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The Scottish Rebellion against Robert the Bruce
July of 1331 saw the gathering of a most unusual army; its billets scattered across the modest ports of Yorkshire’s eastern coast. Its purpose, the invasion of Scotland and the overthrow of the yet inchoate line of Bruce kings. This was a task monumentally disproportionate in scale to the tiny army that sought to undertake it. It was a goal which they would ultimately fail to realise, though not before experiencing some spectacular successes and forever changing the balance of power within Scottish politics. The most notable of these triumphs were the Battle of Dupplin Moor, and the better-known Battle of Halidon Hill. Such unlikely victories lent credibility to their cause, igniting another decade of war. The army was mostly English, but its masters were the disinherited sons and grandsons of what had once been the flower of Scottish knighthood, an alliance of related Scottish nobles who had been exiled from Scotland for their ongoing refusal to accept Robert Bruce’s claim to the throne. While they eagerly courted the support of the current English king, Edward III, they were no mere ciphers or puppets – their fathers and grandfathers had been amongst the fiercest proponents of Scottish freedom and independence. Edward I of England had seized upon the succession crisis that followed the death of Alexander III to insinuate himself into the centre of Scottish politics and attempt to compel the Scottish nobility into acquiescing to his claims of overlordship. Yet the following war was shaped as much by the struggle between rival Scottish dynasties as it was the imperial ambitions of successive English kings. Running parallel to the war to refute English overlordship of Scotland was an internecine conflict in which disparate factions of the Scottish nobility vied with one another to secure the throne. Both the Bruce and the Comyn family, from whom the majority of the exiles were descended, danced back and forth across the line between loyalists and collaborators in their attempts to dominate Scottish politics. The Bruces and their allies eventually triumphed in this dual struggle, but it was a victory of family and faction rather than kingdom or nation. The return of these disinherited nobles and the war they unleashed eventually re-awakened English ambitions to annex Scotland, spiralling into the Second War of Independence. This book explores the history of the families that produced these exiles, as well as their conduct in both Wars of Independence, to gain a valuable new perspective on Scotland’s historical struggle for independence and uncover the truth of the, all but forgotten, civil war that did so much to define it.
Emmeline's Loving Comrade, Richard Marsden Pankhurst
Richard Marsden Pankhurst is an obscure figure, forgotten by history because he has been overshadowed by his dazzling wife, Emmeline, the great leader of the Suffragettes. Yet their partnership as campaigners was a critical element in her development and success. Her reaction to his death in 1898 led to her decision five years later to convene the Women's Social and Political Union, popularly known as the Suffragettes. Richard's intense character and devotion to ideals made him an object of both admiration and derision. He was widely respected as an honest man who put principle before self and party. Yet in worldly terms he was a failure. As a barrister, he should have been able to provide a comfortable home life for his family, but his political extremism hindered success in his career and the family struggled to afford the life to which they aspired. Even as a political campaigner Richard failed in several attempts to enter parliament. Nevertheless his marriage to young and beautiful Emmeline lent him a new glamour and soon resulted in a growing family. He moulded their beliefs and actions, creating a campaigning machine. Women's equality was a significant focus, but so too were the other radical causes they espoused on behalf of the poor, workers, children, and world peace. Emmeline had already begun to take the lead in political activism, due in no small measure to the support of her devoted and unconventional spouse. The startling tactics of the Suffragettes in the early 20th century owed much to the influence of Richard Pankhurst. Later overshadowed by his extraordinary wife and daughters, his memory has been erased, but his story is a vital component in understanding the remarkable Pankhurst women.
Paradox of Obligation
The essays included in this book provide highly critical and creative analysis of some of the basic problems of normative and meta—ethies in a pleasantly readable language. They can be enjoyably and profitably read by technical philosophers as well as interested bymen. Professor Prasad writes on ethical issues as seminal, conceptual issues of moral philosophical, and not as issues arising out of some regional, Indian or non-Indian, instances of moral thinking. Even ethical issues, generally discussed as rooted in classical Indian thinking, have been discussed by him as basic ones of moral philosophising, and thereby he raises the status of some classical Indian views to a level at which their conceptual, general or non-regional, role becomes crystac clear.
