripping standalone prequel to the To Sleep in a Sea of Stars - by internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini.Humanity is not alone . . . 25 July 2234: The crew of the Adamura discovers an anomaly on an uninhabited planet.They find a circular pit, fifty kilometres wide, its curve not of nature but design. A small team must land on Talos VII and journey on foot across the surface to learn who built the hole – and why. But they all carry the burdens of lives carved out on disparate colonies in the cruel cold of space.For some, the mission is the dream of the lifetime; for others, a risk not worth taking. For one, it is a desperate attempt to find meaning in an uncaring universe. Every step they take towards the mysterious abyss is more punishing than the last. And the ghosts of their past follow.Praise for To Sleep in a Sea of Stars:'Big and fun – the book Paolini fans have been waiting for' – John Scalzi'A fun, fast-paced epic that science fiction fans will gobble up' – Kirkus Reviews'An epic tale of first contact, travels to the edge of the galaxy, and just maybe the fate of all humankind' – GoodreadsFractal Noise was a Sunday TImes hardback bestseller in May 2023To Sleep in a Sea of Stars was a New York Times bestseller in September 2020
The Places In Between: A vivid account of a death-defying walk across war-torn Afghanistan
by Rory StewartWinner of the RSL Ondaatje PrizeShortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award‘A striding, glorious book . . . A flat-out masterpiece’ The New York Times Book ReviewCaught between hostile nations, warring factions and competing ideologies, Afghanistan was in turmoil following the US invasion. Travelling entirely on foot and following the inaccessible mountainous route once taken by the Mughal emperor Babur the Great, Rory Stewart was nearly defeated by the extreme, hostile conditions.Only with the help of an unexpected companion, and the generosity of the people he met on the way, did he survive to report back on his journey with unique insight on a region closed to the world by twenty-four years of war.‘This evocative book feels like a long-lost relic of the great age of exploration’ The Guardian
Mrs Porter Calling: a feel good novel about the spirit of friendship in times of trouble (The Wartime Chronicles #3)
by AJ PearceMrs Porter Calling is the uplifting and heartwarming third historical novel from AJ Pearce, the beloved author of Dear Mrs Bird'Brilliant, utterly charming and uplifting’ - Jill Mansell, author of Rumour Has It'A pleasure you’d be daft to deny yourself’ - Mail on Sunday'Heartbreaking yet feel-good' - Woman & HomeLondon, April 1943.Emmy Lake is most definitely Doing Her Bit for the war effort. The readers of her magazine, Woman’s Friend, are facing the hardships of life on the Home Front and they need Emmy and her support more than ever. But when a glamorous new owner arrives at Woman’s Friend, Emmy soon realizes that the Honourable Mrs Porter could destroy everything.And then tragedy strikes. As Emmy’s own happiness turns to devastation, she must ask herself if she can find the strength to keep going. Can she save the magazine so many people love? And can she weather her own heartbreak?'If ever there was a book to cheer a heart, it’s Mrs Porter Calling’ - Milly Johnson, author of My One True North'A winning combination of warmth, humour and a compelling story of the power of friendship' - Katie Fforde, author of Going Dutch
Developments and Advances in Defense and Security: MICRADS 2023 (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies #380)
by Álvaro Rocha Carlos Hernán Fajardo-Toro José María Riola RodríguezThis book gathers the proceedings of the Multidisciplinary International Conference of Research Applied to Defense and Security (MICRADS 2023), held at Graduate School of the Colombian Air Force, in Bogota, Colombia, during July 6–8, 2023. It covers a broad range of topics in systems, communication, and defense; strategy and political–administrative vision in defense; and engineering and technologies applied to defense. Given its scope, it offers a valuable resource for practitioners, researchers, and students alike.
Military Heroism in a Post-Heroic Era (The Military and Society)
by Uzi Ben-Shalom René Moelker Nehemia Stern Eyal Ben-AriThis book explores the variety of forms that individual heroism and sacrifice can take in the context of contemporary military conflicts. It addresses three key questions: How has an enduring ideal of heroism been transformed by the nature of modern warfare? Are we now witnessing the emergence of new forms of exemplary military behavior? And, have new ideals of heroism (and by association, sacrifice or bravery) been added to older forms in the recent past? The book advocates viewing the concept of military heroism as a moral category, in which its theoretical definition and empirical practice reflect those factors that are seen as being vital for society itself. The key theoretical and topical challenges addressed in the respective chapters focus on how ideas of heroism become entwined with issues of individualization (bolstered by the cultural assumptions of neo-Liberalism), the spread of the human rights discourse, and the judicialization, marketization and mediatization of armedforces. The book was written by experts on military studies, including many who are currently active military personnel. It includes contributions from a variety of disciplines, e.g. anthropology, sociology, psychology, and political science.
