Social sciences

Presented here are the biographies of the 130 men of the Fallschirmjäger—Hitler’s elite paratroopers, who won the Knight’s Cross and its higher grades. These men fought on nearly every front during the Second World War, from their first action in Denmark in April 1940, to their last major battle at Monte Cassino. A total of twenty-four Knight’s Crosses were awarded to Fallschirmjäger troops during

Based on research and personal interviews, this book presents the most successful North Vietnamese pilots’ careers from their training years to their missions and aerial victories. There were nineteen aces in the Vietnamese People’s Air Force during the war. An additional eight MiG pilots were also successful in dogfights; each claimed four aerial victories. More than 240 illustrations feature rar

Drawn from some of the world’s most prestigious collections, this comprehensive work is a visual and historical reference exploring the craftsmanship and technical progress of German pistol development from 1871 to 1914. Using specially commissioned color photography, these ultra-rare and priceless side arms, many of which are shown for the first time, are portrayed in stunning detail, highlightin

Drawn from some of the world’s most prestigious collections, this comprehensive work is a visual and historical reference exploring the craftsmanship and technical progress of German pistol development during the 1914-1945 World War I, Weimar, and Third Reich years. Using specially commissioned color photography, these ultra-rare and priceless side arms, many of which are shown for the first time,

Originally one of the paramilitary groups that arose in Germany's turbulent 1920s , the SS grew from its original protection activities into the"Death's Head" troops and the Verfugungstruppe, and later during WWII, the Waffen-SS. During its evolution, the SS changed from its black uniform into a variety of uniforms that eventually resembled those of the German army, in various types of fabric, and

The Imperial German Navy of WWI is a series of books (Warships, Campaigns, & Uniforms) that provide a broad view of the Kaiser's naval forces through the extensive use of photographs. Every effort has been made to cover all significant areas during the war period. In addition to the primary use of photographs, technical information is provided for each warship along with its corresponding service

This is the most detailed historical photographic account of all individual Israeli and American F-15 and F-16 aerial combat victories. Included with each photograph is information that will surprise you, such as the identity of the Israeli and American pilots and their squadrons, individual tail numbers of each aircraft, and the weapon(s) deployed in the destruction of each enemy fighter. Many of

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 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

Knights of the Skull is a full-color, graphic non-fiction series chronicling the development of the German Panzer (armored) forces in World War II. Beginning with the early campaigns in 1939–41, this first volume features the unleashing of Blitzkrieg in Poland in 1939, the incredible defeat of the western Allies in France in 1940, and then the legendary Gen. Erwin Rommel’s initial North African ca

Knights of the Skull is a full-color, graphic non-fiction series chronicling the development of the German Panzer (armored) forces in World War II. Volume 2 starts with the April 1941 Balkans and Greece campaigns, then moves into the planning and early months of Operation Barbarossa—the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941. With detailed, and historically accurate illustrations of vehi

A celebration of the wildest and weirdest that action cinema has to offer, the hosts of the Really Awful Movies podcast take you on a fun-filled pilgrimage through the nuttiest movies in the genre. Traversing both decades and continents, these 100 titles reach beyond the typical patron saints of action, giving unsung genre heroes like Vic Diaz, Reb Brown, and Godfrey Ho their due. Our intrepid hos

When the Myasishchev design bureau was reborn in 1951, it was immediately tasked with creating a high-speed strategic bomber to balance the threat posed by NATO’s heavy bombers, notably the B-52. Designated M-4 and code-named "Bison" by NATO, the new four-turbojet bomber was developed within an incredibly short time—just one year. It made use of many innovative features, including a bicycle landin

The second of two volumes on the legendary P.08 Luger (Pistole Parabellum), this illustrated book presents the design, manufacturing, and development of the various types from the late Weimar Republic period through the Third Reich era of the 1930s and early 1940s, as well as postwar models. Adopted by the German army, the Luger would remain in service during World War II and see use in the postwa

The M1 carbine is a .30-caliber, semiautomatic rifle that first appeared in 1942 as a standard firearm for the US military during World War II. It was later used by US forces in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and continues to see worldwide use to this day. Produced in several variants by many manufacturers, it was and is still widely used not only by military forces, but by paramilitary and police un

The second of two volumes on Mauser rifles, this full-color, illustrated book presents the design, manufacturing, development, and combat use of the various models from 1918 through World War II. Post-WWI manufacturers defined the characteristics of a future German regulation rifle derived from the WWI-era Gewehr 98. After the Nazi accession of the German government, the improved version of the Ge

The French Model 1949 9 mm submachine gun is most closely associated with France's decolonization campaigns, including Indochina and Algeria. The MAT-49 (Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Tulle) is a simple, robust, compact, and reliable weapon that was used throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. Though production ceased in 1979, it is still used by some military forces to the present day. With its n

This historical biography of John Monroe “Hawk” Smith, Navy fighter pilot, is a gripping account of valor, sacrifice, and adventure during one of the most tumultuous periods in carrier aviation.  It was no surprise when Hawk, having completed a stunning tour as commanding officer of TOPGUN, received orders to a frontline F-14 Tomcat squadron—VF-213, the “Black Lions.” Hawk joined the Black Lions p

Ferdinand Porsche was an Austrian engineer born in 1875. In the interwar period, Ferdinand founded an automotive consultation firm, which gradually grew into today's Porsche AG automotive company. Porsche's firm was responsible for the design of the "Volkswagen," a simple model known today as the Beetle. During the Second World War, Porsche's firm played an important role in designing military veh

Contrary to popular opinion, the automotive industry is not a man's world! Since the early days of General Motors, there have been women—known and unknown—who have had vital roles in design, engineering, manufacturing, and administration. In this follow-up to Damsels in Design, her book on women automotive designers from 1939-1959, Constance Smith presents profiles of and interviews with more than