Trooper of the Household Cavalry
On a bleak January morning in 1972, a frightened fifteen-year-old stepped off a train at North Camp railway station and into a life he never wanted. Forced into the Junior Guardsman’s Wing with no say in his future, he arrived at the Guards Depot, Pirbright—an austere military world of khaki, command, and unforgiving discipline. But what began as coercion soon became transformation. Amid the rigid routines, harsh expectations, and relentless pressure, he discovered resilience he never knew he possessed.From the echoing wooden blocks of C3 to the parade grounds where boys were shaped into Guardsmen, he learned to embrace the path laid before him. Over four demanding years he rose through the ranks, earning the honour of escorting the Queen on state occasions and standing proud on Queens Life Guard duty at Whitehall—privileges granted only to the most trusted and exacting soldiers.But success in the Guards comes with shadows. Behind the immaculate uniforms and ceremonial splendour lay politics, envy, and agendas far beyond a young trooper’s control. When a fabricated scandal shook the ranks, he found himself at the centre of a storm he neither caused nor understood. In a single, devastating moment, a promising career was destroyed—not by failure, but by betrayal. He became a scapegoat for powerful institutions determined to protect themselves.Raw, compelling, and deeply human, this is the untold story of a boy soldier who rose above circumstance, only to be cast aside by the very establishment he served with honour.
Picture Encyclopedia of Passenger Ships 1955
The year 1955 came at the height of a boom for passenger ships. World War II had ended a decade before, business was restored, global markets had reopened, and shipping for trade and transport was in high demand. Picture Encyclopedia of Passenger Ships 1955 is an international directory of worldwide passenger ships and their services in that peak year, when one could sail from Liverpool to Valparaiso, Genoa to Cape Town, or Hong Kong to San Francisco. Over 150 vessels are included, with photographs, itineraries and essential statistics, covering all the great shipping lines of the 1950s and their routes to every corner of the globe.
The Secret Life of a Woodland Habitat
Delve deep into the trees and find wonder in our UK woodlands. Step back from the pressures of everyday life and reconnect with nature and its mindful magic with this absorbing and engaging guide. Learn what you can see at different times of the year and recognise the stunning trees, flowers and plants, multi-hued birds and insects, and mysterious mammals that call these habitats home. Soon you will be marvelling at rutting deer, soaking up the view of beautiful bluebells, and entering the world of bumbling badgers and fantastic foxes, while also enjoying the rapturous sound of glorious birdsong. Press pause on your modern worries and go back to your ancestors’ roots by foraging for nuts and berries. Become aware of the signs that indicate one season transforming into another. Search for fairytale mushrooms and at the same time understand why they are essential to our environment. Discover the science, history and folklore associated with the oak, ash and birch. On your seasonal adventures through our enigmatic woodlands, be humbled by their importance to our interconnected ecosystem, and be inspired to protect these precious places for the betterment of the world. This accessible guide, with its attractive and original photos, will help you to build an everlasting bond with your local wildlife and woodlands, thus enriching your well-being and life.
