Product Description

Marking the ongoing efforts to recover the 136-year-old wreck of the USS Monitor, The Mariners' Museum presents a lavishly illustrated commemorative volume of the renowned Civil War ironclad's past and present.

The short, fabled life of the USS Monitor began on January 30, 1862, at Green Point, Brooklyn, New York, and ended on December 31 of that same year, when the legendary Civil War ironclad sank in 230 feet of water off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Serving on the Monitor -- where engines and living space lay completely below the waterline and the iron deck rose a scant eighteen inches above it -- was like no other duty in the U.S. Navy.

The Monitor Chronicles brings shipboard experience to life through the words of Civil War sailor George S. Geer, whose never-before-published letters home to his beloved wife, Martha, faithfully chronicle the events of that dramatic year. Like many men of his station, George Geer had joined Abraham Lincoln's navy less to help save the Union than to earn money and learn a reliable trade, so his accounts are unflinchingly honest -- at times colored by the bravado of a man at war, at others tinged with the pathos of a man in danger and far from home.

When, on the morning of March 9, 1862, the Monitor and the CSS Virginia fought the first battle between ironclad warships, Geer recalled,"I often thought of you and the little darlings when the fight was going on and what should become of you should I be killed....But I should have no more such fears as our ship resisted everything they could fire at her as though they were spit balls." Whether he sweated in the searing heat or simply waited while the Monitor danced a strategic minuet with the enemy, his words confirm and amplify the proud legacy of the vessel whose very existence brought an end to the era of wooden warships.

On January 2, 1863, Geer reported, "I am sorry to have to write you that we have lost the Monitor." He survived, but sixteen men were lost in a raging sea that seemed to have claimed the ship for eternity. But the story told in The Monitor Chronicles doesn't end there. The book captures a piece of living history, as men and machines attempt to recover the wreck even as it begins to succumb to the elements after 136 years on the ocean floor. Because The Mariners' Museum serves as the official repository of the USS Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, readers will be treated to spectacular underwater views of the Monitor, as well as to an unprecedented look at the salvage efforts. Although more than a century has passed since the ship itself sailed into history, The Monitor Chronicles provides not only a fresh, uniquely intimate view of the Monitor's fateful year as the world's first iron warship but also a provocative glimpse of her uncertain future.Amazon.com Review
Though her career was brief, the legendary Civil War ironcladthe U.S.S.Monitor helped change the face of navalwarfare. The Monitor Chronicles tells the story of the "180feet of iron"--and some of the great battles of the Civil War--throughthe eyes of one of her seamen, George Geer.

Geer first stepped aboard the Monitor in February 1862, as anewly minted first-class fireman. Like many Northerners, Geer joinedthe army less out of a desire to preserve the Union--or free theslaves--than to learn a reliable trade. That said, he performed hisduties admirably, earning two promotions in under a year. He alsoproved an admirable correspondent, sending dozens of letters to hisbeloved wife, Martha, during the ten and a half months theMonitor was afloat. These letters describe in detail what lifewas like aboard the ironclad--from poor rations to poor ventilation,and from the excitement of battle to the boredom when the shipremained still. In a letter written aboard a rescue vessel, Geer alsodescribed the final hours of the ironclad as she sank in stormy season December 30, 1862. Combined with dozens of evocative illustrations,Geer's letters provide historians with a fascinating glimpse insidethe Monitor. The Monitor Chronicles also containsinformation on the fate of the ship in the 140 years since she sankand the ongoing campaign to recover her. Essential reading for CivilWar buffs.--Sunny Delaney ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An O.K. book
The biggest disapointment is that Greer does not write about the most interesting parts of the Monitor's history: the trip down to Hampton roads and the battle with the Virginia. It is about his shipboard life which details his illnesses and money making schemes to augment his pay which was not paid out to him in full causing financial hardship at home. Mostly of interest for its insights into a sailor's life, less so for info on the Monitor. It's a decent book to supplement other info on the Monitor but not the book to get if you get only one.

