In the mid-1950s faced with worrying advances in Soviet missile technology, the United States sought to develop an IRBM to act as a stop-gap until the Atlas ICBM became operational. Intense inter-service rivalry followed before the US Air Force gained the upper hand in deploying the missile. The UK, keen to improve the 'special relationship' with the US which had suffered following the Suez Crisis agreed to accept 60 Thor missiles to be operated by RAF crews. Complex negotiations followed and once the twenty sites had been identified a considerable number of American personnel, both civilian and servicemen, crossed the Atlantic to build and commission the bases. The agreement allowed for training the RAF crews leading to some 1,300 personnel traveling to America to learn the complexities of the Thor system leading to a series of twenty-one launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Covering activities on both sides of the Atlantic, the book features a number of previously unpublished photographs and includes plans and diagrams of the missile sites and equipment.

In the early 1950s the United States wished to concentrate its defence resources on the development of a 4,000 mile range intercontinental ballistic missile. As a stop-gap measure, US defence chiefs hoped to assist Britain with the development of its own intermediate range missile. Despite US concerns that British resources were limited the Air Ministry nonetheless proceeded with the missile, called Blue Streak, to fulfil the operational requirement which would give Britain an independent deterrent which should remain invulnerable until the early 1970s. `Blue Streak: Britain's Medium Range Ballistic Missile' traces the path from the political decision to issue the contracts through the early development and testing both in the UK and in Australia. The reasons for the project's cancellation are considered and Blue Streak's subsequent role as the first stage of the ELDO civilian satellite launcher is noted. A requirement of the project was the need to base the missiles in underground launchers to protect them from attack. This aspect of the project is fully covered using recently available information and specially drawn plans.

As the worldwide clamor of group claims to difference and equality grows ever louder, Competing Claims to Recognition analyzes the complex constitutional devices required to accommodate ethnic differences in multiethnic Nigeria. Through a perceptive examination of the philosophical arguments of Will Kymlika and Charles Taylor, and the empirical studies of Arthur Lewis, Arend Lijphart, Eric Nordlinger, and Donald Horowitz, the book examines how constitutional structures that express cultural plurality must be carefully constructed to ensure both justice and social stability. This superb African case study will be of great interest to scholars of multiculturalism and African studies seeking new perspectives on the question of ethnic identity.

As the worldwide clamor of group claims to difference and equality grows ever louder, Competing Claims to Recognition analyzes the complex constitutional devices required to accommodate ethnic differences in multiethnic Nigeria. Through a perceptive examination of the philosophical arguments of Will Kymlika and Charles Taylor, and the empirical studies of Arthur Lewis, Arend Lijphart, Eric Nordlinger, and Donald Horowitz, the book examines how constitutional structures that express cultural plurality must be carefully constructed to ensure both justice and social stability. This superb African case study will be of great interest to scholars of multiculturalism and African studies seeking new perspectives on the question of ethnic identity.

Great Speeches collects over forty of the most powerful and stirring addresses delivered in the English language. It captures the significant historical events of the past 400 years in the words of their participants, from those speeches given in times of war and sorrow, such as Winston Churchill s This Was Their Finest Hour, to those delivered at moments of hope, such as Barack Obama s election victory address. Other speeches include Charles I, "Statement at the Trial of Charles Stuart, King of England"; Susan B. Anthony, "On a Woman s Right to Vote"; John F. Kennedy, "Ich bin ein Berliner"; and Nelson Mandela, "Inaugural Address." These speeches are arranged in chronological order for easy reference, and each speech is prefaced by an introduction and illustrated with an image of the speaker. Arranged in chronological order for easy reference, this book comes with a free CD of recordings of these great speeches."