John Franklin has been collecting traditional toy soldiers for over sixty years, mostly Britains but, as the title suggests, including other interesting additions. In this book he shares some of the in-depth knowledge gained through experience and countless hours of careful research, but most of all the passion and enthusiasm for his hobby. He explains how he was inspired to collect soldiers, like so many, in early boyhood and how a hobby grew into an obsession. The various chapters then examine themes he followed in his collecting, such as Britains Special Painting Orders and Indian Army Pipe Bands for example, or address questions regarding the manufacture or identity of specific sets that he has researched or, in some cases, is still seeking the answer to. It is packed with anecdotes, useful technical information and helpful advice for the collector but it is above all a proud tour of inspection of a sixty-year labour of love. Over four hundred photographs, show much of the author's magnificent collection in a parade of miniature pomp and splendour.

Waterloo is one of the defining campaigns of European history. The name conjures up images of the terrible scale and grandeur of the Napoleonic Wars and the incredible combined effort that finally ended Napoleon's aspirations of power in Europe. Drawn from unpublished first-hand accounts, and using detailed illustrations, this comprehensive volume is the ideal resource for studying the intense fighting at the battles of Waterloo and Wavre, the final, decisive engagements of the Waterloo campaign. Those two battles are at the heart of this study, which explores the action at Mont St Jean where Wellington managed to hold the French at bay until the arrival of the Prussians under Blucher saw the Allies secure a hard-fought victory at the dramatic climax of the 'Hundred days'.

To coincide with the 2015 bicentennial of the Battle of Waterloo, Osprey publishes "Waterloo 1815," a definitive three volume history of the historic battle. Based on new research drawn from unpublished first-hand accounts and illustrations, "Waterloo 1815" provides a detailed resource for all aspects of the famous battle.
This first volume of the trilogy, "Quatre Bras," focuses on the lead-up to Waterloo itself. Two days before the main battle, an initial 8,000 Allied troops faced the 48,000 men of the French Armee du Nord under Marshal Ney at the strategically vital crossroads of Quatre Bras. Having been tricked by Napolean who was trying to drive a wedge between the Prussians and the Anglo-allied army, Wellington concentrated his troops at Quatre Bras, hoping to link up with the Prussians. There Wellington just managed to hold off Ney's attacks. The battle ended in a tactical stalemate but, because he was unable to join with Blucher's Prussians, Wellington retreated back along the road to Brussels to new positions at a small Belgian village called Waterloo, and thus set the stage for one of the greatest battles of all time.
With detailed maps, illustrations and battlefield dispositions, "Quatre Bras" will lay the groundwork for any student of the Battle of Waterloo.

In this newly revised and updated seventh edition of Taiwan: Nation-State or Province? Copper examines Taiwan's geography and history, society and culture, economy, political system and foreign and security politics in the context of Taiwan's uncertain status, as either a sovereign nation or a province of the People's Republic of China. Analyzing possible future scenarios and trends that could affect Taiwan's status, the author argues that Taiwan's very rapid and successful democratization suggests Taiwan should be independent and separate from China, while economic links between Taiwan and China indicate the opposite. New features to this brand-new edition include: The triumph of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the 2016 elections. The impact of the Trump administration on US-Taiwan relations. The rise of popularism. The shift in cross-Strait relations with China given their increased power on the world stage. This revised and fully up-to-date textbook will be essential reading for students of Taiwan, China, US-China relations and democracy.

In this newly revised and updated seventh edition of Taiwan: Nation-State or Province? Copper examines Taiwan's geography and history, society and culture, economy, political system and foreign and security politics in the context of Taiwan's uncertain status, as either a sovereign nation or a province of the People's Republic of China. Analyzing possible future scenarios and trends that could affect Taiwan's status, the author argues that Taiwan's very rapid and successful democratization suggests Taiwan should be independent and separate from China, while economic links between Taiwan and China indicate the opposite. New features to this brand-new edition include: The triumph of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the 2016 elections. The impact of the Trump administration on US-Taiwan relations. The rise of popularism. The shift in cross-Strait relations with China given their increased power on the world stage. This revised and fully up-to-date textbook will be essential reading for students of Taiwan, China, US-China relations and democracy.

The rapid advances made in the study of the synthesis, structure and function of biological macromolecules in the last fifteen years have enabled scientists concerned with antimicrobial agents to achieve a considerable measure of understanding of how these substances inhibit cell growth and division. The use of antimicrobial agents as highly specific inhibitors has in turn substantially assisted the investigation of complex biochemical processes. The literature in this field is so extensive however, that we considered an attempt should be made to draw together in an introductory book the more significant studies of recent years. This book, which is in fact based on lecture courses given by us to undergraduates at Liverpool and Manchester Universities, is therefore intended as an introduction to the biochemistry of antimicrobial action for advanced students in many disciplines. We hope that it may also be useful to established scientists who are new to this area of research. The book is concerned with a discussion of medically important antimicrobial compounds and also a number of agents that, although having no medical uses, have proved invaluable as research tools in biochemistry. Our aim has been to present the available information in a simple and readable way, emphasizing the established facts rather than more controversial material. Whenever possible, however, we have indicated the gaps in the present knowledge of the subject where further information is required.

This title represents the second instalment of the captivating study of the Waterloo campaign, one of the defining events in European history. In particular it focuses on the desperate struggle for Ligny, which saw the Prussians pushed back by the French Army after heavy fighting in what was to be Napoleon's last battlefield victory. With Wellington unable to assist his Prussian allies in time, the Prussian centre was overwhelmed as night began to fall, although the flanks were able to retreat in some semblance of order. Stunning illustrations augment the drama of the fighting in this area while considerable new research drawn from unpublished first-hand accounts provide a detailed and engaging resource for all aspects of the battle.

In Taiwan's Democracy on Trial, Professor Copper assesses the process of democratization in Taiwan during the Chen Shui-bian Era (2000 to 2008) and after. He shows that in several respects, most important being press freedom, human rights, ethnic relations, political reform, constitutionalism, and clean governance, democratization regressed. Economic management was not good and relations with the United States were severely strained, which also hurt the Chen administration and explains why the Nationalist Party returned to power in 2008. The democratization process has improved since 2008.