This book tells the extraordinary story of the growth of the world's largest international market for capital, for sovereign states, international agencies, financial institutions and companies around the world. The book reviews the evolution of international debt financing from medieval Italian City States to the financing of the First World War. Its core narrative charts the journey from the highly regulated national securities markets after the Second World War to the rise and development of a market, termed the 'Eurobond' market that targeted the international investor regardless of their domicile, market place or any exchange and created today's global cross-border markets. The book takes the reader through the endless challenges that were faced and overcome and the innovative products developed to meet the needs of both borrowers and investors. All this taking place in the context of a constantly changing, often volatile, economic and political environment; from post-war Keynesian economic policies, through oil crises, to deregulation and the monetarist philosophies of the Reagan and Thatcher eras, to the current global financial crisis with its arguments of deficit reduction versus growth.

"Military Aviation in Ireland" charts the history of the Air Corps from its early days as the Military Air Service established by Michael Collins in 1922 to the ineffective air operations conducted during the Second World War period. The Air Service came about when the Civil War caused the postponement of Michael Collins' plans for a civil air service. After participation in the war of 1922-3 a small Air Corps was confirmed as the token air element of a substantially infantry army. The Army Air Corps survived the 1920s and 1930s, despite the absence of government defence policy and the Army leadership's great indifference to military aviation. In the Second World War period, two squadrons of the Air Corps were given air force tasks for which they had little aptitude and for which they were totally unprepared in terms of personnel, airmanship, aircraft and training, failures which led directly to the demoralization of the Corps. During most of this period the Air Corps, on secretive government orders, carried out tasks aimed at assisting the war effort of the Royal Air Force. Using extensive archival research, Michael C. O'Malley throws new light on the people and operations of Ireland's early aviation history.

For some time, senior logistics leaders have been concerned that logisticians with experience in only one logistics function are unable to create and maintain an integrated, seamless logistics system. The Air Force has recently decided to consolidate logistics career fields at the Field Grade level to ensure future Logistics Group Commanders and other senior logisticians have the broad-base of skills, experience, and knowledge that is needed to effectively manage logistics activities. One important outcome of this consolidation is the adoption of a career progression model in which logistics officers will have experience in at least two logistics functions.

"Military Aviation in Ireland" charts the history of the Air Corps from its early days as the Military Air Service established by Michael Collins in 1922 to the ineffective air operations conducted during the Second World War period. The Air Service came about when the Civil War caused the postponement of Michael Collins' plans for a civil air service. After participation in the war of 1922-3 a small Air Corps was confirmed as the token air element of a substantially infantry army. The Army Air Corps survived the 1920s and 1930s, despite the absence of government defence policy and the Army leadership's great indifference to military aviation. In the Second World War period, two squadrons of the Air Corps were given air force tasks for which they had little aptitude and for which they were totally unprepared in terms of personnel, airmanship, aircraft and training, failures which led directly to the demoralization of the Corps. During most of this period the Air Corps, on secretive government orders, carried out tasks aimed at assisting the war effort of the Royal Air Force. Using extensive archival research, Michael C. O'Malley throws new light on the people and operations of Ireland's early aviation history.