Pen sword books ltd (Más de 55.000 resultados)

Paperback. Condición: Very Good. Jewish Lives presents the life-stories of ten individual Jews who immigrated to Britain between 1750 and 1950, based on actual genealogical research. Their life-stories, enriched by a variety of sources, reflect the experiences of all Jewish immigrants as they settled in their adopted land. Melody Amsel-Arieli does not just piece together the detail of their lives - their work, pastimes, families, daily chores, food and celebrations. Drawing on social, economic and historical records, she also explores their background, places of origin, motives for immigration, arrival in the UK and experiences as they adjusted to their new surroundings - placing them in the wider historical context of their adopted community and society. This selection of revealing life-stores will prove fascinating for family historians and researchers, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, by offering parallels with their own lives and the lives of their ancestors. Jewish Lives: Britain 1750-1950 will inspire readers to pursue their own quest for information and understanding of their past.…

Paperback. Condición: Good. Hubert de Burgh rose from obscure beginnings to become one of the most powerful men in England. He loyally served first King John and then the young Henry III and played a crucial role in saving the Plantagenet dynasty when it was at its most vulnerable. During King Johns disastrous wars in France, Hubert held Chinon castle against the besieging French for a whole year. He remained loyal when the Barons rebelled against John and, when they invited French invaders to intervene, Hubert successfully held Dover Castle for the king against a siege led by the French Prince Louis. After Johns death, he held it for the new king, 9-year old Henry, against a renewed siege. In August 1217 he struck the final blow against the French invasion, which still held London, when he defeated a powerful fleet carrying French reinforcements at the naval Battle of Sandwich. Hubert continued to serve Henry III, making important reforms as Justiciar of England and leading military campaigns against the Welsh Prince Lewellyn. He eventually lost favour due to the machinations of his rivals and narrowly avoided execution but was eventually reconciled with his king and able to die a peaceful death. Incredibly, this is the first full-length biography of this remarkable man.…

Hardback. Condición: Very Good. Ron Williams' flying career started in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve which he joined for his National Service in the 1950s. Having completed this he became a civilian pilot and embarked on a career that would see him flying an amazing variety of aircraft in all parts of the world. His first operational naval aircraft was the Seafire XVII, a direct descendent of the Spitfire. This aircraft was capable of 480 knots, and it was during his first solo flight in one that he very nearly killed himself trying to achieve that speed. Luckily he escaped unharmed but much chastened. Whilst serving with the RNVR he also went solo on the Hawker Sea Fury, the world's fastest piston engine at that time, and also the jet powered Attacker. Having obtained his civilian pilot's licence he commenced flying DC-3s for Cambrian Airways around the UK and Europe. He then moved to a charter airline, Independent Air Travel flying the Vickers Viking, then to BlueAir flying DC-4s to Hong Kong and the Far-East. Next came Airwork based in Adelaide, still on DC-4s. A return to the UK saw him flying the Bristol Freighter from Southend Airport to the near Continent carrying passengers and their cars. Tragedy nearly struck when he was attempting to deliver a Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer from Southend to the Cape Verde Islands. One of the legs of this flight entailed a stop-over on Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands. Having elected to fly at night the small twin-engined aircraft hit bad weather and became lost. Unable to make radio contact and running out of fuel he was forced to ditch into the Atlantic in the eye of a hurricane. A Spanish fishing boat was fortunately to hand and rescued Ron, his co-pilot and single passenger. A move to Eire and Air Lingus followed, captaining Boeing 707s to New York and other American cities. Then came Cathay Pacific flying the Convair 880, British Airways flying BAC 1-11s and finally a twenty year stint with British Caledonian flying DC-10s. This airline was eventually merged with British Airways. This book explains many of the practical and technical aspects of commercial flight and also the pleasurable side of Ron's enforced nomadic lifestyle. The story covers commercial flight from its early post-war piston-powered infancy to current airline technology and methods.…

Hardback. Condición: Good. An entertaining romp through the myths of Ancient Rome, retold by Robert Garland.

