Striving to save his strife torn empire of Vallia from the Nine Unspeakable Curses, Dray Prescot has faced a plague of murderous werewolves and attack by the witch hordes. Now he must conquer the bloodthirsty forces of the would be king of North Vallia, while at the same time protecting the realm from the evil witch Csitra and her sorcerous son. Journeying to the witch's dark Maze of Coup Blag, Dray and his comrades must meet the challenge of this realm of traps and treasures, where death waits around every turn, and a wizardly battle of destruction is the price of winning free... Omens of Kregen is the thirty-sixth book in the epic fifty-two book saga of Dray Prescot of Earth and of Kregen by Kenneth Bulmer, writing as Alan Burt Akers. The series continues with Warlord of Antares.

The world of Kregen, revolving around the double suns of Antares, holds many wonders. There are warrior men and warrior beasts with mighty fraternities of valor and courage. There are whispers of similar organizations among the high-born women of many lands. But men know little of these save that somewhere there is a secret fortress retreat where martial arts are taught that men never learned. Delia of Vallia, leader of the mystic guild The Sisters of the Rose, is on a mission to bring justice to one who has betrayed her blood oath and her empress. A novel of intrigue, combat, and vengeance that will bring Delia face to face with the traitress Jilian in the hidden arena of the whip and the claw. Delia of Vallia is the twenty-eighth book in the epic fifty-two book saga of Dray Prescot of Earth and of Kregen by Kenneth Bulmer, writing as Alan Burt Akers. The series continues with Fires of Scorpio.

A handsome 30yearold gay Brit returns from over 10 years in the US, where he became an awardwinning fashion designer with a top fashion house. Scott Farrell has left behind his lover, a famous porn star, to spend Christmas with his lesbian friends in dear old Plymouth, a place that will never, ever, be the same!

One of the most important novels of its time about love, family, rejection and social order in Dickens' native England of 19th century. We follow life of 13 years old orphan boy Pip who falls in love with Estella, adopted daughter of Miss Havisham, a wealthy spinster, who wears an old wedding dress and lives in the dilapidated Satis House.

The divisions of the Waffen-SS were the e?lite of Hitler’s armies in World War II. SS-Totenkopf is an in-depth examination of one of the most famous – or rather, infamous – of these divisions: the ‘Death’s Head’ division. The book explores the background to the unit’s formation from the early concentration camp guards; the men it recruited and the level of brutalisation to which they became accustomed; the key figures involved in its history, such as Theodor Eicke, its founding commanding officer; and the division’s organization. It also looks at the training regimen of the Waffen-SS, and the uniforms and insignia that members of the division wore. SS-Totenkopf also provides a full combat record of the division, which fought on both fronts during World War II, increasingly serving as a ‘fire brigade’ unit as the war turned against Germany, plugging gaps wherever they appeared in the front. The book outlines the unit’s involvement in the invasion of Poland, the fall of France, the invasion of the Soviet Union, the battle of Kharkov, the defence of Warsaw, and the final fruitless attempt to relieve Budapest in the last days of the Reich. Illustrated with rare photographs and written by an acknowledged expert, SS-Totenkopf is a definitive history of one of Germany’s leading fighting units of World War II.

Dray Prescot is on the subcontinent of Balintol where he has the task of uniting the disparate countries so that all Paz can defend itself against the predatory, fish-headed Shanks from the other side of the world. This undertaking is complicated by the megalomaniac desires of certain princes and nobles who are determined to win the crown of Tolindrin for themselves, and are willing to destroy anyone who gets in their way. They have hired mercenary armies and allied themselves with the traditional enemies of the country. Prescot has to use all his strengths and all his scheming and tricks to achieve his goal with as little bloodshed as possible... Demons of Antares is the forty-sixth book in the epic fifty-two book saga of Dray Prescot of Earth and of Kregen by Kenneth Bulmer, writing as Alan Burt Akers. The series continues with Scourge of Antares.

Dray Prescot is attempting to unify the subcontinent of Balintol against the overweening ambitions of local rulers, to present a united front to the predatory reivers from over the curve of the world, the dreaded Fish-heads, the Shanks. These rulers of the countries of Balintol, and the people trying to usurp them, appear to care only for their own ambitions. Having saved the Illusionist of Winlan and preserved the Wall that retains the demon monsters created by Khon the Mak's Dokerty priests, Prescot now realizes to his profound horror that the phantom of his wife Delia he saw buried by falling rock was no apparition... This edition includes a glossary of the Balintol cycle. Wrath of Kregen is the forty-ninth book in the epic fifty-two book saga of Dray Prescot of Earth and of Kregen by Kenneth Bulmer, writing as Alan Burt Akers. The series continues with Shadows over Kregen.

