Arts and Culture

The M42 Duster was a tracked antiaircraft vehicle developed by Cadillac for the US Army in the early 1950s. The vehicle adapted the Bofors 40 mm AA gun to a modified M41/T41 tank chassis. Although never particularly prolific in the intended air defense role, the Duster did find a niche during the Vietnam War. The M42 was relatively small and agile, and the high rate of fire and loud report from it

The M48 Patton entered production in 1952 and remains in service with several major militaries today, a great testament to the design and how it has evolved. The "Patton" is a fast tank with strong armor and a deadly 90 mm gun, and it is an all-rounder, generally accepted as America's first modern "main battle tank" or MBT. The tank was phased out of frontline service by the US military after the

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain and its near twin, the C-53 Skytrooper, formed the backbone of American airborne transport during WWII. In addition to hauling cargo, these aircraft also delivered paratroopers to the front, including for the Normandy invasion. Derived from the Douglas DC-3, the C-47 saw service with US and Allied militaries in Korea and even Vietnam, including notably the heavily armed

The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a large, tandem-rotor cargo helicopter. The Chinook and its variants have been in military and civilian service for 60 years. The type's huge cargo and lifting capacity, speed, and rugged reliability have made it not only indispensable, but also widely recognized and appreciated by civilian and military operators all over the world. This new book explains how the Vertol

Lockheed developed the F-104 Starfighter in the late 1950s. The plane was designed to be an all-weather interceptor. Speed, climb, and altitude all were priorities, and the plane did turn out to be extraordinarily fast, but there were costs associated with that top speed: low-speed handling and landing characteristics in particular. The plane had a relatively short service life with the US Air For

In a little-known episode of the early Vietnam War, the CIA hired Norwegian skippers to command fast patrol boats for classified operations. The boats transported South Vietnamese commandos and combat swimmers along the coasts and rivers of North Vietnam. This work will explain who the “Vikings” were, describe their missions, and detail their equipment (primarily Swift- and Nasty-class patrol bo

The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor entered service in 2005, and production ended in late 2011. Despite the appearance of many new designs in the interim, an argument can still be made for the Raptor as the most advanced fighter aircraft on active duty today. The F-22 program cost the US government more than $60 billion; the aircraft generated great hype and scrutiny from the press. Despite this high

Acknowledging the iconic, but with plenty of room for the rare and unfamiliar, The Art of the Classic Western Movie Poster presents poster art created for several hundred classic (and not-so-classic) westerns produced from 1903 to 1978. More than 800 images—many reproduced as full-page—make this the most comprehensive book of western movie poster art ever published, and the definitive

This is an action-filled, illustrated history of 17 history-making aircraft, bringing to life the stories of their creation and of the men who flew and fought in them. Each chapter goes beyond the story of the aircraft to relate the experiences of their pilots and aircrew—how the machine resonated in their hands and in their hearts. Colorful characters, iconic missions, and, above all, the

The ultimate guide to today´s hottest craft trend! Readers will learn how to personalize their worlds with Sublimation Crafting! Join creative crafter, author, and sublimation expert Cori George as she demystifies this fast-growing art form and provides all the essentials needed to kick-start the sublimation journey. Readers will get an easy-to-understand overview of sublimation, learn about the

Infuse your world with color, personality, and pattern! Join artist, author, and professional stylist Lori Wenger as she expertly guides readers through two creative approaches to fabric stamping: foam stamping and block printing. Covering everything from pattern transfer to paint application to best stamping practices, no detail is overlooked. First, Lori teaches readers how to create modern s

Your jigsaw night is set to change forever when you crack open this intricately illustrated unofficial jigsaw puzzle all about the iconic TV phenomenon of Friends. "Pivot. Pivot. PIVOT!"--Ross Geller, 1999 Ross's sage advice on the art of pivoting might just come in handy when the time comes for you to assemble the individual pieces of Friends Jigsaw Puzzle: The one with 500 pieces. Jigsaws are

This outrageous film plunges you into a world where quantum uncertainty is demonstrated--where neurological processes and perceptual shifts are engaged and lived by its protagonist--where everything is alive, and reality is changed by every thought

What kind of artists put a moustache on the Mona Lisa? Enter a urinal in an art competition? Declare their own independent republic? Hijack a ship? Dadas! And what happens to such a movement? With Dada, many of the artists declared their own "Pope" and continued their journey (with no destination) into Surrealism, creating burning giraffes, "amoebic" dogs, and lobster telephones–some of the

THE HISTORY OF OPERA FOR BEGINNERS is an illuminating book that starts with the radical assumption that opera is simply music, rather than the highbrow, inaccessible art form that many assume it to be. Not fluent in German or Italian? No worries—author Ron David explains the differences between Italian and German Opera and why you don't have to study a new language to enjoy it.THE HISTORY OF OPERA

Accompanying CD-ROM includes songs and easy-to-follow practices.

Music theory is the study of the fundamental elements of music and how it is written. MUSIC THEORY FOR BEGINNERS was developed for anyone interested in learning to read and write music, a task that can be quite daunting for novices. This book, however, will allay any fears and set you on the path to learning what all those dots, lines and symbols actually mean. It provides the necessary scholarly

Abstract Expressionism was the defining movement in American art during the years following World War II, making New York City the centre of the international art scene. But what the heck did it mean! The drips, the spills, the splashes, the blotches of colour, the wild spontaneous energy—signifying what?ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM FOR BEGINNERS will not only help you understand, but, also, appreciate

The official behind-the-scenes companion guide to the first two seasons of Stranger Things and beyond, brought to life with exclusive color photos and stunning concept art.

The official behind-the-scenes companion to Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, featuring cast and crew interviews, photos, and insights about making the film For fans of Dungeons & Dragons and the upcoming fantasy adventure film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, this gorgeous tome showcases the storytelling, worldbuilding, and creativity behind the movie.   Join in the adve