Paperback. Condición: Good. Drawing on eyewitness accounts, this excellent book paints a graphic picture of the battle that was at the very center of Hitler's last gamble. Numerous photos through the text illustrate then and now scenes and bring to life the epic battle. Maps clearly show the progress of events and practical information is given to the reader about visiting the town of Bastogne today.…

Paperback. Condición: Very Good. Drawing on eyewitness accounts, this excellent book paints a graphic picture of the battle that was at the very center of Hitler's last gamble. Numerous photos through the text illustrate then and now scenes and bring to life the epic battle. Maps clearly show the progress of events and practical information is given to the reader about visiting the town of Bastogne today.…

Paperback. Condición: Very Good. The author, in his thorough investigations, has interviewed all the leading participants involved and can now reveal the true story of the 'Brown Eminence'.

Paperback. Condición: Good. Tracing Your Northern Irish Ancestors is an expert introduction for the family historian to the wealth of material available to researchers in archives throughout Northern Ireland. Many records, like the early twentieth-century census returns and school registers, will be familiar to researchers, but others are often overlooked by all but the most experienced of genealogists. An easy-to-use, informative guide to the comprehensive collections available at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland is a key feature of Ian Maxwell's handbook. He also takes the reader through the records held in many libraries, museums and heritage centers across the province, and he provides detailed coverage of records that are available online. Unlike the rest of the British Isles, which has very extensive civil and census records, Irish ancestral research is hampered by the destruction of many of the major collections. Yet Ian Maxwell shows how family historians can make good use of church records, school registers and land and valuation records to trace their roots to the beginning of the nineteenth century and beyond.…

Paperback. Condición: Good. The author, in his thorough investigations, has interviewed all the leading participants involved and can now reveal the true story of the 'Brown Eminence'.

Paperback. Condición: Fair. The author, in his thorough investigations, has interviewed all the leading participants involved and can now reveal the true story of the 'Brown Eminence'.

Paperback. Condición: Very Good. Tracing Your Northern Irish Ancestors is an expert introduction for the family historian to the wealth of material available to researchers in archives throughout Northern Ireland. Many records, like the early twentieth-century census returns and school registers, will be familiar to researchers, but others are often overlooked by all but the most experienced of genealogists. An easy-to-use, informative guide to the comprehensive collections available at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland is a key feature of Ian Maxwell's handbook. He also takes the reader through the records held in many libraries, museums and heritage centers across the province, and he provides detailed coverage of records that are available online. Unlike the rest of the British Isles, which has very extensive civil and census records, Irish ancestral research is hampered by the destruction of many of the major collections. Yet Ian Maxwell shows how family historians can make good use of church records, school registers and land and valuation records to trace their roots to the beginning of the nineteenth century and beyond. …

Hardback. Condición: Very Good. London was a target for Zeppelins and bombers during the First World War, for bombers, V1s and rockets in the Second, and for Cold War missiles and for terrorists in more recent times, yet rarely has the history of twentieth-century attacks on the capital been studied as a whole. Peter Reese, in this thought-provoking account, vividly describes how the destructive potential of aerial bombing and terrorist actions has increased and how Londoners have struggled to protect themselves and their city. He looks at the strategic aims of the bombing campaigns - panic, devastation, paralysis of communications and the collapse of morale - and contrasts them with the actual responses of Londoners - of civilians - who faced this new form of indiscriminate warfare. As he traces the developing theory and practice of air power, he dispels myths and misunderstandings that still surround the subject. His narrative follows the story from the commencement of the First World War when the development of aircraft accelerated and the possibilities of aerial warfare came to be appreciated - and feared. There are graphic accounts of the German raids on the city in the First World War, of the intense interwar debate about the impact of bombing, and of the ordeal that followed - the Blitz and the V1 and V2 campaigns. He also considers in the concluding chapters more recent threats to the capital which come, not from aircraft and missiles, but from the bombing tactics adopted by terrorists, and the need for appropriate responses.…

