Product Description

Experience the Human Cost of War!

Customer Reviews (5)

New Combat Stories
So It Begins (2009) is the second combat SF anthology in the Defending the Future series, following Breach the Hull.This volume contains a dedication, fifteen previously unpublished short stories, the author bios, and an extract from an unpublished novel.

- The dedication is to the Demontech Series by David Sherman.

- "Recidivism" by David E. Gannon is about a throwback to an earlier way of thinking.

- "The Last Report on Unit Twenty-Two" by John C. Wright exposes the practice of enslaving cyborgs in the Belt.

- "The Nature of Mercy" by James Daniel Ross examines the life of a retired Radiation Angel.

- "Clean Sweeps" by Jonathan Maberry exposes the morality of the media.

- "War Movies" by James Chambers considers the thinking of higher command.

- "The Battle for Knob Lick" by Patrick Thomas continues the story of the naval officers who had not supported the mutiny.

- "Junked" by Andy Remic describes a raid by a Combat K squad against the junks.

- "First Line" by Banielle Ackley-McPhail provides a packbot with a copy of the mind of a combat leader and bomb expert.

- "To Spec" by Charles E. Gannon confronts an experienced noncom with a raid on his post where his only weapon is a protype undergoing field tests.

- "Gunnery Sergeant" by Jeffrey Lyman presents the backstory of Compartment Alpha.

- "Grendel" by Jack Campbell reveals the origins of the Lost Fleet campaign.

- "Cling Peaches" by Mike McPhail involves something alien that appears on a damaged starship.

- "The Glass Box" by Bud Sparhawk takes a cyborg marine to a far planet looking for a human survivor.

- "Looking for a Good Time" by Tony Ruggiero tells of the troubles of a marine on shore leave.

- "Everything's Better with Monkeys" by C. J. Henderson has the crew of the Roosevelt putting on a show.

- Author Bios describe the authors of these stories.

- "Surrender or Die" by David Sherman is the prologue to a Demontech novel that was never published.

Many of these authors also had stories in the First anthology of this series.Only Charles E. Gannon, David E. Gannon, Jonathan Maberry, Andy Remic and David Sherman were not published in the first volume.

Highly recommended for fans of combat SF.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Some great short stories, some so-so
I had no idea this collection was based on a basically self-published series.The stories were well written, and some were pretty original (zombies in space and that type of thing) - what I did not like was the number of pages for the price.Should have been about 3x more pages for the price.

GOOD GOOD GOOD
Unlike the first book in this series, Breach the Hull, this volume is full of excellent stories. If you like military si-fi this is a must read. Try it you will like it.

So It Begins - A Fun Collection of Sci-Fi War Short Stories, with a Great Cover
The second of two short story collections on sci-fi military war stories. The two that I remember best are James Chamber's "War Movies" and C.J. Henderson's "Everthing's Better with Monkeys." Both have interesting, and amusing, takes on several sci-fi clichés.

But that doesn't mean the other authors aren't fun, too. There is a good healthy range of short stories, which are perfect for fun on the go. I read my copy on a trip through O'Hare.

And the covers to this series are rather cool, too.

It's worth the coin if you're interested in some quick solid fun.

Enjoyable and Stimulating
So it Begins continues with the legacy started by Breach the Hull. Breach the Hull exposed me to several authors whom I had never heard of (e.g Bud Sparrhawk and Jeffery Lyman) and as a result I am now on the lookout for their works.

The stories in SIB are captivating and stimulate plenty of thought. To Spec by Charles E Gannon keeps you wondering right up to the end. Grendel By Jack Campbell gives insight into His Lost Fleet Series and continues to be my favourite of the 16 separate stories in this anthology.Personally coming from an engineering background I found Gunnery Sergeant by Lyman compelling reading as humanity rushes to get its new ships ready for battle. The ending of Glass Box by Bud Sparrhawk will definitely draw a reaction from you as a Marine endeavours to rescue a young girl left behind in enemy territory.

Even if you're not that into scifi the book is well worth reading. This book will have something for you, your parents and everybody who reads it. It will expose you to several talented authors who will draw you into unique worlds and often leave you wishing for more. Another feature is that you can read one story at a time while having a spare five minutes though I couldn't put it down. I eagerly await the next instalment of the Defending the Future series and await the authors return to the universes each one created.

A welcome distraction from the real world.

... Read more

Product Description
A U.S. Marine Combined Action Platoon in Vietnam; a single Marine squad is located in Khung Toi, a Vietnamese village, working with the Popular Forces -- the local militia.Together, the Marines and PFs form CAP Whiskey 8.Three of the Marines, using the nom de guerres of Socrates, Captain Hook, and Sneaky Pete, get involved with a secretive and mysterious project, assigned to assassinate NVA cadre in villages other than their own.The corporal known as Socrates is disturbed by the project and tries to backtrack it, but finds nothing but more unanswered questions.On one mission, he and his two men find documents detailing a planned major NVA attack on CAP Whiskey 8.The Marines and their Vietnamese counterparts barely have time to prepare for the biggest fight any of them have ever been in. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Ballsy Devil Dog-ness
The very first line in the book "Hooked" me. It dripped of ballsy Devil Dog-ness that I truly appreciated.