Almost a Great Book
The Mariner's Museum has done a commendable job in putting together such an attractive collection of letters from Monitor sailor George Geer to his wife.Through his eyes, we see a more human perspective on the Civil War and the famous battle between the Monitor and the C.S.S. Virginia than is available through most other sources.However, at times this perspective is altogether too human, as Geer devotes page after page of his letters to more mundane esoterica such as selling merchandise to his fellow crew members.The Mariner's Museum also used the needlessly repetitive and districting format style of putting some of the very same passages from Geer's letters in text, in bold, oversize text, and/or in actual illustrations of Geer's letters -- as a result, the reader constantly finds himself/herself reading duplicate passages.I also felt a little short-changed by the brevity of the discussion on the current state of the Monitor wreck and the plans for its future recovery and conservation.A few more illustrations of the wreck itself, and a few less of Geer's letters, would have been welcome.Other than these quibbles, it was a very enjoyable and informative look at a revolutionary ship through the eyes of someone who was there when history was made at Hampton Roads.

Great Book
An interesting information source for life aboard the Monitor. There aren't alot of books out there about the ship, and I think this book was very interesting and needed. Also George Geer's actual letters are veryinteresting to read, as he tells everything that happened aboard the ship. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
Take a tour that follows the military movements through the Champlain Valley region and allows you to relive history.

Fort Ticonderoga, Saratoga, Fort William Henry, Crown Point, Plattsburgh, Bennington, and Valcour Island all lie along the ancient warpath that is the Champlain Corridor. In this lively and informative new travel guide to historic places and events, the authors lead you to each venue, describing the events and their long-lasting impact. The Champlain Valley is one of the most historically rich regions of the country. It saw decisive military actions in the French and Indian Wars (1754-1763), the American Revolution (1775-1783), and the War of 1812 (1812-1814). In 1864, a band of Confederate raiders attacked St. Albans, Vermont, in the northernmost battle of the Civil War.

Trace the military maneuvers of the two battles of Saratoga that insured American independence. Follow the complex naval and land strategy of the decisive War of 1812 battle at Plattsburgh, New York. Visit an Underground Railroad stop in Vermont. Find the little bay where Benedict Arnold beached his battered fleet after fighting the British at Valcour Island. Walk a little-known peninsula where 10,000 American troops turned back a British invasion in 1776. All these adventures and more await you with Guns over the Champlain Valley. 50 black & white photographs, 1 map, index . ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

guns over the champlain valley
a must book for history buffs living in new england. there were things happening in places outside of the mass. during the founding of our country. an excellent travel guide!

The military in the Champlain Valley
I didn't read this book per se, but did look at the illustrations which were very good.Relied on what Amazon said about it.Knew it was good and belonged in our Special Collections unit at the local college.They were very pleased to get it. ... Read more

Product Description
Drawing upon official documents and contemporary narratives, the author has written a fascinating account of the Red River Expeditions, bringing a fresh perspective to the story of Louis Reil in Manitoba, the Fenian Raid of 1871, and the military history of the Canadian federation. Any person interested in the history of Canada's armed forces or early Manitoba, will find this profusely illustrated and well-written book a source of new and fascinating information and definition. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

A spectacular view on history
I purchased this book,because I wanted to learn more about the museum and historic planes that are currently at the museum. It gives a great overview of the museum and what it was really like during World War II and the Korean War. I would recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of buying it.I give it an A+. ... Read more

Product Description
Top Secret is definitely not the right word for the International Spy Museum—its launch in 2002 made news and it has been high-profile ever since, with attendance growing by leaps and bounds. The International Spy Museum Handbook of Practical Spying has already been declassified to the delight of those in the need-to-know. Now, following up on that success, here's an illustrated biographical who's who of spydom from biblical days to recent times. I Lie for a Living is a regular rogue's gallery of history's most accomplished intriguers and intelligence operatives, famous and infamous alike.

