This is a chronological account of the development of warfare from the beginnings of recorded history to the 21st century; explaining the nature of conflict in each era. It takes a multi-faceted approach to the subject, mixing studies of major wars, their significant battles, and the outstanding commanders with discussions of the ever-changing technology of war and the life and experiences of the ordinary soldier. The book is organized in 10 chapters, each of which looks at a particular era in warfare, for example the ancient world, medieval warfare, the US civil war, conflict since World War II. Each chapter includes maps of key battles or campaigns and commentary on battles, personalities, types of troops, and equipment. Sidebars throughout the main narrative focus on particularly noteworthy aspects of the history of conflict. An extensive introduction to the whole work presents an overview of the significant trends and themes that have shaped many centuries of military history.

A revolutionary book that explains the most enigmatic and fascinating wonder of the ancient world: the Pyramids of Egypt. "[An] absorbing and fascinating work of archaeological detection...clearly and rivetingly told...the book is highly and compulsively readable."--London Sunday Times. 16-page black-and-white inserts.

From the sharpshooters of the American Revolution to the Marine snipers who dominated the streets of Mogadishu, a famed military historian puts you behind the crosshairs of the most adept killers in history.
A sniper is more than a crack shot. He's a calm professional with the instincts and patients of a master huntsman.
Intensive training leaves snipers razor-sharp, able to creep undetected within arm's reach of the enemy.
The finest marksmen in the world, a sniper can place a bullet in an enemy's heart from a thousand yards away.
"Stalk and Kill "puts you on the battlefield for the most daring missions in history. You'll duel a Nazi "super sniper" in Stalingrad, outfox the Viet Cong in Southeast Asia, and silence the enemies of U.S. troops in Beirut. And you'll never cease to marvel at the sniper's iron nerve and lethal precision.
A main selection of the military book club with eight pages of fascinating photos!

Unlocking the secrets of the pyramids. For thousands of years the pyramids have stood, imposing and enigmatic, refusing to give up their secrets. In this thrilling book of scientific and historical detective work, the authors try to answer some of history's oldest questions... Why did the Egyptians really build pyramids? What lies inside the Great Pyramid's hidden chamber and what awesome secret, unseeen for 4500 years, could be concealed there? Bauval and Gilbert have spent over ten years investigating the mysteries of the pyramids. Their conclusions have aplit the academic establishment.

The story of King Arthur and the quest for the Holy Grail is well known; less so is that of the coming of Christianity to Britain at around the time of the Roman invasion. It is generally assumed that both these legends revolve around town of Glastonbury, yet the paucity of evidence for this assumption has always been troubling to those who like their history to be founded on fact. In this extraordinary book, Adrian Gilbert reveals the location to be not just of the true 'Avalon' or 'Glastonbury' but of many other sites crucial to the Arthurian legend. He shows how the core teachings of Christianity were kept secret by a dynasty of Welsh kings and saints and later (after the Norman invasions) by their surviving descendants. For centuries this remnant of the Brittano-Welsh nobility, still living in 'Avalon', kept alive a hope: they prayed that one day a new Arthur, one with the holy blood of the family of Mary flowing in his veins, would sit once more on the throne of Britain. Extraordinary as it may seem, this hope may soon be realised - for through the late Diana, Princess of Wales, our own Prince William, whose middle name is indeed Arthur, is so descended.