Cold War II
The world froze in horror as Russian forces crossed the frontline and struck out deeper into the heart of Ukraine. The roaring of the Russian fighter jet engines soared through the skies of Kharkiv, and Kyiv’s air raid sirens screeched across the city. Europe was in shock and the world waited for American President Joe Biden to declare war against Russia. However, Biden held back, and the Third World War was diverted. This was the closest incident the world had experienced in which a nuclear exchange was narrowly diverted since the dangerous days of the previous century. Nevertheless, it quickly became apparent that a new Cold War had begun. At the heart of the narrative is the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has become a catalyst for a broader global struggle between Russia and the West, reverberating across Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and even the domestic terrain of America. The West’s evolving relationship with Russia, China, and Iran has sparked a new era of tension, confronting the reader with the increasingly complex and polarized international landscape. The author focuses on Russia’s sophisticated propaganda and disinformation campaign aimed at manipulating Western public opinion on support for Ukraine, as well as its impact on the 2024 American elections. In addition to geopolitical analysis, this book offers a sobering examination of how Russia has exploited the deepening ideological divide within Western societies. It dives into the fractures between the left and the right, revealing how these divisions are being weaponized by Russian media and online networks to undermine unity and sow discord in democracies. The book presents a clear-eyed assessment of the new Cold War – its ideologies, power plays, and global ramifications of the struggle for influence. Cold War II confronts readers with uncomfortable truths about the state of Western democracies, the fragility of international order, and the far-reaching consequences of global political conflicts. By revealing the interconnectedness of a number of ongoing wars, the author also highlights how they act as battlefronts in the broader Russo-West rivalries.
Jeremy Bamber
In the early hours of 7 August 1985, 24-year-old Jeremy Bamber claims to have received a chilling phone call from his father. ‘Your sister’s gone berserk, and she’s got a gun’When the line went dead, Jeremy called the police. What was eventually discovered inside White House Farm shocked the nation; Nevill and June Bamber, their daughter Sheila, and her twin six-year-old sons, Daniel and Nicholas had all been shot dead with a rifle, and at first sight everything pointed towards Sheila having been the perpetrator of a murder-suicide. Within weeks though, the case took a dramatic turn and in 1986 Jeremy Bamber was convicted of murdering his family and sentenced to life in prison without any chance of release. Despite several failed attempts at appeal, decades on his dedicated team of campaigners continues to work tirelessly to clear his name. But is the evidence they claim to have uncovered cast-iron proof of his innocence, or merely a misinterpretation of the evidence proving his guil? his compelling book revisits the original investigation, trial, and the sometimes outlandish theories that have kept the case in the public eye since 1985. Jeremy Bamber - Murder and Turmoil at White House Farm examines not just the crime but the complex and ongoing fight surrounding it.
The Gloucestershire Regiment
The Gloucestershire Regiment is the most decorated in British Army history. During its 300-year history, the regiment bore more battle honours on its Colours than any other. From the deserts of North Africa to the jungles of Burma, this book will give an insight into each individual conflict, the people who fought them and the political context that made them happen. Exclusive access to 15,000 unique archival documents, including personal accounts, secret documents and private diaries gives this work an exclusivity that no other can match, providing readers with a deeper knowledge and understanding of the regiment’s history. Never heard before personal stories of exceptional bravery are uncovered, including Lieutenant Irrwin tearing down a 12ft high brick wall with his bare hands to attack the French at Toulouse, CSM Gallagher becoming a POW in both Nazi Germany and North Korea, and Captain Maunsell leading a team of sharpshooters in the Crimea. The book is written chronologically and is sectioned according to campaigns or relevant historical periods, and is a valuable reference for those wanting to learn about the history of the ‘Glorious Glosters’.
Hlenky - Krásky inteligentní
Nepatří ani k rostlinám, ani k živočichům, ba dokonce ani houby to nejsou. Už tím mnohé fascinují. Hlenky jsou zajímavé pro vědce různých oborů, ale jsou také výzvou pro domácí chovatele a makrofotografy. Přestože jsou hlenky čím dál populárnější, až doposud o nich v češtině nevyšlo souborné dílo. Kniha netradičně psaná v první osobě – „my hlenky“ – se snaží tuto mezeru zaplnit. Hlenky se tak samy představují ve své rozmanitosti a kráse. Těžištěm publikace jsou barevné makrofotografie. V krátkých textech vás hlenky provedou svým životem, inteligencí, vztahem k člověku a významem v přírodě. V neposlední řadě popisují a ukazují znaky, podle kterých může i začínající zájemce určovat běžné druhy. Pro pokročilejší pozorovatele jsou u řady druhů uvedeny také mikroznaky doplněné mikroskopickými snímky.
