This defining period in world history is explored and explained as never before. World War II is captured in hundreds of compelling images, presenting the people, places, and politics involved in the epic conflict. Inside this complete visual guide is chronological coverage of the lead up to war, major military battles around the globe, and the aftermath that still influences and impacts our world today. You’ll meet the key players in thought-provoking profiles and discover their experiences firsthand, from national leaders sounding the orders to combatants on the frontline and civilians left behind. Standout moments, including Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, and the D-Day landings, are revealed in rarely seen color photographs and unforgettable eyewitness accounts.

Explosive photography, international maps, accessible text, and supporting timelines combine to show the most destructive event ever known in unprecedented depth and detail. Although the complexities of World War II can be hard to fathom, this standout reference is organized in a logical order and the supporting captions are concise and clear throughout to aid understanding.
World War II: The Definitive Visual Guide provides an unparalleled account of this devastating conflict so we never forget and continue to learn from the past. Read more

Explore World War II in unprecedented detail with this compelling geographical guide. If you're interested in finding out more about one of the deadliest wars in history, then this war book is perfect for you. World War II Map by Map is an intricately detailed history book, that will encourage you to get a sense of the magnitude, mobility and speed at which the colossal armies swept through these vast landscapes during a war that claimed millions of lives and spanned through many areas globally.  Follow the key developments of World War II in unprecedented visual detail, with more than 100 specially created historical maps covering all major theatres of war. Discover how the conflict raged around the globe on land, air, and sea, while timelines provide an in-depth chronology of events. Beautiful archival photographs, contemporary artefacts, and profiles of famous leaders reveal the full story of the war that shaped the modern world.  So what are you waiting for? Journey back in time and uncover: - 9 main contemporary maps, including battle maps from both Allies and Axis countries, explain key events. - Easy-to-read text panels to accompany the maps for a deeper understanding of each topic. - Set out into 5 Chapters with 11 narrative overviews- 30 photo feature spreads exploring topics beyond the War- Produced in association with the Smithsonian Institution.  Bursting with striking illustrations and full of fascinating detail, this world war 2 book is the ultimate gift for history students, general readers, and military history enthusiasts. Whether you enjoy watching military documents, or you’re looking for the perfect gift for the history lover in your life, World War II Map by Map can be enjoyed by adults and children aged 12+ alike. Written by a team of historians headed by Richard Overy as a consultant, this history book for adults  examines in detail how the most destructive conflict in history changed the face of our world. At DK, we believe in the power of discovery.So why stop there? The Map by Map series includes other titles such as History of the World Map by Map and Battles Map by Map, each detailing historical events and placing them in the context of geography. DK's luxurious Map by Map books are fantastic history gifts, packed with fascinating facts, high-quality photography, and detailed profiles and descriptions of people and events. Read more

The definitive guide to the history of firearms.The beautifully photographed catalog tells the story of gun development in striking detail and features stunning close-ups of key weapons, from muskets, pistols, revolvers and rifles to shotguns, machine guns and modern machinery.Gun, weapon, and military enthusiasts will love the detail in this illustrated guide to guns. Here’s what’s inside:    • Feature pages capture pivotal moments in gun development that changed the nature of human conflict    • Double-page-spread articles describe the magic and mystique of the great gunmakers, including Colt, Mauser, Smith, and Wesson    • Photographic tours showcase the intricate details of key weapons, highlighting ingenious features and intricate craftsmanship Written by an international team of firearms experts, this fascinating collection features more than 600 weapons and charts the evolution of guns. For over seven centuries, guns have been used for hunting, sport and war. This comprehensive volume gives you access to the world’s greatest collections, gunsmiths, and defining gun and military history moments. Firearms: An Illustrated History highlights important moments in gun history from the Chinese discovery of gunpowder to "turning points" like the rifle, with its parallel spiral grooves that make bullets spin and fly straighter. It also showcases iconic firearms such as the Walther PPK self-loading pistol popularised in James Bond films.This fascinating visual account of firearms is an essential purchase for everyone interested in guns and weaponry. Read more