The United States Marine Corps is one of the most famous military units in the world. The Marine Corps: Three Centuries of Glory tells the story behind one of the most famous military units in the world from its creation in the 18th century through to the present day. The book begins with the Marine Corps’ origins during the colonial period, where battalions of American Marines were raised to fight alongside their British counterparts. It was not until 1798, however, that the Marine Corps was officially created by an act of Congress. Since that date, it has fought in Central America, China, both world wars, Korea, Vietnam, Beirut, Grenada, Iraq and Afghanistan.The book describes the full combat record of Marines and details the Corps’ organization, equipment, uniforms, and insignia. Some of the men who have made the Corps what it is today are profiled, as are the key events where the Marine Corps has gained its glorious reputation—Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, Inchon, Khe Sanh—these great battles are core battles for any student of military history. Written in an engaging yet informative style, the Marine Corps is a classic history of one of the world’s greatest fighting units.Semper Fidelis! (Always faithful!)—Marine Corps mottoSince I joined the Marines, I have advocated aggressiveness in the field and constant offensive action. Hit quickly, hit hard, and keep right on hitting. —General Holland M. “Howlin’ Mad” Smith, U.S. Marine Corps

Her power is unmeasured. Her abilities untested. Her destiny inescapable. Faria Phiraco is a resonator, a manipulator of the elements via rare crystals. It is an extraordinary and secret power which she and her father, the Emperor of Xayall, guard with their lives. The Dhraka, malicious red-scaled dragons, have discovered an ancient artefact; a mysterious relic from the mythical, aeons-lost city of Nazreal. With their plan already set in motion, they besiege Xayall, pummelling the city to find Faria and rip more of Nazreal's secrets from her. When her father goes missing, Faria has to rely on her own strength to brave the world that attacks her at every turn. Friends and guardians rally by her to help save her father and reveal the mysteries of the ruined city, while the dark legacy of an ancient cataclysm wraps its claws around her fate... and her past. She soon realises that this is not the beginning, nor anywhere near the end. A titanic war spanning thousands of years unfolds around her, one that could yet cost the lives of everyone on Eeres. Legacy is character-driven epic fantasy action forged in an exciting and intricate plot that reaches deep into the Resonance world's history.