Paperback. Condición: Very Good. You won't be familiar with every one of the huge array of women featured in these pages, but all, familiar or not, leave unanswered questions behind them. The range is extensive, as was the research, with its insight into the lives and minds of women in different centuries, different countries, with diverse cultures and backgrounds, from the poverty stricken to royalty. Mistresses, murderers, smugglers, pirates, prostitutes and fanatics with hearts and souls that feature every shade of black (and grey ). From Cleopatra to Ruth Ellis, from Boudicca to Bonnie Parker, from Lady Caroline Lamb to Moll Cutpurse, from Jezebel to Ava Gardner. Less familiar names include Mary Jeffries, the Victorian brothel-keeper, Belle Starr, the American gambler and horse thief, La Voisin, the seventeenth-century Queen of all Witches in France but these are random names, to illustrate the variety of the content in store for all those interested in women who defy law and order, for whatever reason. The risqu', the adventurous and the outrageous, the downright nasty and the downright desperate all human (female ) life is here. From the lower strata of society to the aristocracy, class is not a common denominator. Wicked? Misunderstood? Nave? Foolish? Predatory? Manipulative? Or just out of their time? Read and decide.…

Paperback. Condición: Fair. You won't be familiar with every one of the huge array of women featured in these pages, but all, familiar or not, leave unanswered questions behind them. The range is extensive, as was the research, with its insight into the lives and minds of women in different centuries, different countries, with diverse cultures and backgrounds, from the poverty stricken to royalty. Mistresses, murderers, smugglers, pirates, prostitutes and fanatics with hearts and souls that feature every shade of black (and grey ). From Cleopatra to Ruth Ellis, from Boudicca to Bonnie Parker, from Lady Caroline Lamb to Moll Cutpurse, from Jezebel to Ava Gardner. Less familiar names include Mary Jeffries, the Victorian brothel-keeper, Belle Starr, the American gambler and horse thief, La Voisin, the seventeenth-century Queen of all Witches in France but these are random names, to illustrate the variety of the content in store for all those interested in women who defy law and order, for whatever reason. The risqu', the adventurous and the outrageous, the downright nasty and the downright desperate all human (female ) life is here. From the lower strata of society to the aristocracy, class is not a common denominator. Wicked? Misunderstood? Nave? Foolish? Predatory? Manipulative? Or just out of their time? Read and decide.…

Hardback. Condición: Fair. The Scottish Wars of Independence are often celebrated for the heroic deeds of men, but behind the scenes, noblewomen played an equally pivotal role in shaping the nation's fate. In Women in the Scottish Wars of Independence, Beth Reid brings to life the stories of these remarkable women, from royalty to influential landowners, whose contributions to Scotland's turbulent history have long been overlooked. From noblewomen like Isabella MacDuff, Agnes Randolph, and Agnes Comyn-who made kings, defended castles, and led conspiracies-to royal women who influenced key decisions and defined dynasties, this book paints a vivid picture of resilience, strategy, and courage. Through chronicles, royal charters, and material culture, Reid uncovers how these women navigated war and politics, revealing their critical yet underappreciated roles in shaping the outcomes of the Wars of Independence. Focusing on noblewomen rather than ordinary lives, this book offers a fresh perspective on a male-dominated narrative, shedding light on the influential partnerships and actions of women who stood at the heart of Scotland's history. With meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Women in the Scottish Wars of Independence is essential reading for history enthusiasts eager to explore the often-untold contributions of Scotland's noblewomen during one of its most formative periods.…

Hardback. Condición: Good. The Scottish Wars of Independence are often celebrated for the heroic deeds of men, but behind the scenes, noblewomen played an equally pivotal role in shaping the nation's fate. In Women in the Scottish Wars of Independence, Beth Reid brings to life the stories of these remarkable women, from royalty to influential landowners, whose contributions to Scotland's turbulent history have long been overlooked. From noblewomen like Isabella MacDuff, Agnes Randolph, and Agnes Comyn-who made kings, defended castles, and led conspiracies-to royal women who influenced key decisions and defined dynasties, this book paints a vivid picture of resilience, strategy, and courage. Through chronicles, royal charters, and material culture, Reid uncovers how these women navigated war and politics, revealing their critical yet underappreciated roles in shaping the outcomes of the Wars of Independence. Focusing on noblewomen rather than ordinary lives, this book offers a fresh perspective on a male-dominated narrative, shedding light on the influential partnerships and actions of women who stood at the heart of Scotland's history. With meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Women in the Scottish Wars of Independence is essential reading for history enthusiasts eager to explore the often-untold contributions of Scotland's noblewomen during one of its most formative periods.…

