Military tactics – The Bell Bookshop

2SAS

Emma — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Drawing on recently declassified files and interviews with veterans, this is a fascinating history of Bill Stirling and 2SAS – pioneering founders of modern special forces. David Stirling is the name synonymous with the wartime SAS, but the real brains behind the operation was in fact Bill Stirling, David’s eldest brother. Bill was described in the SAS War Diary as a ‘man from the shadows’; it was an apt description for, unlike his attention seeking brother, Bill shunned the spotlight. Now for the first time the truth – and the triumph – of 2SAS is revealed. Having originally joined the SOE in March 1940, Bill Stirling sailed for Cairo in 1941 and there had the idea for a small special forces unit to be led by his mercurial brother. But despite some success, David allowed the legendary 1SAS to drift under his leadership. Following his capture, Bill re-directed 2SAS, under his personal command, to the strategy he had originally envisaged: parachuting behind enemy lines to gather intelligence. Fully illustrated with rare and previously unpublished photographs, this compelling history details how 2SAS fought with ingenuity and aggression, from Italy and then into France before heading through Holland into Germany. The unit was capable of attacking by parachute, jeep or landing craft, establishing a template for future special forces’ operations. Their feats have been overshadowed by the many books that have focused on David and 1SAS. 2SAS corrects this oversight, revealing that the real innovator was Bill Stirling – the true pioneer of Who Dares Wins.

The Nazi conspiracy

Emma — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

From the New York Times bestselling authors of The First Conspiracy and The Lincoln Conspiracy comes the little-known true story of a Nazi plot to kill FDR, Joseph Stalin, and Winston Churchill at the height of World War II.In 1943, as the war against Nazi Germany raged abroad, President Franklin Roosevelt had a critical goal: a face-to-face sit-down with his allies Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill. This meeting of the Big Three in Tehran, Iran, would decide some of the most crucial strategic details of the war. Yet when the Nazis found out about the meeting, their own secret plan took shape-an assassination plot that would’ve changed history.A true story filled with daring rescues, body doubles, and political intrigue, The Nazi Conspiracy details FDR’s pivotal meeting in Tehran and the deadly Nazi plot against the heads of state of the three major Allied powers who attended it.With all the hallmarks of a Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch page-turner, The Nazi Conspiracy explores the great political minds of the twentieth century, investigating the pivotal years of the war in gripping detail. This meeting of the Big Three changed the course of World War II. Here’s the inside story of how it almost led to a world-shattering disaster.

Commando

Emma — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

‘There is only one colour that matters, one that unites us all. And that colour is green.’

The Royal Marine Commandos have become a byword for elite raiding skills and cutting-edge military operations. They are globally renowned, yet shrouded in mystery. With unique insight and authority, Commando captures the essence and heart of this revered military unit then and now, exploring their role patrolling the high seas and policing coastlines around the globe, and revealing their rich history and what it means to win and wear the legendary green beret.

With full and exclusive access to every level of the organisation, author and former Royal Marine Monty Halls tells the real stories of extraordinary individuals through a period of historic global unrest: from Future Commando forces on high-profile drug busts to Mountain Leaders training across glaciers north of the Arctic Circle; from medics who serve as global first responders in conflict to wounded veterans raising vast sums to support their brethren in the Corps Family. These are the modern vanguard of a legendary unit, descendants of the misfits and eccentrics who were so effective and feared in WW2 that Hitler famously ordered them to be shot on sight.

Commando is an unforgettable glimpse into a rarified world of danger, drama, and valour.

Putin’s Wars

Emma — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The Financial Times – Best books of 2022: Politics ‘The prolific military chronicler and analyst Mark Galeotti has produced exactly the right book at the right time.’ The Times A new history of how Putin and his conflicts have inexorably reshaped Russia, including his devastating invasion of Ukraine. Putin’s Wars is a timely overview of the conflicts in which Russia has been involved since Vladimir Putin became prime minister and then president of Russia, from the First Chechen War to the two military incursions into Georgia, the annexation of Crimea and the eventual invasion of Ukraine itself. But it also looks more broadly at Putin’s recreation of Russian military power and its expansion to include a range of new capabilities, from mercenaries to operatives in a relentless information war against Western powers. This is an engrossing strategic overview of the Russian military and the successes and failures on the battlefield. Thanks to Dr Galeotti’s wide-ranging contacts throughout Russia, it is also peppered with anecdotes of military life, personal snapshots of conflicts, and an extraordinary collection of first-hand accounts from serving and retired Russian officers. Russia continues to dominate the news cycle throughout the Western world. There is no better time to understand how and why Putin has involved his armed forces in a variety of conflicts for over two decades.

The World War II Book

Emma — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Learn about the rise of Adolf Hitler, Pearl Harbour and the D-Day Landings in The WWII Book.

Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about World War 2 in this overview guide to the subject, brilliant for beginners looking to learn and war experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The WWII Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in.

This captivating book will broaden your understanding of World War 2, with:

– More than 100 ground-breaking ideas on the Second World War
– Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts
– A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout
– Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding

The World War II Book is the perfect introduction to the biggest war in history, aimed at adults with an interest in the subject, and politics and history students wanting to gain more of an overview. Here you’ll discover more than 90 of the key ideas and events during and surrounding the conflict, through exciting text and bold graphics. If you’ve ever wanted to know the crucial events of World War 2 and the people behind them, this is the perfect book for you.