The 195 mile trail covers a large part of this beautiful, populous and rich county, incidentally one of the smallest counties in England, only 634 square miles. It is a county of rich contrasts. In the north-east there are wide open panoramas over low hills and farm lands as seen in the area around Barkway. Standing on Therfield Heath you can look down on to the flat plains of Cambridgeshire. Then in the south west there are the steep wooded escarpments of the Chilterns. The route visits ancient market towns, the Cathedral City of St Albans and countless picture postcard villages nestling in an intimate landscape of farmland and woods. In 1801 Hertfordshire had a population of about 100,000; now it is well over one million. It has never been a heavily industrialised area but it has seen its own industrial changes from malting and brewing, plaiting of straw for hats, paper making, industries associated with wool such as fulling (cleaning the woven cloth) and silk mills. Today technical industries and service industries dominate the industrial scene. A good introduction to the county, and how it developed from pre-history can be found in “The Hertfordshire Landscape” by Munby (1977) and “Hertfordshire, a Landscape History” by Rowe and Williamson (2013). People have settled the area since prehistoric times. Along the very ancient Icknield Way there is evidence of many waves of people. On Therfield Heath (see Leg 1) there is a long barrow of the Neolithic Age (2500 BC) and round barrows of the Bronze Age (1000 BC). There is evidence of the Beaker People in Hertfordshire. The hill forts of the Iron Age settlers gave way at the height of their power to the might of the Roman invasion. Many Roman roads go through Hertfordshire, e.g. Ermine Street and Watling Street, and our walk crosses the remains of the Roman town of Verulamium (St Albans). In the Dark Ages Hertfordshire was part of the shifting boundary between the English settlers (Angles & Saxons) and the later invaders, the Vikings. It was a long and turbulent time before the country became united. A good novel, which covers this period, is the “Conscience of the King” by Alfred Duggan. In the Medieval period the great abbeys were founded and one can still be seen in St Albans (see Legs 4 & 5). Many fine Medieval churches can be seen on this walk and short detours will be worth your while to seek out some of these (unfortunately due to the presence of valuable historic items most country churches are now locked on weekdays). During the 16th to 18th centuries many country estates were established in Hertfordshire e.g. Hatfield House, Knebworth House and Ashridge House. Some of the houses have not survived but our walk will take you through parkland, which reminds the walker of those estates. Walkers passing through Ayot St Lawrence will be going through such parkland and Ashridge still has its great house. It was first a monastery, then a great house, now a management college. The growth of London and the coming of industry saw some rapid development in the county in the 19th and 20th centuries. An example of this development was the Ovaltine factory at Kings Langley with the model farm to feed its need for eggs and milk. The factory and farms are all now sadly gone (see Legs 7 & 8). No major rivers flow through the county, however it is still famous for the large number of chalk streams and their associated wildlife (the River Lee or Lea, a tributary of the Thames has its source just north of Luton, flows though the county and is navigable up to Hertford). The Grand Union Canal passes through our county on its way north west (see Leg 7). The railways opened up Hertfordshire for industry and settlement and such towns as Hemel Hempstead and Watford grew from several hundred people to 80,000 plus. Many of the great road routes, which fan out from London (such as the A1, A5, A6, A10 and M1) pass through our county. Finally we saw the first garden cities (Letchworth and Welwyn Garden City) and the new town of Stevenage. The great orbital road, the M25, cuts its way through the county (see Legs 7 to 9) not forgetting the electricity pylons, supplying our thirst for power. Many famous people are associated with Hertfordshire. Samuel Pepys was a regular visitor who once when staying in Baldock noticed that the landlady was very pretty but “I durst not take notice of her, her husband being there”. Queen Elizabeth I, then a princess, was a virtual prisoner at Hatfield House when the Roman Catholic Queen Mary was on the throne. King James I had a palace at Royston (the start of our walk) from where he hunted on the lands of north Hertfordshire. The so called Rye House Plot to kill King Charles II was hatched on its borders. Izaac Walton of “Compleat Angler” fame knew the River Lea well. The earliest Christian martyr, St Alban, was executed in Roman times at the site of the city bearing his name. Francis Bacon lived at Gorhambury (an estate near St Albans th

This is the definitive EReader Edition of the great modernist’s works, with every published D.H. Lawrence novel, short story, piece of travel writing, novella, play and much, much more. As with all Delphi Classics, the texts are arranged in chronological order, allowing a scholarly reading and appreciation of Lawrence’s works. (Version 9) * many images relating to Lawrence, his life and works * ALL 12 novels, with annotated introductions, giving contextual information * separate contents table for each novel, aiding navigation around this huge file * includes the rare ‘lost’ novel MR NOON – appearing for the first time in digital print * ALL 67 short stories, arranged in chronological and alphabetical contents tables * ALL 8 plays, with separate contents tables * ALL of the travel writing books * 7 poetry collections, including RARE contributions, with chronological and alphabetical contents tables – find that special poem quickly and easily! * EVEN includes the BONUS text of D.H.Lawrence’s Paintings * includes rare non-fiction essays * also includes “A STUDY OF THOMAS HARDY” – explore Lawrence’s famous critique of the famous author * front no-nonsense contents table, allowing easy navigation around the enormous file. * also boasts the rare poetry collection LAST POEMS – enjoy Lawrence’s final haunting works * the rare school textbook Lawrence wrote when struggling financially * includes REFLECTIONS ON THE DEATH OF A PORCUPINE AND OTHER ESSAYS – appearing here for the first time in digital print * Lawrence’s last non-fiction book – the enigmatic APOCALYPSE AND THE WRITINGS ON REVELATION * includes the mammoth PHOENIX: THE POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF D. H. LAWRENCE * features two bonus biographies – explore the great writer’s literary life! * includes Lawrence’s wife’s intimate biography NOT I, BUT THE WIND… – first time in digital print CONTENTS: The Novels THE WHITE PEACOCK THE TRESPASSER SONS AND LOVERS THE RAINBOW WOMEN IN LOVE THE LOST GIRL MR NOON AARON’S ROD KANGAROO THE BOY IN THE BUSH THE PLUMED SERPENT LADY CHATTERLEY’S LOVER The Novellas THE LADYBIRD THE FOX THE CAPTAIN’S DOLL ST. MAWR THE VIRGIN AND THE GIPSY THE ESCAPED COCK The Short Stories LIST OF THE SHORT STORIES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER LIST OF THE SHORT STORIES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER The Plays THE MARRIED MAN THE FIGHT FOR BARBARA DAVID THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW THE WIDOWING OF MRS HOLROYD A COLLIER’S FRIDAY NIGHT THE MERRY-GO-ROUND TOUCH AND GO The Travel Writing The Poetry Collections LOVE POEMS AND OTHERS BIRDS BEASTS AND FLOWERS AMORES BAY: A BOOK OF POEMS NEW POEMS IMAGIST POETRY LOOK! WE HAVE COME THROUGH! LAST POEMS The Poetry POEMS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER POEMS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER The Non-Fiction A STUDY OF THOMAS HARDY MOVEMENTS IN EUROPEAN HISTORY PSYCHOANALYSIS AND THE UNCONSCIOUS FANTASIA OF THE UNCONSCIOUS STUDIES IN CLASSIC AMERICAN LITERATURE REFLECTIONS ON THE DEATH OF A PORCUPINE AND OTHER ESSAYS A PROPOS OF LADY CHATTERLEY’S LOVER APOCALYPSE AND THE WRITINGS ON REVELATION PHOENIX: THE POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF D. H. LAWRENCE A Translation LITTLE NOVELS OF SICILY The Paintings THE PAINTINGS OF D. H. LAWRENCE The Biographies NOT I, BUT THE WIND… by Frieda Lawrence THE SAVAGE PILGRIMAGE by Catherine Carswell

