The international bestselling author returns with an exploration of one of the grandest obsessions of the twentieth century.

In the years before the Second World War, in a sleepy air force base in central Alabama, a small group of renegade pilots put forth a radical idea. What if we made bombing so accurate that wars could be fought entirely from the air? What if we could make the brutal clashes between armies on the ground a thing of the past? This book tells the story of what happened when that dream was put to the test.

The Bomber Mafia follows the stories of a reclusive Dutch genius and his homemade computer, Winston Churchill's forbidding best friend, a team of pyromaniacal chemists at Harvard, a brilliant pilot who sang vaudeville tunes to his crew, and the bomber commander, Curtis Emerson LeMay, who would order the bloodiest attack of the Second World War.

In this tale of innovation and obsession, Gladwell asks: what happens when technology and best intentions collide in the heat of war? And what is the price of progress?

The paradox of U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia The Obama administration's pivot-to-Asia policy establishes an important place for Southeast Asia in U.S. foreign policy. But Washington's attention to the region has fluctuated dramatically, from the intense intervention of the cold war era to near neglect in more recent years. As a consequence, countries in Southeast Asia worry that the United States once again will become distracted by other problems and disengage from the region. This book written by an astute observer of the region and U.S. policy casts light on the sources of these anxieties. A main consideration is that it still is not clear how Southeast Asia fits into U.S. strategy for Asia and the broader world. Is the region central to U.S. policymaking, or an afterthought? Ambivalent Engagement highlights a dilemma that is becoming increasingly conspicuous and problematic. Southeast Asia continues to rely on the United States to play an active role in the region even though it is an external power. But the countries of Southeast Asia have very different views about precisely what role the United States should play. The consequences of this ambivalence will grow in importance with the expanding role of yet another outside power, China.

Lofortovo prison, built by Catherine the Great, was reputed to have niches in the walls of an underground hallway where executioners with silenced pistols concealed themselves before emerging to shoot in the back of the head an enemy of the state being walked along the corridor. Persistent rumors told of beatings and tortures at Lofortovo, but I kept repeating to myself: This is the new Russia, not the old Soviet state. The men taking me in have been pleasant, even courteous. No threats. No raised voices. "Just a few questions and you'll be on your way again."

Another eight-by-fifteen room. Three steel tablets meant as beds. One sink, one toilet, one small mirror embedded into the concrete, no bars, one opaque window. It was cold in the cell—not freezing, but 45 degrees Fahrenheit, kept at that temperature to make me miserable. I paced for a while. Nervous. Upset. Confused. Unable to sleep. Everything in the world went through my mind: I will get out of here, I won't get out of here, best-case scenario, worst-case scenario...

I lay down on the mattress, under the blanket, and was so cold that I had to put on my sport coat to keep from shivering. It was dim but not dark, as there was a light on in my cell that never went out. Every few minutes the quality of light coming from outside the opaque glass would change, and I guessed that the guards were checking in on me, making sure I hadn't tried to commit suicide or send a message from the Flash Gordon transmitter concealed in my wedding ring....
There was no sleep that night.
—from TORPEDOED

He was an innocent man: Edmond Pope—former Naval Intelligence officer, then private businessman, in Russia looking for some answers. Little did he know that he was looking in some very dangerous places.

There was the top-secret operation: Western military and intelligence agencies out to steal one of Russia's crown jewels—the plans to a submarine torpedo that traveled an astonishing 300 miles per hour.

There was the new man in charge: Vladimir Putin—former head of the KGB, now boss of all Russia and a man who wanted to set an example at almost any cost.

It would all come together, and the result would be an incredible story of duplicity, secrets, and lies. Now, for the first time ever, Edmond Pope tells the real story of what led to his becoming the first American since Francis Gary Powers to be convicted of espionage in Russia. Combining a gripping account of his arrest, trial, and 253-day imprisonment with a deeply disturbing look at today's Russia—where you can trust no one, and everything is for sale—his book reads like a John Le Carré novel come to life. And with a large dollop of espionage—insider information and secret submarine warfare technology, Pope's enthralling memoir will also remind readers of the best of Tom Clancy or Blind Man's Bluff.

Torpedoed reveals that the new Russia isn't that different from the old, that a fresh Cold War is brewing, and that Americans in Russia are at risk. With vivid portraits of Russians devoted to framing an American and Americans devoted to justice—Pope's wife Cheri first and foremost among them— it moves from dank Moscow prison cells to the White House to the inner rooms of the Kremlin. And like the secret torpedo in question, Edmond Pope's harrowing story races to a conclusion of devastating impact.

The Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA), unleashed by the integration of information technologies into weapons systems, military units, and operations is a phenomenon whose impacts have been felt well beyond the Gulf in 1991 or the Balkans in 1999. Technological developments lie at the center of these changes; however, the RMA is about more than technology. It includes the consequences of technological changes for defense and security. This study provides an assessment of the RMA that goes beyond a mere description of new defense-related technologies to deal with deeper, more fundamental issues.

Through the contributions of American, Canadian, Chinese, and French experts, this book surveys the RMA from various perspectives and evaluates it from the standpoints of military history and military science. The authors conclude that, while the RMA represents a significant challenge for defense establishments, it may fall short of being truly revolutionary. Whether one looks at power projection or information warfare, it appears that emerging technologies will translate into significant improvements in capabilities, but not necessarily a revolution in warfare. From a comparative perspective, the United States remains well ahead in thinking of and implementing changes that stem from the RMA, although other nations may make selective use of the RMA to promote regional security goals.

The period from the Indian wars to WWI saw the evolution of the U.S. Army from a 25,000 man frontier constabulary to a modern professionally led two million man force fighting in a coalition war in Europe. This study describes the context within which the Leavenworth schools--begun in 1881--evolved.

This volume is the only current treatment of security issues in Central Asia for the nonspecialist, as well as specialists and policy-makers. Global Security Watch—Central Asia is the first authoritative examination of the security issues affecting, and affected by, the region where Russia, South Asia, China, and the Middle East meet. The author provides a comprehensive account of the strategic importance and challenges facing Central Asia written for policymakers, students, researchers, and interested general readers alike. Global Security Watch—Central Asia goes behind the scenes to explore both the internal factors and global influences affecting the stability of region and the nations that comprise it. Coverage includes the dynamics of each country's domestic politics, the allure of the region's natural resources, Central Asia's role in U.S./Russian relations, and the renewed focus on the region in the aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001.

This book covers the design and use of the self-propelled armored vehicle Wespe in WWII.

Perhaps no one in history has played the role of scientist as celebrity with as much skill--and as much deception--as Wernher von Braun. America's leading rocket expert and most enthusiastic advocate of space travel, he had a closet full of secrets that would have shocked his colleagues and millions of admirers if they had been told during his lifetime. "Wernher von Braun: The Man Who Sold the Moon" is the first critical biography of the young German aristocrat who created Hitler's most advanced terror weapon, the V-2 rocket, and who came to the U.S. under the Army's Project Paperclip to develop missiles as a central weapon of the Cold War. The book reveals that factions of the U.S. Army, in their zeal to have von Braun's team of scientists working for American interests, covered up what they knew about his complicity in Nazi causes and abetted him in the perpetuation of the myth he carefully created about his past.

Declassified Army documents and war crime transcripts, as well as the discovery of Europe of Dora concentration camp survivors' accounts, and von Braun's published writings and personal papers, have enabled biographer Dennis Piszkiewicz to document von Braun's career more fully than any previous historian. The man who tirelessly promoted space travel, worked with NASA to collaborate with Walt Disney creating television programs and the Tomorrowland section of Disneyland, and put the first astronauts on the moon, was actually a member of the Nazi party, held a rank in the SS equivalent to that of Major, and was an accomplice in the use of slave labor from the Dora concentration camp to produce his V-2 rocket. When the Third Reich collapsed, von Braun unashamedly switched his allegiance to the victor, and adroitly distanced himself from his Nazi partners. By going on to promote NASA and sell the American people on his dreams of space exploration, he became the man who sold the moon--a man who began his brilliant career by selling his soul to the Nazis.

New, updated edition of this classic pastoral staple for members of the United States military, published in partnership with the Presiding Bishop's Bishop Suffragan for the Chaplaincies. With its compact 4 x 5.5 trim size and durable soft binding, the book is designed to fit into side pockets and knapsacks - especially convenient for personnel in or near combat zones. Contents include Daily Devotions (English and Spanish); Holy Baptism, including Emergency Baptism (English and Spanish); the Holy Eucharist in several forms for battlefield conditions; Confirmation; the Sacrament of Penance; Rites for the Sick, the Wounded, and the Dying; Ecumenical and Interfaith Rites at the Time of Death; Burial Rites; and an appendix with selected psalms, hymns, Bible readings, and prayers.

