The Second World War saw elite units take a prominent role on the battlefield for the first time. The Encyclopedia of Elite Forces in World War II is a wide-ranging guide to the excellent units on land, sea or in the air whose success was usually hard-won against the odds, and whose actions had an impact on the course of the fighting around them. The best units from both sides of the fighting are represented, as are the two main theatres of war. Arranged by combatant nation, the book covers such famous units as the US Rangers, British SAS and German Waffen-SS, as well as some of the less well-known units like Popski’s Private Army, the LRDG and Merrill’s Marauders. Not all the units featured in the book were officially designated as elite forces – indeed, some of those involved were only ordinary soldiers – but they achieved elite status through their deeds. Illustrated with action photographs, The Encyclopedia of Elite Forces in World War II is a comprehensive guide to the elite forces of both sides during the 1939-45 war. Each entry describes the unit’s strength, date of formation and gives a brief overview of its combat record during the war. Covering all aspects of warfare and both the European and Pacific theatres in World War II, the book will appeal to anyone with an interest in either World War II or elite units at war.

Raids and sieges; trench warfare and air campaigns; guerrilla warfare, naval engagements, and colonial wars; American Battles & Campaigns covers every major campaign and battle fought in North America or by United States’ forces overseas, from the Pequot War of 1634 to the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Arranged chronologically, American Battles & Campaigns includes hundreds of entries, ranging from the 1770 Boston Massacre through the Alamo (1836) and the Philippine-American War (1899–1902), to Chateau-Thierry (1918), Midway (1942) and Hue (1969). Major battles, such as Yorktown, Gettysburg, Pearl Harbor, and D-Day are illustrated with an annotated colour 3D map and detailed text explaining the course of the engagement. There are also colour and black & white photographs, numerous 2D battle maps, paintings and artworks, and expert accounts from leading military historians on each engagement. American Battles & Campaigns offers a complete guide to every war fought by the United States, from early European settlement to the present day.

Inchizi?ia spaniol?, poate cea mai temut? institu?ie din istoria omenirii, a fost ?nfiin?at? ?n 1478 de Regii Catolici, Ferdinand ?i Isabella, ?i abolit? abia ?n 1834, odat? cu R?zboaiele Napoleoniene. Spre deosebire de Inchizi?ia medieval? din restul Europei, cea din Spania ?i Portugalia s-a r?sp?ndit ?n coloniile iberice din Asia, Africa ?i America de Sud, ajung?nd s? terorizeze, timp de peste trei secole, nu mai pu?in de patru continente.Care au fost ?ns? motivele ?nfiin??rii ei? De ce provoca at?ta team?? Cine erau victimele torturate ?i arse ?n autodafeuri? Toby Green readuce la via?? aceast? perioad? a istoriei cu ajutorul uria?ei arhive inchizitoriale p?strate ?i prezint? nenum?rate cazuri judecate de Sf?ntul Oficiu, de la arhiepiscopi la oameni obi?nui?i, victime inocente ale unui sistem diabolic. De?i ?nsp?im?nt?toare, aceste pove?ti sunt un exemplu al rezisten?ei spiritului uman ?n fa?a absurdului ?i a r?ului. Toby Green ne dezv?luie mecanismele prin care pot ap?rea persecu?ia ?i teroarea, dar ?i felul ?n care pot fi evitate. Inchizi?ia este un avertisment venit din trecut, o lec?ie a istoriei pentru noi to?i!

Ilie Badescu, sociologul care a redeschis dezbaterea privind puterea si importanta pe care o are spiritul si desavarsirea fiintei si societatii, in lucrarea de fata ne vorbeste despre forta invataturilor precum si despre devierile prin care sunt propagate in lume falsele invataturi.

In 1969 the small Asian nation of Cambodia was under attack: first by US bombers as the Vietnam war spilled over the border, and then by the Khmer Rouge as they began their brutal reign of terror. Under the rule of Pol Pot, ordinary city folk were driven from their homes and banished to labour camps that eventually saw two million people die. Darkness descended and "Year Zero" had begun. Mother and the Tiger is the story of one small girl, who struggled to survive one of the most ruthless regimes in human history. Six-year-old Hui Lim was trapped by the madness around her and cast into a seemingly endless nightmare. Her family was cursed as a member of a hated ethnic minority and targeted by the murderous Khmer Rouge. To survive where so many others died, Hui had to tap an inner strength that she never knew she possessed. Despite her youth she was determined to find her scattered family, no matter the odds. Her memoir of that brutal regime proves that even amidst the blackest depths of human depravity, hope can endure.