Discover the origin, design, range, and function of arms including stone axes, swords, machine-guns, and sniper rifles, and meet the warriors who wielded them.An epic, 4,000-year illustrated volume, Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor traces the evolution of the entire spectrum of weaponry through stunning photography and authoritative coverage. All the major arms through the ages including edged weapons, clubs, projectiles, and firearms can be found in the guide. This comprehensive book covers ancient Egyptian axes, bows, and spears of early societies in Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, and guns and missiles of modern infantry forces. Richly detailed catalogs showcase many weapons at their actual size, outlining the timeframe, weight, size, and country of origin to create comprehensive fact files.Also profiled are the world’s top fighting forces, from the ancient Greek hoplites to today's US Navy Seals. Created in association with the Smithsonian Institution, this weapon encyclopedia presents in vivid detail the tools that have been at the cutting edge of history, helping determine the rise of kingdoms and the fall of empires. Read more

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Stephen E. Ambrose’s D-Day is the definitive history of World War II’s most pivotal battle, a day that changed the course of history.D-Day is the epic story of men at the most demanding moment of their lives, when the horrors, complexities, and triumphs of life are laid bare. Distinguished historian Stephen E. Ambrose portrays the faces of courage and heroism, fear and determination—what Eisenhower called “the fury of an aroused democracy”—that shaped the victory of the citizen soldiers whom Hitler had disparaged. Drawing on more than 1,400 interviews with American, British, Canadian, French, and German veterans, Ambrose reveals how the original plans for the invasion had to be abandoned, and how enlisted men and junior officers acted on their own initiative when they realized that nothing was as they were told it would be. The action begins at midnight, June 5/6, when the first British and American airborne troops jumped into France. It ends at midnight June 6/7. Focusing on those pivotal twenty-four hours, it moves from the level of Supreme Commander to that of a French child, from General Omar Bradley to an American paratrooper, from Field Marshal Montgomery to a German sergeant. Ambrose’s D-Day is the finest account of one of our history’s most important days. Read more

Pivotal to modern warfare, tanks have dominated the battlefield for over a century. Get up close to more than 400 military colossuses with this definitive visual guide to armored vehicles.In 1916, the British built a vehicle that could pound the battlefield impervious to enemy fire, crushing obstacles and barbed wire in its path. The first tank, or "Mother" as it was known, had arrived. In Tank you can view it in detail, along with other iconic models including the German Panzer, the legendary Tiger, the Vickers Medium Mark II, the Centurion, and the Hellcat – the fastest armored fighting vehicle ever.This comprehensive volume takes you through the most exciting story in recent military history with the development of heavy artillery, anti-tank weaponry, and the men – such as Mikail Koshkin and Sir William Tritton – who designed these awe-inspiring beasts.Produced with The Tank Museum, Tank traces the tank’s development in response to two world wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War and many other conflicts. It shows each model in detail, highlighting details such as their performance, specification, armor, weaponry, and much more. If you are interested in modern warfare, Tank is truly unmissable reading. Read more

A compelling visual guide to the history of the military!Travel through time and explore 5,000 years of weaponry in stunning detail with this riveting military book ― from the spears and swords of ancient times to the guns and grenades of modern warfare.This beautifully illustrated definitive military guide charts the evolution of battlefield technology. Here’s what you’ll find inside:   • It includes objects taken from collections that are not available to the public or have never been photographed before    • Features comprehensive catalogs of the key weapons, armor, equipment and military technologies of each period, along with full specification details and information about special features    • Includes stunning close-up "virtual tours" on subjects as diverse as a Roman fort, a medieval castle, a WWI trench system, a WWII tank and a modern aircraft carrier, to name a few    • Narrative spreads and timelines provide historical context for the emerging use of, or key shifts in, certain technologies, explaining their impact on troops, tactics and fortifications The Military History Book profiles key arms and armaments and conveys technologies and tactics across hundreds of pages of dramatic photography and accessible text. Find out how war is waged between battleships at sea, tanks on the battlefield and fighter planes in the skies. Climb siege towers, drive chariots, enter medieval fortresses, fly unmanned drones and detect stealth bombers.You will also experience virtual tours of iconic vehicles, including the T-34 tank, the F-117 Nighthawk stealth bomber and the AH-64 Apache helicopter. Uncover military history from iconic battles, leaders and weapons of war that changed the course of history and shaped our modern world.This engrossing visual account of military history builds on the bestselling, international success of Weapon, Battle, Soldier and War, and is an essential purchase for all military enthusiasts or anyone intrigued by the history of military warfare and weaponry. Read more