Discover the spiritually incisive strategies for peacefully resolving conflict in this masterpiece of military strategy. Written 2,500 years ago by Chinese general Sun Tzu, The Art of War is a poetic and potent treatise on military strategy still in use in war colleges around the world. Yet its principles transcend warfare and have practical applications to all the conflicts and crises we face in our lives—in our workplaces, our families, even within ourselves. Thomas Huynh guides you through Sun Tzu's masterwork, highlighting principles that encourage a perceptive and spiritual approach to conflict, enabling you to: Prevent conflicts before they arise Peacefully and quickly resolve conflicts when they do arise Act with courage, intelligence and benevolence in adversarial situations Convert potential enemies into friends Control your emotions before they control you Now you can experience the effectiveness of Sun Tzu's teachings even if you have no previous knowledge of The Art of War. Insightful yet unobtrusive facing-page commentary explains the subtleties of the text, allowing you to unlock the power of its teachings and help prevent and resolve the conflicts in your own life.

An illustrated history of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida.

An illustrated history of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida

The illustrious history of the Third Marine Division is retold in this exceptional volume. The story begins at Camp Pendleton and follows the 3rd through New Zealand, Bougainville, Guadalcanal, Guam, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. Third marine personal stories complement the history of the division with humor, tragedy, and bravery. Medal of Honor recipients listed. Indexed.

U.S. Marine Corps aviation unit insignia from 1941-1946. (From Prologue) During WWI Marine Corps Aviation personnel used a shoulder sleeve insignia. Marine Corps aviation unit insignia first came into use during the mid 1920's with the Ace Of Spades insignia of the 1st Air Squadron and the Running Red Devil insignia of VF-3M.

The daring low level mission to the oil refineries of Ploesti has long been considered as one of the most significant missions of World War Il. The allies were determined to annihilate the very source of the fuel which fed the German war machine. In Out of the Desert, a distinguished veteran of the 98th Bomb Group, John Blundell, provides not only an insider's point of view on the mission, but also compelling photos of the heroes and hardships faced by America's Force for Freedom"" -- the 98th Bomb Group.""

A history, as well as biographies, photos, anecdotes, past Presidents.

This book is for the young adult who is interested in enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. It will walk him or her through the enlistment and recruit training process: making the decision to join the military, talking to recruiters, getting qualified, preparing for and learning what to expect at basic recruit training. The goal of the McFarland Joining the Military book series is to help young people who might be curious about serving in the military decide if military service is right for them, which branch is the best fit, and if they are qualified for and prepared for military service. Includes lists of books, web links, and videos; a glossary; and an index.

U.S. Marine Corps aviation unit insignia from 1941-1946.  (From Prologue) During WWI Marine Corps Aviation personnel used a shoulder sleeve insignia. Marine Corps aviation unit insignia first came into use during the mid 1920's with the Ace Of Spades insignia of the 1st Air Squadron and the Running Red Devil insignia of VF-3M.

The 24th Infantry Division, the Victory Division, has distinguished itself as one of the most outstanding divisions in the United States Army. The soldiers who graced the ranks of the 24th Infantry Division earned the distinct of being the first to inflict enemy casualties on December 7, 1941, in defiance of the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor. As a result the Division's motto was selected to be "First to Fight!" Dubbed "Taro Leafers" because of the Division's Hawaii birthplace, their motto took on new meaning as they proved their ability to respond rapidly to crises anywhere in the world.

ARS MECHANICA traces the comprehensive history of the Herstal Group, renowned worldwide through its brands FN Herstal, Browning, and Winchester. Almost 130 years of technological innovation and unique know-how has allowed the company to develop, manufacture and commercialize leading quality products Fabrique Nationale d’Armes de Guerre (FN) was a pure product of Belgium in the nineteenth century. It could not have emerged at any other time or in any other place. The industrial strength of the country and of its Liège Region, combined with its centuries-old tradition of arms-making, successfully ensured Belgium’s military independence through this period.   ARS MECHANICA retraces the history of this landmark company, now called the Herstal Group, which has emerged as a global industrial force under the control of the Belgian government over the decades. Through this period, FN has endured successive crises and upturns, alongside devastating wars and periods of patient reconstruction. Mechanical engineering is surely the top driver of its progress and resilience, and this clearly shows in the wide variety of FN’s products arms, ammunition, bicycles, cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, aircraft engines and more besides—that have been produced by the Herstal Group over the years. In putting this know-how into practice, the company has adeptly adapted to various historical changes. By innovating, inventing and occasionally harnessing current patents to launch new products, FN has indelibly stamped its singular authority through its mechanical engineering genius. Distributed for Mercatorfonds