Social sciences

More than 150 never before published illustrations, complimented by an exhaustively researched text, document the little-known air war between Bolivia and Paraguay during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Full details of such aircraft as Fiat C.R.

This is the story of Hanns Scharff the master interrogator of the Luftwaffe who questioned captured American fighter pilots of the USAAF Eighth and Ninth Air Forces in World War II. This Intelligence Officer gained the reputation as the man who could magically get all the answers he needed from the prisoners of war.

Killed in a flying accident in February 1944, Flying Officer William Marsh left behind a personal insight into the life of a desert flyer. Desert Flyer follows Bill Marsh from his early days as a schoolboy, through his RAF training in England and Canada, joins him in his first operational squadron and ultimately his life in North Africa. Originally posted to No.

This is the complete story of Argentina’s contract Mauser rifles from the purchase of their first Model 1871s to the disposal of the last shipment of surplus rifles received in the United States in May 2002. Between 1891-1959 Argentina bought or manufactured nearly 500,000 Mauser rifles and carbines for itself as well as for its neighbors Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay and Paraguay.

In the 1980s, music defined the moment: “Video Killed The Radio Star” ushered in MTV, “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” ruled The Breakfast Club, and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” became the anthem of a generation. The 1980s were also the most visually provocative era of the last millennium.

Make your own folding pocketknife with this easy-to-follow guide. Step by step, this instructional manual unfolds the secrets of constructing a slip-joint folding knife, which is held open by spring force and friction. In addition to introducing different variations of this knife style, this guide presents the materials, tools, and technical design skills needed for the project.

The essential collection of pin-ups from photographer Robert Alvarado. He subtly combines color, form, and style to create an allure that captivates onlookers and confounds fellow photographers. The influence of pin-up photography pioneers like Alberto Vargas and Gil Elvgren is clear, but throughout the 145 alluring examples of Alvarado’s work, his signature approach to this classic form will ...

The flag is a country’s national symbol and is far more than a mere banner. It reflects that country’s independence, the citizens, and their social views. As such, a flag is treated with respect, defended, and given a military salute. As so much is bound up in the flag, it may also be ridiculed, defiled, and burned in protest.

From the girl next door to sexy switch-blade sisters, the pin-up girls depicted in this collection of works by 15 of today's best artists boldly display the full spectrum of the genre. Through masterful use of color and media, both traditional and digital, these artists from around the world capture the female form in ways that remain true to their forefathers (Gil Elvgren, Alberto Vargas, etc.

New for World War II Soviet collectors, this box set of two volumes is he first comprehensive collection of Marshals’, Generals’ and Admirals’ parade uniforms. With hundreds of beautiful, large format full-color photographs, detailed close-ups of uniforms, and an archive of vintage photographs, this collection will take you on a visual journey through the development of the Soviet World War II ...

In 1944 the Maus giant battle tank, weighing almost 190 tons, was supposed to help turn the Wehrmacht’s fortunes of war on the Eastern Front. Just two prototypes of this monster were delivered, for its undeniable advantages—tremendous firepower and virtually impenetrable armor—were outweighed by the disadvantages of its slowness, excessive use of materials in construction, and fuel consumption so ...

This book showcases a comprehensive catalog of restored WWII color Kodachrome slides. Many were taken during the heat of battle by individuals trying their hand at capturing moments of wartime service with little or no previous photographic experience. These images age with time, and vast numbers were stored in conditions not always conducive to long-term preservation.

Pop-art connoisseurs are treated to a mind-bending journey through the blistering paintings of San Francisco artist Dirty Donny Gillies. Take a visual tour of his vibrant, hand-drawn and screen-printed poster art series "Blacklight Rebellion" and hand-painted solo art show "Fantastic Voyage.

Continuing the tradition of creating the next level of breathtaking pin-up girls in the modern world, internationally acclaimed photographer and pin-up artist Celeste Giuliano presents her classic style of pin-ups in stunning 3-D for the first time ever. The pin-up girl has been a staple of classic American culture since the 1920s.

This guide showcases knives used by America's clandestine military in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. It provides the collector and others interested in the period a way of identifying honest SOG (Studies and Observations Group) specimens and separating them from counterfeits.

The 7th Waffen SS Mountain Division was raised for war in the rugged terrain of Yugoslavia. The unit included a huge number of Volksdeutsche, ethnic Germans recruited from outside the Reich. After numerous anti-guerrilla operations in Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia, towards the end of the war it was employed against units of the Bulgarian Army and Red Army forces in the difficult mission ...

This book chronicles the history, training, and operations of United States Army Special Forces, including never before published photos and insignia that were designed and worn by the men of the United States Army Special Forces. The modern United States Army Special Forces was formed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on June 19, 1952.