It's amazing how colorful some of these characters are, like 16th century playwright, brawler and secret agent Christopher Marlow or Virginia Hall and Josephine Baker, femmes fatales both. Organized into ten thematic chapters, this light-hearted but clear-eyed look at lone-wolf moles, double agents, and intricate triple-crosses unmasks a wide-ranging roster from covert patriots whose unheralded heroism sometimes cost them their lives to mercenary traitors for sale to the highest bidder, like Benedict Arnold or Aldrich Ames.

It's a for-your-eyes-only kind of book, so beware—if you don't watch your back it's a sure bet someone will be reading it over your shoulder. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

poor bibliography, no index, prior knowledge required
I spotted this on the non-fiction shelf in my local library teen room and thought "Yeah, that's a book a teen boy would pick up." Being a few decades removed I can still tap into my inner teen boy. I picked it up without a seconds worth of hesitation.

But what a disappointment.

It's a smartly designed book, very contemporary graphics, layout and typeface, very much in step with what attracts a younger reader. It's also in keeping with the style of the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C. which is very interactive and modern as single-subject museums go.

After a brief intro about the long history of international spying we jump into chapters where spies are grouped by like: those who did it for the money, master spies, double agents, femmes fatales, and so on. Each of the spies get a full page photo or illustration and one-to-three pages about their lives as spies. And there are a lot of spies in this book. Easily half I've never heard of, most are single-page treatments (generally the non-Americans get short shrift) and they read like much longer entries that have been edited to within an inch of their lives. Many of the bios assume a large amount of understood history -- for example the bio of Allen Dulles, first civilian head of the CIA, assumes knowledge of The Bay of Pigs invasion and why it failed.

While the format of short bios on the subject of spying makes attractive reading for boys, and there's a lot of background stuffed into the pages, the book overall serves as little more than a jumping off point for further investigation in other books. Books, it should be noted, which aren't listed in the back of the book; the bibliography, such as it is, suggests books for further reading from which some of the information was drawn but it is woefully inadequate for a book that handles its information so loosely.

I've been to The International Spy Museum and they do a nifty thing where you pick up a dossier for a spy when you enter, follow their progress along the way through the exhibits, and in the end learn their ultimate fate. It ties the exhibits together, gives you a narrative to hold onto, makes you pay closer attention than you might if you were merely drifting through the space. It's too bad they couldn't bring some of that innovation to this book.

Good quick, easy read.
Very interesting and informative. Good for bathroom, car, or wherever you may need some quick stories to pass a few idle minutes or as a coffee table book to stimulate engaging conversation.

Each chapter (biographical profile) is 2-4 pages long and the book contains about 60 profiles. ... Read more

Product Description
Since that windy day in 1903 when the Wright brothers became airborne, the world has witnessed amazing advances in aviation and space flight. Among the highlights of this definitive pictorial review are the Wright brothers' flyer, Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, the first airplane to circumnavigate the globe and much more. Full-color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Better than one hundred rolls of film.
"Treasures of the National Air and Space Museum" beautifully capture the best this vibrant museum has to offer.The 300 illustrations are an homage to aviation history:the famous aircraft, experimentalvehicles and the obscure vessels.The illustrations include the Spirit ofSt. Louis, the Wright Flyer, Mercury and Apollo backup spacecraft,representative cutting edge aircraft for their time, and a host of otherwonderful photographs.

The museum also owns an impressive collection ofaviation-related art which this book also includes.

You can spend days inthe actual museum and not get to see all it offers, but this book will giveyou a head start and an appreciation for the breadth of the museum'scollection. ... Read more

Product Description
Despite the world's fascination with WWII, no single guidebook exists to lead travelers to the conflict's various battle sites scattered throughout the globe. Many of these sites are easy to visit, and many also happen to be near some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, making this an indispensable guide for war buffs and casual travelers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

must have for WW II enthusiasts
we visited alot of the locations in/around Netherlands, Western Germany and Belgium. The side locations listed are great ... you never would have found the foxholes near Bastogne without this book. Invaluable for locations/museums listed without English translations.