Stalingrad Survivor
These startling memoirs offer a rare insight into the experiences of a prisoner of war within the brutal Russian camp system. The book begins with the capture of Austrian infantryman Wolfram ‘Wolfie’ Redler amid the chaos following the fall of Stalingrad. It recounts the forced march eastwards and his transportation to Siberia during the merciless Russian winter. Stricken with typhus, he somehow manages to survive this ‘death camp’. The story continues with his transfer to a labour camp, describing in harrowing detail the deprivations endured by Redler and his comrades. That he, or anyone, was able to survive is nothing short of a miracle. Brutality, starvation, disease, and hard labour took their toll on over ninety per cent of the troops who were captured in those first few months of 1943. Translated into English for the first time, this honest and unflinching account is a stark reminder of the cruelty of war. However, the great lesson of this book is not how we die, but how we live. Despite the suffering he witnessed and endured, ‘Wolfie’ remained a man who showed everyone around him what it truly means to live.
Role of Animals in World War One
As well as over 60 million soldiers who fought in the First World War, 16 million animals also ‘served’ and suffered colossal casualties. Over 8 million horses died, as did tens of thousands of dogs, cats and pigeons. They were killed hauling guns, rescuing the wounded, controlling vermin and carrying messages. Most died without recognition, but a few survived and became animal celebrities.Warrior, ‘the luckiest horse on the Western Front’ became an equine hero, Rin Tin Tin, a German Shepherd dog, was born in the trenches and went on to star in over 30 films, Percy the cat served in one of the first tanks and Cher Ami, a messenger pigeon, rescued a United States battalion from certain death.A menagerie of other animals served included a baboon, bear, camels, donkeys, elephants, maggots, pigs, ponies, slugs and even whales. In contrast to serving, mosquitoes, lice, and rats spread disease; more men dying in Salonika from malaria than from enemy fire. At home, many families kept chickens, rabbits or pigs while elephants replaced horses in the streets and fields, pulling carts and ploughs.This book commemorates and celebrates the role of animals throughout the conflict and tells the story of how all creatures great and small helped to win the Great War.
Sex and Sexuality in Ancient Greece
The debt of Ancient Greece to our own society has long been recognised. However, there is another side to the culture that bequeathed us such gifts as democracy, medicine, art and sports, one that does not glitter so much. Sex and Sexuality in Ancient Greece plunges headfirst into a society that holds very different values to our own, an alien world whose top God committed adultery whilst in the guise of a swan, where Spartan brides were dressed up as boys to consummate their marriage, doctors believed women were inside out men with wandering wombs that attacked their internal organs and Olympic athletes fought literally to the death for the chance to win a crown made of leaves. It’s time to ask the hard questions: were women really so devalued that they were locked up in their homes, was every man in ancient Athens homosexual and what’s with all the hardcore pornography on everyday crocker? ex and Sexuality in Ancient Greece seeks to answer these questions and many others, whilst trying not to flinch as it explores a topic that is both provoking and fascinating. You will never look at Ancient Greece in the same way again.
North American XB-70 Valkyrie in Pictures
Flying at 70,000 feet, carrying nuclear weapons at Mach 3+ for thousands of miles, the North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie was not merely going to redefine military aviation, but the very nature of warfare itself. The XB-70 flew so fast and so high it would only appear on radar screens for a fleeting moment, making it impossible for enemy controllers to direct their interceptors to the target before it flew out of range. When it was first designed in the 1950s, the enemy, meaning at the time the Soviet Union, had no aircraft that could match the XB-70’s capabilities, rendering it almost invulnerable. But, just as the US was developing its technologies, so too were the Soviets. The introduction of their first surface-to-air missiles led to the US adopting low-level missions to sneak under radar. This effectively neutralised the XB-70’s main characteristics and, ultimately, the programme, which had cost the United States a staggering $800 million, the equivalent to $8.4 billion in modern terms, was cancelled. In this book, the renowned aviation historian and author Graham M. Simons explores the full story of the development of this remarkable supersonic bomber through a unique collection of images. He reveals the many challenges that the North American engineers faced, particularly with regards to engines and fuel, all of which are fully explained. As well as the technical and operational characteristics of the XB-70, Mr Simons includes first-hand testimony and analyses the accidents and incidents the aircraft were involved in. A detailed timetable allows the reader to comprehend the XB-70’s protracted history. A beautifully elegant machine, just two of the ground-breaking XB-70s were produced, the first flight taking place on 21 September 1964. In this magnificent, full colour book this unique supersonic aircraft can be seen in all its glory.