There are few authors who can manage the telling of the enlisted man's story quite the way David Sherman does. Other's try, but most fail. Few are able to balance the wonderfully complex and internal conflict of scholar, heathen, artist, brute and warrior that is Marine. Few also have the background that Mr. Sherman does that gives a certain authenticity to their work.Everything feels right. Even the characters felt like Marines I served with at one point or another. There are no stereotypical "jarheads" that march around shouting and screaming, and Mr. Sherman manages to make honest to goodness human beings out of his Marines.

The Junkyard Dogs is a raw look into the lives of CAP Marine in Vietnam. As a late 20th and 21st century Marine, myself, I found the story very educational. The Junkyard Dogs paints a vivid portrait of the life of Marines during the Vietnam War. In some respects it's stuff that Marines from my generation will immediately recognize. In others, it's a foreign world and fascinating to learn about.

Mr. Sherman is detailed in his portraiture of CAP Marines and their job and avoids any tedium quite well. Even the way the main plot is folded into the story is done quite expertly. It does not beleaguer the story and allows the various sub-plots time to be fully fleshed out. Mostly, it illustrates that a Marine at war is damned busy and must be mentally nimble to handle the plethora of demands on his person.

I especially enjoyed this book because of the applicability and parallels to today's world events.

The ending of the story is gold. It illustrates that life goes on and the mission continues regardless of the events the day before.

I did only rate the book a four and not a five because I had a little trouble with the dream sequences. Other than that, I whole-heartedly recommend this book.

One final note: While The Junkyard Dogs is an accurate portrayal of enlisted Marines with some inside baseball, it remains civilian friendly...at least to those interested martial history.

- Alisium

This Book is GREAT!
This book really delves into every day life and the minds of the Marines in Vietnam. Written by a man who has been there. Explosive battle scenes draw you in to the moment and take your breath away.

I would rate it higher than 5!

Vietnam war action up close and personal
This mesmerizing look at Marines fighting in Vietnam will not change anyone's views on that war.But it will add a human dimension to understanding.We follow Marines who are imbedded with the civilian population of a group of rural villages, working with them and for them to keep out the Vee Cee-- Viet Cong.Shown are the quiet days when patrols go out and find nothing; and also battle scenes when everything happens at once.We see them interract with the locals, such as Sam who has a "restaurant" the Marines visit both to support and for their own diversion.What makes this book special is the sense a reader gets of being with these men on the ground:of their concerns, of the underlying tension of needing to be ready against attack when nothing seems to be going on, and of their real interaction with the villagers they protect.We also see Marine life in working within their hierarchies, the give and take between men of different stations.The only fault with the book -- the reason I give it 4 instead of 5 stars -- is its having 3 flashback chapters which are supposed to explain why one Marine chose originally to join the Corps; these are weaker and unhelpfully digress from the action on the ground.But that's a quibble.This book gives great insight to the men, the place, and the times that continue to intrigue us.It grips the imagination, it is exciting, and we come to care for this odd lot of dedicated men.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
The Sherman DD (Duplex Drive) tank was designed to preserve the element of surprise during an amphibious assault. This book explores the development and modifications of the Sherman DD by the Allied forces, focusing on their deployment during the D-Day landings. It also discusses the many variations of the Sherman DD, including the Valentine DD tank and its role as a training tank in Britain and limited operational use in Italy. David Fletcher describes the rigorous training programme that the American, British and Canadian troops must endure to use the swimming Shermans, and he examines their successes and tragic failures on the beaches of Normandy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent coverage of an intriguing tank
The amphibious DD tanks was one of the more interesting weapons to be used in World War II. Tanks are interently heavy and dense objects, so making one float is clearly a major engineering project. The British response to the need for floating tanks to support amphibious invasions was an interesting if clumsy technological solution.

This book is a standard Osprey New Vanguard treatment of the subject: background, technical description and operational overview, with excellent color plates. After reading the book, I had a good understanding of how the DD tanks worked, how it was used in combat, and what were its limitations.

mildly disappointing
WW2 marked the first use of tanks being used to support a force attacking from the sea.The Allies had to develop ways to get tanks ashore to support their troops, especially in Europe where the threat of a counter a attack by German tanks was always present. This book is not one of my favorite of the Osprey Vanguard series.This book is flawed by too narrow a focus and too much extraneous material. The proper title should have been "British Swimming Shermans in Europe".All the material is about the British attempt to develop and use the Duplex Drive version of the "Sherman" tank.This book goes into detail about the process of developing and training British tank crews on the DD tanks - starting with the developments based on a British "Valentine" tank.Later there are accounts of several British units use of the DD "Sherman", but very little on the US Army's use of the same equipment, and no mention of the fact that the US built 350 DD tanks using plans provided by the British.There is NO mention of the US use of DD tanks in Southern France or the Rhine crossing.There is also not even passing mention of the US developments in floating tanks ashore.There is a lot more to the DD story, from both nations, that was omitted.This book does provide information on the original engineering of the project, but little else in the way of new material. ... Read more

Product Description
Only a miracle can save them now.
Luckily, they have one: the Marines.

