History and Archaeology

Paper dolls and accurate costume details help take you inside the world of Marie Laveau (1794 -1881) New Orleans' powerful "voodoo queen." Laveau was both widely respected as a healer to all who sought her help and feared as a woman capable of putting a powerful hex on any enemy. She bartered information, liaisons, and love potions to black and white alike, and was believed capable of solving ever

Battling flak and enemy fighters over the skies of Europe during World War II, the US Army Air Force Martin B-26 Marauder bomber named “Flak-Bait” completed a remarkable 201 combat missions, a feat that made it the highest mission scorer of any Allied medium or heavy bomber. For many years the author has held a special interest in the B-26, and especially those of the 387th Bomb Group. It was duri

The destroyers of the Akizuki "Autumn Moon" class were very different from the standard fleet type of Imperial Japanese Navy destroyers inaugurated with the Fubuki class. They were designed for the protection of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s carrier task forces, and in order to achieve this they carried a particularly powerful antiaircraft armament and had an extremely long radius of action. Howeve

Major Charles Carpenter made headlines during the Second World War when he affixed six bazookas to his tiny Piper L-4 observation plane and began attacking German tanks. “Bazooka Charlie” and his plane “Rosie the Rocketer” were profiled in a variety of military and civilian publications, including the iconic Stars & Stripes. The major was a high school educator in the civilian world, teaching hist

In this compelling and remarkable account, Bob Harper defies physical limitations to serve his country during a time of escalating demand for soldiers. Standing at a modest 5 feet, 4 inches, and weighing a mere 110 pounds, Harper falls short of the minimum size requirements for US military service. However, as the need for manpower intensifies, rules are flexed and Harper’s deferment is revoked, t

This book is a complete history of the Italian Model 1891Carcano rifle and variants that served as Italy's standard service rifle in World War I and World War II. It describes each major component of the weapon, as well as addressing the development of each variant in detail. One section of the book is devoted to all markings that have been identified, including those on the receiver, barrel, sigh

Whether you're a seasoned globetrotter planning your next trip, a curious armchair traveler dreaming up a future destination, or just a lover of all things Japanese, this photographic journey will fulfill your fantasies and spark new desires. The beauty and complexity of Japan's ancient culture, futuristic cities, serene landscapes, and frenetic pace are captured in this book of stunning photograp

You'll appreciate your favorite Nordic patterns in a new way.Nordic knitting designs have long enchanted the world. What makes their allure and beauty so timeless? The answer is fascinating, and author Annemor Sundbø, known as "Norway's Sweater Detective," welcomes you on a wild ride to discover it. She's the foremost expert on the subject of these designs' history and evolution and reveals how th

In this book, Erich von Däniken shares the story of his friend Adel H., an Egyptologist, who, as a 16-year-old boy, was trapped for days under the Step Pyramid of Saqqara. Based on his conversations with Adel H., he retells the boy's search for a way out of the underground world, how the boy roamed passageways and chambers and saw what he calls “impossible” things of which the professional world i

Detailing the significance of natural time cycles in the Northern Tradition, Nigel Pennick explores how the stars, planets, seasons, months, and the precessional year relate to the runes.The author explains how the runes are more than just an ancient European alphabet--they encapsulate particular spiritual and symbolic meanings to individually and collectively express deep eternal truths. Discussi

Thousands of years ago, the Earth was a battlefield. These were the wars that would shape man's destiny--terrible conflicts that began lifetimes earlier on another planet.

Discover the enigmatic secrets of Area 51, a clandestine military base nestled in the arid expanses of the Las Vegas desert.

Unraveling the veil of speculation and conspiracy that has shrouded this facility since its establishment in 1955, esteemed aerospace historian Peter Merlin presents a meticulously researched and capt

In the sixteenth century, Spanish conquerors came to the New World in search of El Dorado, the fabled city of gold. Instead, they encountered inexplicable phenomena that have puzzled scholars and historians ever since: massive stone edifices constructed in the Earth's most inaccessible regions . . . great monuments forged with impossible skill and unknown tools . . . intricate carvings describing

Have a seat in the parlour and spend a rollicking evening with this elegant box of 50 Victorian-era entertainments. Deal yourself in for a good time as you choose from a selection of games enjoyed in many a Victorian parlour. The box comes with rules to fifty games that can be played without any extra frippery, except perhaps a deck of cards if you fancy a game of Whist. Each game is good for two

Where did the unicorn come from and how was it accepted for so long as a part of the animal kingdom?

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Lost City of Z, a twisting, haunting true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in American history.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Rachel Maddow traces the fight to preserve American democracy back to World War II, when a handful of committed public servants and brave private citizens thwarted far-right plotters trying to steer our nation toward an alliance with the Nazis.   “A ripping read—well rendered, fast-paced and delivered with the same punch and assurance that she

The Gesar of Ling epic is the Tibetan equivalent of The Arabian Nights. For hundreds of years, versions of it have been known in oral and written form in Tibet, China, Central Asia, and across the eastern Silk Route. King Gesar, renowned throughout these areas, represents the ideal warrior. As a leader with his people's loyalty and trust, he conquers all their enemies and protects the peace. His l

The aircraft carriers of the Shokaku class are generally regarded as being the most-successful carriers designed by the Imperial Japanese Navy. They became operational just prior to the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941, and their combat records are impressive. Compared with the preceding aircraft carrier designs, they represented a great design leap, combining excellent striking power with goo

This full-color book covers nearly all of the NATO, and other European armies’ camouflaged uniforms, and not only shows and explains the many patterns, but also their efficacy of design. Described and illustrated are the variety of materials tested in over forty different armies, and includes the history of obsolete trial tests from 1945 to the present time. More than two hundred patterns have bee