On the Trail of the Kray Twins
The Kray Twins aka Ronnie and Reggie ruled London’s Gangland underworld during the 1960s with a ruthlessness rod of iron that still shocks yet captivates young and old alike to this very day. Their calculated rise to power involved fear, extortion, violence and murder as-well as developing a cult like celebrity status, which thrived in the heart of the swinging 60s nightclub scene and beyond. Although some may say their story may have been told many times over, the crime scene locations and background in which their lives unfolded and evolved has been largely abandoned to the past. For the first time in over half a century we can finally uncover what still remains of Britain’s most notorious brothers in crime and using the original police reports, eyewitness testimony and files from the public archives we aim in this book to separate fact from fiction to present the real story behind the ‘Firm’. True crime and social historians Richard C Cobb and Mark Davis return to the Krays old stomping ground in East London and take the reader behind the scenes on a step by step journey through the avenues and alleyways of their “Manor”As the past meets the present, they uncover key locations forgotten in time and present the truth about the rise and demise of the Kray brothers. From humble East End beginnings, to becoming the Godfathers of London's underworld, to their eventual downfall culminating in life imprisonment. Cobb and Davis explore the most charismatic part of East London, uncovering a cockney culture and a personality that has never left the area, where even today the shadow of the Krays still lurk around every corner embedded in the very streets they virtually owned. The Legend is everything…
Dunkirk, D-Day, Kohima and The Death Railway
The Royal Norfolk Regiment had a fighting record second to none. Five members of the Regiment were awarded the Victoria Cross, the greatest number to any Line Infantry Regiment during the Second World War. 1st Battalion landed on Sword Beach on D-Day and fought with distinction through France, Holland and Germany2nd Battalion was the first complete infantry battalion of the British Expeditionary Force to land in France in 1939. Members of this battalion earned the first gallantry decorations of the war. Tragically, 97 men of this battalion were massacred at Le Paradis during the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940. The battalion was rebuilt and fought in Burma and the hellish Battle of Kohima. 4th, 5th and 6th Battalions fought doggedly at Singapore but after the surrender of the island in 1942, spent the rest of the war as Japanese Prisoners of War on the infamous 'Death Railway' and forced labour camps. 7th Battalion fought in France in 1940. Only fifty men made it back, but the battalion was rebuilt and returned again to fight in Normandy in 1944. Drawing on the diaries, memoirs and memories of those who were there, this book is a fitting tribute to the brave men of The Royal Norfolk Regiment.
The Hula Painted Frog
**This is a story of environmental hope.****It is a story of resilience.****It is a story of… a frog.**In the 1950s, measures to control malaria led to the destruction of the Hula painted frog’s unique marshy habitat along the River Jordan in Israel. Decades passed, and after trying many times to find the frog, scientists declared the species extinct. But in 2011, the frog leaped into the scientific spotlight when it reemerged in the waters of a small nature preserve. Against all the odds, the species had managed to survive, hidden from humans for more than fifty years in the grass and mud. This delightful picture book tells the story of the frog’s miraculous return from the brink of extinction. Told from the perspective of one of the frogs, it is a heart-warming cautionary tale that will inspire children to care for and help protect the environment. Maya Gonen is an illustrator and graphic designer who prefers projects with social, environmental, or meaningful added value. She works with both traditional and digital techniques and is always happy to embark on new creative adventures. In 2024, a wordless picture book she illustrated was a finalist in the Silent Book Contest and exhibited at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Maya has a background in photography and co-founded an artist collective earlier in her career.