Like an invincible tidal wave of evil, the Dark Prince’s conquering armies roar across the land, leaving death and destruction in their wake. So far Marines Haft and Spinner have managed to stay one step ahead of the invaders, picking up hundreds of refugees and soldiers as they struggle to reach their salvation at the edge of the sea. Against all odds, they’ve even managed to inflict some damage on the vastly superior forces.

Yet for every enemy soldier killed, ten more appear in his place, and the Dark Prince’s demon magic ensures their weapons are brutally effective. The outlook is not promising for the ragged band of rebels, pursued by bloodthirsty troops, hounded by bandits, and forced across a desert where death awaits all trespassers. As the noose tightens and the Dark Prince prepares the final coup de grace, it may look like Haft and Spinner and their embattled crew are finished. But these Marines have only just begun to fight. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Help Save A Great Series
I am not going to put a synopsis of the book here, others have already done it and probably done it better than I ever could. I just want to say that I own all 3 books in the series and was very disappointed to see that that last 3 books will NOT be published. It seems sales are low even though reviews are rating this series very highly. I urge you to buy this book is you like Sword and Sorcery and/or Military SF, this series seamlessly combines both. The book is entertaining, well written, with great fully realized characters. Recommend this book to others you think would like it and take a moment to write the publishers and ask them to please release the rest of the books.

Just Great!
Everybody before me has said it better, this series is a great read! Let's get more of them for Del Ray!

Scott-

Great Series
The DemonTech series is great. I was unsure of the books at first but I gave them a shot and found myself in a wonderfuly written SF book that is completely different from any other I have read. The sad truth is the series is finished with this last installment. It does leave you at a huge cliffhanger so unless the books sell we will never find out what happens with the story.

Lord Gunny says " Buy this book So we can get more sales and more in the series!!!"
1500, 2000, 3000, 5000, 7000!!! refugees in the company and under the command of our Marine duo, Haft and Spinner. Our band reachs Dartmutter to find it smashed and sacked by the Jokapcul armies.

They are forced further along the coast in search of a port to find passage back to Frangeria. Along the way the refugees runnig from the evil armies keep coming and joining the company.

They run the coast and reach the low desert and come upon the secrative desert men. At the same time they discover that the Jokapcul armies have landed on the coast. Haft and Spinner are joined by a fellow Marine who is a Sergeant, named Rammer. The problems of how to handle a troop of this size, train men to fight, escape the foes they are stuck between, and reach a port the can get passage back to Frangeria.

The problems mount, the enemies are engaged, the demontech is employed, another fine book in this series, leaves you satisfied, yet desperatly wanting the tale to continue and revealed.

The Lord Gunny says" DEL RAY WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!! This is the finest of the three tomes, giving history to my Marines travels! and ya pull the plug over a mild lack of gold pieces!! ARRGH!!!!! I order you to reinstate the histories and allow our Marine Duo to continue!!!"

To all readers of this series, the more you reccomend thes books the more they sell and the better chance DeL Ray will tap Dave Sherman and get him a deal to finish the series.

Bring On the Marines! Great series!
I have been waiting for years for more in this series! To to find out the publisher zapped it is a major dissappointment! Note to Mr. Sherman: find a new publisher!! Give us more Haft and Spinner! I think this series is just as good as the much ballyhooed HALO series! Haft and Spinner are like Spartans without the armour! Note to Publisher: there are a lot of Demontech fans out here! ... Read more

Product Description
Ruthless and seemingly indestructible,
the dark army didn’t count on the few, the proud, the Marines.

The Dark Prince’s vast armies have destroyed nation after nation with the aid of powerful demon magic. Their total victory would be swift and certain except for two things: Haft and Spinner, a pair of soldiers trained in the art of warfare through the teachings of a magically transported Marine Gunnery Sergeant.

The Dark Prince’s orders are swift and simple: find them. Haft and Spinner, along with scores of soldiers and refugees, are determined to form an army and defeat the invaders. Outnumbered and outgunned, they must uncover and kill the enemy before the enemy kills them. Haft and Spinner have already accomplished great feats. But to achieve the impossible will require a few strokes of genius and a few good men. Fortunately, these Marines have both. . . . ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A great entry into a great series
I am not going to put a synopsis of the book here, others have already done it and probably done it better than I ever could. I just want to say that I own all 3 books in the series and was very disappointed to see that that last 3 books will NOT be published. It seems sales are low even though reviews are rating this series very highly. I urge you to buy this book is you like Sword and Sorcery and/or Military SF, this series seamlessly combines both. The book is entertaining, well written, with great fully realized characters. Recommend this book to others you think would like it and take a moment to write the publishers and ask them to please release the rest of the books.

