Jane's Fighting Ships 2006-2007 (Jane's Fighting Ships)

Book Description

Before James Bond made the Walther PPK a legend, it was used on the battlefields of WWII. Discover the legend and lore of all of the significant arms and artillery pieces since 1939 in this amazing illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons.

Arranged in chronological order from 1939 onward, this easy-to-use encyclopedia organizes weapons into sub-categories for quick navigation. Categories include pistols, rifles, machine guns, field guns, heavy artillery, anti-aircraft guns, and even multiple rocket launchers.

This weapon-by-weapon account includes a description of each weapon's development and service record, illustrations and photographs, and a box of detailed technical specifications with both metric and imperial measurements. Additionally, this volume contains more than 900 full-color artworks as well as color and black-and-white photographs, including historical images.

Tigers In Combat II (Stackpole Military History)

Average customer rating:

Tigers in Combat 11
Dissappointing but still essential copy
Excellent Authentic Pictures
A must have for Tiger fans!!!
An Excellent Reference

Tigers In Combat II (Stackpole Military History)
Wolfgang Schneider
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0811732037

Book Description

In this follow-up to Tigers in Combat I (0811731715), Wolfgang Schneider turns his attention to the Tiger tanks of the Waffen-SS and the Wehrmacht's "named" units, such as the GroÝdeutschland Division, Company Hummel, and Tiger Group Meyer. Based on combat diaries, the text tells the history of each unit, but most of the book is devoted to photos of the tanks and the men who manned them. It offers as unique and comprehensive a look at these lethal machines as is possible sixty years after World War II. Includes hundreds of photos--many of them rare--of Tiger tanks and their crews. Color illustrations by Jean Restayn focus on markings, camouflage, and insignia and inventories and timelines for each unit.

Customer Reviews:

Tigers in Combat 11.......2007-08-09

Quite a good reference to the SS and GD heavy tank battalions . I would prefer to see a few more color renditions and a more descriptive text. Other than that, it is a good value for money reference for anyone interested in the deployment of Tiger units. It has more value as part of the two volume set rather than as a single volume
I would recommend for modellers as a good reference work

Dissappointing but still essential copy.......2007-08-03

I agree with many of the reviews posted in regards to the quality of the new paperback editions. Having seen the hardcover copies and now owning the paperback the photo quality has suffered greatly with many details now not being seen. Still it is full of info on the day to day operations of Tiger units and hundreds of photos. If you can find a copy (cheap!) of the orginal hardcover get that, even if it si a little more money than the paperback, its worth it.

Excellent Authentic Pictures.......2007-05-11

Great book. Large amount of detail on each unit includes camouflage, markings, history etc. Pictures are the real deal, taken by the crews of the tanks. Really good. The colour illustrations are very good reference material as well. Huge irritation though is the continual focus on turret numbering. Picture captions at least should have rather had more information on the happenings of the crew, tank, location or war in general. Instead the captions focus on how big, red/black, unique or whatever the particular numbering is.

A must have for Tiger fans!!!.......2006-08-15

This is THE BOOK for anyone interested in this legendary vehicle.

The paperback copy is a downgrade from the hardback, but the price makes the publication accessible to almost all individuals out there interested in this vehicle.

An Excellent Reference.......2006-07-03

Tigers in Combat, Vol. 1 is an excellent reference for serious scale modellers and for others who have a need for details of German Army Tiger tanks in WW II. The range of photographs is extensive, with many published for the first time. Summaries of individual heavy tank battalion operations throughout the war and details of their organization are invaluable -- especially for the diorama builder. One point of criticism is the treatment of the system of numbers used to identify vehicles in Heavy Tank Battalion 505. This unit used an unique system whereby a mounted knight replaced the German cross on the turrets, and the vehicle numbers were placed on the main guns. This system is explained on page 256 of the book -- company number in large numerals on the gun mantlet, with platoon and tank numbers in smaller type on the gun barrel. However in at least a half-dozen cases elsewhere in the book, photo captions do not follow this rule, thus causing confusion and thereby detracting from an otherwise first class publication.

