Najnovšie - Encyklopédie populárno-náučné strana 42 z 183
História 
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Vesmír, veda a technika 
Ľudské telo, človek 
Encyklopédie - ostatné
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Allied Weapons That Made the Difference in World War Two
In 1943, US bomber crews based in the UK were tasked with a 25-mission tour of duty. Most crews never made it past their fifth. The Luftwaffe owned the skies over Europe and the men of the Eighth Air Force were paying the price and strategic bombing was being called into question. Until, that is, the arrival of the Rolls Royce powered long-range P-51 Mustang. The tale of the P-51 began with a request from a wartime British procurement commission in April 1940. In response, Dutch Kindelberger and Edgar Schmued of North American Aviation set the gears in motion that would give birth to the groundbreaking fighter aircraft—the P-51 Mustang. The aircraft was an unqualified success and swept the Luftwaffe from the skies over German, facilitating devasting raids on German industry and paving the way for D-Day in 1944. This book goes on to tell the stories behind ten other weapons and weapons systems, from the drawing board to successful field deployment and their strategic impact beyond the battlefield. They were inspired by outstanding designers such as Sir Sydney Camm, scientists such as Alan Turing, and industrial visionaries such as Andrew Jackson Higgin. Their stories are interlinked with many of the most famous events and people in the history of World War II. Some of the weapons are well-known, others less so, and some are not usually regarded as weapons at all, such as SPAM and the Royal Navy’s “game” used to defeat the U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic. The Allies found that these weapons meant their forces could be better led given that they had faith in the means given to them to gain victory. The author explores the development, the challenges, and the deployment of these “weapons” and analyses their operational and strategic impact on the allied war effort and their collective contribution to eventual victory. This very readable account is a different perspective on the weapons that won the war.
Lost Heirs of the Tudor Crown
Two commoners pretend to be royalty to bring down the Tudors. The long-awaited Tudor prince dies of the Sweat on his fifteenth birthday. The Queen of Scots is ruthlessly executed by the Queen of England. A seventeen-year-old ascends the Throne of England to rule it for a mere nine days. The last Plantagenet prince is put to death to facilitate a much-longed-for marriage alliance. From Mary, Queen of Scots, to Lady Jane Grey, from Edward, Earl of Warwick, to Arthur Tudor and on to Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck, these were the Lost Heirs to the Tudor Throne. They were the ones who - had luck favoured them - could have ascended the Throne of England. With an overview of the lives of the Princes in the Tower and the Battle of Bosworth, this book delves into the lives of these commoners and royalty alike, who may have rewritten history had they ascended the throne.
With the Commandos
On 4 September 1944, Allied forces and local resistance fighters captured the Belgian port of Antwerp, the largest harbour in Europe. Once opened to Allied shipping, the port would revolutionise the Allies’ delivery of supplies into mainland Europe, stores which were still having to make the long overland journey from Normandy and places such as Cherbourg. But to enable this to happen, the Scheldt Estuary and, more importantly, the island of Walcheren also needed to cleared of Hitler’s forces. The task of storming and liberating the heavily defended island of Walcheren was handed to the men of the Commandos. Under Operation Infatuate, the plan was to land Commandos at Westkapelle and Flushing, and have the Canadians push across the Walcheren Causeway. Launched on 1 November 1944, Operation Infatuate was the last and one of costliest Combined Operations attacks of the Second World War in Europe. Such was the bitter nature of the fighting, in one sector alone, out of twenty-eight landing craft deployed, only five survived touchdown. Despite the Allies’ victory, the fighting was far from over for the Commandos. Indeed, a number of them were rushed to help fill the lines during Hitler’s Ardennes offensive – the Battle of the Bulge. Despite the urgency of such a move, many of the Commandos felt they were wasted undertaking what they considered to be an infantry task, and should have reverted back to their original raiding role. In fact, the 4th Commando Brigade did find itself on the River Maas line until the end of the war in Europe, while the 1st Commando Brigade was called upon to lead the advance across a number of major rivers into the very heart of Germany. Starting with the mighty Rhine, the Brigade used its specialist amphibious skills as assault troops before advancing on across the Weser, Aller, and Elbe rivers, all of which was only achieved after much hard fighting. With the Commandos tells a story which has been largely forgotten, namely that of the Commandos’ role in the last few months of the war in Europe. It was a period when, following D-Day and the Normandy landings and subsequent breakout, these men battled their way into the heart of Third Reich fighting against a fanatical foe.