Lord Gunny Says " Buy this book two!!!
Haft and spinner have picked up a small band and are being pushed across the land by the armies of the Dark Prince, entering the lands of Zobra as they trek looking for a sea port to take them back to their home port of Frangeria to get help.

Silent, a giant from the Northern steppes, out on an adventure to see the known world.

Wolf, a beast that moves in stealth watching and warding from afar and eventually befreinds and joins the group.

The Golden Girl, spiteful and course, having Spinner beguiled, and hating him and haft for taking away her musician.

Doli, love struck tavern girl, who was freed from slavery by Our Marine Duo.

Flecher and Zweepee, a married couple also freed from slavery and joined the escape from the dark minions.

The small group grows into hundreds as they move thru the lands, they encounter a town beset by bandit gangs, as they run from the Jokapcul armies ravaging the lands behind them.

Demontech weapons are discovered and employed by their new magician, Xundoe. He teachs the company how to use Demon spitters and other weapons. He sets off Phoinex eggs and fire salamanders as they battle and struggle against their old and new foe's.

The reader is introduced to the concept of the Rally point, a place where people go when the fog of war gets out of hand.

Great Battles, great charcters, running adventure, page turning fun, like Lord Gunny says, "Buy this book too, you cant go wrong!"

Bring it back, Now!!!
I love this series. I bought all three books at once and read them all in one sitting, only stopping long enough to take bathroom breaks. I want this series to continue. I think it was a lose to the readers of the world when this series was cancelled just because book three didn't sell as fast as the other two. I only picked up this series because I was waiting for the authors I follow to publish something new.
I would keep following this series if someone would figure out it's a good idea to keep publishing it.

Building a Following
The first book in the DEMONTECH series described how 2 marines managed to flee the invasion of the country their ship was visiting and gather a small following of fellow refugees in the process. This second book expands on that. They are still wandering and looking for a way to catch a ship back to their home but it is becoming harder and harder. The bad guys are after them and route after route is blocked. They are also picking up more refugees and stragglers.

Most of the refugees are just that. They are helpless women and children but they are also picking up the occasional soldier of defeated armies. Sometimes they have to fight. That leads them to a singular position in this world. These are the only guys to fight the bad guys and WIN. That makes them hero and attracts more followers.That is also how privates Haft and Spinner become "Lords" Haft and Spinner.

These guys are the stuff of heroes but they don't have the training to lead large bodies numbering in the thousands. That they succeed and even save a town makes them more heroic.

There is more yet to come. The wandering is still not at an end and the BAD guys are still expanding their empire. I look forward to more.

Great Book!!!
I read this book awhile ago and just recently reread the series. I am not a big fantasy fan, but this is a great read. If you are looking for something that is exciting, fun and a page turner, read this series, you will not be disappointed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

An Amazing Scrapbook of Two Prolific Composers
Walt's Time - From Before to Beyond by Robert B. Sherman & Richard M. Sherman. 1998, 252 pages.

The Sherman Brothers need little introduction to Disney fans. Prolific composers of music for films and theme park attractions, they have written some of the most memorable songs in Disney history.

This book, which looks at their long career, finally saw the light of day after the Sherman Brothers met Bruce Gordon and Dave Mumford. Just like The Nickel Tour, publishers felt that there was no commercial appeal in this book. Bruce and David had self-published The Nickel Tour and thought that they could do the same with Walt's Time. The Sherman Brothers, after shopping the book around since 1981, had worked with Jeff Kurtti to have a majority of it written. Bruce and Dave met with Jeff and they agreed to self-publish. The Sherman Brothers were thrilled to work with Bruce, David and Jeff.

The book was created to resemble a scrapbook of their career. It starts with their first day on the Disney lot where they land the title song for the Parent Trap while auditioning a song for the Horsemasters. It then launches through the highlights of a majority of their Disney work. The middle section is dedicated to their father, Al and looks at everything that he published and his successes. During the section on their father, they look at their family history and how Al Sherman influenced his children. It is obvious from Walt's Time that the Sherman Brothers were profoundly influenced by their father and Walt Disney. When the brothers speak of either man, the text is filled with love, gratitude and wonder.

The third section details more of their work with the Disney Company, before and after Walt's passing. It also looks at the body of work they have done since leaving the company. Stage productions, theatrical work and animated films make up the bulk of their work in the '70's, 80's and 90's.

The Brothers spend a lot of time discussing their interactions with Walt Disney and how Walt was an amazing and optimistic person. The song There's a Great, Big Beautiful Tomorrow was inspired by Walt Disney. Their proudest moments include It's a Small World and Mary Poppins. They wrote the songs for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang after receiving Walt's blessings to work on the outside project. Albert Broccoli (producer of the Bond movies) also owned the rights to Fleming's children's novel about the car. Broccoli brought the idea to Walt, who declined saying he had too much on his plate and wanted more creative control. After the success of Mary Poppins, Broccoli gathered most of the creative team that had worked on Mary Poppins. The Brothers were also involved with two of the biggest animated films of the 60's as well: The Jungle Book and Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree.