Encyclopedia of Native American Bows, Arrows & Quivers: Volume 1: Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest

Average customer rating:

Eye Opener
Excellent reference
From an arrow collector
One of a kind, at least for now
A catalog of Native American Bows

Encyclopedia of Native American Bows, Arrows & Quivers: Volume 1: Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest
Steve Allely , and Jim Hamm
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1558219927

Book Description

Beautifully detailed full-page pen-and-ink drawings give dimensions, decorations, and construction details on more than a hundred historic bows, scores of arrows, and two dozen quivers.

Customer Reviews:

Eye Opener.......2007-03-09

This book really opened my eyes. I couldn't put it down for days. I'm still amazed by the high level of workmanship that the Native Americans achieved with these so-called "primitive" weapons. More amazing to me, however, is the realization that there are so many poor quality reproductions on the market...and thanks to this book, I am able to see them for what they are...."ugly" reproductions lacking the artistic, technological, and even spiritual aspects of the originals.

The second book is available (but not on Amazon...for some reason) and I have purchased that one also. It is even better than the first.

Overall, I think that books like this will lead to an appreciation of the art of Native American archery....and for those who think that pictures alone cannot give insights into the construction of these weapons, think again. Anyone who has advanced experience in both woodworking and archery will immediately appreciate this book.

My only question now is why books like this are so rare. Perhaps it is because we are caught up in the "engineering" of archery and not the "art" of archery. Perhaps these weapons are considered "inferior". Perhaps we don't care.....

Excellent reference.......2006-07-24

This is a very useful book for studying tribal or regional designs of bows. Most bows on the market have incorrect or nil provenance on the origin of the bow. This book gives the ethnologist some indication of common characteristics of bow design from the regions listed. If you are looking to build your own bow, Hamm (and others) have different works specifically written for would-be bowyers.

Where is Vol. II ??

From an arrow collector.......2002-05-18

This book, thanks to the very accurate drawings and precise indications (length, diameter, type of wood and fletching, colours indications) have enabled me to duplicate native American arrows with precision. I have often counterchecked the descriptions with some information I have found in museums and found the book very reliable. First pity, there aren't enough photos or colour drawings. Second and most catastrophic pity: why has the publisher apparently given up the idea of publishing the second volume about the Great plains, Columbia and Southwest?

One of a kind, at least for now.......2002-05-17

It is true that this book is not a how-to book, but I think that was the author's intention. What it is, is a much-needed reference work, indeed, it is the first and certainly most up-to-date record of American Indian archery equipment. It's been at least 50 years since a book of this sort has been published. My only objection is that the book does not (cannot?) provide enough context or provenance; this is a minor objection. Perhaps fans of Hamm would be more satisfied with Bows and Arrows of the Native Americans. I'd say the book is directed more towards the ethnographer or anthropologist; however, the book is clearly an invaluable reference for the traditional archer/bowyer (hey, this is a "living" hobby - be creative), as it provides dimensions, materials used, colors, and closeups of designs. Fans of American Indian art in gerneral will also appreciate it. Volume II, which should be available before the end of the year, should be at least as good.

A catalog of Native American Bows.......2001-12-31

I read the two previous reviews, so before buying I exactly knew what to expect.
I received my book a couple of days ago, I really liked it, at least for what it is, a kind of catalog of bows, perfectly drawn, with explanation of wood used, dimensions, and colours.
This on Tribe by Tribe basis.
I'll wait volume 2, about western and Plains Indians.
So, if you are really intrested in Native American bows, this is a book to buy, if you prefer something like a "how to", than the traditional Bowyer's bibles are more fit to what you want. Alberto

Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment

Average customer rating:

On Brassey's Modern Fighters
Good info and photos; sloppy editing
Its not bad
Great text and photographs.
A very good book for the starters in the jetfighter world.

Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment
Mike Spick
Manufacturer: Potomac Books Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Aviation | Military | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 157488462X

Book Description

Brassey's Modern Fighters examines what makes a fighter successful. Using more than 240 detailed photographs and diagrams, Mike Spick gives the reader a detailed technical analysis of some of today's most potent military aircraft. From the Panavia Tornado F.3 to the new F-22 Joint Strike Fighter, explore the present and future of the modern fighter.

Customer Reviews:

On Brassey's Modern Fighters.......2005-06-10

Awesome!!!! Though I'm only 10, accurate photos and easy- to- read text allowed me to learn a lot about fighters.