Introduction to the Carolingian Age
by Cullen J. ChandlerIntroduction to the Carolingian Age provides an accessible history of western Europe in the eighth and ninth centuries, when arguably a truly European civilization emerged out of the transformed, former world of the Roman Empire.Through a thematical and chronological approach, this book explores the life, family, and period of Charlemagne in a clear and informative way. The secular aristocrats, ecclesiastical figures, and scholars associated with the Carolingian dynasty feature as partners in building the empire and guiding its development, and the social and cultural lives of people from the elite to the common classes are also examined. Through an engaging narrative, this study demonstrates that by the end of the ninth century, the royal house faced a series of challenges that brought about the devolution of the empire into smaller kingdoms and the loosening of the Carolingian family’s grip on monarchy. Based on up-to-date scholarship, Introduction to the Carolingian Age offers explanations of historical developments and discussions of key historiographical debates.This book is an essential resource for both undergraduate students and general readers with an interest in the history of the Carolingian period from 750–900.
Introduction to the Carolingian Age
by Cullen J. ChandlerIntroduction to the Carolingian Age provides an accessible history of western Europe in the eighth and ninth centuries, when arguably a truly European civilization emerged out of the transformed, former world of the Roman Empire.Through a thematical and chronological approach, this book explores the life, family, and period of Charlemagne in a clear and informative way. The secular aristocrats, ecclesiastical figures, and scholars associated with the Carolingian dynasty feature as partners in building the empire and guiding its development, and the social and cultural lives of people from the elite to the common classes are also examined. Through an engaging narrative, this study demonstrates that by the end of the ninth century, the royal house faced a series of challenges that brought about the devolution of the empire into smaller kingdoms and the loosening of the Carolingian family’s grip on monarchy. Based on up-to-date scholarship, Introduction to the Carolingian Age offers explanations of historical developments and discussions of key historiographical debates.This book is an essential resource for both undergraduate students and general readers with an interest in the history of the Carolingian period from 750–900.
Nazi Volksgemeinschaft Technology: Gottfried Feder, Fritz Todt, and the Plassenburg Spirit
by John C. GuseThis book traces how Gottfried Feder and Fritz Todt made technology essential to the Nazi ‘world view’. They groomed engineers with a racist technical ideology that prepared them to later supervise slave labor and the Holocaust. Their concepts evolved from völkisch technocracy to an idealized harmony of man, machine and nature, and were eclipsed by Albert Speer’s total war. Partially due to willing ‘self-coordination’ from engineers, they gained political control over the engineering profession. Destined to be pillars of the Volksgemeinschaft, engineers were indoctrinated with Nazi principles of Aryan superiority at the Reich School of Technology, the Plassenburg. Nazi propaganda announced a bright future through technology, furthering a sense of normalcy in Germany, despite the ruthless exclusion of those unwanted.
Supremacy at Sea: Task Force 58 and the Central Pacific Victory
by Evan MawdsleyThe gripping account of the U.S. Navy’s fast carrier force—and how its Central Pacific campaign in 1944 marked the achievement of American naval supremacy Task Force 58 was World War II’s most powerful battle fleet. Made up in mid-1944 of sixteen aircraft carriers, over a thousand combat aircraft, and an armada of escorts, it was vital to victory over Japan. In this compelling account, Evan Mawdsley charts the 3,500-mile dash of the “Big Blue Fleet” across the Central Pacific in the first six months of 1944, overwhelming enemy opposition and transforming the nature of naval warfare. The Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944 crushed the enemy’s naval air force and secured war-winning air bases in the Mariana Islands. Mawdsley examines the elements of the rapidly assembled force—ships, planes, and 100,000 officers and men—as well as the advanced bases and fleet train that provided such astounding mobility. Task Force 58’s campaign marked the achievement of naval supremacy by the United States, a status it maintains to this day.
Normandy: A Naval History of D-Day and the Battle for France
by Nick HewittThe first account of the Allied navies’ vital contribution to the success of the D-Day landings and the Normandy campaign The Allied liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe is one of the most widely recognised events of modern history. The assault phase, Operation Neptune, began with the D-Day landings in Normandy—one of the most complex amphibious operations in history, involving 7,000 ships and nearly 200,000 men. But despite this immense effort, the wider naval campaign has been broadly forgotten. Nick Hewitt draws on fascinating new material to describe the violent sea battle which mirrored the fighting on land, and the complex campaign at sea which enabled the Allied assault. Aboard ships ranging from frail plywood landing craft to sleek destroyers, sailors were active combatants in the operation of June 1944, and had worked tirelessly to secure the Seine Bay in the months preceding it. They fought battles against German submarines, aircraft, and warships, and maintained careful watch to keep control of the English Channel. Hewitt recounts these sailors’ stories for the first time—and shows how, without their efforts, D-Day would have failed.