Obviously, the Sherman Brothers' influence has been felt greatly in the theme parks. The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room, Magic Highways, Magic Journeys, Makin' Memories, Astuter Computer Review, the Best Time of Your Life and Miracles From Molecules.

Looking at everything the Sherman Brothers have done is a tad bit overwhelming!

Bottom Line: I enjoyed this book and was completely astounded by how prolific the Sherman Brothers actually are. The book is designed beautifully and features awards, personal recollections and photos from every period of their career (just like a scrapbook!). This is book is clearly for music fans, fans of the Sherman Brothers and fans of Disney films from the 1960's.

Unique Volume Loaded With Disney Memorabilia !!
Every one of the more than 250 extra large Disney scrapbook pages is filled with unique, full color memorabilia from Walt Disney, and Robert and Richard Sherman, the song writers that created a world of popular music.Everything from pictures and memorabilia of Annette, Haley Mills, and Julie Andrews, to Tommy Sands, 101 Dalmations, The Carousel of Progress, and the Enchanted Tiki Room are featured. Items are grouped by decades.You can spend endless, enjoyable hours just looking in this huge volume that weighs 4 pounds !!Well worth adding to your Disney or music or movies or entertainment library.

It's docious-ali-expi-listic-fragi-cali-roopus backwards!
What a great book about in my opinion the best songwriters!The Shermans had the opportunity to be with Disney during what I believe was the peak of the Disney Co.Their songs have warmed the hearts of millions of peopleacross the world.My mother had never heard of the Shermans but whenever Ising their songs she says "I love that song, I didn't know they wrotethat..."I can count on their songs being family friendly and joyful. I love Winnie the Pooh was not at all surprised when I discovered whowrote the songs!I never get tired of reading Walt's Time.The picturesare great and layout is so different.It is fun to read the backgroundstories that is behind each song.Such as A Spoon full of Sugar and howRobert's son gave them the inspiration.I know the price makes itdifficult for some of us. I personally do not own the book, but I love toborrow it from my library.It is a must read for every Disney and Shermanfan out there!

It's supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
This book is truly the gem of my library... A beautiful look at the careers of Robert B. and Richard M. Sherman!Reading this book brought back so many memories! Little did I realize that so many of my favoriteDisney (and even non-Disney) musical films all had one special thing incommon... the music of the Sherman Brothers.

This wonderful book isformatted like a huge scrapbook... its fun to read, and just packed withrare photos, cartoons and other memorabilia that would delight any reader.

"Nowhere is there a more happier book!"
Wow!, What a feast of fun!Here's the story of two of this century's most prolific and popular songwriters, the Sherman Brothers, finally cronicled in a superb scrapbook.Discover the Sherman Brothers' insights into theenigma that was Walt Disney, and learn of their dream job with this man..who nurtured their talent, producing a sound that is truly instantlyrecognisable, the world over.These are the guys who created "thebiggest word you ever heard", who left us singing of a "small,small world".. and gave lyrical life to a "fantasmagoricalmachine" called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

This is a lovinglyremembered book by the Dick and Bob, put together with the help of a fewamazingly dedicated fans.Bruce & David and Jeff have produced anothergem of a book. With them, too much is never enough.. the photographictreasures, the office cartoons all give the impression of being invited todinner with the Shermans. I was lucky enough to hear the Shermans at thepiano for a preview of this book at a Disney fan's convention last year. That was a night I'll never forget.. as the brothers sang their way throughthe songs of my childhood.Now the feeling of that night (and mychildhood) has been captured in print, and I can't be happier! Thanks guys,it's supercalifragilisticexpialidocious ! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Even better the second time.
This is a very long book, written by a rookie.However, it may be the finest soldier's autobiography I have read except for "With the Old Breed".I think I've read everything that Hackwork wrote, and nothing matches this.I read a library's copy years ago and decided it needed to be part of my library as well as their's.

Important Note: Buy the paperback.Some of the hardcover volumes have a binding error.Some pages are missing and some are duplicated.

Read it.
All I can say is to read this.You will not be let down.It is a very good look at what has died with and in this country.

AuthorZone.Com Book Review
Excellent book. Well written, easily read, thought provoking. Is long, but not cumbersome.

I first read 'About Face' written by Col. David Hackworth during the late 1980s. I found it extremely valuable in helping me...a woman with little knowledge of anything military, understand better my children's dad, a land based Viet Nam combat vet and the problems he had to deal with before his death.

As the wife of yet a second Viet Nam combat vet, special forces, I suggest this book for anyone who wants a better understanding of the debt of gratitude and respect we citizens owe those willing to serve in The United States Military.