Paperback. Condición: Good. Edward Teach Blackbeard -is one of the legends of the so-called golden age of piracy . There have been so many accounts of his short, bloody career that it is hard to see him and his times in a clear historical light. This new study looks for the man behind the legend, and it gives a vivid insight into the nature of piracy and the naval operations that were launched against it.The narrative focuses on the roles played by the Governor of Virginia Alexander Spotswood who masterminded the pursuit of Blackbeard, and Lieutenant Robert Maynard of HMS Pearl who led the pursuit and finally cornered Teach and his crew and, after a vicious fight, saw him killed.In vivid detail, it reveals how the hunt for Blackbeard was orchestrated, how he was tracked down, and the parts played in the drama by the larger-than-life leading characters in this extraordinary story. This freshly researched study of the pursuit of the notorious pirate and his crew - and of the final fight in which Blackbeard lost his life - makes compelling reading. …

Hardback. Condición: Good. Vietnam Fire Mission reflects on Larry Hiton?s time in the U.S. Marine Corps, initially enlisting at 18 with the belief that all Marines were infantrymen. However, upon completing boot camp, he was assigned to artillery as a cannoneer (MOS 0811), which was a significant surprise. In this first hand account Hilton explains that artillery units, while typically thought of as being behind the lines, were often directly targeted during the Vietnam War, where there were no front lines. Artillery positions were frequently attacked by mortars, snipers, and enemy forces, requiring Marines to defend themselves. The author describes the initial confusion among Marines in 1965, as many had no knowledge of Vietnam before being abruptly deployed there. Marines who had been stationed in the Pacific were quickly shipped to Vietnam, with some arriving without their proper gear. The deployment to Vietnam, especially in the early stages, caused frustration for those whose service was extended. Reflecting on his own experiences, the author recounts how the stress of war sometimes led to memory lapses. For instance, they struggled to recall the details of November 10, 1966, despite it being the U.S. Marine Corps? birthday, only to later discover that they had participated in a ceremony in Vietnam that day. Hilton concludes that by acknowledging the challenges of recalling events accurately under the intense conditions of war he is able to share his story to the best of his ability to give the reader a glimpse in to one of the most contentious conflicts.…

Hardback. Condición: Very Good. Vietnam Fire Mission reflects on Larry Hiton?s time in the U.S. Marine Corps, initially enlisting at 18 with the belief that all Marines were infantrymen. However, upon completing boot camp, he was assigned to artillery as a cannoneer (MOS 0811), which was a significant surprise. In this first hand account Hilton explains that artillery units, while typically thought of as being behind the lines, were often directly targeted during the Vietnam War, where there were no front lines. Artillery positions were frequently attacked by mortars, snipers, and enemy forces, requiring Marines to defend themselves. The author describes the initial confusion among Marines in 1965, as many had no knowledge of Vietnam before being abruptly deployed there. Marines who had been stationed in the Pacific were quickly shipped to Vietnam, with some arriving without their proper gear. The deployment to Vietnam, especially in the early stages, caused frustration for those whose service was extended. Reflecting on his own experiences, the author recounts how the stress of war sometimes led to memory lapses. For instance, they struggled to recall the details of November 10, 1966, despite it being the U.S. Marine Corps? birthday, only to later discover that they had participated in a ceremony in Vietnam that day. Hilton concludes that by acknowledging the challenges of recalling events accurately under the intense conditions of war he is able to share his story to the best of his ability to give the reader a glimpse in to one of the most contentious conflicts.…

Hardback. Condición: Good. A naval history of the ships and personalities of the Nelson period. The sources used include accounts of the Napoleonic Wars, ships' logs, Admiralty documents, private and official reports, letters and contemporary descriptions.

