The Military Shelf

Armies of Anglo-Saxon England 410-1066
Gabriele Esposito
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781399093972, $42.95, HC, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Armies-Anglo-Saxon-England-410-1066-Organization/dp/= 1399093975

Synopsis: In the early 5th century, Germanic Angles, Saxons and Jutes cross=
ed the North Sea in increasing numbers and began settling among the ruins o=
f the former Roman province of Britannia. This led to centuries of warfare =
as these 'Anglo-Saxons' carved new, independent kingdoms at the point of th=
e sword, fighting the native Britons and each other. From the late eighth c= entury they also had to face the threat of the Vikings, at first as opportu= nistic raiders but increasingly bent on conquest. The last Viking invasion = was defeated by Harold Godwinson at Stamford Bridge but he was then defeate=
d by the Normans in that same fatal year of 1066, ending the Anglo-Saxon Ag=
e.

With the publication of "Armies of Anglo-Saxon England 410-1066: History, O= rganization and Equipment", historian Gabriele Esposito gives an overview o=
f Anglo-Saxon military history, narrating the great campaigns, such as thos=
e of Alfred the Great of Wessex and Harold Godwinson. He discusses in detai=
l the composition of Anglo-Saxon forces, their tactics, weapons and equipme= nt, detailing developments across the period. The informative, accessible t= ext is supported by dozens of color images showing replica Saxon war gear i=
n use.

Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout with magnificent full color phot= ography, "Armies of Anglo-Saxon England 410-1066: History, Organization and=
Equipment" is informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of =
n informative Introduction, a four page Bibliography, a six page listing of=
The Reenactor Contributors, and a one page Index. Impressive, informative,=
exceptional in organization and presentation, "Armies of Anglo-Saxon Engla=
nd 410-1066: History, Organization and Equipment" is unreservedly recommend=
ed for personal, professional, community, and academic library British Medi= eval Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists=
..

Editorial Note: Gabriele Esposito (https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Gabriele= -Esposito/a/3200) is an Italian researcher and a long-time student of milit= ary history, whose interests and expertise range widely over various period=
s. He is also the author of numerous books on armies and uniforms and is a = regular contributor to many specialized magazines in Italy, France, Netherl= ands and UK. His many previous works include Armies of Early Colonial North=
America 1607-1713, published by Pen & Sword in 2018.

Blood, Dust and Snow
Friedrich Wilhelm Sander, author
Robin Schaffer, editor/translator
Greenhill Books
c/o Pen & Sword Books
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781784388300, $37.95, HC, 448pp

https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Dust-Snow-Diaries-Commander/dp/1784388300

Synopsis: The war on the Eastern Front from 1941 to 1945 was the bloodiest = combat theater in the bloodiest war in history. Oberleutnant Friedrich Wilh= elm Sander experienced this bloodshed first-hand when serving with the 11th=
Panzer-Regiment. This regiment made up the core of the 6th Panzer-Division=
, one of Hitler's top armored formations, which was involved in most of the=
major campaigns on the Eastern Front; including campaigns such as Operatio=
n Barbarossa and Operation Winter Storm.

Sander recorded his experience of these campaigns in astounding detail in s= ome recently discovered diaries covering the period from April 1938 to Dece= mber 1943, translated into English for the first time by historian Robin Sc= hafer. Written during the fighting, these diaries not only offer an honest = assessment of the war on the Eastern Front, but also provide an insight int=
o the mind of a young and highly politicized officer, and offer an intimate=
glimpse into the close-knit community of a German Panzer crew.

A brutally honest, immediate and unfiltered personal account, Sander's tran= slated diaries make for some uniquely fascinating reading about some of the=
most important campaigns of the Second World War. Supported by more than 1=
00 photographs and maps from the period, Blood, Dust & Snow will be of grea=
t interest not only to readers studying the war on the Eastern Front, but a= lso to any historian researching the Second World War.

