Product Description
Harlo J. "Jack" Sheppard went overseas in World War II as the motor officer with the 712th Tank Battalion. When Captain James Cary was wounded by a booby trap on the battalion's first day in combat, Sheppard took his place as commanding officer of the battalion's Company C. The company had three platoons of five medium Sherman tanks, as well as its own maintenance section.On his sixth day as company commander, July 10, 1944, Sheppard filled in for an injured tank commander during the battle for Hill 122 in Normandy. A shell struck his tank in the gunner's periscope two feet from where Sheppard stood with his head outside the turret. He was patched up in an aid station and made it through the rest of the battalion's 11 months in combat, minus a week in the hospital for "battle fatigue." He re-enlisted after the war, was in Germany during the Berlin airlift, and also served in Korea.Aaron Elson interviewed Jack Sheppard in 1993 for his first book, "Tanks for the Memories: The 712th Tank Battalion in World War II."A couple of years earlier, Jack began writing a memoir because his children kept asking him to put down the events of his life, "especially what happened during the war."During the interview, Elson read from the memoir into my tape recorder, and Jack kept interrupting and elaborating.The interview spanned two days, and filled five 90-minute audiocassettes and about 20 minutes of a sixth. Jack Sheppard spent 11 months in combat as a company commander, re-enlisted and became a motor officer in a tank battalion during the Korean War. He stayed in the Army and was in Germany during the Berlin Airlift.This five-hour, five-CD audiobook gives an intimate look into the decisions of a company commander during World War II. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Who kills by sword, dies from sword
I read this short, easy to read and full of photos book, here in Brazil.All photos are black & white photos.This book is a good introduction, about Waffen-SS.
Among the best(in fighting) and also worst(in human rights) soldiers in human history, Waffen-SS were the Hitler's last hope.
About the massive murder and slave-labour of surredered Waffen-SS when they became POW(prisioneers of war) , even when the surrendered to americans or britons(and were soon delivered for free, to soviets), this book is weak. ... Read more

Product Description
While it took the demands of two World Wars to bringaviation into acceptance by the general public, it was a relativehandful of engineers, entrepreneurs, and pilots who positioned thetechnology and resources necessary to make aviation one of thedeciding factors in ending World War II. This book attempts toilluminate some of the historically significant technical developmentsthat were incorporated into World War II aircraft engines thatdirectly contributed to the execution and tactics of the war.

Although numerous books have been published on all of the more common World War II aircraft and several books have been published on engines, rarely have the two been brought together.

Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II offers an interesting look at the technology that was so important to eventual Allied victory. The book is organized into separate sections on British and U.S. aircraft piston engines. Aircraft engines detailed in the book include: Rolls-Royce - Merlin, Griffon, Peregrine, Vulture; Bristol - Poppet Valve Engines, Mercury, Pegasus,Sleeve Valve Engines, Hercules, Taurus, Centaurus; Napier - Rapier, Dagger, Sabre; General Electric Turbosuperchargers; Pratt and Whitney - R-1340 Wasp, R-985 Wasp Jr., R-1535 Twin Wasp Jr., R-1830 Twin Wasp,R-2000, R-2800 Double Wasp, R-4360 Wasp Major; Allison - V-1710, V-3420; and Wright Aeronautical Corporation -R-1820 Cyclone, R-2600 Cyclone 14, R-3350 Cyclone 18, R-4090.

This book also includes chapters on: Aircraft Engine Requirements(fuels, charge heating, radiator development, lubrication, and more);and Hyper Activity and Other Near Misses.

An enjoyable, informative book for aeronautical engineers, aircraft enthusiasts, WWII veterans and buffs, and historians. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

The Bible of Allied Piston Aero Engines in WWII
This is in NO WAY being disrespectful of the Holy Bible, but on my bedside table there are two books that are always there:The Holy Bible and Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II.Other books, magazines, etc come and go on my bedside table, but these two are always there (unless I'm reading one of them at the time!).

I have had the book since June, 1996 (I don't memorize such things, but "6/96" IS written inside the cover by me!) and it has been used for my own personal knowledge, and to win a few bets!

It was expensive, as far as books go, but it's worth every penny.

One of a kind!
I haven't found another reference on WWII aircraft engines so I don't have anything to compare it to, so it is one of a kind!Excellent detail on all of the engines used, history of development, aircraft they were in, nice photos and blueprints.Pricey but worth it IMHO.