Perfect for those who want to, but can't travel to see these sites ...
My yearning to visit the World War II battlefields of Europe and the Pacific has existed since i was 13 (30 years ago).The reality of life is that the likelihood of me ever actually visiting these places anytime soon is slim (thanks to the economy).Then, there is the dilemma of which sites to visit when factoring the amount of travel time available (as well as money).This is where i find these books (both the European and Pacific volumes) extremely valuable.

My inexperience with international travel does not allow me to make a credible evaluation of these books as travel guide. However, I can express how they provide a satisfyingly comprehensive taste as to what is available to see for those who can't actually visit these interesting places.Unlike most travel guides I've encountered, these aren't tedious and boring.They provide a tremendous amount of detail about what is available to see and why people may want to see it.Each listed site starts with a brief, but informative historical narrative, followed by a synopsis of how the locality exists today, a map of the general area that pinpoints of significant sites within the area (museums, memorials, foxholes, etc.).There is, of course, the expected general travel information (accommodation, dining and transportation details).Additionally, a small portfolio is located in the center of each book with color pictures of the 25 locations.

The 25 sites in each book are "ranked" according to the author's opinion and the areas of interest located at each site are "rated" by the author:5 stars - "a must see" ... down to 1 star.I did not interpret the author's rankings as influential, but useful in organizing the various locations in an easy-to-digest manner.

Obviously, not every battlefield is represented in these books, but the author did very well in providing the most compelling places to visit, as well as dedicating a section at the end of each volume to "other areas of interest".

For a non-traveler, like me, who wants to see these places, but can't ... these travel guides should fill that void or motivate you to actually plan a trip.I have not found any other source better at presenting a "then-and-now" perspective of so many World War II locales.If and when I do get the opportunity to visit these places, I'll definitely use these books.But, for now, I am content with having them as a resource in my library.

A must for WW2 buffs or novices
My husband and I are stationed in Germany.He was so excited to learn that a book like this existed (dismayed he couldnt buy it at his local bookstore!) and was a little kid when it arrived.He's planning MWR trips for our fellow soldiers/families to learn/see more of historical WW2 sites.This book does not put itself out as a historical writing, only one that has coordinated and organized WW2 sites in such a way that a novice or buff can find the sites and learn more.While it ranks the sites (Holocaust sites are not ranked as they could never be stratified against another historical moment in time) it does so based on the ability of one to find the site, location, physical identifiers and the learning possibilities of that site.They do amplify the travel elements with historical facts for the reader to further support their choices.

Great book!

A perfect companion guide for planning or taking a trip to Europe to see WWII sites
When I have visited Civil War battlefields from Gettysburg to Shiloh I have brought along the respective volumes from the Time-Life Civil War series as a convenient way of recalling what happened.While nowhere as nearly profusely illustrated, Chuck Thompson has put together an excellent guide to "The 25 Best World War II Sites: European Theater" for those who are traveling to the Continent and want to see the best sites.This holds true whether they are brought by memories of serving in World War II, to see where relatives fought during the war, or simply to see the realities behind movies like "The Longest Day" or "Saving Private Ryan" (in fact, Thompson makes a point of referencing dramatizations like "Band of Brothers" and other standard WWII fare).

The goal of this guide is to direct travelers in Europe to those places of greatest importance interest with regards to World War II.Thompson's subjective rankings were determined by judging sites on the basic of three equally weighted qualities: (1) their historical significance; (2) the amount and quality of relics or points of interest remaining at a given site; and (3) the merits of each site as a travel destination, its services, natural beauty and general desirability independent of its association with the war.Consequently, Stalingrad and the Battle of the Bulge make the cut whereas Dieppe and Dunkirk do not, with London, Paris and Rome having an inherent advantage over locales that are not cosmopolitan capitals.

