This remarkable story exposes the Sherman tank scandal of World War II, involving some of the biggest American names and stretching from the White House and Pentagon to factories and battlefronts. Outgunned by more powerful German opponents, the inferiority of American tanks led to some of the worst setbacks of the war, prolonging it in Europe. US tankers ultimately prevailed, but over 60,000 armo
This book is a comprehensive collector’s guide to Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) civilian contractors’ private-purchase and service-issue clothing, equipment, and weapons as they were worn and used in the field between 2002 and 2014. A host of detailed photographs show what civilian contractors both in combat and in non-combat roles looked like in Afghanistan a
This book is the follow-up to the groundbreaking Chocolate Cheesecake, and is a new collection of modern black pin-up photography. Modern black pin-ups are becoming more popular as more photographers and models seek to expand the genre of pin-up photography beyond its historical limitations. This second book showcases over a dozen of today's best pin-up photographers and their work with over fift
When Odilo Globocnik, SS and police leader in Lublin, Poland, transferred to the Italian OZAK region in late 1943, he took with him a group of around 100 men who had run the notorious Aktion Reinhard extermination camps—Belzec, Treblinka, Sobibor—where 1.5 million people (mostly Jews) had been killed. This book describes the little-known activities of this group, known as Abteilung R (Reinhard), i
Reichsführer-SS, Chief of German Police, Reich Commissar for the Consolidation of German Nationhood, Reich Minister of the Interior, Commander of the Replacement Army, and Commander-in-Chief of Army Group Vistula—Heinrich Himmler ultimately combined all of these positions in his person. All of his roles are described and explained in detail for the first time in this comprehensive book. What were
Originally knit as underwear, the sweater is a practical garment with homely beginnings and has evolved as a fashion statement. This book traces the sweater's 300-year history as an aesthetic and craft object, telling the story of its materials and construction, national traditions, fads and fashion, and accessories. Learn about the panoply of yarns, Nordic patterns, buttons, vintage collars, runw
This concise book, with more than 300 photos of pleated, high-fashion creations and practical diagrams to follow, offers the basics needed to understand and use fabric pleating successfully. A foreword by Jack Sauma, founder of Mood Designer Fabrics, reminds us of how essential pleating is to the design world. Throughout, step-by-step explanations show you how, by understanding the types of pleats
The ever-popular blue jean originated in the Old Westfrontier of San Francisco in the late 1800s, and here is an extensive look at the entire era of Old West denim.Gathered from collectionsaround the world, it presents never-before-seen pictures of antique“miner’s denim” worn in the frontier communities of Nevada andCalifornia, including Levi denim that is over 120 years old. More than adozen othe
Take a twisted trip through the mind's eye of pop culture legend Dirty Donny Gillies as he brings us the best of his black-and-white ink drawings for artists to color and customize. Deemed one of today's most influential artists,Donny has been spreading his art across all mediums for decades,including work for Metallica, Snap-on Tools, Vans skate shoes, CreatureSkateboards, and Stern Pinball, to n
For the first time, take an in-depth look at the techniques, characteristics, and philosophy of the Israeli school of combat shooting. This book is a guide to the basic principles of the Israeli Method, and, more importantly, the proper preparation and mental attitude for weapon safety and combat. The Israeli Method is presented in a clear, concise manner, and features photographs depicting the ta
This meticulously researched volume is a must in the library of any aviation buff: the most comprehensive descriptive and illustrated history of military and civilian aircraft and their pilots (men and women) to increase the range and endurance of their aircraft. Beginning with the proof of concept efforts to establish the airplane as a true flying machine from 1900 to WWI, it then delves into civ
Since 1993, Hollywood has been rendering popular video games on the silver screen, mainly to critical derision and box office failure. While a few have succeeded, many have been hailed as the "worst movie ever" and left gamers asking: how did that get made? Super Mario fans expecting plumbers jumping on Goombas got an inter-dimensional battle between humans and evolved dinosaurs. Players expecting
This illustrated book covers the complete history of the United States’ Los Angeles class attack submarines from initial design and construction, through testing and trials, to its current operations. The nuclear-powered USS Los Angeles (SSN-688) class attack submarine represented the lead ship of the largest group of vessels constructed for the US Navy during the Cold War, and was purposefully de
Around the world, millions of people hijack cars in Grand Theft Auto, role play fantastical heroes in World of WarCraft, and crush candy on phones as small as wallets yet nearly as powerful as desktop computers. But long before video games became a multi-billion-dollar industry, two hackers invented the Apple II, a PC that contained less memory than the average Microsoft Word document and bowled o
First launched in 1965, the Boeing 737, by many measures, is the most successful and long-standing jetliner in the history of aviation. This volume provides an in-depth look into the story of this extremely significant jetliner and the environment that has contributed to this amazing story. Many of the actual people who designed, marketed, and flew this airplane have contributed greatly to this bo
Welcome to the fantasy-made-flesh that is Jamie Mahon’s imagination. Weaving together sublime locations, superb photography, and striking models, this award-winning photographer has created true artwork of the alternative subculture. He and a clique of extraordinary creators have labored to produce images of beautiful women, expertly made up and professionally styled in fantastic surroundings. Whe
This book is the complete history of the 6th SS Gebirgs (Mountain) Division “Nord” in WWII. Formed in 1941, “Nord” was employed along the Finnish–Lapland front against battle-tested Soviet forces from 1941–44. Following the signing of the armistice between Finland and the Soviet Union in the summer of 1944, the division was moved to the western front. "Nord" units took part in Operation "Nordwind,
The moon landing remains the most astonishing and impressive accomplishment of manned space travel to this day. In July 1969, just eight years after President John F. Kennedy announced the bold plan, the first astronaut set foot on another celestial body. While Project Apollo: The Early Years covered the exciting developments from the first project drawings to the unmanned first flight of the migh
Formed in 1942, the 8th SS Cavalry Division “Florian Geyer” was one of the most controversial units in the Waffen-SS. Created with the intention of making it an elite unit within the Waffen-SS, it instead saw its main employment from the beginning of the war in Russia as a rear area security force against partisans. The SS cavalrymen carried out these duties with terrible effectiveness, demonstrat
Famously pictured in the opening credits of the popular television series M.A.S.H., Bell’s Model 47 helicopter was the first helicopter certified for civilian use in March 1946 and went on to serve a wide variety of military and civilian applications. With its signature bubble canopy, the Model 47, and particularly its H-13 Sioux military variant, served in both Korea and Vietnam. It became a stal