Automotive... in war.
A must also for automotive and racing engineers. The roots of actual racing engines and technology... 60 years ago.

too expensive
This book has been highly touted, but does not live up to its hype.Any number of books are as interesting, and much cheaper."A History of Aircraft Piston Engines" (Smith) comes to mind, as well as many of the books by Bill Gunston.Don't buy this book without seeing it first.For the same money you can get two or three other books that will together contain much more information.However, it is a very good one-volume source on the subject.

"Allied Aircraft Piston Engines" solid work that fills important niche in WW2 aviation history
While there are hundreds if not thousands of books devoted to World War II military aviation, only a handful cover with any detail the critically important aspect of aero engine development.This is one of the few books available on this topic and Graham White generally does a good job covering in detail the principal (as well as obscure) British and American aircraft engines.White begins his book by describing some of the challenges faced by aircraft piston engine designers before diving headlong into the specific histories and technical aspects of key British and American engines.His descriptions of each engine are highly technical and he displays his talents as an engineer and mechanic in terms of his detailed description of engine parts and systems.White also brings us back to the bigger picture with vivid descriptions of the personalities who played a role in the design and manufacture of each engine as well as descriptions of the aircraft that used them.

White admits that by only covering British and American (as opposed to Axis) engines he is only telling "half" of the aircraft engine story, and one hopes that White chooses to take up the challenge of telling this other half in a future second book.In the meantime, some areas where White's book falls short include a much-needed glossary explaining the terminology he uses for those aviation buffs and historians not steeped in the field of engineering or engine mechanics.Furthermore in some cases White's descriptions of World War II aircraft can be found in sources elsewhere or are simply inaccurate-he should have stuck with what he knows well by focusing on the technical aspects of how each engine related to a particular aircraft rather than waste space discussing each aircraft's development and operational histories.Finally White's conclusion-a tirade against 21st century corporate capitalism-is too opinionated and frankly out of place in a work of this nature.

Despite these small flaws White's book remains one of the few available authoritative sources on the topic of aircraft piston engines, and is an important acquisition for anyone interested in World War II military aviation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent, concise and usefull introduction about panzers
I read this book here in Brazil.This book is short, concise and has many photos.All photos are black & white photos.This book is also unbiased.Don't wait an anti-nazist or a pro-nazist propaganda.If you want something short, concise and correct, about panzer divisions, this book really is an excellent introduction.If you want details, about Panzer divisions, please choose another book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Okinawa battle in a short, concise and easy book
I read this book, here in Brazil.This book is an introduction, about this battle.I'm an agronomist, not an expert about military history.For me, this book is concise, short and correct.About Okinawa battle,in 1945, this book is an introduction, not a long and perhaps boring work. ... Read more

Product Description
Picture history of ww2. It lasted only 6years which was not long as history goes,but it produce the biggest armies, the longest battle lines,the most devastating weapons of any war. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The best book on the subject that I've read
This book takes it from the beginning and breaks it down as chronologically as possible and gives the reader the entire picture. The way in which it organizes and chronicles the war in segments makes it easy on the reader and enjoyable to read through. Also the great amount of pictures to assist the reader with the text is very helpful. Not only was the book a pleasure to read but it contained lots of information that I hadn't known before. Even big World War II buffs can take a lot from this book and I recommend it to all. There have been hundreds of attempts to make the best comprehensive and complete history of World War II. American Heritage did it. ... Read more

Product Description
In a new edition featuring a new preface, A World of Arms remains a classic of global history. Widely hailed as a masterpiece, this volume remains the first history of World War II to provide a truly global account of the war that encompassed six continents. Starting with the changes that restructured Europe and its colonies following the First World War, Gerhard Weinberg sheds new light on every aspect of World War II.Actions of the Axis, the Allies, and the Neutrals are covered in every theater of the war. More importantly, the global nature of the war is examined, with new insights into how events in one corner of the world helped affect events in often distant areas.Amazon.com Review
This comprehensive examination of the Second World War looks atgrand strategy and diplomacy, as opposed to the gritty details of thecombat experience. A World at Arms is written in a matter-of-fact tone, sodon't expect a poetic narrative. Despite this, no other historian haspresented such a sweeping overview. Weinberg performs the important taskof reminding his readers in the West that much of the fighting--andperhaps the most decisive parts--was done in the East, between theGermans and the Russians. American readers, for their part, mayappreciate Weinberg's treatment of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who isportrayed as a courageous wartime leader. This book is an essential partof any library on the Second World War. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (62)

A World at Arms review
An outstanding and thorough summary of WW II.I have read several books on WW II, but this was the most complete coverage I have found.I had intended using it as a reference book where I could look up specific battles and other events, but once I started it I kept reading to the end.