Reviewed by: molly martin

should be required reading for all seving military leaders
I first came to hear of ABOUT FACE from a friend and fellow NCO in Korea.He said I might think it was good,Was that an understatement. I read About Face in one fourteen hour plane ride back to Korea. I've read itthree more times so far and recommend it to all my friends deserving thetitle Non-Commisioned Officer. I truly believe that all military leadersshould read this and take from it; Hack's wisdom and experiance dealingwith the military, Integrity and soldiering.

A Great Man, A Great Book, A Great Read
I bought this book when I was about 11 years old and a big fan of "war stories".I am now approaching twenty and have read this book at least once a year since first purchasing it, to the extent that it is now in three parts and the photographs have fallen out.This book is an intense, gripping, readable but most of all honest and believable account of one of America's greatest warriors and his experiences...from the forested slopes of Trieste in 1946 to being chased around Washington DC by Army Intell goons in 1971, this book, while entertaining, will also teach you everything you need to know about duty, honour,bravery and honest patriotism, qualities that come hard to find in the era of Iran-Contra, Tailhook, Whitewater and the like... This book will make you laugh, cry and think. Please, read it. ... Read more

Product Description
The March to the Sea was the culmination of Union General William T. Sherman's 1864 campaign during the American Civil War and was a devastating example of "total war." Confederate hopes in 1864 hinged on frustrating Union forces in the field and forcing Abraham Lincoln out of office in the November elections. However, this optimism was dampened by Sherman's success in the battle of Atlanta that same year.

Riding on the wave of this victory, Sherman hoped to push his forces into Confederate territory, but his plan was hindered by a Confederate threat to the army's supply lines.
After much delay, he boldly chose to abandon these, forcing the army to live off the land for the entirety of the 285-mile march to Savannah, destroying all war-making capabilities of the enemy en route, and inflicting suffering not only on Confederate troops, but also on the civilian population. Despite the vilification that this brutal tactic earned him, the march was a success.

Supported by contemporary photographs, detailed maps, bird's eye views, and battlescene artwork, this title explores the key personalities, strategies, and significant engagements of the march, including the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and the ultimate fall of Savannah to the Union, to provide a detailed analysis of the campaign that marked the "beginning of the end" of the American Civil War. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A top pick for any military collection strong in Civil War history.
SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA 1864: ATLANTIC TO SAVANNAH by David Smith tells of a grueling march - nearly three hundred miles - in which the army lived off the land and destroyed all war-making capabilities of the enemy. Photos, maps, and art examines the major participants, strategies, and campaigns of the last months of the Civil War, making for a top pick for any military collection strong in Civil War history.

Sherman and the March To The Sea in a Nut Shell
David Smith in less than a hundred pages provides the best short volume available regarding "Sherman's Renowned March To The Sea". Providing a short biography of each key player, thereason behind the campaign, including Grant's fear that it would fail, Smith writes in a very readable fashion. I recommend it for the beginner or the seasoned reader who wishes to understand the impact that Sherman had on ending theAmerican Civil War. Further, while Sherman did not invent "total war", he brought it to the United States.The lesson of the "march" is timely for today, especially the fact that war involves civilians, no matter how one attempts to paint the issue otherwise.
The book reads like a well-crafted novel and should be purchased without resveration.

Two Campaigns for the Price of One
In Osprey's Campaign No. 179, Sherman's March to the Sea 1864, author David Smith describes Sherman's campaign across Georgia and Hood's campaign across Tennessee in late 1864. This is a phase of the American Civil War that often gets short shrift, due to the lack of `popular' large-scale battles, but it was nonetheless decisive in determining the outcome of the war in the West. Smith manages to deftly weave together the two campaigns into a coherent narrative that nicely adds to our understanding of this crucial phase of the war.

The opening sections on the origins of the campaign, opposing commanders, opposing armies and opposing plans are good. Smith's section on commanders provides capsule bios of 6 Union and 3 Confederate leaders, while the opposing armies section details the forces in both Tennessee and Georgia.The campaign narrative proper is sub-divided into two chapters on Sherman's march across Georgia and one on Hood's invasion of Tennessee. Graphically, the volume is complemented by five 2-D maps (After the fall of Atlanta, September-October 1864; March to the Sea, Part 1, 15-26 November 1864; Hood's Tennessee Campaign, November-December 1864; the Battle of Franklin, 30 November 1864; and the March to the Sea, Part 2, 28 November - 21 December 1864), two 3-D BEV maps (the Battle of Nashville, first and second day, 15-16 December 1864) and three battle scenes by Richard Hook (the Battle of Allatoona Pass, 5 October 1864; a Union foraging party; and Fort Mcallister, 13 December 1864). The volume also has rather lengthy orders of battle for both campaigns, totaling 7 pages. Notes on the battlefields today and bibliography are short, but adequate.