Leila is the new girl in Max’s class in rural Germany, and they soon become close friends. She has fled Syria with her family, having left her beloved grandmother and father behind. Her most cherished object is a walnut from her grandmother’s garden. Max is close to his own grandmother, who is very understanding of Leila’s situation, having fled her home in Pommern as a little girl. Leila is desperately sad when she loses her beloved walnut and, in a failed attempt, sets out to return to Syria. Apple Cake and Baklava is a story about otherness, openness and the willingness to come to know one another. Many children will be aware of the latest surge of refugees and their plight. Leila’s is a sadly universal and timeless story of leaving behind a home country forever. While set in rural Northern Germany, it could equally take place in most European countries. This is an absorbing book for older primary and younger middle-school children, and Franziska Harvey’s lovely black-and-white illustrations – some small, some full page – enrich the story.

Carte nominalizat? la premiile Samuel Johnson, Duff Cooper ?i Marsh Biography?O biografie splendid scris?, o carte care reu?e?te s? ne surprind? ?n multiple feluri. Nu numai c? scoate din umbra istoriei personalitatea lui Potemkin ?i cariera sa excentric?, dar aduce la via?? Rusia aristocratic? a secolului al XVIII-lea… Este evident c? ceea ce l-a fascinat pe Sebag Montefiore este ?nsu?i omul – personalitatea, realiz?rile, rela?ia sa de o via?? cu suverana-amant? –, iar aceast? fascina?ie transpare ?n fiecare pagin? a c?r?ii.“ – Anne Applebaum?O carte magnific?… Reabilitarea plin? de pasiune ?i de devotament a eroului lui Montefiore este numai unul dintre nenum?ratele atuuri minunate ale acestei c?r?i. Realizat? ?n urma cercet?rii am?nun?ite a arhivelor ruse?ti, este o lucrare ?tiin?ific? deosebit?… O biografie superb?… greu de imaginat c? va putea fi ?ntrecut? vreodat?.“ – Frank McLynn?Entuziasmul ?i erudi?ia lui Montefiore fac din aceast? carte mult mai mult dec?t o biografie captivant?, lectura ei este un galop n?valnic… Un triumf al muncii de cercetare ?i o bucurie a lecturii.“ – Antony BeevorCa t?n?r ofi?er de gard?, Grigori Potemkin a atras aten?ia Ecaterinei, la acea vreme Mare Duces? a Rusiei, cu un gest teatral plin de mare galanterie ?n timpul loviturii de palat care a adus-o pe aceasta la tron. ?n cei treizeci de ani care au urmat, avea s? devin? iubitul ei, partener la domnie ?i so? ?ntr-o c?s?torie secret?, care l?sa libertate am?ndurora pentru satisfacerea propriilor extravagan?e sexuale. Potemkin s-a dovedit a fi unul dintre cei mai sclipitori oameni de stat ai secolului al XVIII-lea, ajut?nd-o pe Ecaterina s? extind? Imperiul Rus ?i manipul?nd cu ?ndem?nare alia?i ?i adversari, de la Constantinopol p?n? la Londra.Aceast? biografie recreeaz? cu ?nsufle?ire personalitatea flamboaiant? ?i realiz?rile lui Potemkin ?i ?i red? locul cuvenit ca un adev?rat colos al secolului al XVIII-lea.Volumul este o cronic? a rela?iei tumultuoase dintre Potemkin ?i Ecaterina, a extraordinarei pove?ti de dragoste dintre dou? personalit??i puternice care au influen?at cursul istoriei. Aduc?nd la via?? aceste personaje cu destine romane?ti, Montefiore relateaz? totodat? povestea cre?rii Imperiului Rus. O biografie la superlativ – intim? ?i panoramic?, explod?nd de via?? ?i pasiune.?Una dintre marile pove?ti de dragoste ale istoriei, ?n aceea?i lig? cu Joséphine ?i Napoleon, Antoniu ?i Cleopatra… O carte excelent?, scris? cu o extraordinar? m?iestrie a detaliului ?i un talent literar uluitor.“ – The Economist

Volumul cuprinde un amplu studiu introductiv (aprox. 50 pag.) si o selectie – pe tema stabilita in titlu – de 200 documente inedite descoperite in arhivele britanice, americane, franceze, germane si foste sovietice.