A Panoramic, Nuanced, and Deft treatment of a Familiar topic
This is a panoramic, nuanced, and deft treatment of an all too familiar subject, WW-II. In one of the rarest and most refreshing presentations of history I have ever seen, this author takes "looking at the big picture" about as seriously as it can be taken, and then gives us the unique benefits of a grand tour of a history we thought we already knew everything there was to know.

Even the strategy class at the National War College did not have such a singular laser like focus on the "big picture" as did this author. His primary concern and his unit of analysis in this narrative was "World War-II history as an organic historical whole." Said somewhat differently, although all of the familiar personalities and events that appear routinely in other versions of WW-II history - often as the very centerpiece of those stories - are included here, no matter how big they may be, here they are allowed to make only cameo appearances. Big events and big personalities are just never allowed to overwhelm or get in the way of the larger purpose of telling an integrated story. Big ticket items are never allowed to dominate an analysis whose job is to weave together the various disparate parts into an integrated whole that is larger than the sum of the parts.

If that was the author's goal, then he accomplished it admirably.

Taking advantage of recently declassified documents added immense value in rounding out the details of an already rich and robust picture. The author used these new revelations like an artist uses various tints on his palette, to add color in the proper places to his narrative and to give surprises to his analysis backed up with extensive citations. But again, even here, the author continues to maintain the same sense of balance and proportion as he introduces new and important information on economic, political, diplomatic, intelligence and even military dimensions: On the surface these all seemed like so many innocent facts, separate strains to be covered in proportion to their value in telling the larger story, a story that to the bitter end of all 900 pages, remained "tightly integrated" and always larger than the sum of any of its component parts.

This resolute focus on the bigger picture did not mean however, that Weinberg's presentation was dull, or predictable or even academic or pedantic, just the opposite in fact. This sweeping story is chocked full of surprising revelations, twists and spins that altogether constitute interesting side trips paved with new facts, yet they are all carefully woven into the fabric of the overall narrative.

As but one such example among many, the author gives appropriate time and space to the quality of the planning and strategic thinking abilities of the leaders of the Axis powers. This point is not only interesting, but raises knew questions about Hitler, Tojo and Mussolini and their respective general staffs as being only slightly better than flawed strategic thinkers and planners.With several examples of a kind of endemic "groupthink," that at least up through 1944 had afflicted the general staffs of the axis powers, the author reveals them all as having been "rank" amateur thinkers, virtually asleep at the switch: sleep waking through some of the major decisions of the war. All were revealed as just as likely as not, to see and accept the sounder strategic choices often recommended by their smarter but lower echelon staffs. Not only did this erratic, capricious inability to see good choices lead to colossal mistakes, mistakes that the weaker Allied forces exploited repeatedly, but they also raise new questions about the thinness of the margin the Allied forces actually had in winning the war. Clearly, a great deal of Allied success hinged on the whims of the Axis leaders colossal mistakes. Had they made better choices in even just a few of the botched cases, and had we not had the superior intelligence that revealed them doing so at the time, we may not have won the war.

Seeing the war as an integrated whole picture is an entirely new experience and vantage point for the reader, a new height from which to view all of the strains of a familiar subject as they come together. What a memory aid! What a way to stimulate the mind! What a template for future storytelling! Easily five stars.

The Best Single-Volume Work on WWII
An incredible book, that is in my mind the best single-volume political, diplomatic, and military history of the Second World War, and possibly the best history book I have ever read.Widely acclaimed and rightfully so, as others have done here.My only note would be that someone seeking an introduction to the Second World War would best be served by becoming familiar with the subject before tackling this book.Otherwise, my highest recommendation and one of my absolute favorites.

Muddy Reading
I was very attracted to this book because I am interested in World War II as a global struggle, and I was somewhat puzzled as to why this book wasn't better known.

After wading into it, I understand why.The author has the tendency to talk about things instead of show the reader things, commenting in a general way about events instead of trying to paint a picture of them, rarely even citing important comments by the major players.It's like listening to a scholar rambling on at length in a dull monotone as he bores the audience.