Southern readers may find Smith's description of Sherman's march to be a bit anti-septic, in that it seems to downplay the harm and injury inflicted upon Georgia's civilian population. Sherman's march was an emotional, gut-wrenching experience for the Confederacy to witness a Union army moving unmolested through the heart of its territory and the psychological damage was complemented by a vicious scorched earth policy.Smith's account is lucid but lacks some of the emotive weight that provides the historical context for this campaign.Even Sherman realized that his operation was far more than a mere march or a plundering raid, but a deep stab into the South's vitals. Indeed, Sherman's march was an early example of a new philosophy of warfare, that held that attacks upon regular military forces was merely a precursor to the execution of decisive attacks against an enemy's civilian economy (e.g. Julian Corbett a few decades later). It was also interesting to see the author's discussion of the Confederate use of buried land mines outside Savannah, which posed a threat not unlike the IEDs in Iraq today.

The author also covers Hood's campaign effectively and avoids any pre-determination that the campaign was foredoomed. Indeed, the author suggests that under better conditions, Hood's invasion of Tennessee might have succeeded in diverting at least part of Sherman's forces (but for how long?). Readers thirsting for action while find their appetite sated by the sanguinary battles of Franklin and Nashville, which ended any chance for the Confederacy to retrieve something from this campaign. Overall, a good volume.
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This reproduction was printed from a digital file created at the Library of Congress as part of an extensive scanning effort started with a generous donation from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.The Library is pleased to offer much of its public domain holdings free of charge online and at a modest price in this printed format.Seeing these older volumes from our collections rediscovered by new generations of readers renews our own passion for books and scholarship. ... Read more

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Major original Star Wars adventure set against the backdrop of the Clone Wars and telling the tale of Anakin Skywalker's rise to full Jedi Knight status. Somewhere between Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III, Anakin Skywalker graduates from Jedi Padawan (apprentice) to Jedi Knight status. This book tells how that happens. A planet that is a crucial communications centre is taken by the Separatists, and the Republic decides to back a guerrilla fighting group called Freedom's Sons in taking it back. A detachment of clone troopers led by Jedi Knight Nejaa Halcyon and Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker is sent out to help the Freedom's Sons. Little does Anakin know that the volatile situation on this occupied planet will prove to be his own personal Jedi Trial, and that if he emerges victorious, he will have won the coveted titled of full Jedi Knight, student no longer but Jedi in his own right. This is the Anakin who learns how great hi powers can be and how huge is his real potential... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good Book
I felt that the fight scenes and battle
sequences were well explained and I could
visualize them easily. I thought the parntership
between Skywalker and Halcyon seemed fitting
considering their secret families.Overall
a good book and easy to read!

Jedi Knighthood and the origins of Corran Horn
Whilst nothing spectacular, a solid piece showing the Jedi Trial of Anakin Skywalker, with further insites as to his eventual fall to the dark side, as well as some views as to how Corran Horn came to be.

... Read more

Product Description
This digital document, covering the life and work of William David Sherman, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 711 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

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The Fourth Edition of The Longman Anthology of British Literature continues its tradition of presenting works in the historical context in which they were written.  This fresh approach includes writers from the British Isles, underrepresented female authors, “Perspectives” sectionsthatshed light on the period as a whole and link with immediately surrounding works to help illuminate a theme, “And Its Time” clusters that illuminate a specific cultural moment or a debate to which an author is responding, and “Responses” in which later authors respond to one or more texts from earlier works. 

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Offering a new translation of the famous chapter IV ("Self-Consciousness") of Phenomenology of Spirit, this book reflects the far-reaching insights of contemporary Hegelian scholarship. Included is extensive commentary as well as a review of its reception by such important twentieth-century thinkers as Kojeve, Heidegger, Sartre, Gadamer, Bataille, Deleuze, Lacan, and Habermas.

Interest in Hegel has historically centered around the Phenomenologyof Spirit. In particular chapter IV, including Hegel's celebrated"master-slave dialectic," has influenced philosophers, politicaltheorists, social psychologists, cultural anthropologists, andliterary theorists alike. Hegel began this chapter with an influentialdiscussion of the nature of human "desire," and then described ahypothetical encounter between two pre-social human beings who engagein a life-and-death struggle for recognition. Out of this strugglethat gave rise to self-identity, emerged such forms of consciousnessas master and slave, stoicism, skepticism, and what Hegel referred toas "the unhappy consciousness," which he took to be paradigmatic ofearly Christianity. These forms of consciousness, in turn, aretranscended by other, more comprehensive, forms of consciousness thatultimately come to reflect the highest elaborations of societallife. The impetus for these dynamic changes comes from thedialectical contradictions that inhere within our most basicconceptions of personhood. ... Read more

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Vampires are real.They go out during the day.They can eat garlic.Crucifixes don't scare them.They aren't Bela Lugosi.Rocks is a vampire hunter.Rocks is the best at what he does.Rocks is a vampire.Five people are accidentally turned into vampires and go on a crosscountry rampage.Rocks is dispatched to bring them in--or take them down--in this very non-traditional vampire novel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Most Original Vampire Idea in Decades
To be blunt, vampire novels and movies have always made me yawn.Yeah, yeah, the same old garlic, crucifixes, and only come out at night.We know the drill.But after all these years, finally, someone has an original idea.Not your standard bloodsucker screed, The Hunt comes up with an actual, believable cause of vampirism, and the story David Sherman spins here is a fascinating look at what might result.Believability, characterization, and an interesting story line.Who'd a thunk it?This book is seriously worth any science fiction reader's (or indeed any horror fan's) time.