The Battles of Hlobane and Khambula
The two main Zulu War battles of Hlobane and Khambula were fought on consecutive days, 28 and 29 March 1879, with very different outcomes. The first, a bungled raid to deprive the Zulus of vital cattle, ended in a humiliating debacle due to poor planning and reconnaissance. The latter saw the outnumbered British first repulse the counterattack against their camp and then unleash their cavalry to turn the Zulu withdrawal into a bloody rout, thus sealing the first decisive British victory of the war. As Adrian Greaves contends in his exciting account, this change in fortunes made Khambula the most important battle of the war, since it persuaded both Lord Chelmsford and the Zulu king, Cetshwayo, that the British could defeat the Zulus. Yet, despite their importance, these linked encounters have been neglected by historians due mainly to their inaccessibility and dangerous terrain. Both battles are described in the fullest detail possible, drawing on eyewitness testimony and meticulous research and benefitting from the author’s twenty-five years’ experience of leading guided tours of the battlefields and surrounding terrain. He recounts tales of extraordinary courage but also exposes blunders and cowardice that tarnish some famous reputations. Colonel (later Field Marshal) Wood in particular comes out badly. This is an essential, eye-opening book for anyone with an interest in the Anglo-Zulu War.
RAF in Camera: 1985-1989
RAF in Camera: 1980s – The Later Years by Keith Wilson provides a visually rich account of the Royal Air Force during the transformative latter half of the 1980s. This continuation of Wilson’s earlier work examines the RAF’s operational and technological evolution during a pivotal decade for British military aviation.The period witnessed the retirement of iconic aircraft like the English Electric Lightning in 1988, symbolizing the end of a Cold War era. Simultaneously, the RAF introduced advanced platforms that redefined its capabilities, including the Tornado F.3 Interceptor, Harrier GR.5, British Aerospace BAe 146 CC.1, and Tucano T.1 trainer. Additionally, the innovative conversion of Lockheed Tristar and Vickers VC10 airliners into aerial refuelling tankers replaced the aging Victor K.2, enhancing the RAF’s strategic reach.Year-by-year coverage explores milestones such as the post-Falklands War recovery of military confidence and the integration of cutting-edge technology into RAF operations. Illustrated with numerous photographs, the book captures the RAF’s modernization and the cultural shifts within the service.Meticulously researched, RAF in Camera: 1980s – The Later Years offers aviation enthusiasts and historians alike a detailed exploration of the RAF’s evolution, blending iconic imagery with insightful analysis of this critical period in its history.
Wellington, Birley and the Pyons
Exploring the past helps us understand the present and suggests where we might go in the future. It lets us appreciate daily life in other centuries and how decisions made long ago has built and shaped what we often see around us to-day — ancient patterns affect modern lives. Wellington, Birley and the Pyons is based on wide reading, a detailed study of the parish registers — some of them dating from 1538 — and comparing them with more modern census returns. It is written in non-technical language and organized to make the topics obvious and the themes easy to follow. Numerous photographs and illustrations bring the sections to life, and there are some surprises hidden in the text. The four parishes have always been geographically next to each other but how their communities related to one another is not always what we might expect. Herefordshire has not been at the centre of great national events, but the details of its history have something to contribute to the bigger picture of England and Wales. This book will be of interest to anyone who lives locally and also to people who may want to do some digging in their own area.