Now revised and updated, World War I: The Definitive Visual Guide takes you from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand to the Treaty of Versailles. Experience some of the most prominent battles, such as the Somme and Verdun, through compelling direct accounts from soldiers who fought and civilians who lived through World War I. Get a close-up view in photographic galleries of the impressive weaponry and equipment used throughout the war. Learn more about the key people, including David Lloyd George and Joseph Joffre.In this book, you will find:-Maps and a visual timeline to set the scene for the events to follow, highlighting when, where, and why things happened and changed history as they did-A list of commemorations that took place 100 years after the war and memorials worldwide built to honor those who died in the conflict. -Chapters outlining timelines, battles, wars, raids, and the aftermathA world war guide for anyone interested in learning more about World War I, offering a true understanding of a war that changed the course of history. Explore galleries showing the key weapons, vehicles, and equipment. Eyewitness accounts contain gripping first-person testimony, as well as maps, photography, and key artifacts that illustrate the war and its changing technologies. Read more

This Official U.S. Army Handbook explains how guerillas in high-pressure situations are led by special forces and unconventional warfare commanders and staff of all levels. For their deadly speed and decentralized actions, guerrillas are feared by modern armies for their ability to strike in the dead of night without warning and recover into the shadows before their identity is discovered. No tank or missile can defeat an unknown man.In this book, discover the art of guerrilla warfare, where armed civilians or irregulars win against larger enemies. Master offensive tactics such as ambushes, raids, and hit-and-run strategies that effectively challenge larger forces. Learn defense and counterintelligence to protect guerrilla units from detection and attack. Explore psychological operations to gather support from allies, undermine enemy morale, and conduct sabotage.From the dark jungles of Vietnam and the Philippines to the sparse deserts of Somalia and Afghanistan, the U.S. Army harnessed these techniques to disrupt enemy supply lines, deny control, and secure victory. Soldiers, who have researched and lived these tactics in real combat, wrote this handbook to prevail in unconventional fights. If he wishes to succeed in modern warfare, every man must adapt unconventional methods. Read more

Filled with fresh interpretations and information, puncturing old myths and challenging new ones, Battle Cry of Freedom will unquestionably become the standard one-volume history of the Civil War.James McPherson's fast-paced narrative fully integrates the political, social, and military events that crowded the two decades from the outbreak of one war in Mexico to the ending of another at Appomattox. Packed with drama and analytical insight, the book vividly recounts the momentous episodes that preceded the Civil War--the Dred Scott decision, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry--and then moves into a masterful chronicle of the war itself--the battles, the strategic maneuvering on both sides, the politics, and the personalities. Particularly notable are McPherson's new views on such matters as the slavery expansion issue in the 1850s, the origins of the Republican Party, the causes of secession, internal dissent and anti-war opposition in the North and the South, and the reasons for the Union's victory.The book's title refers to the sentiments that informed both the Northern and Southern views of the conflict: the South seceded in the name of that freedom of self-determination and self-government for which their fathers had fought in 1776, while the North stood fast in defense of the Union founded by those fathers as the bulwark of American liberty. Eventually, the North had to grapple with the underlying cause of the war--slavery--and adopt a policy of emancipation as a second war aim. This "new birth of freedom," as Lincoln called it, constitutes the proudest legacy of America's bloodiest conflict.This authoritative volume makes sense of that vast and confusing "second American Revolution" we call the Civil War, a war that transformed a nation and expanded our heritage of liberty. Read more