Hardback. Condición: Good. The twentieth century was a time of near total transformation of artillery. The U.S. Army was at the forefront of these developments. American troops fighting the Spanish in Cuba during the Spanish-American War were equipped with the 1885-model field gun; nearly a century later American troops fielded an array of accurate, advanced and precise weapons systems during the Gulf War. This unique pictorial history examines the weapons - from field guns to MLRS and TACMs - and the equipment utilized by American troops along with the uniforms and insignia of U.S. artillerymen. It looks at field artillery, coastal artillery, anti-aircraft and a diverse array of modern missile types and systems. This is a useful guide to a crucial part of America's twentieth-century armed forces and offers valuable insights into the evolving world of modern artillery.…

Paperback. Condición: Good. An account of the massacre in the Belgian village of Malmedy when, in the winter of 1944, Peiper, the commander of a crack regiment of Panzer tanks, issued the order to breach American defences in the Ardennes and to mow down anything that came into view.

Paperback. Condición: Very Good. An account of the massacre in the Belgian village of Malmedy when, in the winter of 1944, Peiper, the commander of a crack regiment of Panzer tanks, issued the order to breach American defences in the Ardennes and to mow down anything that came into view.

Hardback. Condición: Good. A highly engaging homage to the iconic style of Elvis Presley, who shook up the world of music and fashion, triggering a cultural revolution that stopped 1950s America in its tracks.Born into poverty, his voice of liquid gold and show-stopping appearance propelled him into a life of extreme wealth.Elvis's extraordinary story - told through a fashion lens - celebrates the shy, lonely boy who awakened an entire generation to forbidden fruit.The defiant hair, the sultry good looks, the gender-ambivalent outfits - even the famous sideburns of the man who would be King - are all considered in loving detail.From impoverished scamp and teenage antihero in pink, through Hollywood heartthrob and sensual leather-clad rock star, to caped superhero in Vegas jumpsuits, the author describes his clothes with as much joy as she does his journey through the decades.A contemporary take on the evolution of Elvis the Showman, featuring interviews with people who knew, met and dressed him, and analysis of the 2022 hit movie, Elvis.A rags-to-riches tale, forged in the hardship and music of the poor South, it personifies the American Dream, retold with style by an author raised on Elvis's songs and movies and who walked in his shoes through Memphis to discover they really were two-toned.Set in a fascinating period in time, it looks at his powerful legacy, preserved by his devoted fans, and the films and tributes still being produced in his honour today.…

Hardback. Condición: Very Good. The Falkland Islands sprang to fame in 1982, when Argentine Forces invaded and occupied them. British rule was re-established following an intensely violent war. But, decades after the conflict, the causes of conflict in the Falklands have not been resolved. Simmering tensions means that a powerful military machine remains on the islands, and its guard is never relaxed. The UK has some of its most modern and powerful defense assets there, and on permanent standby. These include Eurofighter Typhoon interceptors; ground to air missiles; mountaintop radar sites, and destroyers and frigates. In addition, the islanders themselves have a potent infantry defense force. Graham Bound's book Fortress Falklands examines the defenses of the islands today and the ongoing need for vigilance. Relations with Argentina have deteriorated since the discovery of oil in Falklands waters and a boom in the Falklands economy. In response, Buenos Aires has established a ban on shipping links between South America and the islands, and they exploit every opportunity to press their case for sovereignty. Islanders believe they are under economic siege.…