Naval Warfare under the Byzantine Empire
While the armies of the Roman Empire, including its late 'Byzantine' phase, have been copiously studied, naval warfare of the period has been neglected. In part this is due to relative paucity of the available sources but Augustine H Kobayashi demonstrates that this does not imply a lack of maritime activity in this period; in fact quite the opposite is true. This compelling book delves into the profound significance of naval and maritime power in shaping the destinies of ancient empires, with a particular focus on the Empire of the Romans in the East. This 'Byzantine Empire', thrived remarkably for centuries—its longevity attributed to its formidable sea power. The imperial fleet played crucial roles in the Empire’s reconquest of the West by Justinian I, its struggles against the Muslim Arabs, (which turned the Mediterranean into a naval war zone,) as well as its resurgence in the tenth and eleventh centuries. The Age of Crusade was also about the changing balance of power at sea at the expense of the Byzantine Empire, which signalled the rise of the Latin West. The main narrative vividly explores the empire’s pivotal history from its zenith in the sixth century, a time when the remnants of the Roman Empire aspired to restore its former glory, to its demise at the hands of the Westerners in the early thirteenth century. The Byzantine navy not only provided critical logistical support to its armies but also facilitated the reclamation of lost territories and the triumph over formidable adversaries.
Saint Olga of Kyiv, The Viking Queen
Olga of Kyiv, the first female ruler of the Rus, was a leader unlike any other. Best remembered for her ruthless revenge against the Derevlians—the tribe that murdered her husband—Olga’s calculated brutality secured her grip on power and cemented her legend. Yet she was more than just a warrior queen. Her rule reshaped the Rus, introducing political and administrative reforms that strengthened the state, centralised governance, and fortified cities. She established a structured tribute system, secured key alliances with Constantinople, and laid the foundation for the Christianisation of the Rus. Her infamous Siege of Iskorosten showcased her mastery of psychological warfare, proving that her mind was as sharp as any blade. A ruler of vision, resilience, and contradiction, Olga’s legacy shaped Eastern Europe and paved the way for the rise of one of the most powerful medieval states.
Defeat at the Dnepr
In late 1943, the German Army on the Eastern Front was in dire straits. Its southern army group had been pushed out of eastern Ukraine, and on 6 November 1943, Kiev—one of the Soviet Union’s largest cities—was retaken by an increasingly capable Soviet Red Army. To prevent the total collapse of his army group’s front line, Generalfeldmarschall von Manstein had no choice but to launch a counterattack to halt the Red Army’s advance and recapture the Ukrainian capital. On 7 November, two Panzer divisions attached to the XLVIII Panzerkorps plunged into the Red Army’s positions southwest of Kiev, stopping the Red Army in its tracks. Five days later, two more Panzer divisions joined the counterattack, and the XLVIII Panzerkorps achieved numerous tactical victories as it marched northeast. Commanded by General der Panzertruppen Balck after mid-November, the XLVIII Panzerkorps continued producing tactical success as it swept aside disorganized resistance from Soviet General Vatutin’s First Ukrainian Front, and recaptured important towns and logistics hubs on the path to Kiev. German hopes for the city’s recapture were dashed in late November, however, as Vatutin’s armies were finally able to stop the German advance, inflict heavy losses, and force Balck to end the counterattack In his postwar memoir, General der Panzertruppen Balck claimed that meddling by higher-level commanders and poor weather squandered his efforts to recapture Kiev. His Soviet opponents claimed the opposite: a superior Red Army defeated the XLVIII Panzerkorps, and claims about poor weather were merely self-serving justifications for German failure. This first full-length treatment of this forgotten battle definitively answers these questions, correcting the historical record on many unknown, ambiguous, and contentious details relating to the XLVIII Panzerkorps counterattack, and in doing so, shedding light on the nature of combat on the Eastern Front in late 1943.
The Gulf Theater, 1813–15
While most of the fighting of the War of 1812 raged along the Canadian border, the Gulf of Mexico eventually emerged as a critical battleground. The struggle for control of the Mississippi River and the port city of New Orleans became a high-stakes contest, with both the United States and Great Britain recognizing the region’s strategic and economic importance. The Mississippi was the main artery for trade and communication in the trans-Appalachian west, and New Orleans, positioned at the river’s mouth, was vital for controlling the region’s commerce. For Britain, capturing the city would not only cripple the American economy but also provide a bargaining tool during peace negotiations. For the United States, safeguarding New Orleans was essential to securing its western territories and preventing foreign powers from gaining a foothold on its southern frontier.The fighting in the Gulf Theater also reflected broader geopolitical tensions. Spain’s declining hold on Florida and Louisiana complicated the region’s dynamics, as did Britain’s support for Native American resistance to U.S. expansion. The Creeks and other southeastern tribes were drawn into the conflict, with devastating consequences for their communities.The campaigns in the Gulf culminated in the battle of New Orleans, where Andrew Jackson’s forces decisively repelled a British invasion. Although the battle occurred after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed, it cemented U.S. control over the region and boosted national confidence in the war’s aftermath.This illustrated volume examines key episodes in the theater including the battles of Fort Bowyer, the capture of Pensacola, the fighting at New Orleans and the battle of Fort St. Philip, and situates these events within the broader context of U.S. territorial ambitions and Native American resistance.