The Battle of Leuctra, 371 BC
After defeating a coalition of Athens, Thebes, Persia, and other Greek city-states at the end of the Corinthian War in 387 BC, Sparta tyrannized all of Greece with nearly unchecked power. But her empire had been hollowed by the cost of generations of war and a most unfavourable trend in demographics: a sharp decline in Spartan soldiers and citizens. With Sparta's infirmity came a desperately tighter grip on Greece. And Sparta’s renowned king, Agesilaus II, held a special hatred for Thebes. After conquering the city in 382 BC, Sparta dismantled Thebes and intended to permanently eliminate their Theban problem. Thebes, though, was stubbornly resilient in the face of Sparta’s cruelty and not only survived Spartan occupation, but soon overthrew Sparta and aimed to shatter her empire. Against the odds, Thebes succeeded. Her victory boiled down to the indomitable spirit of two men: the irreproachable general Epaminondas and the cunning statesman Pelopidas. The two formed a local resistance movement that first liberated their home from Spartan oppression in 378 and then challenged Sparta’s empire outright in the Theban-Spartan War. By 371 at the Battle of Leuctra, their vision of a free Thebes and broken Sparta was realized, and the infamous Spartan war machine was at long last defeated. For the first time since the age of mythology, Thebes reigned supreme over Greece. Leuctra was the lynchpin of the new Theban Hegemony, and began a new era of empire in Greece, and the first power in centuries that was not Athens or Sparta.
Spitfire Girls Trailblazer
A truly trailblazing pilot, Helen Marcelle Harrison soared above societal norms and became the first female military flying instructor in the world when she taught pupil pilots in the South African Air Force’s 1,000-Pilot Plan and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada. In her illustrious 35-year career, she earned licenses in four countries and learned to fly floatplanes during Singapore’s flying boat era.Harrison’s skill as an aviator did not go un-noticed, and, as a result, in 1942 she was one of twenty-five pilots, described at the time as North America’s best, who were selected to travel to the UK and join the renowned Air Transport Auxiliary. Harrison was, therefore, the first Canadian women to serve in the ATA.The ATA was instrumental during the war, employing male and female pilots to transport aircraft between factories, maintenance units, and front-line squadrons. First Officer Helen Harrison dealt with unflyable weather, mechanical issues, barrage balloons and much more while ferrying thirty-four different warplanes with aplomb, including Spitfires, Mosquitos and Mustangs. First Officer Harrison became the first Canadian woman to perform a cross-Atlantic ferry flight by flying a North American B-25 Mitchell to Britain. The ATA had in effect lowered the barriers and created inclusion for women pilots. The ‘Atta girls’ became the vanguard for future women pilots.After the Second World War, although her goal of becoming a commercial pilot seemed unattainable, she focused steadfastly on her flying career. ‘The future for women pilots is, I believe, definitely brighter,’ she noted cheerfully. ‘It is entirely up to the individual girl herself, of course, to make her opportunity in aviation.’From her early years joy-hopping and stunt-flying in an open-cockpit biplane and her brilliant ATA service flying fast jets, she became ‘Floats Harrison’, the best floatplane instructor in British Columbia, Canada. Climbing above prevailing institutional prejudices and discrimination. Helen Harrison nurtured her joy of flying by instructing hundreds of pilots. She retired with 14,000 injury-free hours as a pilot-in-command, having flown over 100 different aircraft. Helen became the first woman to be inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.
Najpredávanejší autori v tejto kategórii: Dominik Dán, Joanne K. Rowling, Sarah J. Maasová, Freida McFadden, Elle Kennedy.



