The author is also inclined to write with a suspicious level of certainty that makes it hard to sort out whether the reader is being handed well-established facts or just the author's own opinions on matters.Overall, the end result is, if by no means a terrible or useless book, one that is muddy and unexciting reading, lacking in edge and vividness.John Keegan's THE SECOND WORLD WAR is a much more readable book and is better recommended to someone after a comprehensive history of the conflict.

Important, One Of A Kind
Certainly the premier one-volume work on the Send World War, this tome by Professor Weinberg sets a daunting standard by which to judge other such works.But caution!This is a book covering the political, diplomatic and high-level aspect of the war, not the military part (although it is included as necessary.)

So why only four stars?Several reasons:

Although the author makes extensive use of end notes, they support his facts, not his opinions or generalizations from analysis.These remain his own.Statements such as, "As it became increasingly obvious to the Germans ... they..." are hardly scholarly.What Germans?Who are "they?"Hitler?OKW?OKH?

Weinberg also makes very controversial statements such as, "The American President hoped to avoid open warfare with Germany altogether."His support for that contention is weak, and the proof offered by using the Enigma intercepts to avoid German submarines is hardly convincing. Roosevelt knew full well that American anti-submarine capabilities were less than adaquate at the time, and indeed heavy losses were incurred in 1942.On the contrary, Roosevelt tightened the screws on the Japanese coincident with the German invasion of Russia, and he became increasingly desperate to bring the US into the war while the Soviet Union was still a viable ally.When the Wehrmacht approached Moscow in November, 1941, Roosevelt literally forced Japan to take action of some kind knowing that such action would commit a reluctant US population to entering the war and motivate it to win a long term conflict.In fact, this is the type of global approach and analysis that has made Weinberg famous, but here it is lacking.

Even some of the comments that Weinberg backs up with end notes are questionable.An example would be his statement, "Unlike the Germans,... ...the Americans had a real appreciation for the quality of Soviet armor."This statement was based on the Sherman Miles memorandum of June 19, 1941 as given in the end notes.Nice to find that buried in the files, but the Americans were hardly that prescient.The US produced a woefully inadaquate tank in 1942 (the Sherman), and had the Miles memo been taken seriously, one would assume that a heavier and more capable tank would have been produced.In addition, Miles did not know what advances the Germans had made since defeating France in 1940 in either tanks, anti-tank guns or tactics to truly estimate the capabilities of Soviet armor against the Germans.It was left to the battlefield for clarification to occur.

Other reviewers have noted what they feel is an anti-British bias in Weinberg's writing.I disagree here since it is well documented that British leaders (other than Churchill) arrogantly looked down on American generals and especially American troops as inferior.The British had an unfortunate habit of winning battles only when given overwhelming resources from the Americans and when using British Empire troops in the assault phases when casualties were likely to be heaviest.Alamein was a perfect example of this.It is important to note some of these aspects of the British leadership and is hardly bias.

With respect to an anti-German bias being present, I must reluctantly agree.German Field-Marshals and Generals were not bribed as the author claimed, but were motivated mainly by the sense of doing their duty.In fact, that was the overwhelming reason for German men at all levels to fight so well (it was their duty), a factor that was not present in American or British armies to the same degree.I must recommend the reader turn to the 10 volume series "Das Deutsche Reich Und Der Zweite Weltkrieg," now fully available, for the comprehensive presentation of the German side.It also features a high-level political, diplomatic, economic and global treatise like Weinberg.

In short, this is the best available one-volume work to my knowledge in the English language.However, it must be supplemented by materials from the German and Soviet side that have become recently available, and much research needs to be conducted by the specialist on many individual assertions by Weinberg before forming an opinion on many of his points, either agreeing or disagreeing.I would caution the reader from too often taking Weinberg's generalizations at face value and running with them.
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Product Description
Mountain Troops And Medics is a complete World War IICombat History of the U.S. Tenth Mountain Division written by AlbertH. Meinke, Jr., M.D., who served as one of its front line infantrybattalion surgeons during all of the division's combat in 1944-45. Itunfolds as a series of interesting, true personal stories, presentedin chronological order, which makes the history easy to read and todigest.

The Tenth Mountain Division was a very special Army division made upof carefully selected skiers, mountaineers, and experiencedoutdoorsmen. Known as the "SKI TROOPS," these men trained long andhard to fight on skis and snowshoes, and to survive in below zerotemperatures in mountainous terrain so hostile to military maneuveringthat it was necessary to use pack mules to transport supplies,ammunition and equipment.