The Hospitaller Grand Priory of Messina in the Seventeenth Century (ISSN)
by Ray GattThis book details the origin of the Grand Hospitaller Priory of Messina. It discusses a breadth of themes, such as the historiography, the Hospitaller’s European commandery and Sicilian patrimony, its management and organization in the seventeenth century, its religious practices, and the prioral mansion in Messina. The final chapter includes a detailed account of the 1674 Messina insurrection against the Spanish overlords. This event plunged the priory into political chaos, fracturing it and pitting members against each other. It also shattered neutrality issues embedded in the statutes of the religion and ignoring the precepts emanating from the Convent on Malta.The Hospitaller Grand Priory of Messina in the Seventeenth Century will appeal to students and scholars alike interested in the Crusading Orders, the history of the Knights Hospitaller, and the history of Malta.
Fifty-Three Days on Starvation Island: The World War II Battle That Saved Marine Corps Aviation
by John R BruningThe pivotal true story of the first fifty-three days of the standoff between Imperial Japanese and a handful of Marine aviators defending the Americans dug in at Guadalcanal, from the New York Times bestselling author of Indestructible and Race of Aces. On August 20, 1942, twelve Marine dive-bombers and nineteen Marine fighters landed at Guadalcanal. Their mission: defeat the Japanese navy and prevent it from sending more men and supplies to "Starvation Island," as Guadalcanal was nicknamed. The Japanese were turning the remote, jungle-covered mountain in the south Solomon Islands into an air base from which they could attack the supply lines between the U.S. and Australia. The night after the Marines landed and captured the partially completed airfield, the Imperial Navy launched a surprise night attack on the Allied fleet offshore, resulting in the worst defeat the U.S. Navy suffered in the 20th century, which prompted the abandonment of the Marines on Guadalcanal. The Marines dug in, and waited for help, as those thirty-one pilots and twelve gunners flew against the Japanese, shooting down eighty-three planes in less than two months, while the dive bombers, carried out over thirty attacks on the Japanese fleet. Fifty-Three Days on Starvation Island follows Major John L. Smith, a magnetic leader who became America&’s top fighter ace for the time; Captain Marion Carl, the Marine Corps&’ first ace, and one of the few survivors of his squadron at the Battle of Midway. He would be shot down and forced to make his way back to base through twenty-five miles of Japanese-held jungle. And Major Richard Mangrum, the lawyer-turned-dive-bomber commander whose inexperienced men wrought havoc on the Japanese Navy. New York Times bestselling author John R. Bruning depicts the desperate effort to stop the Japanese long enough for America to muster reinforcements and turn the tide at Guadalcanal. Not just the story of an incredible stand on a distant jungle island, Fifty-Three Days on Starvation Island also explores the consequences of victory to the men who secured it at a time when America had been at war for less than a year and its public had yet to fully understand what that meant. The home front they returned to after their jungle ordeal was a surreal montage of football games, nightclubs, fine dining with America&’s elites, and inside looks at dysfunctional defense industries more interested in fleecing the government than properly equipping the military. Bruning tells the story of how one battle reshaped the Marine Corps and propelled its veterans into the highest positions of power just in time to lead the service into a new war in Southeast Asia.
The Hospitaller Grand Priory of Messina in the Seventeenth Century (ISSN)
by Ray GattThis book details the origin of the Grand Hospitaller Priory of Messina. It discusses a breadth of themes, such as the historiography, the Hospitaller’s European commandery and Sicilian patrimony, its management and organization in the seventeenth century, its religious practices, and the prioral mansion in Messina. The final chapter includes a detailed account of the 1674 Messina insurrection against the Spanish overlords. This event plunged the priory into political chaos, fracturing it and pitting members against each other. It also shattered neutrality issues embedded in the statutes of the religion and ignoring the precepts emanating from the Convent on Malta.The Hospitaller Grand Priory of Messina in the Seventeenth Century will appeal to students and scholars alike interested in the Crusading Orders, the history of the Knights Hospitaller, and the history of Malta.
Tomorrow Is for the Brave
by Kelly BowenBased on true events, Tomorrow Is for the Brave is a gripping World War II page‑turner about a courageous woman who risks it all for what is right—perfect for fans of Natasha Lester and Kristen Harmel.1939, France: Lavish parties, fast cars, and a closet full of the latest fashion—to the average eye, socialite Violet St. Croix seemingly has it all. But what she truly wants is a life full of meaning and purpose. So when France falls to Germany, Violet defies her parents&’ wishes and joins the war effort. With her impeccable skill for driving under pressure, she is soon sent to North Africa to shepherd French Foreign Legion officers carrying valuable intelligence through dangerous territory. But as the Allies encounter one mishap after another, Violet becomes convinced there is a spy in their ranks. And when her commanding officer is murdered, Violet realizes she might be the only one who can uncover the traitor and save the lives of countless soldiers on the front lines. Convincing others to believe her is difficult enough. Finding someone she can trust just might be impossible.
South by Java Head: Winter, The Eagle Has Flown, South By Java Head
by Alistair MacLeanThe 50th anniversary edition of this classic World War 2 adventure set in south-east Asia.