Your World War 2 Questions, Simply Explained

Discover the key battles, tactics, technologies and turning points of the Second World War – the epic conflict that shaped the modern world. If you thought it was difficult to learn about the many events and key figures of World War 2, The WWII Book presents vital information in a clear layout. From Fascism in the 1930s to Pearl Harbour, Hitler and Nazi Germany to the bombing of Hiroshima – superb mind maps and step-by-step summaries will teach you all the main concepts.

The Big Ideas Series

With millions of copies sold worldwide, The WWII Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.

How to Build an Aircraft Carrier

Emma — Thu, 12 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The enthralling story of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s largest ever warship

‘Fascinating, often funny and sometimes moving . . . Terrill takes us deep into the bowels of Britain’s biggest warship . . . Exhilarating’ THE TIMES
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65,000 tons. 280 metres long. A flight deck the size of sixty tennis courts. A giant piece of Sovereign British territory that’s home to up to 50 Aircraft. HMS Queen Elizabeth is the biggest ship in the Royal Navy’s history and one of the most ambitious and exacting engineering projects ever undertaken in the UK.

But it’s her ship’s company of 700, alongside an air group of 900 air and ground crew that are Big Lizzie’s beating heart. And How to Build an Aircraft Carrier tells their story.

From before the first steel of her hull was cut, Chris Terrill has enjoyed unprecedented access to Queen Elizabeth and the men and women who have brought her to life. From Jerry Kyd, the ship’s inspirational Captain to Lt Cdr Nathan Grey, the first pilot to land Britain’s new stealth jet fighter on her deck, Terrill has won the trust and confidence of the ship’s people.

How to Build an Aircraft Carrier tells the story of Britain at its best: innovative, confident, outward-looking and world beating.
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‘A detailed account of the challenges, trials and triumphs on the ship’s progression . . . and a portrait of the men and women who made it happen. [Terrill] writes with affection, humour and understanding’ TELEGRAPH

Commando

Emma — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

‘A truly incredible collection of stories of true heroism.’ – Bear Grylls

‘A barnstorming account of heroism and fortitude from individuals who epitomise the Commando ethos. It’s a splendid read.’ – Sir Ranulph Fiennes

‘Monty brings us a glimpse of what the green beret really means and the bonds it creates.’ – Dan Snow

‘This book is the epitome of those Commando qualities – courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness in the face of adversity.’ – Aldo Kane

There is only one colour that matters, one that unites us all. And that colour is green.

With full and exclusive access to every level of the organisation, author and former Royal Marine Monty Halls tells the real stories of extraordinary individuals in latter day conflicts and on global operations: from the Mountain leaders in the Falklands War to high profile drugs busts in the Gulf; from amphibious raids in Iraq to feats of ultra endurance to raise money for their brethren in the veteran community. These are the modern vanguard of a legendary unit, descendants of the misfits and eccentrics who were so effective and feared in WW2 that Hitler famously ordered them to be shot on sight.

Accompanying a major BBC series on the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, Commandos is an unforgettable glimpse into a rarified world of danger, drama, and valour.

How to Build an Aircraft Carrier

Emma — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The enthralling story of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s largest ever warship

‘Fascinating, often funny and sometimes moving . . . Terrill takes us deep into the bowels of Britain’s biggest warship . . . Exhilarating’ The Times

65,000 tons. 280 metres long. A flight deck the size of sixty tennis courts. A giant piece of Sovereign British territory that’s home to up to fifty Aircraft. HMS Queen Elizabeth is the biggest ship in the Royal Navy’s history and one of the most ambitious and exacting engineering projects ever undertaken in the UK.

But it’s her ship’s company of 700, alongside an air group of 900 air and ground crew that are Big Lizzie’s beating heart. And How to Build an Aircraft Carrier tells their story.

From before the first steel of her hull was cut, Chris Terrill has enjoyed unprecedented access to the Queen Elizabeth and the men and women who have brought her to life. From Jerry Kyd, the ship’s inspirational captain, to Cdr Nathan Gray, the first pilot to land Britain’s new stealth jet fighter on her deck, Terrill has won the trust and confidence of the ship’s people.

How to Build an Aircraft Carrier tells the story of Britain at its best: innovative, confident, outward-looking and world-beating.

Art Of War

Emma — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0000

A new illustrated edition of Sun Tzu’s classic ancient Chinese meditation on military strategy and human psychology, with a new commentary that highlight its continued relevance for modern readers.Poetic and immensely readable, The Art of War was written 2,500 years ago and the military manual is still relevant today. A fascinating historical document that sheds light on ancient warfare, it is also a profound meditation on human psychology, interrogating the subjects of leadership, self-discipline and self-awareness.This new edition of the classic work is specially designed for modern readers. It includes an insightful introduction to the historical and philosophical context, and is accompanied by explanation and analysis of how Sun Tzu’s lessons have been applied in some of the world’s most famous battles. Renowned strategists from Field Marshal Montgomery to General Schwarzkopf have cited the book as an inspiration.The ancient text, attributed to Sun Tzu, is divided into 13 chapters that provide a logical and strategic approach to conflict and competition. Each focuses on a different aspect of warfare, including the importance of planning, managing your forces, decision-making, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, the art of deception and understanding the power of information.This edition, featuring more than 28 evocative photographs, offers a new perspective on a classic work and enables new generations to discover The Art of War and find new applications for the wisdom of Sun Tzu.