Posts

Showing posts with the label military History

The Zookeeper's Wife: An unforgettable true story, now a major film

Image
In war-torn Warsaw, a zookeeper and his wife refuse to surrender...  Now a major motion picture starring Jessica Chastain and Daniel Brühl, Diane Ackerman's  The Zookeeper's Wife  is based on a remarkable true story of bravery and sanctuary during World War II. Perfect for fans of  Lion  and  Hidden Figures. 'I can't imagine a better story or storyteller.  The Zookeeper's Wife  will touch every nerve you have' -Jonathan Safran Foer, author of  Everything is Illuminated When Germany invades Poland, Luftwaffe bombers devastate Warsaw and the city's zoo along with it. With most of their animals killed, or stolen away to Berlin, zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski begin smuggling Jews into the empty cages. As the war escalates Jan becomes increasingly involved in the anti-Nazi resistance. Ammunition is buried in the elephant enclosure and explosives stored in the animal hospital. Plans are prepared for what will become the Warsaw uprising. T

Be Blown Away!

Image
Treachery and Triumph - An Anthology of World War II Stories Editor Jeremy Moiser   Murder WAR? DEATH AND DESTRUCTION? VIOLENCE, HATRED, INEXPRESSIBLE GRIEF? PEOPLES PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER, TO THE DEATH? WHY ON EARTH SHOULD I WANT TO READ ABOUT IT? THERE’S ENOUGH IN THE MEDIA EVERY DAY, SURELY? YES: BUT THIS IS DIFFERENT. In these pages, there is violence – impossible to avoid in an anthology dedicated to the memory of war – but there is also humour and romance, suspense and emotion, heroism and daring. The action is set variously in France, Britain, Eire, Kenya, Russia, Poland ... You are guaranteed hours of stimulation, enjoyment and fruitful relaxation with a book devoted to one of the defining events of our times. STARE INTO THE PAST WITH THE EYES OF THOSE GRIPPED BY ITS DRAMA. ... .. Find out more “ Exhilarating - be blown away ” …publishedbestsellers.com What is unique about the book? Treachery and Triumph - An Anthology of World War II

Experience the daunting majesty and dangers of the intricate British Columbia coast

Image
The Last Days Of George Vancouver, RN By Ron Palmer An account of George Vancouver’s life based on his journals edited by Canadian scholar W. Kaye Lamb   Britain's interest in the Northwest coast of America was enlivened during the late 18th century. Showing little regard to Spain's blanket claim for the whole coast from Cape Horn to the very north of America, Britain was determined to claim as their own, the fur trade and whaling industry, however this led to tensions and Britain prepared for hostilities. It was George Vancouver, in addition to his professional chart and surveying work, who carried out the diplomatic meeting with the Spanish commissioner on the terms of the Nootka Sound Agreement and negotiation with the Hawaiian chiefs for the islands to become a protectorate of Great Britain. Alas for all these credible achievements he was never recognised until long after his death.. .. Find out more

Silver Eagle (Dutch Version) - Book Signing in Veghel, Netherlands

Image
'SILVER EAGLE', het waargebeurd verhaal van Clancy Lyall. Veteraan van de Band of Brothers werd geschreven door Clancy's goede vriend Ronald Ooms. Al Mampre ( 92), veteran of the 101st Airborne Division 506 P.I.R. Easy Company "Band of Brothers", received a free copy of Clancy Lyall's book Silver Eagle from author Ronald Ooms. ( Veghel, the Netherlands) Ebook | Kobo | Google Play | Amazon Kindle | Apple iBook | Nook Also available in English Publisher's Website

Silver Eagle (Dutch Version) - Pulsating war memoirs of unsung hero

Image
Silver Eagle - Het waargebeurd verhaal van Clancy Lyall. Veteraan van de Band of Brothers. By Karl Brockmann 'SILVER EAGLE', het waargebeurd verhaal van Clancy Lyall. Veteraan van de Band of Brothers werd geschreven door Clancy's goede vriend Ronald Ooms. Na de Japanse verrassingsaanval op Pearl Harbor en het onmiddellijk vertrek van alle jonge mannen uit zijn dorp om bij het leger of de koopvaardijvloot te gaan, besloot de toen 16-jarige Clancy dat hij niet kon achterblijven. He loog over zijn leeftijd en gaf zich vrijwillig op bij het leger. Hij maakte deel uit van de 101ste Luchtlandingsdivisie en vocht zijn eerste gevecht op het Europese strijdtoneel tijdens de D-Day Landingen. Na een nauwe ontsnapping aan de dood werd hij overgeplaatst naar Easy Compagnie 506, de beroemde 'Band of Brothers'. Hij vocht zij aan zij met zijn strijdbroeders tijdens Operation Market Garden, onderging de barre weersomstandigheden en meervuldige beschietingen van d

Wild Strawberries ~ "an entertaining read, and a useful addition to the literature on the evacuees"

Image
Most evacuee memoirs that I have read were written by people who were evacuated from London, normally fairly early in the Second World War and often from very poor neighbourhoods. This book differs from these books in just about every way! First of all the author was evacuated from Birmingham, not from London. Second he didn't leave until the Birmingham blitz had been underway for some time (and ironically was somewhat close to ending). Third, the author's parent's house in Birmingham was a modern building, complete with electricity and modern plumbing, and his school was also modern and well designed. This gives the book a different tone - the author was evacuated to a house with less modern facilities than his own, and to an overwhelmed school in an older building. He was also evacuated to a house in a hamlet near Yoxall in Staffordshire, quite close to my own home village. After a comparatively short period here, the author was diagnosed with scabies, and moved to

Foreword to 'No Cousin of Mine' by John Noakes*, probably the most famous of all the presenters of the Blue Peter programme

Image
*John Noakes and the author were part of a close group of friends who formed part of the ground crew of Number 256 Royal Air Force night-fighter squadron serving as part of the Second Tactical Air Force in Western Germany and share many memories of that period.. Foreword A chance meeting in Mallorca, brought Derek and I together again after more than fifty years.  It was very pleasant to meet up and although our paths had never crossed again in civilian life it was nice to reminisce, over a glass or two of red wine, about our time in the RAF and especially the time we had been with 256 Squadron at Alhorn.  At this reunion he made no mention of writing a “book” and as people do when they have shared experiences we merely sat and chatted about those things, which stood out in our minds…a trip down memory lane ….taking us back to the early 1950s. They say, and I think it was once a book title ”Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be”…..but in all honesty I think I can say having read D

Candid Reviews of Derek Smith's* Military History Book - 'No Cousin of Mine'

Image
*The author was part of the ground crew of Number 256 Royal Air Force night-fighter squadron serving as part of the Second Tactical Air Force in Western Germany   Reviews I don't know Derek, but what I do know is that he has written a brilliant book. I received it yestday morning and by 3pm I had read it. I just couldn't put it down. Yes I too did my National Service of two years, and ended up at RAF Ahlhorn. I was close to Derek as I worked in the Tech Hanger Library, issuing the maintence manuals for various planes and engines. National Service was not always a bowl of Cherries, but Derek Smith's book shows plenty of light hearted moments. Derek I hope you come out with a part two very soon as it will be eagerly awaited. These sort of books are not too common and this one sets a very high standard. Ken Newton