Leros and the Aegean
In autumn 1943, the Dodecanese in the eastern Aegean was the setting for a series of German air-sea landings, something not normally associated with the Wehrmacht. Under heavy fire, landing craft ferried to shore German infantry and, more than two years after sustaining frightful losses in Crete, Fallschirmjäger were deployed in their intended role, parachuting on to the islands of Kos, Astipalaea and Leros. Both sides relied on aircraft and naval units, as well as conventional and unconventional ground forces. German paratroopers were drawn from the Luftwaffe and the special operations Division ‘Brandenburg’, which also fielded coastal raiders and assault troops. The Allies had on call 234 Infantry Brigade together with supporting units; a battalion of The Parachute Regiment, and Raiding Forces, which included the Long Range Desert Group, Special Boat Squadron, Commandos and Ieros Lohos (Greek Sacred Squadron). Two months of conflict would culminate in a five-day battle for possession of Leros, which ended with the surrender of the British-led garrison on 16 November 1943. The island of Samos was taken without a struggle a few days later. Unlike Operation Market Garden and the disaster of Arnhem one year later, the Aegean was first and foremost a British venture. As such, it may be considered the last irredeemable British defeat. For the Germans, the Aegean was a welcome reversal of recent setbacks and a final, but ultimately pointless, decisive victory: With the exception of Kastellorizo, key islands would remain under German occupation until May 1945.
Graf Zeppelin
The Second World War saw the eclipse of the battleship as the capital vessel in any navy by a new feat of maritime engineering: the aircraft carrier. It was to change naval warfare forever. But when one thinks of the Kriegsmarine during this period, the German effort to construct an aircraft carrier is often overlooked. Designed in the late 1930s, Graf Zeppelin was the largest ship built by Nazi Germany. The lead ship of her class, she represented the Kriegsmarine’s efforts to create a balanced, ocean-going fleet capable of projecting German naval power across the oceans. Though 85 per cent complete by the outbreak of war in September 1939, Graf Zeppelin became a white elephant, a ship filled with promise but ultimately disappointing. Hitler’s war arrived too early for the Kriegsmarine and construction of Germany’s only aircraft carrier was never completed. Graf Zeppelin: The Story of Hitler’s Aircraft Carrier tells the full story of the monumental effort and ultimate failure by the Kriegsmarine to crown the German fleet with that most coveted of naval assets, an aircraft carrier.
Giuseppe Garibaldi & the Army of the Vosges
Sixty years before the International Brigades fought for the Spanish Republic, international volunteers entered the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 in response to the call of Giuseppe Garibaldi’s Army of the Vosges to save a fledgling French republic there from the new Prussianized German empire. Inspired by the lingering radical visions of 1848 and supported by elements of the First International of Marx and Bakunin, several thousand men (and women) came not only from neighbouring Spain, Italy, and Belgium but from Germany itself, as well as the Mediterranean societies and as far as the Americas to fight for a “universal republic”. Garibaldi and his volunteers faced enemies ultimately more powerful than the Prussian-led German Confederation. The French imperial interests that had started the war remained an ultimately dominant force in the republic and their hostility to “red republicanism” was evident even before their bloody repression of the Paris Commune. They shaped the histories of the war, the international volunteers and the French who fought alongside them. This study explores the politics of constructing historical memory to challenge that narrative and offers a different assessment of contemporary before its translations into the new language of anarchism and socialism.
