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  The Battlecruiser HMS Hood - An...

  Bruce Taylor

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  “A wonderfully illustrated biography” of one of history’s greatest warships whose sinking “signaled the end of the surety that Britannia ruled the waves” (War History Online).   Unmatched for beauty, unequalled for size, for twenty years the HMS Hood was the glory ship of the Royal Navy, flying the flag across the world in the twilight years of the British Empire. Here, in words, photos and color illustrations, is the story of her life, her work and her people from keel-laying on the Clyde in 1916 to destruction at the hands of the Bismarck in 1941.   Among the eyecatching strengths of the book is a unique gallery of photos, including stills from a recently discovered piece of color footage of the ship, plus a spectacular set of computer-generated images of both the exterior and interior by the world’s leading exponent of the art—a man who worked with the film director James Cameron (of Titanic fame).   A wealth of new information on Hood’s structure and operation make it essential reading for the enthusiast, modeler and historian alike. Hugely successful from its first publication, this is the third printing of the ultimate book on the ultimate ship of the pre-war era.   “The most comprehensive study of a modern warship ever undertaken.”—Warship World

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  The Wolf Packs Gather - Mayhem...

  Bernard Edwards

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  The capture by the German surface raider Atlantis of the British steamer City of Baghdads secret code books in July 1940 enabled the Nazis to de-cypher Admiralty convoy plans with deadly effect.  This book describes the resulting appalling Allied losses suffered by four convoys during the Autumn of 1940.  Admiral Donetz, aware of the movements of the Allied convoys, marshaled as many of his U-boats as possible.  The first convoy, SC2, consisting of 53 merchant men was attacked in early September by four U-boats.  Due to poor weather only five ships were lost.  Shortly after HX72, with 41 ships, sailing from Nova Scotia, lost eleven ships to five Type VIIC U-boats.  Top Aces Otto Kretschremer and Joachim Schepke, who penetrated inside the columns, accounted for nine. No less than nine U-boats attacked SC7 in October 1940.  Of 35 merchant men a staggering 20 were lost. HX79 also fared terribly despite being a fast convoy with ten escorts, losing twelve ships. In total forty-eight merchant men were sunk and seven more damaged without any U-boat losses at all. The Wolf Packs Gather is an authoritative account of the darkest hours of the War in the Atlantic.  It describes not only the German tactics but the inadequacies of what few escorts there were and the heartbreaking loss of defenseless life.

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  Russia - A Short History

  Abraham Ascher

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  Distinguished Professor Emeritus Abraham Ascher offers a skillful blend of engaging narrative and fresh analysis in this concise introduction to Russian history. 
  Newly updated on the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution, it covers the growing political tensions between Russia and its neighbors, and the mounting divergence between Russian and U.S. foreign policies. This stimulating and beautifully written introduction will prove enlightening for students, scholars, and travelers alike.

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  My Grape Wedding

  Laura Bradbury

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  My Grape Wedding takes fans of Laura Bradbury's Grape Series from London to the enchanting world of Burgundy five years after Franck and Laura met on a student exchange. After a spontaneous proposal in Kathmandu, the bride-to-be struggles with balancing the academic demands of Oxford with lessons on how to be a proper Catholic and fittings with the Queen of England's corset maker. 
  Once in Burgundy. Laura's anxiety grows as wedding plans fall apart. As guests arrive, the rain clouds move in, family wine tastings turn into survival of the fittest, and a bombshell from the priest leaves the couple looking for divine intervention. Laura believes she and Franck belong together, but how will they survive this tumultuous journey to the altar? 
  PRAISE FOR LAURA BRADBURY 
  "Bradbury's Grape Series feels like a series of honest and funny letters sent from a friend about her fascinating (and sometimes baffling) life in France. A beautiful read." 
  —Janice MacLeod, New York Times bestselling author of Paris Letters and A Paris Year 
  "Bradbury's Grape Series takes the reader on a romantic adventure into the heart, soul, and people of la belle France. Filled with delicious food, love, and laughter, Bradbury's writing proves that you have to dare to follow your heart wherever it leads you…and that sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone to truly live." 
  —Samantha Vérant, author of How to Make a French Family and Seven Letters from Paris

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  The Spitfire - An Icon of the Skies

  Philip Kaplan

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  “An amazing tribute to the people who designed, built and flew it—a comprehensive history of one of the most beautiful aircraft ever manufactured.”—Books Monthly    The magnificent Vickers Supermarine Spitfire, together with its able partner the Hawker Hurricane, saved Britain from Nazi invasion in the summer of 1940 and irrevocably changed the course of the Second World War. This book from Philip Kaplan celebrates one of history’s most important weapons in a glorious new light. A British national icon, the Spitfire is the best-known symbol of the war years for generations of Britons. From the deep, haunting growl of its Rolls-Royce engine, to the elegant style of its elliptical wing, it is perhaps the most famous and revered combat airplane ever built.   Kaplan investigates just what it is that fuels the Spitfire’s compelling mystique. During wartime, it held an unrivaled reputation amongst Allied and Axis airmen. Today, it continues to hold aviation enthusiasts in thrall. Kaplan highlights the immeasurable contributions of Spitfire designers Reginald J. Mitchell and Joseph Smith, test pilots Jeffrey Quill, Mutt Summers and Alex Henshaw, and ace Spitfire pilots including Al Deere, Sailor Malan and Pierre Clostermann. All added to the legend of this lovely, but deadly, little fighter.   “Can be considered a ‘Potted History’ of the Spitfire and its military and civilian service, with particular emphasis being placed on the restoration of AR213. On that basis it will probably appeal to Spitfire aficionados in particular and to aviation and war-bird enthusiasts in general.”—NZ Crown Mines

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  Curious Events in History

  Michael Powell

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  Forty strange-but-true historical happenings—from a thirty-eight-minute war to the time when a top-hat caused a riot—from the author of Lies You Learned in School. 
   
  Here are forty of the most curious events in world history. Though they span the centuries and circle the globe, they share one common trait: all were too peculiar to make it into the standard history books. Read these fascinating accounts and learn about:The craze for consuming powdered mummy to cure all ailmentsThe medieval courtroom advocate who pled the case of plaintiff ratsThe U.S. President who was shot by an assassin but killed by his doctor’s earnest efforts to treat him 
   
  If you thought you knew all you needed to know about history, this book will show you some truly curious gaps in your knowledge.

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