Rupert Matthews

In this, the fourth book of Spellmount's 'Campaign in Context' series, Rupert Matthews looks to the ill-fated invasion of England by King Philip II of Spain. The Armada of 22 warships and 108 converted merchant vessels sailed under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, but found itself harried by storms, fireships, and the redoubtable English fleet. In The Spanish Armada, Rupert Matthews considers the characters of the commanders such as Francis Drake, Medina, and the opposing monarchs, and as with his previous titles in the series he carefully balances the evidence from textual sources with knowledge of the theatre and reconstructed weaponry in order to explain the events of the battle to the general reader, and the context in which it took place.

This compelling hardback guide looks afresh at key episodes of alien activity on earth, including sightings, encounters and other unexplained experiences, richly illustrated with full-color images and photographs throughout. The Pentagon's decision in 2020 to admit the existence of its Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) division has begun a new era in encounters between humans and extra-terrestrials. From Roswell to Taiz , the book dissects fascinating eyewitness accounts of communication with alien beings, chilling cases of abduction as well as sinister evidence of government cover-ups. Includes: - The pilot who saw 12 alien aircraft flying in a diamond formation- The Exeter Incident - chased by UFOs in the darkness- The Socorro Incident - solid evidence of alien activity- Betty and Barney Hill - abducted on Highway 3 in New Hampshire, USA Alien Encounters provides a timely and in-depth analysis of these significant encounters and explores possible meaning behind these strange events. ABOUT THE SERIES Sirius Illustrated Case Files are striking, photo-filled hardbacks, delving into sinister cases of true crime, conspiracies and the paranormal, offering a powerful glimpse into darker side of life.

From tall tales of Merlin to the rise of Plaid Cymru, delve into the weird-but-wonderful aspects of Wales!Tracing Welsh history from Roman invasion all the way up to the power of the mining industry, Wales: A Very Peculiar History takes a sideways look at some of the more bizarre aspects of this incredible country. Get ready to explore the home of welsh rarebit, Maelgwn the Dragon, and Llanfairpwllgwyngyll-gogerychwyrndrobwll-llantysilio-go-go-goch!Packed with ups and downs, hills and valleys, and hope and triumph against the odds, this fascinating read is the perfect pocket-sized companion to the Celtic nation. Fascinating facts, quirky comic-style illustrations, a full glossary, timeline and index makes this book great for gifting to all ages!

In this thrilling examination of the UFO phenomenon, author Rupert Matthews assesses the growing threat of alien reconnaissance on Earth. From Roswell to the recent release of Pentagon material, the book sifts through the evidence and asks the crucial questions: have aliens really visited Earth? Why do they come? Inside, you will find detailed discussions on such mysterious events as: - The Roswell Incident in 1947, where reports arose of a flying disc outside Roswell, New Mexico.- The Rendlesham Forest Incident in 1980, when strange lights appeared in the sky outside a US air force base in Suffolk, UK, followed by high levels of radiation.- Betty and Barney Hill, who were reportedly abducted on Highway 3 Whether you are a firm believer or a confirmed sceptic, this book lays out several incredible cases that will give you lots to consider, as well as latest developments such as the Pentagon files.

The sinking of the Titanic on its maiden voyage in 1912 is one of the most dramatic stories in maritime history. The largest passenger steamship in the world, fitted with more advanced safety features than any of her rivals, she was proclaimed to be virtually unsinkable. Just how and why the Titanic foundered on such a beautiful April evening is the subject of this fascinating book. Author Rupert Matthews has written a highly readable account of the story of the Titanic, from the building of the liner to the excitement surrounding her launch, the slow unfolding of an unimaginable tragedy, the investigations, and finally the discovery of the wreck. He also explores the evidence behind the stories of heroism and cowardice related by survivors, and investigates the many theories surrounding the great ship's tragic loss. Includes: - Photographs of the Titanic, her crew and passengers- Eye-witness accounts- Personal memories

Leicestershire and Rutland have a rich railway heritage. Some the earliest railways in the world were built here and by the 1920s, Leicestershire had one of the densest rail networks of any English county. But from the 1950s onward the branch lines closed, and in 1969 even the main line of the mighty Great Central Railway closed. Today viaducts march across valleys carrying footpaths instead of steam trains, stations have been converted into houses or industrial estates, and cuttings slice dramatically through hills. Three of the closed lines have reopened as heritage railways, running steam excursions for tourists and locals. This book will look at each of the vanished or abandoned lines in turn. It will outline their construction and history, then look at the line as it is today. This volume will be an invaluable aid to those who go in search of the Abandoned and Vanished Railways of Leicestershire and Rutland.

Experience prehistoric Earth and the incredible range of life that once inhabited it. Exactly 100 facts will help you discover everything from mighty mammoths to fearsome pterosaurs. Read about huge swimming reptiles, mighty monster birds and incredible sabre tooth cats.

In this compelling and revealing examination, author Rupert Matthews looks afresh at key episodes of alien activity on earth, and sheds light on the many mysterious phenomena associated with it. From Roswell to Taiz , the book dissects fascinating eyewitness accounts of communication and contact with alien beings, as well as chilling cases of abduction. It also sifts through sinister evidence of government cover-ups. Alien Encounters provides in-depth analysis of the most important encounters, including: - The pilot who saw a formation of alien aircraft - The Exeter Incident - chased by UFOs in the darkness - The Socorro Incident - solid evidence of alien activity - Betty and Barney Hill - abducted on Highway 3 Alien Encounters is a gripping investigation of strange events that continue to spark fierce debate. The Pentagon's decision in 2020 to admit the existence of its UFO division has begun a new era in encounters between humans and extra-terrestrials. Understanding the meanings behind these strange events has never been more important.

Prepare to do battle with the finest warriors of ancient Rome! Brutal battles, skilled fighters and colossal arenas are revealed through one hundred facts, fantastic images and fun cartoons. Discover how gladiators were trained, what weapons they used, and what it took to survive

Be as brave as a knight and get to grips with an arsenal of weapons! Discover everything you need to know about combat with this brilliant book. One hundred facts, fantastic illustrations and fun cartoons give you the inside story on gladiators, barbarians and many other warriors, while fun quizzes test your knowledge.

Wild About Dinosaurs explores the awesome creatures that once roamed Earth, from simple animals to mighty carnivores. Bite-sized paragraphs, packed with interesting facts Detailed diagrams and cutaways to help understanding Projects and quizzes encourage fun learning Wild About Dinosaurs is the perfect encyclopedia for prehistoric fans. It covers prehistoric life, dinosaurs, nest and babies, mighty T Rex and fossils. The accurate illustrations and fantastic diagrams help children to imagine what life was really like for these fascinating creatures.

This was Rome, a city of bloodshed and laughter, of food and starvation. But why was so much wealth, time and trouble lavished on free entertainments? The Age of the Gladiators explores many savage spectacles of Ancient Rome, many of which have become proverbial for their cruelty, bloodlust and glory. From Gladiator fights in grand amphitheatres to chariot racing at the Circus Maximus, Romans had their pick of extreme spectator sports. Rupert Matthews explores the development of these customs, from religious rites into opportunities to bolster political esteem. Were Romans truly free citizens, governed by a fair democracy? And if not, what part did these free entertainments play in the political chess game? This fascinating book reveals all.