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An illustrated study of Rome's key enemies from the Late Principate and Dominate: the western Visigoths and the eastern Ostrogoths. The Goths were a Germanic people who, under pressure from the Huns, migrated during the 2nd century AD to the Balkans, where they split into the Visigoths to the west, and the Ostrogoths to the east. After first raiding and looting Roman territory, some eventually came to serve as allies to the Empire, but this allegiance would collapse following a Hun advancement that saw the Goths forced south against the Danube. Failure to negotiate settlement in this new, Roman-held territory led to wars, during which the Ostrogoths won a decisive victory over a Roman army at Adrianople (AD 378), and the Visigoths finally sacked Rome itself (AD 410).In this fascinating study, Roman military historians Raffaele D'Amato and Andrea Salimbetiand Andrea Salimbeti examine Rome's fierce clashes with the Gothic peoples, exploring their role in the fall of the Western Empire and eventual transition from Roman to early medieval Europe. Newly commissioned artwork, artefact photos and expert research combine to bring to life key events in the Goths' history, including the Ostrogoths' defeat by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, the establishment of Gothic kingdoms in Italy and the Iberian Peninsula, and their service as subjects and soldiers in Byzantine Crimea. Read more

A concise history of the design, development, and deployment of USS Enterprise (CV-6). Though it barely missed being caught and destroyed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the US Navy's USS Enterprise (CV-6) aircraft carrier took part in every major action of the Pacific War, from the Doolittle Raid to the battles of Midway, Santa Cruz, and Guadalcanal to the Philippine Sea and Leyte. Affectionately known as the "Big E," as well as the "fightingest ship in the Navy," the Enterprise racked up one of the most impressive tallies of damage to the enemy of any Allied warship during WWII.Explores Enterprise's design and construction, wartime activities, and ultimate postwar decommissioning and scrappingCarefully researched photos, many of which have never before been published. The clarity and large size of many of the photos, coupled with descriptive and informative captions, put the reader on the deck of this historic warship throughout its famed history. Read more

Discover the amazing combat machines that have graced the skies, land, and sea of the world's most famous conflicts!History and development of dozens of legendary military vehicles from World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, and moreThe best of the best, from the iconic Spitfires and Lancasters of WWII to today's stealth bombers and super-smart combat tanksDetailed articles written by leading historians, scholars, and other experts in military historyFull-color photos and drawings of combat machines for the land, sea, and air, including the 20 greatest machines of warA showcase of the world's most powerful military might, from the Churchill tank used in the Second World War to warships, Humvees, naval U-boat submarines, and moreWars have been waged for thousands of years. But with the advent of industry and technology, war machines have evolved into complex and intricate vessels.A fascinating account of the history and development of dozens of legendary military vehicles — from the German Tiger tanks of the Second World War and the nuclear-powered submarine to the high-tech fighter jets of today and the military technology of the future — A Visual History of World Military Machines details the facts and figures that you need to know to be a combat machine expert!Featuring complete breakdowns of the technology that makes these tanks, choppers, and battleships the best of the best, this guide spans the last 100 years of warfare and how it has evolved. Along with the type of power each machine contains and how it was used, you will learn which tank was capable of being air-dropped from a cargo plane, which warship is the last of its kind, what it takes to be a Top Gun pilot, and what the next generations of aircraft carriers will look like.Here are just a few of the machines featured inside:Land:Willys JeepSherman TankHumveesRolls-Royce Armored CarSU-76M Tank DestroyerSea:The K-43 (Project 670 Charlie Class)HMS BelfastHMS MedusaType VII U-BoatHMS AllianceAir:Messerschmitt Bf 109GC-130 HerculesA-10 Thunderbolt IIDassault Mirage 2000Mikoyan MIG-29Stealth BomberYou'll also find information on the AK-47 assault rifle, the Enigma machine, the M61 Vulcan, the Vickers MK1 machine gun, the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) aircraft carrier, and more, learn the anatomy of a Panzer II, an A7V tank, and a Tiger I, and see how the Soviet Navy's K-43 and the USS Casimir Pulaski would have measured up against each other had the Cold War heated up.Filled with informative and fascinating articles written by leading historians, scholars, and other military history experts, as well as high-quality photography and illustrations, this action-packed book is a must-have for any veteran, Retired Soldier, or history buff! Read more