The Lister Sisters
When Anne Lister, ‘Gentleman Jack,’ and her infamous diaries hit the headlines a few years ago, their popularity spawned a plethora of Gentleman Jack blogs, research and books which have focused primarily on Anne Lister’s romantic relationships with (a huge) number of women, but whilst they are an integral part of the Lister story, there is another woman lurking in the pages of her diaries: The original Lister Sister, Marian. Marian Lister was Anne’s younger sister and the two women had a complex and fascinating relationship. The evidence reveals Marian to be a complicated woman who both resented, loved and was fiercely protective of her older sister. Forced to live together for a large part of their lives Anne vehemently disapproved of Marian’s desire to escape in order to marry a “carpet maker” feeling him to be unworthy of the sister she herself derided. Marian, for her part, did not understand her elder sister's relationships with women, but she accepted them, defended her and worried about her excessively even whilst she ranted about Anne’s spending, scheming and selfishness. When together, the two women bickered constantly with Marian, literally at times screaming in frustration at her headstrong sister. Anne, for her part, complained that Marian was “simple … good for nothing,” yet her approval meant a good deal to her. Here, for the first time, we look at the complex relationship between the two women, how it developed, its moments of triumph and tragedy, as well as the profound influence it had on each of their lives.
Victorian Feminists
The Victorian era is often remembered for its rigid gender roles, yet beneath the surface, extraordinary women were challenging societal expectations and paving the way for future generations. Victorian Feminists explores the lives of ten remarkable women who defied convention, fought for their rights, and reshaped history. From Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the first female physician and surgeon in Britain, to Emily Wilding Davison, whose ultimate sacrifice became a defining moment in the suffrage movement, these women refused to be confined by the limitations of their time. Christina Rossetti used poetry to challenge gender roles, Beatrix Potter turned her passion for nature into a publishing empire, and Lillie Langtry became the first celebrity to endorse commercial products, redefining women’s influence in the public sphere. Through resilience, intellect, and defiance, these women transformed their world. Victorian Feminists brings their struggles and triumphs to life, proving that the fight for equality did not begin in the 20th century—it was already being waged in the drawing rooms, lecture halls, and streets of Victorian Britain.
Shipbreaker Extraordinaire
For many years anyone driving into Portsmouth would be treated to the surprising roadside sight of warships, submarines and small craft in various states of demolition. This fleeting glimpse was all that most would ever see of the extraordinary business of the Pounds family, which ranged from shipbreaking to selling war-surplus military vehicles. This book tells their story.After beginnings in general scrap in the 1860s, Pounds started breaking up ships in 1921 with German U-Boats. Proximity to the royal dockyard at Portsmouth meant they were able to secure naval shipping ranging from Royal Navy submarines and frigates down to unusual dockyard vessels and landing craft. In due course ships were also bought from the US and European navies. The emphasis of the business turned to ship trading – for example, landing craft might be resold to become ferries, minesweepers turned into Mediterranean pleasure craft, and lightships converted into floating restaurants. Vessels that could not be sold, lingered in the yard for many years – some Victorian ships lasted until well into the 1970s and beyond – but Pounds were also alert to the historical significance of the craft in their possession, some of which were donated to heritage organisations for long term conservation, a notable example being a Japanese Kairu midget submarine.The Pounds yard was a bizarre landscape and film companies were quick to see the potential of this unusual setting. Probably the most notable example was the 1974 film Tommy in which Pounds’ marker buoys were painted silver and to depict giant pinballs.A fascinating family business, Pounds finally closed its doors in 2023. Although visitors were never encouraged, the author was permitted to visit and photograph the Pounds yard on many occasions. Furthermore, the Pounds family have also kindly lent him business records and their own photos and discussed many aspects of their story. Appendices on military vehicles and a detailed list of all ships bought since 1921 complete a comprehensive and authoritative account of an extraordinary enterprise.
