Weapons of World War II by Alexander Ludeke
Bursting with facts, this book is a treasure trove for anyone interested in history or military history wishing to learn more about how developments in weapons technology influenced the course of World War II. Book reviews, interviews, editors' picks, and more.
This beautiful reference guide provides a clear and comprehensive look at the weapons and vehicles of all the countries that fought in World War II. It offers an excellent overview of the diverse weaponry used by both the Axis Powers and the Allies. The weapons described here range from the pistol to the 75t battle tank and from single-engine fighter planes to the largest, heaviest battleships ever to have sailed the seas. Everything you might want to know about the development and deployment of each type of weapon can be found here along with technical specifications, brought to life by over 500 photographs and technical drawings. Bursting with facts, this book is a treasure trove for anyone interested in history or military history wishing to learn more about how developments in weapons technology influenced the course of World War II.
1. Infantry Weapons— This section covers pistols, rifles, light and heavy MGs, mortars, bazookas, and flamethrowers: everything the foot soldier needed.
2. Unarmored Vehicles— This covers Jeeps, trucks, DUKWs, and artillery tractors.
3. Armored Vehicles— Light, medium, and heavy tanks, SP guns, half-tracks, armored cars, and a section on Hobert's Funnies, the specially-modified British tanks intended for amphibious landings. Not surprisingly, it’s the second-largest section in the book.
4. Artillery— AT guns, cannons, howitzers, AAA weapons, and rail guns.
5. SPECIAL WEAPONS— A very interesting period during WWII in weapons development. The A-bomb, Ohka, V-1 and V-2 are contained in this section, along with other "Wonder weapons."
6. Aircraft— The largest section of the book: it covers everything from scout, fighters, fighter-bombers, medium/heavy bombers, the ME-262, Comet, and Salamander.
7. Ships— Battleships, destroyers, PT boats, subs, aircraft carriers, and everything else to start your own navy.
100 Battles: Decisive Conflicts That Shaped The World General Editor: Michael J. Dougherty
This book really good if the reader wants to know about the strategical techniques use to win the battles. I have read a lot of books in this genre (shorts 100 about battles, guns, tanks, uniforms, aircrafts and so on) and while some were bad and most were goodish, this is clearly the jewel of its kind.
Features 100 battles that have had a significant influence on the make up of the modern world. Includes color tactical maps that allow the reader to grasp the decisive moves of the battle and locator maps which, put the reader on the spot and the at glance information boxes help the reader to quickly understand the importance and impact of the battles.
Fighter: Technology - Facts- History by Ralf Leinburger
A beautiful and fascinating illustrated history of the fighter planes and the men who flew them, starting from the First World War through to Post War Fighters.
For all of us living in the 21st century, the age-old dream of flight was realized long ago. It is probably only those men and women who find themselves sitting in the cockpit of a fighter who are still able to experience any sense of aviation as a great adventure. Their elegant. dunamic fighters are worlds apart from the stolid airliners we are all so familiar with. They have the power to captivate even the most peace-loving individuals. This fascination is timeless and just as true of the eccentirc-looking "flying crates" of 1914, constructed of wire, wood and fabric, as of the technological marvels bristling wth weapons of today. Come with us on a journey into a world of brilliant designers and daring pilots–the world of the fighter past and present.
Great Battles: Decisive Conflicts That Have Shaped History General Editor: Christer Jorgensen
This book provides a great overview of the battles that shaped human history. This is actually a great reference for further reading, whether a Wikipedia page or a novel dedicated to one of the battles described. Plus I actually learned a few things, such as the ultimate reason that Constantinople fell.
What a great ride it has been with this particular book. It is very informative and highly illustrative to help the reader in imagining each battles in the book. The battles is divided into 3 parts which are the age of sword, the age of gunpowder and the age of rifle. Based on this distinctive part, it was arranged chronologically. I was so absorbed in reading this because it has a lot of pictures, facts and side notes too. Yes, there are some errors (more like biases) but hey, there are always 2 sides in the story. I'm planning to read it again soon. I don't think it's comprises all the battles in the history but it's a great start to understand and follow through some of the famous battles like Salamis, Constantinople and Gettysburg.
Special Forces: History - Roles and Missions - Training - Weapons and Equipment - Combat Scenarios by Chris Chant
Special Forces deploys an impressive blend of authoritative text and dramatic photographs to reveal the qualities and skills of the special forces soldier at every stage of their selection, training and operational life.
This fascinating book provides a thorough insight to the world's special forces, including US Navy SEALS, British SAS and Russian GRU Spetsnaz, and many more. These pages reveal how the world's elite troops are selected and how they prepare for covert operations. Over 400 striking photographs reveal the qualities and skills of the special forces soldier at every stage of their selection, training, and operational life. Detailed attention is also given to the weapons, combat equipment, and methods of transport, while over 25 historical special forces operations features describe combat missions undertaken between 1960 and the present day.
Great Military Disasters General Editor: Michael E. Haskew
This book provides an accessible introduction of 24 of the greatest catastrophes in the history of warefare, including Cannae, Agincourt, the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the Charge of the Light Brigade, the destruction of the French army at Sedon, Midway, Stalingrad, Dien Bien Phu, and many, many more. It includes full-color tactical maps that allow the reader to grasp at a glance the decisive moves of the battle. It features over 180 color and black-and-white photographs and illustrations of soldiers, uniforms, and military technology, bringing the rich history of these disasters to life.