|
Showing 1 - 21 of
21 matches in All Departments
Book 1 of the thrilling new series from David Wragg, acclaimed
author of THE BLACK HAWKS. She’s on the run. They’re out to
kill. But what happens when you catch a hunter? Ree is a woman with
a violent past – a past she thought she’d left behind. After
years of wandering, she and her niece Javani have finally built a
small life for themselves at the edge of the known world. But
sometimes the past refuses to stay there, and Ree’s is about to
catch up with her. This time, there will be blood. For the land is
in turmoil and professional killers have arrived in their town
looking for an older woman and child, setting off a desperate chase
through deserts, mountains, and mines. Ree will have to discover
her former self if she is to keep them both alive. From a master of
modern fantasy comes a new thrilling trilogy, full of intrigue,
bloodthirsty stakes – and a heroine who just won’t quit.
Rejoin fantasy's most deadly and dysfunctional mercenaries in the
sequel to debut sensation THE BLACK HAWKS. Bound by oath and
honour, Vedren Chel found himself drawn to the heart of a deadly
rebellion. With him stood the mercenaries of the Black Hawk
Company, who were only ever in it for the money. But the uprising
failed. Now, Chel and the sell-sword Rennic languish in prison,
watching as their comrades are taken one by one for execution. A
daring escape will set them free, but with the combined forces of
vengeful church and voracious crown arrayed against them, Chel and
the Black Hawks must embark on a desperate search for new allies.
Journeying from frozen wastes to towering cities, from drug-riddled
fleapits to opulent palaces, THE RIGHTEOUS is the thrilling and
riotous second adventure from one of fantasy's most exciting new
voices.
Book 1 of the thrilling new series from David Wragg, acclaimed
author of THE BLACK HAWKS. She’s on the run. They’re out to
kill. But what happens when you catch a hunter? Ree is a woman with
a violent past – a past she thought she’d left behind. After
years of wandering, she and her niece Javani have finally built a
small life for themselves at the edge of the known world. But
sometimes the past refuses to stay there, and Ree’s is about to
catch up with her. This time, there will be blood. For the land is
in turmoil and professional killers have arrived in their town
looking for an older woman and child, setting off a desperate chase
through deserts, mountains, and mines. Ree will have to discover
her former self if she is to keep them both alive. From a master of
modern fantasy comes a new thrilling trilogy, full of intrigue,
bloodthirsty stakes – and a heroine who just won’t quit.
Dark, thrilling, and hilarious, The Black Hawks is an epic
adventure perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie and Scott Lynch. Life
as a knight is not what Vedren Chel imagined. Bound by oath to a
dead-end job in the service of a lazy step-uncle, Chel no longer
dreams of glory - he dreams of going home. When invaders throw the
kingdom into turmoil, Chel finds opportunity in the chaos: if he
escorts a stranded prince to safety, Chel will be released from his
oath. All he has to do is drag the brat from one side of the
country to the other, through war and wilderness, chased all the
way by ruthless assassins. With killers on your trail, you need
killers watching your back. You need the Black Hawk Company -
mercenaries, fighters without equal, a squabbling, scrapping pack
of rogues. Prepare to join the Black Hawks.
The steam locomotive was a British invention and even today, the
world speed record for steam remains with a British locomotive,
Mallard. Steam's first significant contribution to British industry
was through powering pumping engines for mines. When steam was
applied to the railways, the 'railway age' began. The steam
locomotive went through several distinct phases during its long
life, which came to an end on regular service in the late 1960s.
The early phase was followed by the trend for large single driving
wheels, then compound locomotives with connected driving wheels
once steel became strong enough for the connecting rods. Further
developments included tank engines that could run equally well
forwards and backwards; the 4-6-0 and 4-6-2 expresses; the passion
for speed records and streamlining; and the standardisation years
of British Railways. This insightful, fully illustrated story book
follows the history of the steam locomotive and will delight all
those interested in the steam age.