Good info and photos; sloppy editing.......2002-07-26

This is a worthwhile book for those interested in modern military aviation. Covered here are 16 modern fighters in service - China's J-7 and J-8, Tornado, Mirage 2000, Su-27/35 family, Mig 29, Mig 31, Harrier/AV-8, Eurofighter, Rafael, F-14, F-15, F-16, F-18, Sweden's SAAB-39 Grippen, and Taiwan's IDF, and 4 aircraft in development stage: Sukhoi's S-37 Berkut, JSF's, and F-22. Curiously, among the more fascinating fighters still in development, 3 are not covered here: India's LCA, Japan's F-2, and Russia's Mig 1.44/MFI.

It discusses some newer technologies like stealth, unmanned combat vehicles, laser weapons, and thrust-vectoring (mentioning X-31). Fighter maneuvers and tactics are also covered. Mike Spick does a good job describing each integral part of a modern fighter plane, like the propulsion system, wing aspect ratio, ejection seats, radar, etc. There are nice photos. The charts comparing performances of aircraft are interesting.

The most obvious flaw of this book is very sloppy editing. Typos are abundant. There are some errors, some obviously accidental (e.g., it mentions that Taiwan started IDF development in 1992 -- but it should be 1982 -- in 1992 IDF was well in production and Taiwan had ordered F-16 and Mirage 2000).

Also I wished that Mike Spick could give more subjective views of the aircraft. For example, how is F-16 compared to F-18? Why would an airforce choose one over the other (e.g. Spain, Canada, and Australia all chose F-18 and no F-16). Although he dose give good opinions and comparisons when talking about the Su-27 family.

Overall, still a pretty good book.

Its not bad.......2002-03-30

The book gives you a quick "brief" overview (and I stress brief) in how to read the fighter aircraft specifications; after that you are giving a brief history of "modern" fighter aircraft. There are some errors in the book and the one that really standsout is the image of the F15E in which the caption calls it a F15C as there's a WSO seat back there. F15E are known to fly solo on occassion as the only time when the WSO comes onboard is for A/G training or a real life sortie.

The F-14 or aicraft in the same layout (SU27, Mig29) wing loading isn't correct as even states that the pancake section even lower this data even more but doesn't continue on explaining by how much, which throws the graph in the early chapters out the window.

The top speed data isn't correct as the F-15C has practically the same limit as the F-14.

It's a good book though if you just want to learn something quickly but if you want to learn more, you'll have to look elsewhere. I wasn't pleased with the book as I was hoping to learn more.

Great text and photographs........2001-10-25

The book was absolutely well worth reading. The
photos are great with lots of aerial shots. Text
is easy to read and comprehend, especially for
those who do not know anything about military
aircraft. Anyone interested in fast-jets should
purchase this book as a starter.

A very good book for the starters in the jetfighter world........2001-08-21

A very good book for the ones who want to know more than the basic specification of a fighter.This book will teach you to look at the spec of an aircraft and know what it can and what he cannot do.After reading the first chapters, you'll be able to compare fighter between them.

I again insist on the first chapters since they are the most enlightening on the fighter world.Every basic and more advanced principle is thoroughfully explained with clear illustrations and schematics.However, you don't need the illustrations to understand what the author tries to say, the text is clear and well written.Truly the best book that talks about the overall modern fighter technology.

The only glitch is that it's a bit dated and that fighter technology like computers evolves at great speed.Main trends take more time to change and that's basically the subject of this book.What is date however is the tech datas and deployment history available in the last chapter dealing on each modern jetfighter.Pictures are not very good also and you won't find a non-partial analysis in Spick's words.It's his opinion and he always tend to compare less favourably other designs to their US counterpart.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful pictures.......2001-09-25

This book is a little pricey, but the photographs inside this coffee-table book are incredible. Not the run of the mill technical photos, some of these came from private collections, showing a slice of life in and around these plants.

It's actually kind of fun to take the book out and see how the landscape has changed over the years.

PS- If you are solely looking for technical photos of devices assembly and production areas, you will be disappointed. Get Chuck Hansen's book instead.

this book stinks.......2001-06-06

this book is the worst book i have ever seen in my entire life.