Critique: An invaluable contribution to the growing library of German World=
War II accounts, "Blood, Dust and Snow: Diaries of a Panzer Commander in G= ermany and on the Eastern Front" is a riveting read from beginning to end. = Impressively candid, detailed, and informative, "Blood, Dust and Snow" will=
have a very special appeal to readers with an interest in the Eastern Fron=
t battlegrounds of World War II and has the highest possible recommended fo=
r personal, professional, community, and academic library World War II Mili= tary History and Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted for stude= nts, academia, military history buffs, and non-specialist general readers w= ith an interest in the subject that "Blood, Dust and Snow: Diaries of a Pan= zer Commander in Germany and on the Eastern Front" is also currently availa= ble in a digital book format (Kindle, $0.99).

Editorial Note: Robin Schafer (https://robschaefer-historian.com) is a Germ=
an military historian, writer and producer. He has worked as historical adv= isor for British and international television programmes, including the BBC=
's The Great War Interviews, Voices 16 - Somme, Last Heroes of the Somme an=
d Channel 4's Battle of Britain: The Last of the Few. He is the creator and=
former historical editor of Iron Cross Magazine and co-author of "Fritz an=
d Tommy: Across the Barbed Wire".

The Rorke's Drift Commanders: Gonville Bromhead and John Chard
James W. Bancroft
Frontline Books
c/o Pen & Sword Books
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781399009966, $39.95, HC, 248pp

https://www.amazon.com/Rorkes-Drift-Commanders-Gonville-Bromhead/dp/1399009= 966

Synopsis: Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead and Lieutenant John Chard had fame t= hrust upon them, as did the place known as Rorke's Drift, which before 1879=
was an unknown homestead situated in the middle of the South African veld.

Although both men came from families whose various members were highly dist= inguished for their military service and for their service to the church, t= hey became reluctant heroes after being awarded Britain's highest decoratio=
n for valor, the Victoria Cross.

During the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879, a British invasion force was massacred a=
t Isandlwana, after which a wing of the Zulu army about 3,000 strong attack=
ed the outpost at Rorke's Drift. Lieutenants Bromhead and Chard commanded t=
he post, and after supervising the construction of barricades they led thei=
r men in defensive actions throughout the night until the Zulus lost heart = and returned to their kraals. For their gallantry 'under most trying circum= stances', both Bromhead and Chard, along with nine of their comrades, were = subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross.

In 1964 the defense of Rorke's Drift was brought back to public attention w= ith the producing of the epic motion picture Zulu! In this film, Chard was = portrayed by Sir Stanley Baker, while Bromhead provided Sir Michael Caine w= ith his first starring role.

Bromhead and Chard epitomized the way of life of Victorian officers, with t=
he exception that fate put them at Rorke's Drift. They became major players=
in a battle which continues to excite interest and cause debate, and is un= likely ever to be forgotten.

Critique: Informative enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of an info= rmative Introduction, three Appendices, black/white images, a nine page lis= ting of Research Sources, a seven page Bibliography, and a three page Index=
, "The Rorke's Drift Commanders: Gonville Bromhead and John Chard" is an im= pressively researched work of meticulous scholarship. Effectively organized=
and presented, "The Rorke's Drift Commanders: Gonville Bromhead and John C= hard " will prove to be a welcome addition to personal, professional, commu= nity, and academic library 19th Century British Military History collection=
s and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for student=
s, academia, military history buffs, and non-specialist general readers tha=
t "The Rorke's Drift Commanders: Gonville Bromhead and John Chard" is also = available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.05).

Editorial Note: James Bancroft (https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/James-W-Ban= croft/a/3080) for over four decades has been writing he has produced more t= han 100 books and articles, the subjects of which reflect his varied intere= sts. He has contributed a number of articles for The New Oxford Dictionary =
of National Biography, and his book Rorke's Drift: The Zulu War, 1879 has b= een re-printed seven times.

