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

The battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz Islands, and Philippine Sea showcase the power of ship-based air power.But how did naval aviation emerge? And why was the Pacific such a ferocious battleground for aircraft carriers and their planes?This book is perfect for fans of Ian Toll, James D. Hornfischer, and N.A.M. Rodger.Beginning with the origins of naval aviation, Donald Macintyre traces the use of aircraft by naval forces from their fledgling days just prior to World War I to their apex of power at the Battle of the Philippine Sea during the Second World War.Wings of Neptune examines why, after witnessing the potential of naval air power during the First World War, navies diverged in their approaches. While British forces were provided with an inadequate air component, the Japanese and United States embraced air arms as integral to their sea power. The second part of this book explores the intense conflicts between these naval aviation proponents in the Pacific theatre of World War II.Drawing on his expertise as a convoy commander who liaised with supporting air cover and his renowned historical research, Macintyre provides a thorough investigation into the emergence of aircraft carriers during World War II and why air power became crucial to modern navies.“interesting and useful coverage of the naval aviation side of World War II.” U.S. Naval Institute

An enlightening and lively interpretation of an important but neglected historical period.' Kirkus ReviewsIt was a time of revolution.The Roman Revolution describes the little known “crisis of the third century”, and how it led to a revolutionary new Roman Empire. Long before the more famous collapse of the Roman Empire in the fifth century, in the years between AD 235-275, barbarian invasions, civil war and plague devastated ancient Rome. Out of this ordeal came new leaders, new government, new armies and a new vision of what it was to be Roman. Best remembered today is the rapid rise of Christianity in this period, as Rome's pagan gods were rejected, and the emperor Constantine converted to this new religion. Less well remembered is the plethora of other changes that conspired to provide an environment well suited to a religious revolution.Drawing on the latest research, Nick Holmes looks for new answers to old questions. He charts the rise of the Roman Republic and the classical Roman Empire, examining the roles played by sheer good luck and the benign climate. For example, he emphasises the unexpected death of Alexander the Great and the subsequent weakness of the Greek successor states as the ideal political environment for Rome's expansion. But Rome's good fortune did not last. The rise of Sasanian Persia, the growing strength of the German barbarians, and the brutal effects of the Antonine plague caused the near collapse of the Roman Empire in the third century. Focusing on the reigns of the critically important but under-researched emperors in the third century, such as Aurelian, Diocletian and Constantine, he vividly brings to life how Rome just escaped catastrophe in the third century, and embarked on a journey that would take it into a brave new world - one which provided the foundations for modern Europe and America.This book is the first of a multi-volume series that will chart the full course of the Fall of the Roman Empire from the third century AD to the seventh. The second book, The Fall of Rome, continues the story of Rome's decline up to the sack of Rome by Alaric the Goth in AD 410. The third book, Rome and Attila, covers the period from 410 to the western empire's final demise in AD 476. Further books will look at the Roman reconquest of Italy and North Africa under the Emperor Justinian in the sixth century, followed by the rise of Islam and the demise of the Eastern Roman Empire in the seventh century.

A GRIPPING ACCOUNT OF THE LAST DAYS OF WORLD WAR II FROM THE FAMOUS FACES WHO WITNESSED IT.‘Riveting.’ Daily Mail‘Fascinating.’ The Times‘Beguiling . . . a good story well told.’ BBC History MagazineOn 28 April 1945, Benito Mussolini was dragged from his mistress’s bed and executed. Two days later, as the Soviet Army surrounded Berlin, Adolf Hitler put a gun to his head.But this is not the traditional account of victory in Europe.Drawing on first-hand accounts from individuals including John F. Kennedy, working in San Francisco, and Bob Dole recuperating in an Italian hospital, Nicholas Best provides a unique insight into ordinary American lives.He recounts how Spike Milligan swigged stolen champagne. Audrey Hepburn starved in Holland. And a future Pope walked home, terrified of being shot for deserting the Wehrmacht.Told by individuals, some of whom would go on to be the most recognised faces on the planet, Five Days that Shocked the World gives a remarkable insight into the most dramatic 120 hours in history.PRAISE FOR FIVE DAYS THAT SHOCKED THE WORLD:????? ‘I found it utterly engrossing . . . one can almost taste the dust of crumbling Berlin.’ Don B.????? ‘A really unusual and original way to view a series of historical events that most know well from school.’ Kindler????? ‘Nicholas Best has succeeded in putting together a riveting page turner . . . if you know nothing about WWII this is as good a place to start as any.’ Amazon Customer????? ‘A book hard to put down, it filled many of the gaps left by history.’ David N.????? ‘I have read many accounts of the final days of World War 2 . . . none have been so carefully put together and presented in such an easy way for the reader to absorb.’ Mike