Necessity is the mother of invention and nothing is more necessary
than victory in war. Driven by the need to defeat Hitlers Nazis and
Japanese Imperial ambitions, the period 1939 1945 saw huge and
unprecedented leaps in the invention and development of war winning
weapons and technology. Well=known author and military expert David
Wragg has studied the whole range of land, sea and air technical
innovations that originated during the Second World War. Most
obvious and strategically important is the Atomic Bomb (and its
successor the Hydrogen Bomb) but the list is truly fascinating
cruise and ballistic missiles, landing craft, self-propelled guns
assault ships, IFF (identification friend or foe), jet engines,
sonar, ejection seats to name but some. A number of inventions,
while important at the time, had no longer term use; for instance
dive-bombers. Others were available but not used until post-war
such as in-flight refuelling. The author concludes from his
extensive research arguing that there is little new in defence
today as so many modern weapons trace their origins back to the
Second World War. This is an original and thought-provoking book by
a highly respected military history author.
For many the GWR was synonymous with holidays by the sea in the
West Country, but it was built to serve as a fast railway line to
London, especially for the merchants and financiers of Bristol. Its
operations stretched as far as Merseyside, it provided most
services in Wales, and it was the main line to Cardiff, Bristol,
Cornwall and Birmingham. This book, a classic first published in
2006, reveals the equipment, stations, network, shipping and air
services, bus operations including Western National, and overall
reach and history of the GWR. Forming part of a series, along with
The LMS Handbook, The LNER Handbook and The Southern Railway
Handbook, this new edition provides an authoritative and highly
detailed reference of information about the GWR.
Long-awaited, the Normandy landings were the largest amphibious
operation in history. Success was achieved by the advent of
specialised landing craft, heavy naval firepower and the creation
of two artificial harbours and an underwater pipeline. Operation
Neptune: The Prelude to D-Day tells the story of this incredible
feat using eyewitness accounts of the landings and the breaching of
Hitler's famed 'Atlantic Wall'. David Wragg explores the earlier
Allied and Axis experiences with amphibious operations and the
planning for Neptune and Overlord. He reveals the naval support
needed once the armies were ashore and before continental ports
could be captured and cleared of mines, with operations such as
minesweeping off the Normandy coast, which led to one of the worst
'friendly fire' incidents of the war. This is the must-read book to
understand what made D-Day possible.
Renowned for its express locomotive Mallard setting a world speed
record (126mph) for steam locomotives that endures to this day, the
London & North Eastern Railway was the second largest of the
'Big Four' railway companies to emerge from the 1923 grouping and
also the most diverse, with its prestigious high-speed trains from
King's Cross balanced by an intensive suburban and commuter service
from Liverpool Street and a high dependence on freight. Noted for
its cautious board and thrifty management, the LNER gained a
reputation for being poor but honest. Forming part of a series,
along with The GWR Handbook, The LMS Handbook and The Southern
Railway Handbook, this new edition provides an authoritative and
highly detailed reference of information about the LNER.
Presenting an account of the part played by Britain's railways
during the Second World War, this book deals with operational
matters and the impact of enemy action on railways. It also looks
at financial arrangements, the part played by railway workshops in
producing equipment for the military, and the wartime experience of
the railways' ships.
At the forefront of innovation and development in the rail world,
the Southern Railway was the only main-line railway to embrace
electrification wholeheartedly, creating what was at the time the
world's largest electric suburban network. It was also the only
railway to use passenger train ferries, allowing its sleeping car
service between London and Paris to operate as a true through
service, and its 'Golden Arrow' all-Pullman day express even had
its own luxury Channel ferry. These achievements would have been
noteworthy at any time, but were set against the challenging
background of worldwide depression. With the aid of stunning colour
photographs, The Southern Railway Story explores this remarkable
passenger-traffic-driven railway from its commuter trains, via its
international express railway, to its role as a holiday railway
serving many of the most popular seaside resorts.
How much can you really find out about the War at Sea during the
First World War in five minutes? This handy little history book
will surpass all your expectations and leave you well versed on all
you wish to know, and maybe even a little bit more... Which was
stronger, the German or British navy? What was the biggest battle?