Un volum cuprinzand studii si documente descoperite in arhivele romane si straine (aproximativ 900 pagini) privind istoria conflictului mondial din 1939-1945 si a razboiului rece. Lucrarea reflecta, in esenta, batalia pentru informatii angajata intre serviciile de spionaj dupa 1939, pregatirea si infaptuirea loviturii de stat de la 23 August 1944, lupta pentru putere la nivelul conducerii P.C.R. (1944-1989), premisele loviturii de stat din 22 decembrie 1989, prabusirea statului comunist in Europa Est-Centrala e.t.c.

Eseurile cuprinse ?n aceast? carte au ?n comun c?teva teme care m-au preocupat: ra?ionalitatea, valorile ?i libertatea. O parte din articole au ap?rut ?n diferite publica?ii, altele au v?zut lumina tiparului prin aceast? carte. Am ?ncercat s? aduc ?n con?tiin?a public? c??iva g?nditori rom?ni importan?i ?n spa?iul cultural rom?nesc ?i l?sa?i ?n umbra uit?rii. Opera acestora e realizat? ?n bun? parte ?n perioada interbelic?, ?ntr-un climat de libertate, f?r? presiuni ideologice sau de alt? natur?, fiind rezultatul for?ei intelectuale ?i al culturii personale. Dup? 1946 regimul comunist a ?ngr?dit progresiv libert??ile politice, a ?ncercat s? distrug? tradi?iile culturale a?a-zis burgheze, exercit?nd o represiune asupra intelectualit??ii ?i a creatorilor de opere. Domeniul ?tiin?elor sociale a fost afectat de o cenzur? inchizitorial?, pun?ndu-se la index autori ?i opere considerate periculoase pentru societatea rom?neasc? ?i ideologia marxist?.

1. The architect should be equipped with knowledge of many branches of study and varied kinds of learning, for it is by his judgement that all work done by the other arts is put to test. This knowledge is the child of practice and theory. Practice is the continuous and regular exercise of employment where manual work is done with any necessary material according to the design of a drawing. Theory, on the other hand, is the ability to demonstrate and explain the productions of dexterity on the principles of proportion. 2. It follows, therefore, that architects who have aimed at acquiring manual skill without scholarship have never been able to reach a position of authority to correspond to their pains, while those who relied only upon theories and scholarship were obviously hunting the shadow, not the substance. But those who have a thorough knowledge of both, like men armed at all points, have the sooner attained their object and carried authority with them. 3. In all matters, but particularly in architecture, there are these two points:—the thing signified, and that which gives it its significance. That which is signified is the subject of which we may be speaking; and that which gives significance is a demonstration on scientific principles. It appears, then, that one who professes himself an architect should be well versed in both directions. He ought, therefore, to be both naturally gifted and amenable to instruction. Neither natural ability without instruction nor instruction without natural ability can make the perfect artist. Let him be educated, skilful with the pencil, instructed in geometry, know much history, have followed the philosophers with attention, understand music, have some knowledge of medicine, know the opinions of the jurists, and be acquainted with astronomy and the theory of the heavens. 4. The reasons for all this are as follows. An architect ought to be an educated man so as to leave a more lasting remembrance in his treatises. Secondly, he must have a knowledge of drawing so that he can readily make sketches to show the appearance of the work which he proposes. Geometry, also, is of much assistance in architecture, and in particular it teaches us the use of the rule and compasses, by which especially we acquire readiness in making plans for buildings in their grounds, and rightly apply the square, the level, and the plummet. By means of optics, again, the light in buildings can be drawn from fixed quarters of the sky. It is true that it is by arithmetic that the total cost of buildings is calculated and measurements are computed, but difficult questions involving symmetry are solved by means of geometrical theories and methods. 5. A wide knowledge of history is requisite because, among the ornamental parts of an architect's design for a work, there are many the underlying idea of whose employment he should be able to explain toGree inquirers. For instance, suppose him to set up the marble statues of women in long robes, called Caryatides, to take the place of columns, with the mutules and coronas placed directly above their heads, he will give the following explanation to his questioners. Caryae, a state in Peloponnesus, sided with the Persian enemies against Greece; later the Greeks, having gloriously won their freedom by victory in the war, made common cause and declared war against the people of Caryae. They took the town, killed the men, abandoned the State to desolation, and carried off their wives into slavery, without permitting them, however, to lay aside the long robes and other marks of their rank as married women, so that they might be obliged not only to march in the triumph but to appear forever after as a type of slavery, burdened with the weight of their shame and so making atonement for their State. Hence, the architects of the time designed for public buildings statues of these women, placed so as to carry a load..

