Ian Westwell

Barely 20 years after World War I, the so-called the war to end all wars, World War II shattered the tentative peace between nations. The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich threatened countries across Europe. German forces invaded Poland on September1, 1939. England and France quickly leapt into the conflict, soon followed by countries and armies around the globe. Soon, technological and nuclear advances made atomic warfare possible. Readers will explore many facets of World War II, from the leaders and commanders who directed forces to the tactics that made a difference in the war. Battle maps and primary sources help make this a well-rounded reading experience.

World War I was once called "the war to end all wars." It involved many countries around the world and marked the beginning of an increased American presence globally. World War I marked the start of trench warfare as countries carved up land all over Europe. More powerful and dependable firepower included improved machine guns and artillery. Navies fought using dreadnaughts, destroyers, and submarines, and airplanes were first used for warfare. The bloody battles of this war took place over four years setting the stage for World War II. Primary sources, full-color images, and maps depicting battle movements are sure to support reader comprehension.

The Industrial Revolution, which took hold in Europe in the late 18th century, changed the lives of people in many ways. The technology of warfare also changed quickly and dramatically. New firepower included powerful artillery, repeating rifles, and machine guns. The old sail-powered wooden warships were replaced by ironclad warships powered by coal-burning engines. Wars of this era were larger conflicts fought on numerous fronts in many countries around the world. Detailed battle maps, primary sources, and biographies offer a more comprehensive view of warfare in the 19th century.

The 18th century was a time of colonialization and bloodshed. Explorers from European countries, including Spain, England, and Portugal, had claimed land in the so-called New World for those countries, leading to conflict with the many Native peoples who already lived there. In Europe and the Americas, battles over land led to the Seven Years' War and its associated conflicts, including the French and Indian War. Detailed sidebars, primary sources, and battle plans are sure to help draw in readers.

The Renaissance marked a transformation in the arts, sciences, and cultures across Europe. Governments became more centralized and stable. However, this doesn't mean warfare waned. Fortifications grew larger and stronger to withstand the barrage from siege weapons. Italian engineers developed the star-shaped fortress to better defend their communities. Guns and cannons became more dependable and powerful. Many trained soldiers became mercenaries who were paid to wage war. Readers will learn about warfare during the Renaissance through dazzling photographs, primary sources, and battle maps from history.

During the Middle Ages, Europe and Asia were comprised of many different political divisions with different capabilities and customs. Armies differed in the tactics they used and the weapons they wielded. Some relied on calvary; others relied on infantry. Armored knights on horseback often brandished broad swords and lances. This was the era of the castle--many of which still stand across the continent--which led to the rise of siege warfare and powerful artillery. The detailed text is supplemented with primary sources, full-color photographs, battle maps, and breakout biographies.

World War I was once called "the war to end all wars." It involved many countries around the world and marked the beginning of an increased American presence globally. World War I marked the start of trench warfare as countries carved up land all over Europe. More powerful and dependable firepower included improved machine guns and artillery. Navies fought using dreadnaughts, destroyers, and submarines, and airplanes were first used for warfare. The bloody battles of this war took place over four years setting the stage for World War II. Primary sources, full-color images, and maps depicting battle movements are sure to support reader comprehension.

The American Civil War was a time of great strife and great change in the United States. It's often said that "brother fought against brother" in the war to emphasize the division that the events wrought upon the young country. This volume explores events before the war, its battles, the people involved, and the outcome in vivid detail. Sidebars with additional information and maps of battles are sure to help readers get the most out of this informative, dynamic guide.

The Revolutionary War was fought between Britain and the British colonies in North America. This conflict resulted in the formation of the United States. It also inspired others to fight for their independence, particularly in France. The French Revolution, however, spread into further, larger conflicts today known as the Napoleonic Wars, which had far-reaching implications for most Europeans. Readers will be drawn into the fray with in-depth explorations of this time and colorful, dynamic designs.

The Revolutionary War was fought between Britain and the British colonies in North America. This conflict resulted in the formation of the United States. It also inspired others to fight for their independence, particularly in France. The French Revolution, however, spread into further, larger conflicts today known as the Napoleonic Wars, which had far-reaching implications for most Europeans. Readers will be drawn into the fray with in-depth explorations of this time and colorful, dynamic designs.