The Delphi Poets Series offers readers the works of literature's finest poets, with superior formatting. This volume presents the complete works of Scotland’s favourite son Robert Burns, with beautiful illustrations, superior indexing and the usual Delphi bonus material. (6MB Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Burns’ life and works * Concise introduction to Burns and his poetry * The famous TAM O’SHANTER is fully illustrated for your enjoyment * Excellent formatting of the poems * Special chronological and alphabetical contents tables for the poetry * Easily locate the poems you want to read * Special glossary of Scots words to aid your reading of the poems * Includes Burns’ letters, fully indexed - spend hours exploring the poet's personal correspondence * Features no less than four biographies, including Carlyle’s scholarly study of the great poet – immerse yourself in Burns’ world * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres CONTENTS: The Poetry of Robert Burns ROBERT BURNS: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION THE COMPLETE POEMS The Poems LIST OF POEMS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER LIST OF POEMS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER Glossary of Scots Words The Letters THE LETTERS OF ROBERT BURNS The Biographies LIFE OF ROBERT BURNS by Thomas Carlyle THE REAL ROBERT BURNS by J. L. Hughes ROBERT BURNS by John Campbell Shairp BRIEF LIFE OF ROBERT BURNS by Allan Cunningham

The struggle for naval supremacy and the naval arms race inspired by HMS Dreadnought may have captured the headlines, but the opening stages of the naval war were dominated by the threat from German cruisers stationed outside European waters, until they were hunted down and sunk by the Royal Navy, notably at the Battle of the Falkland Islands in 1914. Germany switched its focus to the U-boat, seeing it as a weapon capable of winning the war by starving Britain into surrender. Unrestricted submarine warfare led to the sinking of millions of tons of shipping, but it would also force the USA to enter the war on the Allied side in 1917. In the Mediterranean, the French fleet took the lead, while Austria-Hungary supported German actions. The Allied attempt in 1915 to use maritime power to break the strategic deadlock with an amphibious operation in the Dardanelles ultimately failed, although Allied sea power helped sustain the successful campaigns against the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East. What would prove to be the decisive naval engagement of the war took place in 1916 at the Battle of Jutland. Whilst the clash itself was inconclusive, the German High Seas Fleet would be all but confined to port for the rest of the war, handing the initiative to the Royal Navy. The resultant command of the seas allowed the Allies to carry fresh American armies and much-needed supplies to Europe in 1917. However, victory for the Allies was ultimately delivered by the naval economic blockade. By preventing the import of war materials and food, the fighting power and morale of the German armed forces was weakened. It was the mutiny of the High Seas Fleet in October 1918 that prompted the German Revolution and the subsequent abdication of the Kaiser. With the aid of over 300 photographs, complemented by full-colour maps, Naval Warfare provides a detailed guide to the background and conduct of World War I naval operations, describing the struggle to win control of the high seas around the globe.