A progressive secular society is one committed to the widening of scientific knowledge and humane feeling. It regards humanity as part of physical nature and opposes any appeal to supernatural agencies or explanations. In particular, human moral perspectives are human creations and the only basis for ethics. Secular values need re-affirming in the face of the resurgence of aggressive supernatural religious doctrines and practices. This book gives a set of 'secular thoughts for the day' - many only a page or two long - on topics as varied as Shakespeare and Comte, economics, science and social action.

Jacob Bronowski (1908-1974) lived through what he described as 'the two great catastrophes of the twentieth century: the rise of Hitler in 1933 and the dropping of the atomic bombs in 1945', and yet the keynote of his astonishingly rich and varied life and work was an enduring optimism. Bronowski was a professional scientist, scientific administrator, poet, philosopher, dramatist and television and radio personality, possessing an energy and versatility that make him a rare figure in our cultural history. His final achievement, the groundbreaking television series The Ascent of Man, first shown in 1973, influenced and inspired millions of ordinary people by bringing an awareness of human evolution and the adventure of science into their homes. Anthony James describes his own journeys to key locations in Bronowski's television series The Ascent of Man, from Auschwitz, a monument to human depravity that has haunted the conscience of contemporary society, to Iceland, where democracy in northern Europe was born more than a thousand years ago. Bronowski would not have been surprised by our dilemmas today, but he would have insisted that confidence in our ascent as a species is a far greater force than the cynical destructiveness of politicians. Although human beings are inevitably fallible, the pursuit of knowledge is, in Bronowski's philosophy, an adventure: in his own words a 'happy passion'.

Written and illustrated by Boris Johnson The nicest kids you ever saw Were Jim and Molly Albacore… Alas for Molly and Jim, Their lives were not entirely cushy: Their parents were so very pushy. Mr and Mrs Albacore will do anything to get their offspring to the top of the pile. Father reads great literary works to them before they are even born, and puts them down for MENSA at five, Mother is not content unless her darlings are the star of every show. Molly and Jim, however, are happiest eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and watching telly. In this very funny book, Boris Johnson issues a verse warning to all pushy parents… if you push your children far enough they may push back, with dire consequences. Illustrated with delightful line drawings by the author.

An excellent, nostalgic gift from a bygone era when hard times were no excuse for shabby dressing. Contains practical tips to repair and improve clothes to save money. Travel back to the forties when a war-torn Europe was still no excuse to dress shabbily and the one thing you didn't ration was fashion. In this exclusive reproduction of a genuine archive copy, retro domestic goddess Joanna Chase prescribes ways to avoid fashion fauz pax in money-tight scenarios - whether the cause is a lack of coupons - or a credit crunch. In this book you will learn: o How to make the most out of every last inch of fabric o How to transform old skirts into brand spanking new outfits o How to make clothes out of old furnishings o How to turn your old dresses into ones that fit for your children o How to plan a whole families wardrobe in demand With this book, repackaged in a charming, nostalgic cover, as much a fashion accessory as a practical advice guide, you will learn all this and much much more. Uniform with this guide: Food Facts for the Kitchen Front o Make your Garden Feed You o The archive collection- because good advice never goes out of date.

Forget the Government's Citizenship Test – this is the real measure of Britishness. With a wealth of brand-new material that will bring a smile of recognition to even the stiffest of upper lips, Iain Aitch brings us even more explorations of innate Britishness. Continuing in the snappy A-Z format, Iain Aitch brings us all things uniquely British, whether it's our love of fish and chips, our high regard for James Bond or the red telephone box, everything you've ever regarded as being inimitably British is contained within these pages. Test your knowledge of Britain and what it means to be British by answering the multiple choice questions at the end of the book. What kind of peas are used to make mushy peas? What were the last words of Admiral Lord Nelson? What exactly is Readers' Wives? Were you paying attention? With more style than Jarvis Cocker's moves and more pomp than Elgar's masterpiece, this is a celebration of all that is truly glorious about good old Blighty. A book for the entire British population - Northerner, Southerner, and even tourist and immigrant alike - this is the perfect read for someone seeking a truly British experience.