A highly readable history of the military and political events of World War One, this wide-ranging book begins with the state of Europe before the war then embarks on major chapters chronicling the war a year at a time. Major battles are interspersed with sections detailing the weapons used from dreadnoughts and anti-aircraft guns to U-boats and heavy field artillery, with specification boxes providing key technical details on each weapon. A final chapter looks at the aftermath of war and the newly emerging European states. All aspects of the conflict are covered, from common illnesses through to the use of propaganda and atrocities on all sides. Key fact boxes delve into the lives of the political leaders, generals and fighters, and also discuss the political movements which flourished. The first battle of Ypres, battles in Champagne and Artois, the winter offensive against Russia, and the breaking of the Hindenburg line are all discussed in detail. It chronicles the course of each year of the war, and details the major events, including the battle of the Marne, the first day of the Somme, the race to the sea, and the stalemate on the Italian front. Fascinating fact boxes highlight the lives of important political leaders and generals, such as Alexei Brusilov, Henri-Philippe Petain, Douglas Haig, David Lloyd George and President Woodrow Wilson. Illustrated with compelling and evocative photographs taken during World War One, and featuring informative maps and battleplans.

This title offers an authoritative chronological account of the military and political events of The Great War, with more than 350 photographs and maps. It provides a highly readable history of the military and political events of World War I, described chronologically, from the state of Europe before the declaration of war by Germany to the triumph of the allies and the armistice. It chronicles the course of the war a year at a time and details the major events including the battle of the Marne, the first day of the Somme, the race to the sea, and the stalemate on the Italian front. There are fascinating fact boxes that highlight the lives of the important political leaders and generals, such as Alexei Brusilov, Henri-Philippe Petain, Douglas Heid, David Lloyd George and President Woodrow Wilson. This fascinating book is divided into seven chapters, one on each of the five years of the war, plus an introductory chapter on the causes of the war, and a concluding chapter on its aftermath and long-term legacy. Each chapter covers the war's battles and campaigns, and there are special feature boxes on a variety of subjects including key personalities and points of special interest. The history of the Great War is told in an accessible style and supplemented with over 350 photographs, maps and battle plans, making this a perfect book for both general and specialist readers.

This is a concise and authoritative account of the course of the First World War, with analysis of decisive encounters and landmark engagements. It offers a full description of every major battle on land and at sea, detailing military strategy, successes and failures. It is an expert guide to the military uniforms of Britain, France, Russia, America, Germany and Austria-Hungary, with additional detail on the armies of Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Serbia, the Ottomans and Japan. It reviews the major weapons of war, from Dreadnoughts and U-boats to tanks and anti-aircraft guns. It is a highly readable box set illustrated with more than 1200 compelling contemporary photographs, maps and plans of key engagements, as well as superb illustrations of wartime uniforms, kit, weapons and insignia. The two books in this magnificent collection give an authoritative insight into the war of 1914 to 1918 - the first truly global conflict. The Complete Illustrated History of World War I chronicles the course of the war a year at a time, examining all the major battles and also the weapons and tactics that often decided the outcomes. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Uniforms of World War I examines the uniforms of the armed forces, which mirrored the dramatic political and social changes of the era. With evocative photographs, stunning illustrations and informative maps, this highly accessible box set offers a definitive visual study of this pivotal period of world history.

Beginning with the state of Europe before the war, this book then embarks on four chapters that chronicle the war a year at a time. Major battles are interspersed with spreads detailing the weapons and tactics used. A final chapter looks at the aftermath of war and the newly emerging European states.

The most unusual and wonderful structures from around the world. This intriguing book selects the world's most extreme and sometimes weird buildings and structures. Some illustrate the personal expression of an individual builder or patron who has a vision well beyond the norm, while others were built by architects pushing the conventional boundaries of design. Some of the buildings are masterpieces on a larger scale. Examples include Frank Gehry's iconic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, with its glistening, undulating walls. Some are indeed "follies" -- buildings that have no purpose -- including the surreal shark sticking out of the roof of a house in Oxford, England. Many of these strange buildings have a more obvious provenance, not as architectural follies, but as deliberate marketing ventures of the owner's product. In Flanders, New York, the Big Duck building is actually shaped like a duck in honor of the poultry once sold there.

A fully illustrated and comprehensive chronological history of the conflict from the opening shots at Sarajevo in June 1914 to the armistice in November 1918.