San Juan 1898: Roosevelt's "Rough Riders" (Trade Editions) - Tapa blanda

The background to the Spanish American war lay in the Cuban insurrection of 1895-1898 and the cruelty with which it was suppressed by Cuba's Spanish overlords. The spark which ignited the rising tension into open war was the destruction on 15 February 1898 of the USS Maine with the loss of over 250 men, the result of a mysterious explosion in Havana harbour. A naval court of inquiry blamed Spain and the US declared war on Spain on 25 April. Angus Konstam's fascinating book guides us through the whole Cuban operation which was characterised by appalling command and control and poor reconnaissance. It cost the Americans over 1,500 killed but effectively saw the end of Spain's dominion in the 'New World', and America's emergence as a world power.

Angus Konstam has written several books for Osprey, mainly on 18th century subjects. His recent works include Campaign 44 Pavia 1525 and Elite 67 Pirates 1660-1730. Angus previously worked as a Curator of Weapons at the Royal Armouries, Tower of London, and Chief Curator of the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. He now devotes himself to full-time writing, indulging his passion for maritime and naval history to the maximum. The son of a US Navy aviator, David Rickman grew up in California, has lived in Japan and now lives in Wilmington, Delaware with his wife Deborah. He is the exhibits co-ordinator for the state parks system, where his favourite project is helping to restore and furnish an American Civil War-era seacoast fortress. At other times he is a freelance illustrator specialising in historical and ethnographic subjects. His works are in the collections of the National Park Service, Parks Canada and various other museums and historic sites.