Who were the heroes? Who led the navies? And how successful were
they? Jam-packed with facts, stats and first-hand accounts of the
action, all woven together in an accessible way by an expert in the
field, this 5 Minute History is a valuable addition to anyone's
bookshelf, ready to be delved into at a moment's notice.
The London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) claimed to be the
largest private enterprise concern in the British Empire. It was
Britain's largest steam railway and the only one to operate in
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as having
two short stretches of line in the Irish Republic. It was the
world's largest owner of railway hotels and the world's largest
railway shipping operator. Mainly a steam railway, it had a
significant electric service out of Euston in London, and on
Merseyside and Manchester. One of the leaders in diesel shunting
locomotives, the company was a pioneer of using mechanical handling
equipment, including large coaling towers. The LMS was mainly a
freight railway, but it was still able to boast the best railway
carriages, even on suburban services, where there was more legroom
than was offered by other companies. Full of little-known facts,
illustrated throughout and including a useful timeline, The LMS
Story is the latest addition to this successful series.
In November 1940 Britain was isolated in its stand against Nazi
Germany and its ally, Italy. The country could not afford to lose
control of the Mediterranean, but the Royal Navy was already
overstretched by the U-boat war and the threat of invasion. Italy's
fleet of modern battleships presented a grave threat to our
communications with Egypt and the Suez Canal. On the night of 11
November 1940, 42 members of the Fleet Air Arm took off in 21
obsolete 'Swordfish' biplanes, launched from HMS Illustrious. Their
target: the Italian fleet anchorage at Taranto. Pressing home their
attack in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and searchlights,
they torpedoed and sank three battleships. Incredibly, all but two
of the biplanes survived. The Italian fleet was crippled and the
world took note that Britain was far from defeated. No-one was more
impressed than the Japanese, who noted how a fleet in harbour could
be demolished by air attack. In this new account of the Royal
Navy's most daring operation of the Second World War, David Wragg
draws on British and Italian records as well as interviews with the
aircrew, to tell the full story of a night that changed the course
of the war.
The London Midland & Scottish Railway was the largest of the
Big Four railway companies to emerge from the 1923 grouping. It was
the only one to operate in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland, as well as having two short stretches of line in the Irish
Republic. It was also the world's largest railway shipping operator
and owned the greatest number of railway hotels. Mainly a freight
railway, it still boasted the best carriages, and the work of chief
engineer Sir William Stanier influenced the first locomotive and
carriage designs for the nationalised British railways. Packed with
facts and figures as well as historical narrative, this extensively
illustrated book is a superb reference source that will be of
interest to all railway enthusiasts.
Aviation expert David Wragg has written the definitive reference
work on the history of aviation. International in scope, the
dictionary has more than 4,000 entries, covering all aspects of
aviation terminology, past and present. It defines terms specific
to both military and civil aviation and includes proper names of
civil and military aircraft, airlines, air forces, manufacturers,
and periodicals. "Historical Dictionary of Aviation" provides a
quick and easy reference for the aviation enthusiast and
professional, but also those, such as journalists, politicians, and
civil servants, who need to understand key aviation concepts
quickly.
Signal Failure is a history of the relationship between railways
and government in the United Kingdom. It is intended for both
railway enthusiasts and professionals. Setting the relationship
against the growth of the railways, the book looks at the way in
which it developed.
The Southern Railway may not have been the most glamorous of the
'Big Four' companies that emerged from the grouping of 1923, but it
was the great innovator. In the 1930s the Southern pioneered the
first main-line electrification and created the largest electrified
suburban railway network in the world. It was also one of the few
to offer regular departures and the first to run true international
services, introducing the 'Night Ferry' through-trains from London
to Paris using special ferries. Forming part of a series, along
with The GWR Handbook, The LMS Handbook and The LNER Handbook, this
new edition provides an authoritative and highly detailed reference
of information about the Southern Railway.