Dostoyevsky's own passion for gambling lays in foundation of this novel. He first gambled at the gaming tables at Wiesbaden and later, when his passion for gambling subsided, he played at Baden-Baden, often beginning by winning a small amount of money and losing far more in the end. Using his future work as collateral with his publisher in exchange for cash he was eventually given a final deadline to complete the novel or sell the rights to all his work in the next nine years. So great was the pressure that Dostoyevsky was only able to finish the novel on time using one of the very first stenographers in Russia and his wife-to-be, Anna Grigorievna.

The Ambassadors is a dark comedy, one of the masterpieces of James's final period. It follows the trip of protagonist Lewis Lambert Strether to Europe in pursuit of Chad, his widowed fiancee's supposedly wayward son; he is to bring the young man back to the family business, but he encounters unexpected complications.

The German campaigns in Poland and the West in 1939 and 1940 ushered in a new era in warfare. The theory of the Blitzkrieg (Lightning War) developed by Hitler's forward-thinking generals - including the foreword writer, Heinz Guderian - was put into devastating effect. Based on a German book published during World War II and never before translated, Blitzkrieg in their own Words is a military history of these campaigns written by those taking part.

The third collection of adventures with Andy and his pet spider Harry. Harry already knows that the world that he lives in is far more dangerous than Andy's life on Tillybrook Farm, but when Andy makes himself as small as a spider, Harry has to try to keep him safe at all times; sometimes though that is not as easy as you may think.

In this classic science fiction story we descend into an extinct Icelandic volcano, encountering many adventures, including prehistoric animals and natural hazards, before eventually coming to the surface again in southern Italy.

Finally, America’s great storyteller Jack London receives the scholarly Delphi treatment. This is the only eBook available with every novel, every short story – even the very rare ones – play, poem, memoir, non-fiction text and much, much more! Now you can truly own all of London’s works on your eReader, and all in ONE well-organised file. (Version 2) * brief but informative introductions to the novels and other works * images of how the novels first appeared, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts * ALL 22 novels and each with their own contents table * even includes the rare novels ‘THE CRUISE OF THE DAZZLER’ and ‘HEARTS OF THREE’, often missed out of collections * packed full of images relating to London’s life and works * ALL 197 short stories and novellas, with excellent formatting, in their own special contents table – find that special story quickly and easily! * the COMPLETE plays, including the rare ‘THE RETURN OF ULYSSES’ * EVEN includes London’s complete poetry with special contents table * ALL of the memoirs and non-fiction texts, with many illustrations * RARE magazine articles by the great writer * The popular travel book ‘THE CRUISE OF THE SNARK’ is presented with its original images of London’s adventures * scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres * includes a front MASTER table of contents, allowing easy navigation around London’s immense oeuvre * Charmian London’s biography “Book of Jack London” – explore his interesting life in the words of his beloved wife CONTENTS: The Novels THE CRUISE OF THE DAZZLER A DAUGHTER OF THE SNOWS THE CALL OF THE WILD THE KEMPTON-WACE LETTERS THE SEA-WOLF THE GAME WHITE FANG BEFORE ADAM THE IRON HEEL MARTIN EDEN BURNING DAYLIGHT ADVENTURE SMOKE BELLEW THE SCARLET PLAGUE A SON OF THE SUN THE ABYSMAL BRUTE THE VALLEY OF THE MOON THE MUTINY OF THE ELSINORE THE STAR ROVER THE JACKET THE LITTLE LADY OF THE BIG HOUSE JERRY OF THE ISLANDS MICHAEL, BROTHER OF JERRY HEARTS OF THREE The Short Stories LIST OF THE COMPLETE SHORT STORIES The Plays THEFT THE ACORN-PLANTER A WICKED WOMAN THE BIRTH MARK THE FIRST POET THE RETURN OF ULYSSES–A MODERN VERSION The Poetry LIST OF THE COMPLETE POETRY The Memoirs THE ROAD JOHN BARLEYCORN The Non-Fiction THE PEOPLE OF THE ABYSS WAR OF THE CLASSES HOW I BECAME A SOCIALIST REVOLUTION AND OTHER ESSAYS THE CRUISE OF THE SNARK WHAT COMMUNITIES LOSE BY THE COMPETITIVE SYSTEM THE HUMAN DRIFT THE STORY OF AN EYEWITNESS EDITORIAL CRIMES – A PROTEST THE FUTURE OF WAR MEXICO’S ARMY AND OURS A LETTER TO HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & CO. A LETTER TO WOMAN’S HOME COMPANION PHENOMENA OF LITERARY EVOLUTION AGAIN THE LITERARY ASPIRANT THE RED GAME OF WAR WITH FUNSTON’S MEN STALKING THE PESTILENCE THE TROUBLE MAKERS OF MEXICO LAWGIVERS OUR ADVENTURES IN TAMPICO HOUSEKEEPING IN THE KLONDIKE The Biography BOOK OF JACK LONDON