“This profusely illustrated and thoroughly researched book conveys a wealth of information” about the USAF’s B-1 bomber (Aviation History Magazine).   When the B-52 Stratofortress entered operational service with the US Air Force in 1955, work was already underway on defining its successor. The B-70 Valkyrie, a Mach 3 jet bomber, was one option. Although two XB-70A prototypes flew, the B-70 never went into production. Out of the subsequent Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft program came the B-1A bomber, which flew at high speed and low altitude to evade enemy air defenses. But the B-1A was cancelled in favor of fitting the B-52 with cruise missiles.   The B-1, known as the BONE, was revived in 1981 as the improved B-1B to boost American military power and serve as a symbol of American strength at the peak of Cold War tensions. The B-1B entered service in 1986 with several deficiencies. The resolution of most of these issues coincided with the end of the Cold War. After the Cold War, the B-1B lost its primary nuclear mission but remained relevant by transforming into a high-speed, long-range, high-payload delivery platform for conventional precision-guided munitions.   The first combat use of the B-1B was in 1998 in Iraq. The BONE has proved a highly effective combat aircraft in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and the former Yugoslavia. This extensively illustrated book traces the BONE’s long development and operational history in detail.   “A must-read book . . . a great reference for historians, pilots, engineers, and even policy makers. Both the writing and photos are excellent.” —Air & Space Power History Read more

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Informed by “recognized Civil War . . . experts”, this pictorial is “a detailed look at the soldiers who served with the Union and Confederate Armies.” (Jennifer Locke Jones, Chair and Curator, Division of Armed Forces History, Smithsonian National Museum of American History)   In the world of historical painting, Don Troiani stands alone, universally acclaimed for the accuracy, drama, and sensitivity of his depictions of America’s past. His images, both stirring and informative, define the view Americans have of the epochal Civil War.   In this new collection of Troiani artworks, ten years in the making, Troiani teams his signature large format battle paintings with detailed paintings of both Union and Confederate soldiers along with over three hundred photographs of uniforms, equipment, and artifacts from the nation’s most respected museum and private collections to give a full picture of the life of the Civil War soldier. Civil War uniform and equipment experts Earl J. Coates and Michael McAfee have contributed accompanying text. Includes fifty paintings and over three-hundred photographs. Read more

The ultimate guide to the history, development, manufacture, modification, and active service of all fifty models in the SR-71 program.At the height of the Cold War in 1964, President Johnson announced a new aircraft dedicated to strategic reconnaissance. The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird spy plane flew more than three-and-a-half times the speed of sound—so fast that no other aircraft could catch it. Above 80,000 feet, its pilots had to wear full-pressure flight suits similar to what was used aboard the space shuttle.Developed by the renowned Lockheed Skunk Works, the SR-71 was an awesome aircraft in every respect. It was withdrawn from use in 1998, when it was superseded by satellite technology. Twelve of the thirty-two aircraft were destroyed in accidents, but none were ever lost to enemy action.Throughout its thirty-four-year career, the SR-71 was the world’s fastest and highest-flying operational manned aircraft. It set world records for altitude and speed: an absolute altitude record of 85,069 feet and an absolute speed record of 2,193.2 miles per hour.The Complete Book of the SR-71 Blackbird covers every aspect of the SR-71’s development, manufacture, modification, and active service from the insider’s perspective of one of its pilots and is lavishly illustrated with more than 400 photos. Former pilot and author Richard Graham also examines each of the fifty planes that came out the SR-71 program (fifteen A-12s; three YF-12s; and thirty-two SR-71s) and tells each plane’s history, its unique specifications, and where each currently resides. Read more