David Sherman pens another great story!
A thought provoking look into vampirism through the eyes of a vampire that hunts his own kind. Mr. Sherman has created another work of art to be added to his growing list of accomplishments (Starfist, The Junk Yard Dogs, Demontech).

The Hunt
I actually read the Hunt online before I bought it. It is a very good story with many plot twists and turns. From the moment you read the first page, you are hooked onto the story. Don't want to give away the plot but let's just say: It gets interesting in the first few chapters :)

Solid Story, Good Balance End to End, Vampires from a different view.
A first stab by David Sherman (Starfist, Demontech, Nightfghters) into the the world of vampires. The story opens with an introduction to our Hero? Rocks, a stoic, quiet, focused Vampire who hunts other Vampires. We are dropped into the scene of Rocks moving across southwestern United States on one of his "Hunts".A Volenteer for this excursion, the story unfolds as he trys to keep track of his latest prey.

The Multithreaded story moves in a solid method, from hunter to prey, providing details that open up the how, the why, the who, the when and where of the interaction between Rocks and the group he is after.

The group Rocks is chasing is an interesting bunch, they get themselves into situations that are not for the faint of heart. The scenes are very graphically described. There are five members of the group, three women and two men, they are sexualy involved, both with each other and their victums, be warned this is also described very graphically.

The characters are developed as you move into the story, which makes for a very easy read. The balance from end to end also keeps you moving, with little chance for stall. The backstory is filled out in sufficient detail, that you can easily identify with the characters.

I have read, withstanding his nightfighter series (havent got them yet), most of David Shermans tomes. I enjoy his style, he has a great way of balance with all his stories from begining to end that make you feel fullfilled when done, a rarity in this day of mediocrity. A great deal of books on the market build up these giant stories and ramrod you to the end, and then within a few pages of the end, just slam-bang, conclude.

I am, overall, not a fan of Vampires, or the genre. I liked this book because of its different approach. The stigma's of the vampire's of legend were clearly explained away, and believable, within the context of the story. Rocks, his prey, and supporting cast ARE Vampires, expect nothing short of that, just in a different light.

The rating of three stars and not higher is only on a couple points. The violence I expected, its a vampire book. The sexual content was a little rough, and in some cases was a minor detractor to the story. I believe it could have been toned down a tad. A couple of the longer victum scenes I think could have been shorter, giving way to more action on "the Hunt" portion, but again this is minor.

A solid, balance, enjoyable effort!
Thanks David!
Fairday,
Roger Mihalko ... Read more

Product Description
In this title, David Fletcher relates the story of the Sherman Crab Flail using rare sources and photographs. Among the first tanks ashore on D-Day, the "Crab" proved its worth both in its mine-clearing role and as a fighting machine. This book recounts some of its more glorious moments with the famous British 79th Armoured Division and the US Army, giving a detailed exploration of the history of a powerful and innovative machine and the deadly mines it faced. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

It's not bad, but...
This is good addition to Osprey's Vanguard series, this volume presents one from the "armoured funnies" of WW II. There are, however, some deviations from what readers have come to expect from this publication. In text are short history of anty-mine Britisch tanks and history of idea flail tank. About using Sherman Crab is too little information, there are no line drawings of this machine. For modellers and hobbists too little, for teenangers - too much. In this series I read better books.

For any in-depth military library focusing on equipment history.
David Fletcher's SHERMAN CRAB FLAIL TANK follows the design and history of the Sherman tank, considering its development and deployment. Colorful artwork and vintage photos supplement a collection recommended for any in-depth military library focusing on equipment history.

Sherman Crab Flail tank
Interesting historical facts regarding the backgtound before manufacturing the Crab. Nothing over post WW.2 use, if any. ... Read more

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Reflecting the profound influence he continues to exert on popular consciousness, Camus examines the complete body of works of French author and philosopher Albert Camus, providing a comprehensive analysis of Camus’ most important works—most notably The Myth of Sisyphus, The Stranger, The Fall, The Plague, and The Rebel—within the framework of his basic ethical orientation.

• Makes Camus’ concerns clear in terms that will resonate with contemporary readers
• Reveals the unity and integrity of Camus’ writings and political activities
• Discusses Camus’ ongoing relevance by showing how he prefigures many postmodern positions in philosophy, literature, and politics

Customer Reviews (1)

GOOD SCI-FI BOOK!
Being retired, I enjoy the time reading more books. This was a good SCI-FI book by David Sherman. Enjoy. ... Read more