The crucial decision the British government has taken will have enormous consequences for our children, grandchildren and all future generations. This book clearly describes the different options available, their impact on the UK economy and on individual Britons resident both in the UK and Europe.? It asks how realistic politicians are being about the detrimental effect on trade in both goods and services that will be caused by leaving the single market. What consequences will their decision have for the United Kingdom and its unity? Table of Contents Introduction 1 Britain's options 2 The importance of free trade 3 A British view of non-trade factors 4 Britain and Europe 5 The state of Britain 6 What now? Appendix: Examples of political misconceptions The author David Kauders FRSA was educated at Latymer Upper School, Jesus College Cambridge and Cranfield School of Management. He is an investment manager and also contributes occasional articles to the UK financial press. Reviews "The need for a reasoned and sensible debate about the impact of Brexit has never been higher, with continued Government obfuscation about what Britain's exit from the EU will entail. David Kauders' well-researched book concisely explains the different Brexit options available and details their implications, with the case for Britain's continued access to the single market shining through. Kauders' work should be required reading for all those wishing to quickly grasp the consequences of Brexit" - Lord Bilimoria, Chairman, Cobra Beer Partnership and Cross Bench member of the House of Lords "With little clarity over what Brexit entails, 'Understanding Brexit Options' takes its reader through the options open to the UK in its future relationship with the EU. It helps lift the fog hanging over the toughest decision the UK will have to take in this generation." - Tom Brake "A useful addition to the current debate and has the benefit of being a short read" - Lord Bruce of Bennachie "'Understanding Brexit Options' by David Kauders illuminates the complexity of the options involved: staying within the single market, within the customs union, or either, or both. Or neither, which is what a hard Brexit would mean, or some sort of associated agreement (which seems the least likely). Brexiteers gave voters no idea of what they had in mind, and for that matter still seem to be at sixes and sevens over what they hope to achieve. Kauders exposes the facile promises of a free trade bonanza after Brexit in an increasingly protectionist world, and the illusion that we can stay in the single market and control our own borders - "have our cake and eat it" in Boris Johnson's dream world. In fact, anyone who wants to be better informed about the best solution, or the least bad, or feels they should be, could do no better than to read this clear analysis." - Lord Taverne

In April 1945, the final dramatic act of World War II in Europe was played out in Germanys capital city. Berlin 1945: The Final Reckoning is a comprehensive history of the last battle of Nazi Germany, which would see the virtual destruction of a city, and the eventual suicide of Adolf Hitler. Berlin 1945: The Final Reckoning begins with a study of the background to the battle and a description of events on the Eastern and Western Fronts before the Soviet forces reached Berlin. The city’s strategic importance to the German war effort and morale is considered, along with factors that caused the Western Allies to halt their advance on the Elbe rather than race the Soviet troops to the Reichstag. The German forces available for Berlin’s defence and their actual defensive preparations (or lack of them) are covered in depth, as is the devastating destruction caused by the ceaseless Allied bombing and remorseless shelling by the Soviet forces. The book describes in words and graphic pictures how, in a city reduced to rubble, a bitter hand-to-hand struggle developed between fanatical Nazis, SS troopers, old men and young boys of the Hitler Youth and the hard-bitten Soviet front-line troops bent on revenge. The suffering of the soldiers and civilians are revealed in full detail, with personal accounts from those involved in the battle. The book also describes the events in the bunker behind the Reichschancellery, where Hitler spent his last months. Finally the reader learns how German commanders disobey the Fuhrer’s orders to fight to the last man, and the fate of the city was sealed. The final chapter discusses the full implications of the battle for the Germans and Soviets, and briefly describes the search for Hitler’s body. Berlin 1945: The Final Reckoning is a brilliant, superbly illustrated account of the battle that ended the Nazi dream of a 100-year Reich.