Photographic history depicted in haunting humbleness.......2000-04-26

"Picturing the Bomb" by Rachel Fermi (granddaughter of Nobel Laureate and brilliant Physicist, Enrico Fermi) and Esther Samra is a completely fascinating and often haunting photographical documentary which presents the first images of The Manhattan Project. Many of the pictures are gathered from private collections of people who were actually participating in the secrecy. The book also contains never-before-published, de-classified military images. And, as a perfect complement to the photos, the accompanying text is equally compelling. For those who know the horror of the genie, this is a must for your collection.

A truly fascinating book.......1999-04-03

This book does not just chronichle the making of the Atomic bomb, but it tells the story of the people who made it possible.

What a great book!.......1999-03-21

A nice view of the human side of the Los Alamos Project: It was more than just building a bomb, you know.

Average customer rating:

A short history of warfare
A good book

Weapons: A Pictorial History
Edwin Tunis
Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0801862299

Book Description

Weapons is the rich and exciting story of arms through the ages -- from the first tied stone thrown by prehistoric hunters to the super bombs of today. Illustrated with the unusually detailed and astonishingly realistic drawings of Edwin Tunis, it is a weapon-by-weapon account of human ingenuity in the invention and improvement of arms for defense and offense. The detailed and engaging text is filled with useful information and anecdotes that bring history to life.

Tunis begins with the Stone Age, describing its slings and spears, its axes and bows and arrows, and follows developments through to the Copper and Bronze Ages when chariots, swords, and daggers were first produced. He chronicles the advances of the Iron Age, with its stronger swords, helmets, and complicated siege weapons and describes the changing notions of war throughout the ages. From the highly fortified castles of the Normans to the thermonuclear weapons of today, this remarkable history weapons and the warriors who used them is a treasure trove of lore and information.

Customer Reviews:

A short history of warfare.......2007-06-06

This is the first book I ever picked out for myself at a book fair 46 years ago. I still look at it for a quick refresher on where certain technologies came into play and how weapons technology influenced the battles that shaped Western civilization. A great book for 4th grade and up for a youngster with a curiosity about weapons.
My edition starts with the stone and ends with the atom bomb.

A good book.......2000-04-30

An excellent book for middle school level reports.

Arms and Armor: A Pictorial Archive from Nineteenth-Century Sources (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)

Average customer rating:

Rarely have I seen such quality!
Excellent source for Medieval clip art!

Arms and Armor: A Pictorial Archive from Nineteenth-Century Sources (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)

Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0486285618

Book Description

Over 750 detailed, high-quality illustrations from rare 19th-century sources: suits of armor, chain mail, swords, helmets, knives, crossbows and other implements, along with scenes of battle, soldiers, horses, artillery and more. Especially suitable for projects requiring a medieval or old-fashioned flavor, these illustrations will fill a myriad of needs for battle-related graphic art.

Customer Reviews:

Rarely have I seen such quality!.......2004-11-18

I consider myself fairly picky about the quality of the images I use in my work. These clipart pictures are truly exceptional! Every single image, even the small helmet shots, are of an exceptionally high level of detail. You sometimes feel like the item is right in front of you. At this price, you would not expect the subtle shadings and hatching to be present in the art or print of the book, but they are there, giving the art a sense of depth that I have not found in other publications (even those in full color). This book provides well over 750 high quality clipart images. There are a very few images that are of a far lower detail, and hence, quality level. But that can be excused by the overwhelming achievement of the artist who produced the overall work of this book. For those looking to verbally depict armor or weapons, the value of this book cannot be over stated - it will inspire page after page with its high level of detail and the obvious inspiration of the smiths of history.

Excellent source for Medieval clip art!.......2000-08-06

I publish newsletters for a non-profit organization that re-creates the Middle Ages to educate people about history - the Society for Creative Anachronism. "Arms & Armor" has been an invaluable resource to handsomely illustrate the pages of my newsletters. Dover's copyright on this book allows the use of 10 images per project - which is very generous, considering some other clip art books only allow 4 or 5 per project. Furthermore, the country and century from which the images were cultivated is listed at the bottom of every page. This is immensely helpful for using these images in education. When one of our members writes an article about 16th century German horse armor, I can find an exact image to match his/her description in the article. There is a wide variety of images to choose from, including sketches of helmets, swords, axes, full suits of armor, shields, battle scenes and armor accoutremonts. I have owned this book for three years, and I use it with almost every newsletter issue I publish. I consider it an essential resource for SCA newsletter illustration.