The results of this tabulation is as follows: (1) Normandy I: Utah, Omaha Beaches; (2) Normandy II: Gold, Juno, Sword Beaches; (3) London; (4) Auschwitz-Birkenau; (5) Bastogne: Battle of the Bulge I; (6) Belgium/Luxembourg: Battle of the Bulge II; (7) Pas de Calais; (8) Berlin; (9) Washington, D.C.; (10) South Coast of England; (11) Cassino; (12) Paris; (13) Moscow; (14) Normandy III: The Breakout; (15) Munich; (16) Nuremberg; (17) East Anglia; (18) Volgograd (Stalingrad); (19) Norway; (20) Netherlands: Operation Market-Garden; (21) Rome; (22) Remagen/Eifel Region; (23) Anzio; (24) Kursk; and (25) Auxiliary Sites, which lists everything from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam to the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, with the likes of Hitler's birthplace, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, the Maginot Line, Berchtesgarden, the Medinat el-Alamein War Museum and the Treblinka Concentration Camp in between.This last chapter is arranged by country, so if you happen to be in the Balkans, Finland, Italy, Malta, or pretty much any other European nation, Thompson gives you an indication of what there is to see.

For each of these sites Thompson lists the individual points of interest in the area, provides detailed histories and maps of the sites, and gives direction to everything from monuments and city museums to landing beaches and battlefields.The points of interested are rated from ***** (major site, must visit) to * (only if you have time or special interest), although Thompson wisely refrains from rating Holocaust sites.He also emphasizes in his introduction that these ratings are not meant to judge the relative importance of a battle or of the lives lost there, but to indicate the relative value to a tourist.He also provides an interesting perspective by noting that a visitor will notice that nations like England and Russia weave the mythology of the historic conflict into their national identities in decidedly different ways.However, the main concern here is the utility of this guide for visitors to any of these cites.

For example, in the first chapter devoted to the Utah and Omaha beaches in Normandy, we begin with a description of what happened there during the war year (with a short list of sources and other readings), and a map showing 21 numbered sites.After a brief description of Normandy Today, Thompson goes through those 21 sites, where the Utah Beach/Museum, Point du Hoc/Range Memorial, National Guard Memorial/Bunkers, Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, and U.S. 1st Division Monument/Omaha Beach are the five-star rated sites.Cherbourg is listed as one of the Related Sites Beyond Utah and Omaha, while the Bayeux Tapestry is one of the Other Area Attractions.Thompson also covers Getting To/Around Normandy and Accommodations in the area (e.g., Hotel Du Juin 6).

There are several pages of color photographs included to give you an idea of what there is to see, including the Fuhrer's rostrum at Nuremberg, Patton's grave in Luxembourg, Longues Battery at Normandy, the Gate of Death at Auschwitz-Birkenaur, and the Flour Mill in Volgograd.The number of people who will have the opportunity to see most of these sites is going to be relatively small, but even if all you get to see are a handful of sites in various locations, this is still a worthwhile investment.It can also help you determine what you should see, both in terms of desire and opportunity (for example, getting to Poland to see Auschwitz-Birkenaur might be impractical, but there are, of course, camps throughout eastern Europe, from Dachau west of Munich and Bergen-Belsen outside Bergen to Natzweiler-Struthof in France.

The chapter on Washington, D.C. does show that there are some things to see on this side of the Atlantic, but also speaks to the utility of a European visitor coming here to see World War II related sites as well.Yes, there is a companion volume for "The 25 Best World War II Sites: Pacific Theater" by Thompson, which obviously covers a larger area geographically.But it should provide the same level of utility as this book.