Closing the Ring
In the fall of 1778, the Franco-American attack on British-occupied Newport, Rhode Island, failed to materialize, bringing campaigning to an end for the year. Washington was occupied with ascertaining British intentions through his spy network in New York City and with the planning of an expedition led by General John Sullivan against the Six Nations to protect settlers on the Pennsylvania–New York frontier. Washington spent most of the winter of 1778/9 conferring with congressional members on the state of the army. As spring arrived, Washington learned that the British were headed to Kings Ferry on the Hudson, where the American forts of Stony Point and Verplanck’s Point were located. Washington broke camp at Middlebrook and moved northward to support West Point, but he arrived too late. However, the British offensive stalled. After stabilizing the situation, Washington assaulted the forts, failed to make a foothold, but captured everything of military value. The year 1779 became a contest for control of forts on the Hudson. Washington was also involved in smaller attacks such as the surprise attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook, New Jersey. The year ended with the British evacuation of Kings Ferry and Newport, Rhode Island. Washington had to deal with the fall of Charleston in May 1780. He planned for an attack on New York City in conjunction with Admiral d’Estaing’s French fleet but ended preparations as the season moved into November. He met with Rochambeau in Hartford, Connecticut, in September 1780 to plan strategy, but also had to cope with the defection of Benedict Arnold. His army entered winter encampment at Morristown, which turned out to be the worst winter of the 18th century. There were food, supply, and clothing issues, and Washington remained there until Lafayette arrived with news of a French expeditionary force sailing to America. Washington immediately set to work reinforcing the army. He handled two British incursions into New Jersey, which resulted in the Battle of Connecticut Farms on June 7–8 and Springfield on June 23, thwarting the British. As the British were attacking Groton Heights, Connecticut, on September 6, 1781, Washington and Rochambeau were preparing for the final advance to Yorktown. These often-overlooked campaigns in the north showed Washington at his best, managing administration, logistics, and diplomacy to keep the army in the field.
Strange Ways to Die in the Dark Ages
Strange Ways to Die in the Dark Ages takes an amusing yet grim dive into the bizarre, unexpected, and downright ridiculous ways people met their untimely ends in early medieval Europe. Join us as we recount tales of battles gone awry and tell the stories of monarchs who demonstrated they might not be all that fit for the throne. Together, we will uncover what weird and wonderful ways our ancestors attempted to cure themselves or the awful inventions created to torture and execute each other. Tread carefully in the past, though, as you never quite know what perils are lurking. From Viking warriors felled by cheese to kings who perished in toilet-related mishaps, this book uncovers the strange, often absurd realities of life and death in an age of superstition, blood feuds, and very questionable medical advice. Packed with dark humour, historical oddities, and stories so strange they simply must be true, this is history as you've never read it before—deadly, disturbing, and delightfully ridiculous!
Captive Scorpion
Trooper Mick Holland served seven months with the Long Range Desert Group as an interpreter, medical orderly, and gunner until his capture in September 1942. From there until the end of the war he spent more time ‘on the run’ than in PoW camps. He made seven escape attempts in Italy and two in Germany. Holland’s accounts take the reader on an incredible journey that exhibit an exceptional man with great tenacity and determination. The story begins with his time in the LRDG and the events leading up to his capture. This is followed by an overview which describes the life and conditions in the PoW camps in Europe, subsequential chapters outline the dramatic stories of his nine escape attemptsHis evasion skills were reflective of the LRDG motto ‘Not by Strength, by Guile’. Holland was a persistent and determined escaper who preferred to operate alone to bring less attention to himself. He gave his whole focus to the problems of planning escapes and was alert to seizing every opportunity and, if necessary, creating one. Holland spoke both German and Italian and was very stoic in all he did. He fought with the Italian partisans for several months and on another occasion was intercepted by a German unit in Italy and was given the option of being returned to a PoW camp or being imbedded with them as an interpreter. The offer was accepted but after six weeks he found the opportunity to escape again. Later in Germany he stole a Colonel’s staff car and almost made it to the Swiss border before being captured at the final checkpoint. This is an engaging and dramatic story of an intelligent and resourceful man who utilised all his LRDG Special Forces skills to help evade the enemy and win his eventual freedom.
V kategórii populárno - náučné encyklopédie nájdete široký výber kníh, ktoré vám poskytnú poznatky z rôznych oblastí zaujímavým a zrozumiteľným spôsobom. Encyklopédie vám pomôžu získať komplexný prehľad o rôznych témach, ako ľudské telo a človek, príroda, vesmír, veda a technika a história.
Naša ponuka encyklopédií populárno-náučného charakteru vám umožní objaviť fascinujúci svet poznania a rozšíriť svoje vedomosti o rôznych témach.