USS New Jersey: WWII to the Persian Gulf (Motorbooks Classic)

Average customer rating:

Good book. Misleading Title

USS New Jersey: WWII to the Persian Gulf (Motorbooks Classic)
Neil Leifer
Manufacturer: Zenith Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Naval | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books

General | Transportation | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Put into mothballs after World War II, the battleship USS New Jersey was pressed into service during the Vietnam War and even went on to serve in the Persian Gulf. This complete construction and combat historya paperback reprint of The USS New Jersey: The Navys Big Guns (087938-285-6)is accompanied by photos depicting its restoration and action in all conflicts.

Customer Reviews:

Good book. Misleading Title.......2002-12-17

Contrary to the title, this book only covers the NJ during its deployment during Lyndon Johnson's War. There is no real coverage of WWII or Reagan era. I believe that the hardcover version of this book had a different title.

As a story of the New Jersey during the 60's, this is a great book. Most books use photographs of the 80's NJ or the WII NJ. This books shows what it was like between these eras (The NJ fired more 16" shells during this deployment than during WWII). There are many excelent photographs.

Average customer rating:

Excellent, unique, and insightful look at tactics and arms.

Good historical description, falters later on

A bit peculiar

The Anthroplogy of Weaponry

O'Connell strikes gold again

Soul of the Sword : An Illustrated History of Weaponry and Warfare from Prehistory to the Present
Robert O'Connell , and John Batchelor
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books
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Of Arms And Men: A History of War, Weapons, and Aggression

Explaining Foreign Policy: U.S. Decision-Making and the Persian Gulf War

A Knight and His Weapons

Weapons: A Pictorial History

A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Countries and in All Times

ASIN: B0006NI3EG

Book Description

A sweeping history of weapons -- their origins and impact on warfare and society -- from prehistory to the present, including

The Halberd

In the 13th century, Swiss confederates relied on lightweight breastplates, halberd lances, and a democratic style of phalanx warfare that succeeded by agility and speed but ultimately failed against powerful cannons and firearms.

The First Hand Cannon

In the 15th century in France and the Low Countries, arms makers first shrunk down cannons by using bronze, allowing for new mobility. Hand cannons were transported on two-wheeled horsedrawn carriages and could be positioned and fired within minutes. No fortified city in Europe was immune to the threat.

The WheeL Lock Pistol

In one of the serendipitous technological borrowings that helped the West dominate in gun development, arms and clock-makers in Germany in the 16th century developed a new firing mechanism, using a serrated wheel to strike iron pyrite. When the fuse was eliminated, guns could suddenly be carried, shot, and reloaded by fast-moving cavalry.

The Pariskanone

First fired by Germany in March 1918, this cannon shelled Paris from a distance of 80 miles, firing shot as high as 24 miles in the air. Although it killed fewer than 260 citizens, the Pariskanone prefigured the constant terror of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent, unique, and insightful look at tactics and arms. .......2005-11-29

Very enjoyable and interesting way of approaching the use and selection of tactics and arms throughout history. Also, very well written and easy to read.

Good historical description, falters later on.......2005-07-15

This book is very informative for the first 200 pages. Then it starts to stumble a bit through weapon evolution in World War Two with the final chapter that over emphasizes the use of guided weapons and smart bombs as great wonder weapons.

This is the biggest change in the book, the first half emphasizes on society and how they used the weapons at hand. The last chapter seemed to emphasize more on technology rather than the method the weapons are used. What good is a precision guided missile if no one is able to identify the target? What good is being able to drop a high explosive bomb if no one is available to secure the ground and hold the objective?

The side bars on various specific weapons are informative, but distracting as they at times pull the reader away from the main topic being explained.

This is a solid book, have read better and far worse. It would have been better if it had stopped after the First World War.

A bit peculiar.......2005-04-16

I applaud the approach to weaponry used in this book. It explores idea that even modern arms systems are subject to cultural and bioligical effects of posturing as well as actual need. While not a new idea, it is one that could use more exposure.

I did have a few issues with the book, however. There are call-out boxes on different topics. These often seem like they were written to 'sell' an idea, rather to just inform; it seemed a bit disjoint and out of place in a history book. Additionally, I found they really broke up reading the main text.