A Must for History Buffs
Being stationed overseas has allowed us to travel quite a bit.There's much more out there than we thought!Definitely a good book to help you find WWII sites!
--Vicki Landes, author of "Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal" ... Read more

Product Description
This valuable directory contains a wealth of data on the history of aviation and attempts, for the first time, to identify every aircraft manufacturer and designer and every aircraft produced. This indispensable reference book is a comprehensive guide to the sheer number and variety of aircraft produced in the last hundred years.

The directory has thousands of entries with, for each manufacturer or designer, the names of all the classes of aircraft produced (powered fixed wing, unpowered fixed wing, powered rotor rotor-craft and unpowered-rotor rotor-craft). Entries are cross-referenced and brief histories of important companies have been added to enable the researcher to chart mergers, closures, and name changes. Significant nicknames and code names are also detailed. This valuable and unique book presents a vast, official array of data in an accessible form and is an essential reference book for any aviation enthusiast. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Exactly what it claims to be . . .
This directory, according to the introduction, is a byproduct of the effort to reorganize "a century's worth of aviation documents" in the National Air and Space Museum files. The result is an alphabetical listing of some 5,000 manufacturers/designers which have produced roughly 25,000 discrete types or models of piloted aircraft, about which NASM presumably has some information. For example, "Ferguson, Charles J. (California)" is listed has having designed/produced the "Ferguson Glider".Likewise, some 60 iterations of the basic C-130 Hercules design are listed under "Lockheed (Burbank, CA)". However, this book is exactly what the title suggests--a directory. You'll find no further information about the Ferguson glider or any of the many Hercules variants between the prototype YC-130 and the latest AC-130U.

What you will find are very brief histories of those companies (Lockheed among them) which have been transformed over the years through mergers, name changes, and so forth. This can help the serious researcher unravel some of the complex "arrangements" that have been made in the aircraft business over the years, particularly concerning companies that have long since ceased to exist. As would be expected in a work of this type, there are also some bits of what might best be described as aeronautical trivia. On page 253 is listed "Schmuck Aircraft (See: Monarch)".

The last 65 pages consist of another alphabetical listing of aircraft by name. Thus we find that the "ABC Glider" was produced by Schultz and the "Zwergreiher (Heron)" is the name given to the Burgfalke Lo 100.

In summary, this directory will no doubt serve as a useful guide to those fortunate enough to actually access the NASM files, and hopefully it will soon be found on the reference shelves of most libraries. It will also be helpful to someone who's trying to figure out what company built the "Gnu", for example, but bear in mind that to find anything ABOUT the thousands of aircraft listed here, you'll have to keep looking. ... Read more

Product Description
47 b/w photos12 maps6 x 9
* Guide to 35 battle sites and memorials
* Full history of each location

From the French and Indian War to the Civil War, Pennsylvania was often the setting for bloody battles and other important military events. The names reverberate through American history: Fort Necessity, Brandywine, Valley Forge, Lake Erie, Gettysburg. This book is a travel guide to these sites and more, outlining what originally happened at each location, describing what tourists see today, and providing general visitor information, such as hours, admission fees, directions, and special events.

Arthur P. Miller Jr. served on the editorial staff of the National Geographic Society from 1958 to 1974 and was a director of public affairs for the National Park Service from 1974 to 1988. Marjorie L. Miller was an administrator for the American Red Cross for many years. The Millers live in Wayne, Pennsylvania ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A fiting tribute to Veterans
Signifies how often,how hard & how many fought,died....in Penn's Woods...& in foreign wars. An ommssion is Eldred,PA's WW-II Museum, Box- 273,Eldred16731East of Erie, & south of Buffalo NY. ... Read more

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Invented during World War I to break the grim deadlock of the Western Front trenches, tanks went on to revolutionize warfare. From the lightning Blitzkrieg assaults of World War II, to the great battles in the Middle Eastern desert, tanks have become one of the key components of the 'combined arms' philosophy of the modern battlefield. This pocket guide makes accessible to 'rivetheads' everywhere essential information to identify 40 of history's most fearsome tanks, including Germany's Tiger, Russia's T-34, America's Sherman and Panther, and France's FT-17. Each tank is presented with a detailed drawing to aid recognition. ... Read more