Paperback. Condición: Good. Hubert de Burgh rose from obscure beginnings to become one of the most powerful men in England. He loyally served first King John and then the young Henry III and played a crucial role in saving the Plantagenet dynasty when it was at its most vulnerable. During King Johns disastrous wars in France, Hubert held Chinon castle against the besieging French for a whole year. He remained loyal when the Barons rebelled against John and, when they invited French invaders to intervene, Hubert successfully held Dover Castle for the king against a siege led by the French Prince Louis. After Johns death, he held it for the new king, 9-year old Henry, against a renewed siege. In August 1217 he struck the final blow against the French invasion, which still held London, when he defeated a powerful fleet carrying French reinforcements at the naval Battle of Sandwich. Hubert continued to serve Henry III, making important reforms as Justiciar of England and leading military campaigns against the Welsh Prince Lewellyn. He eventually lost favour due to the machinations of his rivals and narrowly avoided execution but was eventually reconciled with his king and able to die a peaceful death. Incredibly, this is the first full-length biography of this remarkable man.…

Paperback. Condición: Very Good. In a time before television, radio and cinema, entertainment was found at the many music halls and theaters up and down Great Britain. Acts were varied and included singers, comedians, acrobats, dance acts, animal acts, magicians and escapologists as well as male and female impersonators. Shows played to packed audiences. Many people escaped their humdrum lives, working in cotton mills, coal mines or factories up and down the country, by visiting the local theater or music hall. Magicians and illusionists attracted huge crowds all over the country. This book includes the stories of some of the best illusionists as well as specialty acts such as Datas and The Human Fly. Some are still well-known names today, while others will be unheard of by many. Marvel at the feats and lives of the Davenport Brothers, the Great Raymond, David Devant, Carl Hertz and Harry Kellar. Relive the tragedies such as the deaths on stage of Chung Ling Soo and the Great Lafayette. The performers of the late 1800s and early 1900s made way for the many great illusionists and stage artists that we have today. Acts such as David Copperfield, Siegfried and Roy and David Blaine are all influenced by the likes of Houdini, The Great Lafayette and Robert-Houdini and without the innovations of the early artists, the modern performers might not exist - how different would entertainment be to this day.…

Hardback. Condición: Very Good. Thomas Wolsey rose from humble beginnings to power under Henry VIII, ultimately meeting a tragic end. The Wolseys of Suffolk date to Anglo-Saxon times. The earliest notice of a Wolsey as inhabitant of Ipswich is Thomas Wolsey's father, Robert. He was a successful small businessman and married a Joan Daundy. Thomas was probably born in 1471 in an inn and was almost certainly baptized in St Mary at the Elms church, Ipswich. Wolsey graduated from university and then his climb to power was extremely fast. He entered the Royal Household as the chaplain to King Henry VII. When King Henry VIII ascended to the throne Wolsey became his Almoner, which gave him access to the King's Council. Henry was very impressed with Wolsey's work. Thomas gained many important clerical positions. In 1515 Wolsey became Lord Chancellor of England. Thomas Wolsey's most famous peace treaty was signed between Henry VIII and Francis I of France at the glorious Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520. Henry had not produced a male heir. A woman called Anne Boleyn came on the scene. Henry began to think that she could mother him a son. The king asked Wolsey to seek a divorce from his first wife. He tried his utmost, as always, but the Pope kept delaying the matter. Wolsey failed and fell out of favor with Henry. He was charged with treason and escorted to the Tower of London. On his way, Thomas became very frail and sadly, on 29th November 1530 he died at Leicester Abbey.…

Hardback. Condición: Good. Find out more about Edward VIII, the first celebrity monarch.

Paperback. Condición: Very Good. Jewish Lives presents the life-stories of ten individual Jews who immigrated to Britain between 1750 and 1950, based on actual genealogical research. Their life-stories, enriched by a variety of sources, reflect the experiences of all Jewish immigrants as they settled in their adopted land. Melody Amsel-Arieli does not just piece together the detail of their lives - their work, pastimes, families, daily chores, food and celebrations. Drawing on social, economic and historical records, she also explores their background, places of origin, motives for immigration, arrival in the UK and experiences as they adjusted to their new surroundings - placing them in the wider historical context of their adopted community and society. This selection of revealing life-stores will prove fascinating for family historians and researchers, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, by offering parallels with their own lives and the lives of their ancestors. Jewish Lives: Britain 1750-1950 will inspire readers to pursue their own quest for information and understanding of their past.…