The author writes with great confidence and authority, sometimes more than is warranted; for example, quite early in the book he compares early bows to the English longbow, stating that they were of comparable size and power, then citing what, compared with actual English longbows, are pathetic performance characteristics. The famed longbowmen of England were trained to fire 12 rounds a minute, and certainly had an effective range in the hundreds of yards; O'Connell cites a rate of fire of 6 rounds a minute and a lesser range.

The illustrations are beautiful. I question redrawing some of the historical references, however, as it removes some of the context. Some of the sailing ships, especially, seem to suffer from this treatment. On the other hand, they are GOOD looking, if rigged oddly. Or, in the picture of the British Mark IV tank, is that actually a giant fascine on top of the tank? I suspect it would have been more obvious in the original drawing or photograph.

The Anthroplogy of Weaponry.......2003-08-03

"Soul of the Sword" is a highly readable history about the development and use of weaponry from prehistory to modern times. But O'Connell's book is less about the weapons themselves than it is about how, why and when human beings develop and use those weapons.

The book is filled with interesting little insights and "aha!" moments that make it a pleasure to read. For example, historians are fairly certain that prehistoric towns were beset by warfare. Catal Hutuk in Turkey was fortified, and its ruins include flint daggers, baked clay sling balls and mace heads. O'Connell explains that maces were the first weapons designed mainly for killing other people--the mace is not especially useful for hunting animals, many of which are capable of withstanding such blows and are more easily brought down with pointed weapons. But maces were perfect for cracking poorly protected human skulls, at least until the helmet was invented. Unlike spears and arrows, then, maces are unambiguous evidence that people began to make war on each other almost as soon as they had established "civilization".

O'Connell describes many subsequent revolutions in weapons and tactics, from arrows and maces to the phalanx to the Pershing II missile. Along the way, it becomes obvious that warriors are a fairly conservative lot--highly effective weapons, such as cannon, rifles, heavy artillery, and machine guns--are for centuries or decades ignored or poorly deployed not because they didn't work, but because they changed the rules of the game.

Having said all this, O'Connell seems to be cautiously optimistic about humanity's ability to put aside war. He suggests that organized warfare (as opposed to homicide, which will always be with us) emerged along with settled agriculture. He argues that war is not "instinctive," and that there is thus some hope that advanced democracies can create an environment in which war is no longer a fact of human existence. This is a consummation devoutly to be wished--if the ingenuity used to design weapons and tactics had been devoted instead to peaceful pursuits, the world would be a much nicer place to live in.

O'Connell strikes gold again.......2003-06-14

Dr. Robert O'Connell, author of Of Arms and Men (1989), has written another excellent book on the history of weapons and warfare with Soul of the Sword. Running to nearly 400 pages, it covers all the major weapon developments on land, sea, and air from the spear to nuclear weapons. All the great classics are here, such as the Trireme, the Gladius, Composite bows, Wheel lock pistols, the Brown Bess .78 caliber flintlock, Ships-of-the-line, Enfield 1853 rifle, Dreadnoughts, Gatling guns, the Sopwith Camel, the Flak 88mm, the T-34, V series rockets - and much more. Very detailed illustrations are also included. A nice touch are the occasional vignettes that accompany the main text, describing little known battles, incidents, or weapons that are of special historical significance, neatly summarized on a page or less. For example, who has heard of the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 with a fleet of ironclads 250 years before the Monitor and CSS Virginia fought in the Chesapeake Bay? Or the fact that the Ferguson breech loading flintlock proved itself ready for battle when the British used 100 of them at Brandywine Creek in 1777 but was never widely adopted?

As with Of Arms and Men, O'Connell is concerned with the heavy influence that culture has exercised on weapon design and employment. He points out numerous historical cases where a new deadly weapon was invented only to be suppressed or discouraged by the reigning military establishment (Spencer repeating rifles, explosive-filled shells before 1850, etc).

The only minor distractions are the lack of full-page color pictures for this illustrated volume and O'Connell's tendency to come up with cute chapter titles that do not help the reader know where he is chronologically.

In short, this volume will make a nice companion to the other classic works I am proud to display on my library shelf devoted to the general history of weapons and warfare - Brodie's From Crossbow to H-Bomb, Dupuy's The Evolution of Weapons and Warfare, Van Creveld's Technology and War, and O'Connell's own Of Arms and Men.

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