Ian Fleming was a character best known through the prism of his James Bond spy stories. Fleming was happy to encourage the myths that soon came to circulate around his best selling novels. The author provides a view from researching public records and private documents and its as fascinating as any account about James Bond – Highly Recommended.
The short history of paratroops leaves many areas inadequately covered by historians. This book reviews one specialist unit within the British Parachute Forces. This account is illuminating because it not only provides a very welcome history of the unit, but sheds light on some of their specialist missions – Highly Recommended.
In an age of continuous ‘news’ broadcasting and publishing, there are still conflicts that exist under the radar. The absorbing study of how the SAS waged a largely unreported war to keep Malaya free from Communist control. Good text with a fascinating photo-plate section – Much Recommended.
This is the story of a Town Class cruiser that was sent to the Mediterranean after taking part in the Battle of Norway. Nicely illustrated study of one of the warships escorting Malta convoys, her fate and her recent discovery by divers – Highly Recommended.
The authors have provided a carefully researched and gripping biography of a larger than life character from the 18th Century. The absorbing text is accompanied by a selection of interesting images in a photo-plate section, reproducing portraits from the period – Entertaining, Recommended.
Another manual from an author who is a specialist in the subjects of counter-terrorism and hostage rescue. This is a non-nonsense guide to a subject that is all too familiar, but little understood outside the professionals. By taking the approach of a Manual layout, the author has provided a very clear exposition of his subject with the support of photographs and drawings – Highly Recommended.
The epic fight for survival by the Island of Malta is a collection of many incredible stories and, surprisingly, a great number of those were not told adequately in the 75 years since the Siege of Malta. Publishers often time the publication of new history books to coincide with important anniversaries, bringing a welter of very good books to market. The reader then has to decide how many can be afforded and find shelf space for them. Amongst a crop of great new Siege of Malta books this is one that should not be avoided – rob your grannies, build a bookcase, whatever it takes. – Most Highly Recommended.
The most intensely bombed place on Earth, Malta’s survival and offensive actions are the stuff of legends. A very small population, on the brink of starvation, held out against a mighty aerial armada for some three years in an epic fight to survive and strike back. – Highly Recommended.
Another well research aviation history from Martin Bowman. The British quickly created secret airfields and flew into Occupied Territory to deliver and collect agents and provide supplies to the increasing number of Resistance Fighters operating in Europe against the German occupiers. – Highly Recommended.
