(Subject: Political & Biographies - General) The Life of General Sir Richard McCreery, Commander Eighth Army. In October 1944 Dick McCreery became the third and final Commander of the legendary Eighth Army in Italy – in succession to Monty and Oliver Leese. With his outstanding record as a fighting soldier and armoured tactician, it was no surprise to anyone that he was to be hugely successful. McCreery was commissioned into the 12th Royal Lancers in 1915 and served on the Western Front surviving a serious wound and winning the MC. As Commander 8th Army it was his brilliant plan to seize the Argenta Gap which enabled the Allies to drive the Germans back across the River Po into Austria. (Published: 2012) (Publisher: Pen & Sword) (ISBN: 9781848844650) (Pagination: 276pp, 7 maps, 75 b/w photos) (Condition: New in d/w) UL-XXXXXX
(Subject: Political & Biographies - General) The Rise and Reign of Vladimir Putin. An epic tale of his path to power, as he emerged from obscurity to become one of the world's most conflicted and important leaders. Former New York Times Moscow Bureau Chief Steven Lee Myers has followed Putin since well before the events in the Ukraine in 2014, and gives us the fullest and most engaging account available of his rise to power. The book depicts a cool and calculating leader with enormous ambition and few scruples. A gripping narrative about Russian power and prestige. (Published: 2015) (Publisher: Simon & Schuster) (ISBN: 9781471130625) (Pagination: 571pp, 24 b/w photos, 2 maps) (Condition: New in d/w) UL-XXXXXX
(Subject: Political & Biographies - General) The Life and Killing of Lieutenant General W. H.E. Gott CB, CBE, DSO*, MC. Unexpectedly selected by Churchill in 1942 to command the 8th Army in place of the sacked Auchinleck, 'Strafer' Gott was targeted by German intelligence as he flew to Cairo to take up his new post. Six Bf-109s intercepted his aircraft and, after shooting it down, machine-gunned the crash scene. As a result, Montgomery was given command and the rest is history. As this long overdue and well researched biography reveals, 'Strafer' deserves to be remembered for his exceptional talents, meteoric career and record of gallantry. (Published: 2013) (Publisher: Pen & Sword) (ISBN: 9781781590904) (Pagination: 250pp, 47 b/w photos, 24 illustrations & maps) (Condition: New in d/w) UL-XXXXXX
(Subject: Political & Biographies - General) A highly personal biography of Russia’s leader – a man many regard as the world’s most interesting politician. Hutchins travelled throughout Russia to meet the people who know Vladimir Putin best, including those who knew him as a teenager and a young intelligence officer, long before he first entered the world’s stage. Putin’s stunning ability as a politician took many totally by surprise. A British diplomat who travelled to St Petersburg with Tony Blair to meet the then-President elect describes in detail how Putin completely outwitted the British Prime Minister who was regarded as the elder statesman. In just eight years he rescued his country from financial ruin and in doing so saved the nation’s pride. (Published: 2012) (Publisher: Matador Publishing) (ISBN: 9781780881140) (Pagination: 333pp, numerous b/w photos) (Condition: New in d/w) UL-XXXXXX
(Subject: Political & Biographies - General) He joined the RAF as a pilot in 1941 and was awarded the DFC whilst serving with Bomber Command during 1943/44. In the post-war RAF, he drafted the first specification for the ill-fated TSR 2 and later joined the V-Force as commanding officer of 214 Sqn at Marham. In 1964 he was given command of Khormaksar in Aden, his arrival coinciding with the start of a terrorist campaign against the British forces. More senior appointments followed, notably as Commander 2nd Tactical Air Force and Commander-in-Chief RAF Germany. In 1982 as acting Chief of the Defence Staff, he was involved in the decision to send the Task Force to the Falklands (Published: 2011) (Publisher: Pen & Sword) (ISBN: 9781848325524) (Pagination: 284pp. 63 b/w and col. photos) (Condition: New in d/w) UL-XXXXXX
(Subject: Political & Biographies - General) In December, 1945 General George S. Patton died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Germany. His death sent shock waves through the American and Russian commands and it seemed plausible that America’s greatest general may have been a victim of foul play. In the seven months following the German surrender, Patton had openly and provocatively criticized the Soviet Union and appeared to have transformed from a staunch anti-Nazi. The author investigates the possibility of a conspiracy to murder Patton. (Published: 2011) (Publisher: Pen & Sword) (ISBN: 9781594161384) (Pagination: 336pp, illustrations) (Condition: New in card cover) UL-XXXXXX
(Subject: Political & Biographies - General) This new book makes available for the first time recently declassified government correspondence from Lord Owen's tenure as Foreign Secretary. Nuclear Papers gives new insight into the work of, and response to, the last major strategic nuclear study of the UK's nuclear needs, which was undertaken in 1978. The book demonstrates sustained dialogue between the Callaghan and Carter administrations and the internal disputes and concerns of the UK government as the Cold War and a bleak economic outlook exerted equal pressures, in much the same way as recent foreign policy and the economic downturn have challenged the current British government. (Published: 2009) (Publisher: Liverpool UniversityPress) (ISBN: 9781846312274) (Pagination: 256pp) (Condition: New in d/w) UL-XXXXXX
(Subject: Political & Biographies - General) This biography of John Jervis, who became Admiral Lord St Vincent, throws an oblique light on Nelson's personality. St Vincent fundamentally influenced the younger man's career despite the two men being diametrically different characters. It was St Vincent's strategy and preparation which positioned Nelson to win his three famous victories. St Vincent made vital contributions not only to the defeat of Napoleon but to the well-being of the Royal Navy. Before his reforms as First Lord of the Admiralty the Navy had been severely weakened by corruption, nepotism, and the appalling conditions under which the seamen lived. (Published: 2006) (Publisher: Pen & Sword) (ISBN: 184415386X) (Pagination: 240pp) (Condition: New in d/w) UL-XXXXXX
(Subject: Political & Biographies - General) Several writers have remarked that Marlborough could have never achieved his great military success during the War of the Spanish Succession without the support, industry & ingenuity of his Chief of Staff, Quartermaster General & Chief of Intelligence, General William Cadogan. Cadogan, who succeeded Marlborough as Commander-in Chief of the British Army In 1722, was a more complex & interesting personality than his career as a soldier indicates. He made an outstanding diplomat, proving to be the brightest roving ambassador of the reign of George I. (Published: 2003) (Publisher: Pen & Sword) (ISBN: 1844150089) (Pagination: 248pp, 30 b/w ills, 25 maps & diags) (Condition: New in d/w) UL-XXXXXX