From the bestselling author of ‘Eats Shoots & Leaves’, a wonderfully funny collection of twelve monologues. In the tradition of Alan Bennett's ‘Talking Heads’ come Lynne Truss's twelve bittersweet tales about love, romance, friendship and family. Her six men and six women each have very different stories to tell, ranging from the wife who feels better when her husband disappears to the pedant who undergoes a TV makeover and the swimmer who can't escape the shadow of her sister…but all are funny, touching and as beautifully observed as would be expected from the bestselling author. Whether describing fathers and daughters, married men, cat-lovers or ‘other women’, she is always brilliantly perceptive.

Un periplu documentat prin lumea artelor plastice contemporane, un model de analiz? a fenomenului plastic actual, extrem de viu ?i incitant, ba chiar provoc?tor, ?n ciuda multiplelor probleme ridicate de tranzi?ia autohton?.

Most of us know that we are not exercising our minds and bodies as much as we should. The Elite Forces Manual of Mental and Physical Endurance uses techniques developed by special forces units to train their recruits to show how we can improve our mental and physical fitness. The book is a detailed examination of what it takes to become as fit as a special forces soldier, taking a holistic view of the body and mind. It is equally important to focus on diet, rest patterns and mental discipline as it is to concentrate on physical exercises. Using simple steps, the book shows the reader how they can build up their endurance over a matter of weeks and months, and how their quality of life will benefit. Like elite soldiers, top athletes need the spur of competition to achieve their greatest successes, and The Elite Forces Manual of Mental and Physical Endurance demonstrates how you can gain the psychological edge over your opponent. Whether you are competing in unarmed combat sports, running a marathon or just looking to get ahead, the book has helpful and practical advice for you. Using photographs and artworks, The Elite Forces Manual of Mental and Physical Endurance shows how special forces units such as the SAS and Delta Force stretch themselves mentally and physically, giving the reader the opportunity to train as they do in easy-to-follow steps to reach their peak of mental and physical strength.

Apariia n 1948 a primei reviste romneti n exil, la Paris, intitulat de creatorii ei, Virgil Ierunca i Mircea Eliade, Luceafrul“, a venit dup ce tvlugul sovietic reuise s anihileze n ar Romnia politic, iar pe cea spiritual parial, ducnd, dup cum spunea Julien Benda, la trdarea crturarilor. Reacia la aceast stare a venit, aa dup cum era i firesc, din partea unor intelectuali exilai i cu precdere a lui Virgil Ierunca, unul dintre cei doi componeni a ceea ce putem denumi instituia Lovinescu – Ierunca“. Acest cuplu a tiut s prezerve valorile romneti i nu numai pe cele spirituale, s anime, s conving, s scoat din inerie pe acei intelectuali romni exilai care i cutau menirea n acea lume care, pe atunci, nu oferea, ca mai trziu, linitea interioar att de necesar creaiei. Ierunca a fost deseori cel care l-a mpins pe Mircea Eliade s nu rmn ancorat ntr-o literatur de mrturii, ci ntr-o via activ de creaie, de cutri. Volumul de fa, care ne restituie“ Luceafrul“, se datoreaz meritului deosebit al autorilor Mihaela Albu i Dan Anghelescu.Studiul efectuat cu ntreaga dragoste i acribie a cercetatorului ne dezvluie, cu rafinament, ndeosebi o cunoatere aprofundat a simirilor celor care, cu 60 de ani n urm, nu abdicaser de la datorie. Impresioneaz nu numai relatarea faptic, dar i bogia cu care cei doi autori pun n relaie imensul lor bagaj cultural cu ceea ce au produs cu o jumtate de secol n urm autorii Luceafrului“.“ (Dinu Zamfirescu)

奥古斯特·麦克（1887-1914），德国表现主义大师。德国表现主义萌芽于19世纪早期，主张放弃勾勒物理实在的艺术，转而致力于谋求情绪的表达，尤其注重于表达悲惨和恐惧的黑暗情绪。麦克是色彩与形体大师，创作了很多吸引人眼球、引起观赏者强烈共鸣的作品。他的笔下既有阳光明媚的突尼斯街道，也有阴云密布的波恩大教堂和那些不知名的拥挤的火车站。在这本书中，作者沃尔特·科恩回顾了这位艺术家短暂的一生，看似潜力无限的他，却终英年早逝。