During the winter of 1944-45 this division entered the militarystalemate in the Apennine Mountains in Northern Italy, and on itsfirst offensive cracked the German defenses to take Riva Ridge and thekey mountain peaks, Monte Belvedere, Monte Gorgolesco and Monte dellaTorraccia. It was the first Allied division to break into the PoValley, and first to reach and cross the wide Po River, using hastilyobtained, hand-paddled assault boats. It then continued its rapidadvance, as the vanguard of the Allied Armies in Italy, until itreached the Austrian border.

The author not only served with the first of this division's combattroops to leave the continental United States and participated in allof the Division's major battles, but also served in every one of itsspecial task forces deep behind enemy lines. Most of the time he waswell informed about local military strategies and Division objectives.

Drama, excitement, tragedy and humor are included in these stories ofpreparations for combat, unusual fighting conditions, care of woundedsoldiers at the front, and wartime conditions in Italy. Written innon-technical language, the book is easy to read, and fulfills therequirements for an outstanding and unusual gift, especially to allWorld War II participants, history and military buffs, mountaineers,ski enthusiasts, and almost everyone connected with the field ofmedicine. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Another masterpiece from Nordyke
"The All American's in World War II: a Photographic History of the 82nd Airborne Division at War" is a masterful complement to Nordyke's two volume combat history of the 82d Airborne Division in World War II.Where his previous volumes provide the reader with the detailed descriptions of the combat action, this book provides readers with numerous black and white photographs.

The book is organized into major combat actions, such as the jumps into Sicily or Normandy.Each chapter begins with a summary of the action, and an expertly produced chart showing the locations of allied and axis units for the major combat actions. The reader then enjoys pages of period photographs of the action.

This book is an invaluable adjunct to his previous works, or a great stand-alone book for the reader wanting to learn more about the All American Division in World War II.

Excellent pictorial history
This is an excellent book, loads of wonderful pictures and descriptions of events.Highly recommended for anyone with a passion for WW II ETA history or airborne history.

Inspirational
My grandfather was in WW II and was part of the 319th Glider division. He was a hero in my book. My father and uncle have recently completed a book on the 319 th (coming soon). He thoroughly enjoyed this as well.All American All the Way!!!!!

Excellent Photographic Tribute
This is an excellent photographic tribute to the men of the 82nd Airborne Division who suffered and sacrificed so much during World War II.

The book is an excellent companion piece to the author's combat history of the "All American" division.Both books have the same chapter headings and can be read simultaneously, although the photographic history is quite skimpy on text (the introduction to each of the 36 chapters being one page).

The book also includes over two dozen detailed maps that help you follow the progress of this proud division from its training in the U.S. and elsewhere to its landings and operations in Sicily (Operation Husky), Italy (e.g., Salerno and Anzio), and Normany (e.g., Operation Neptune Ste. Mere-Eglise), not to mention its involvement in Operation Market Garden in Holland, the Battle of the Bulge (Operation WACHT AM RHEIN), the occupation of Berlin, and the victory parade back home.

The book is a valuable asset not only as an adjunct to the author's combat history of the 82nd Division but also on its own as a fascinating photographic study of U.S. airborne operations in World War II.

Great Book for any 82nd Airborne Historian
Phil Nordyke's a foremost expert in 82 Airborne history. He has based his information form historical text but has obtained most of the hard core history form the WW 2 veterans of the 82nd Airborne themselves. I have meet Phil at the Reading Air Showhe has introduced me to many 82nd AB veterans. I have all his books signed by him and several veterans. Phil is a dedicated historian and is an expert on 505th history.

This is a great book showing RARE photos that are not in the average books and on the web. I would highly recommend this as well as all his books:

"Airborne All the Way"!!!

JERSEYCITYJOHN ... Read more

Product Description

World War II is a Capstone Press publication.

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Customer Reviews (1)

My son LOVES these books and so do I
I bought a handful of these hoping they wouldnt just be another failed attempt to get my youngest (11 year old son) to actually want to read. Well these books brought success. He gets to interact with the book by making choices so hes even excited to re read the books that hes finished to see what happnes when he makes differant choices...the best part is they are based on true events so he is learning history and not just reading for fun. Will be buying lots more of these. ... Read more