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Chapters: Lebanese Armed Forces, Lebanese Air Force, Lebanese Navy, Army of the Levant, Lebanese Military Museum, Rayak Air Base, International Rankings of Lebanon, Rene Mouawad Air Base, Ministry of National Defense, Mohammad Zgheib Military Base, Beirut Air Base, Wujah Al Hajar Air Base, Beirut Naval Base. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 73. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) (Arabic: al-Quwwat al-Musallaha al-Lubnaniyya) is the military of the Republic of Lebanon. It consists of three branches, the army, the air force and the navy. The motto of the Lebanese Armed Forces is "Honor, Sacrifice, Loyalty" (Arabic: " · · " - Sharaf.Tadhia.Wafa). The Lebanese Armed Forces Emblem consists of a Lebanon Cedar tree surrounded by two laurel leaves, positioned above the symbols of the three branches: the ground forces represented by the two swords, the navy represented by an anchor, and the air force represented by two wings. The Lebanese Armed Forces' primary missions include defending Lebanon and its citizens against external aggression, maintaining internal stability and security, confronting threats against the country's vital interests, engaging in social development activities and undertaking relief operations in coordination with public and humanitarian institutions. The LAF consists of 72,100 active personnel with the ground forces consisting of approximately 70,000 troops, the air force consisting of about 1,100 personnel and another 1,000 in the navy. All three branches are operated and coordinated by LAF Command, which is located in Yarzeh, east of Lebanon's capital, Beirut. Currently the LAF is ranked 6th in the world in terms of growth, with the number of military personnel doubling over the period between 1985 to 2000. The country has six military ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=17779 ... Read more

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Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Fort Washita - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia West barracks in 1975France was the first European power to claim the region Fort Washita lies within. La Salle explored the Mississippi River in 1682 and claimed all the lands it drained for France. After the Seven Years' War France ceded the area to Spain. France regained the area with the Treaty of San Ildefonso in 1800. The United States purchased the area from France in 1803 with the Louisiana Purchase. The Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819 fixed a portion of the border between the United States and New Spain as the Red River. Eager to gain access to the lands of the Five Civilized Tribes in the southern United States the Federal government passed the Indian Removal Act into law on May 26, 1830. The first of the Indians to be removed, the Choctaws, signed the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek on September 27, 1830 effectively ceding their native lands in Mississippi and Alabama to the United States in exchange for lands in the Indian Territory. After traveling on the Choctaw Trail of Tears the Choctaws settled in the new Choctaw Nation, the southern part of the Indian Territory bordering the Red River. The Cross Timbers, a thick line of nearly impassable trees and brush running from north to south, created an effective east-west barrier separating the flat, dry lands inhabited by the plains Indians to the west from the rolling prairies to the east where the Five Civilized Tribes were locating. These indigenous tribes included the Commanches, Wichita, Caddoes, and Kiowa. They occasionally threatened the removed tribes with raids. The Choctaws mostly settled in the eastern part of their territory since the western end was less secure against raids from the plains Indians, and they had protection from ... More: http://booksllc.net/?id=15323431 ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Soldiers and Sailors National Military Museum and Memorial is a National Register of Historic Places landmark in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the largest memorial in the United States dedicated solely to honoring all branches of military veterans and service personnel.It was conceived by the Grand Army of the Republic in the 1890s as a way for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to honor the dwindling ranks of its American Civil War veterans. The Memorial today represents all branches of the service and honors both career and citizen soldiers who have served the United States throughout its history.Architect Henry Hornbostel designed the memorial in 1907. Dedicated in 1910, the building is in the Beaux-Arts style and is heroic in scale. It is located in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh at 4141 Fifth Avenue (although the walkway leading to its main entrance is signed as "Matthew Ridgway Blvd." in honor of the WWII and Korean ConflictStreet. ... Read more