Fleet Air Arm Handbook is the most comprehensive review available
of the Royal Navy's air power during the war years. Starting with a
brief history, the book progresses with a full war diary of all the
major operations in a gripping narrative account. We see the
different functions of the Fleet Air Arm - to protect the essential
supplies brought by merchant ships, and their close support of sea
and ground forces, both from carriers at sea and bases ashore.
In-depth analysis reveals what life was like in the Fleet Air Arm
during the war; the food, accommodation, training, activities,
uniform, and the relationship between aircrew and their shipmates
aboard the Royal Navy's carriers. Each squadron, wing and carrier
air group is listed along with their operations and locations. This
is a well-researched tribute to an important force and is essential
reading for anyone interested in naval or aviation activity during
the Second World War.
Uniquely among Britain's railways, the Great Western Railway
retained its identity from the time of its incorporation in 1835
until nationalisation in 1948. This was one of the great railways,
so much so that for some enthusiasts it was the railway, even
attracting such epithets as 'God's Wonderful Railway' among the
more dedicated. Even so, the amalgamations of 1923 saw the company
absorb many smaller concerns, so that the post-grouping GWR was in
some respects a different railway from that had grown up during the
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The grouping saw the GWR
absorb some significant concerns with strong, albeit local,
networks. Fortunately the GWR dominated these companies to the
extent that it was able to impose its will and identity on them, so
that it was spared the infighting that so marred the new London
Midland Scottish, or the regionalisation that left the London and
North Eastern adrift, and simply did not paper over the cracks with
some token changes as happened on the Southern. The GWR had
suffered from an uneven performance during the early years of its
history, and only really became the prestigious organisation that
so many people came to love during the early twentieth century,
setting speed records including the first, albeit unofficial, one
of more than 100mph with the locomotive City of Truro. At one stage
between the wars the GWR operated the world's fastest regular
service with the express Cheltenham Flyer, while attempting to
improve the efficiency and economics of the quieter branch lines
with diesel railcars. Typically, it celebrated its centenary with
special wide-bodied 'Centenary Riviera' carriages. "The Great
Western Railway Handbook 1923-1947" looks at the history and
achievements of one of the great railway companies, if not the
greatest. For many, the GWR was synonymous with holidays by the sea
in the West Country, but it was originally formed to link London
and Bristol. The area and extent of its operations was large,
extending as far north as Merseyside, providing most of the railway
services in Wales, as well as being the main line to Cardiff,
Bristol, Cornwall and, often forgotten today, Birmingham. The book
begins with a brief history of the GWR before the grouping, and a
survey of the other companies, such as the Cardiff Railway and the
Taff Vale Railway, that joined the GWR in 1923. It also looks at
the leadership of the company. The post-grouping GWR's history is
given, with reference information on its locomotives, named
expresses, rolling stock, depots and major termini, including the
role of Birmingham as the interchange point, and bottleneck, for
cross-country expresses , as well as the extensive ventures in
shipping and ports, in bus and air services. Other features are
covered in chapters on accidents, freight operations, diesel
railcars, operations during the Second World War, and then on
nationalisation. The book concludes with a chapter looking at what
might have been, based on the GWR's own Last Look Forward, post-war
plans for the widespread introduction of diesel locomotives and
reconstruction. The book includes photographs and diagrams
illustrating the GWR's equipment and some railway stations, its
network, shipping and air services, bus operations, including
Western National, some comparative timetables showing progress
between 1923 and 1938 (the last year of true peacetime operation),
as well as lists of locomotives.
Today, there are so many airlines operating throughout the world
that even the most knowledgeable enthusiast can soon become
confused as to which airline flies from where to where. David Wragg
provides over 500 entries listed in alphabetical order by country,
describing every airline comprising more than five aircrafts with
more than 19 seats, or equivalent cargo capacity. For each nation,
he includes: civil aviation history, airline name, history, bases,
aircraft operated, routes flown and data on passenger numbers and
cargo tonnage flown annually. This is an invaluable reference
source for the general reader, aviation enthusiasts and those
working in the aviation industry.
|
|