Sharpshooter in the Crimea
Michael Springman
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781399074483, $29.95, PB, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Sharpshooter-Crimea-Letters-CaptainGerald-Goodlake/d= p/1399074482

Synopsis: Compiled and edited by author and historian Michael Springman, "S= harpshooter in the Crimea: The Letters of the Captain Gerald Goodlake VC 18= 54-56" is a compendium of the letters home to his family that Gerald Goodla=
ke wrote as a young officer in the Coldstream Guards. Remarkable reading, t= hey vividly describe the ill-preparedness of the British Army and the dire = conditions experienced by all ranks in the Crimea.

Goodlakes views on senior officers were frank to say the least! Most import= ant, Goodlakes initiative and courage in organizing and leading what were t=
he Special Forces of their day were rewarded by the award of one of the fir=
st Victoria Crosses -- with Goodlake serving in the Crimea from early 1854 =
to the end two years later.

Critique: Transcribed, edited and annotated by Michael Springman, "Sharpsho= oter in the Crimea: The Letters of the Captain Gerald Goodlake VC 1854-56" = provides a unique, informative, and fascinating perspective on the British = forces engaged in the Crimean conflict. While very highly recommended as a = core addition to 19th Century British Military History collections in gener= al, and the Crimean War in particular, it should be noted for personal read= ing lists that "Sharpshooter in the Crimea: The Letters of the Captain Gera=
ld Goodlake VC 1854-56" is also available in a paperback edition (978139907= 4483, $29.95), and in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99). (https://www.p= en-and-sword.co.uk/Michael-Springman/a/488)

Combat Divers
Michael G. Welham
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
9781472856005, $40.00, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Combat-Divers-illustrated-history-Special/dp/1472856= 007

Synopsis: Combat divers are an elite within an elite. Every special forces = combat diver is required to pass selection twice. First into the elite mili= tary unit and then a combat diving qualification. The combat dive units the= mselves are tiny and the operations highly classified. The role of a milita=
ry diver is inevitably a lonely and a dangerous one, whether clearing mines=
or striking from the sea against enemy-held targets.

Fully illustrated with rare and unusual images, with the publication of "Co= mbat Divers: An illustrated history of Special Forces divers ", Michael G. = Welham reveals their little-known yet fascinating operations, from Dutch Sp= ecial Forces combat divers covertly operating against Somali pirates to the=
actions of Soviet Spetsnaz divers in Swedish territorial waters during the=
Cold War. "Combat Divers" also examines how the most famous units, such as=
the US Navy SEALs and the Royal Navy's SBS, are currently operating and ad= apting to threats in a multitude of theatres.

"Combat Divers" gives an insight into specialist kit and vehicles presently=
used and equipment that is being developed and trialed throughout the worl=
d. Covering a variety of kit, from dry deck shelters to mini-submarines and=
swimmer delivery vehicles, former Royal Marines Commando Michael G. Welham=
draws on his own extensive diving experience to reveal exactly how this eq= uipment is used by special forces dive teams. As their kit and equipment co= nstantly evolve, so does the nature of their work and even the team element=
..

"Combat Divers" also details the first female combat divers and includes th= eir own first-hand accounts about their groundbreaking roles within their r= espective units to create a fascinating history of these elite special forc=
es operatives.

Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout with both color and black/white = photos, "Combat Divers: An illustrated history of Special Forces divers" is=
an impressively informative, comprehensive, organized and presented study = and one that is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, profe= ssional, community, and academic library Military History collections and s= upplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, acad= emia, and military buffs that "Combat Divers: An illustrated history of Spe= cial Forces divers" is also readily available from Osprey Publishing in a d= igital book format (Kindle, $21.49).

Editorial Note: Michael G. Welham is a former Royal Marines Commando (speci= alist skills: diving, canoeing and parachuting), and subsequently a member =
of 21 SAS and Naval Gunfire Support 95 Commando RAR. He has some 40 years o=
f diving experience, both military and civilian. He is also the author of C= ombat Frogmen (with Lord Paddy Ashdown), Naval Elite Units, Exploring the D= eep, and Frogmen Spy.

Neville Chamberlain's War
Frederic Seager
Independently Published
9798548548795, $22.00, PB, 286pp

https://www.amazon.com/Neville-Chamberlains-War-Britain-1939-1940/dp/B09BLB= P3P8

Synopsis: The Phoney War got its name on September 18, 1939, when Senator W= illiam E. Borah, Republican of Idaho, told a group of reporters, "There is = something phoney about this war." Shortly thereafter, the following limeric=
k made the rounds on both sides of the Atlantic: "An elderly statesman with=
gout,/ When asked what the war was about,/ Replied with a sigh,/ My collea= gues and I,/ Are doing our best to find out."

The elderly statesman was Neville Chamberlain, the arch-appeaser of 1938; a=
nd the Phoney War was his war, a war he neither wanted nor understood. On d= eclaring war, he intoned: "I trust I may see the day when Hitlerism has bee=
n destroyed and a liberated Europe has been re-established." Instead, he li= ved to see Hitler triumphant and most of Western, democratic Europe under N= azi domination.

Having assumed that the Maginot Line would hold (it was in fact taken from = the rear) and that the French army was invincible in defense, Chamberlain w= rote to his sister on May 17, 1940: "All my world has tumbled to bits in a = moment."

It was left to Winston Churchill to pick up the pieces.

Critique: An impressively detailed history of the first two years of what w= ould become known as World War II, "Neville Chamberlain's War: How Great Br= itain Opposed Hitler, 1939-1940" by historian and retired academician Frede= ric Seager is an extraordinarily informative and exceptionally well present=
ed study. While also available for the personal reading lists of students, = academia, and military history buffs in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.9= 9), "Neville Chamberlain's War: How Great Britain Opposed Hitler, 1939-1940=
" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community, college, and un= iversity library World War II history collections.

From the Frying Pan to Mittersill
Jos Groen
Flying Pencil USA
https://www.flyingpencil.us
9789083241388, $39.50, HC, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Mittersill-Parachute-Infantry-Regiment-1942-1945/dp/= 9083241386

Synopsis: Fox Company, 502nd PIR, 101st Airborne Division was popularly kno=
wn as "Screaming Eagles".

During WW2, the paratroopers of Fox Company took part in three of the main = campaigns in Western-Europe: D-Day, Market Garden and the Battle of the Bul= ge. Their efforts and sacrifices ultimately helped crush the armed forces o=
f Nazi Germany.

With the publication of "From the Frying Pan to Mittersill, Fox Co. 502nd P= arachute Infantry Regiment 1942-1945", Jos Groen provides astonishing insig= hts into the characters of these highly trained WW2 paratroopers who fought=
so gallantly during this war.

The historical narrative of Fox Company is based on numerous resources that=
have never been published before, which makes these stories and the compan= y's combat record unique. These are the untold stories of the men who saw t=
he war up close and personal. Their accounts show the whole gamut of emotio=
ns a combat soldier experiences: from his fears, suffering and the anxiety =
of engaging with the enemy, to the humor, comradeship in despair and mutual=
bonds.

The unique pictures that accompany the written words are centertain to leav=
e a lasting impression on the reader.

Critique: Exceptionally well researched, written, organized and presented, = "From the Frying Pan to Mittersill, Fox Co. 502nd Parachute Infantry Regime=
nt 1942-1945" is an impressively informative, inherently fascinating, and u= nreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic libra=
ry World War II histories and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Lieutenant Colonel Jos Groen MSc began his military career =
in March 1985 as a conscript in the Dutch Marine Corps but currently servic=
es as an officer in the Royal Dutch Army as he transferred from the Marine = Corps to the Army in 1989. He was deployed to Uruzgan (Afghanistan) in 2010=
, where he worked as the Staff Officer Information Operations within the TF=
U VIII staff. This was his third mission abroad after earlier missions with=
Dutchbat III (1995) in Bosnia and Task Force Fox (2002) in Macedonia. Of s= pecial note is that "Three of the Last WWII Screaming Eagles" is his fourth=
book but his first one written in the English language by him. (https://sc= reamingeaglesbook.com/about-jos-groen)

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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Midwest Book Review
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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