- Table View
- List View
The Light Division in the Peninsular War, 1811–1814
by Tim Saunders Rob Yuill"...this is an excellent partner to the original volume, very well presented by experienced military men, with a clear tactical eye and it is extremely well illustrated. It comes highly recommended." — The Napoleon Series By the middle of 1811, Brigadier General Robert Craufurd’s Light Division was emerging as the elite of the Peninsular Army and Wellington was seeking opportunities to go over to the offensive, following the expulsion of Marshal Masséna from Portugal. After a period of outpost duty for the Light Division on the familiar ground of the Spanish borders, Wellington seized ‘the keys to Spain’ in the epic sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz. Still reeling from the loss of General Craufurd, ‘The Division’ led the army against Marshal Marmont and after a protracted period of marching and counter marching, the French were finally brought to battle at Salamanca. As a result of King Joseph being driven out of Madrid, the French marshals united and in the autumn of 1812, the British were driven back to Ciudad Rodrigo in another gruelling retreat. With news of Napoleon’s disaster in Russia and with reinforcements from Britain, Wellington prepared his army to drive the French from the Peninsular. A lightening march across Spain to cut the Great Road found King Joseph and Marshal Jourdan at Vitoria and the resulting battle, in which the Light Division fought their way into the heart of the French position, was a triumph of arms for Wellington’s light troops. The pursuit into the Pyrenees, had a sting in the tail when Marshal Soult mounted counter offensives in an attempt to relieve San Sebastian and Pamplona. Having thrown the French back and with the Sixth Coalition intact, the Light Division fought their way through the mountains and into Napoleon’s France. With the allies closing in on all sides, the French fought on into 1814 and the Light Bobs had further fighting before the spoils of peace in a war-weary France could be enjoyed.
The Light Dragoon
by George Robert Gleig Pickle Partners Publishing George FarmerThis ebook is purpose built and is proof-read and re-type set from the original to provide an outstanding experience of reflowing text for an ebook reader. The Reverend George R. Gleig was a prolific writer of the military history of his own period and his near past, he was also well qualified to do so as a former Ensign in the 85th Regiment, the Chaplain General to H.M. forces and a friendship with the Duke of Wellington. In his capacity at the Royal Chelsea Hospital, he would have been surrounded by any number of former soldiers who campaigned under the Iron Duke and other British generals. Of these many men with stories to tell, Gleig pushed a number forward for publication, such as this book "The Light Dragoon" which he edited into its present form from the recollections of George Farmer. Farmer's recollections are earthy, vivid and detailed, and valuable from a historical stand-point as they are written by an ex-ranker of the cavalry. His adventures take him from Ireland in when he enlisted in the 11th Light Dragoons, taking him far from his home to the Peninsular, on the Waterloo campaign and to India. Although not written at the time, or following notes at the times of the events that he describes, Farmer's memory and story-telling seem undimmed by the passage of time. Author - George Farmer - ????-???? Editor - Reverend George Robert Gleig (1796-1888) Text taken, whole and complete both volumes, from the 1844 edition published in London by Henry Colbourn. Original 309/329 total-638 pages. Linked TOC
The Light Fantastic: The Light Fantastic (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
by Jeffrey LangReturning to the story begun in the novel Immortal Coil and continuing in the bestselling Cold Equations trilogy, this is the next fascinating chapter in the artificial life of one of Star Trek’s most enduring characters.He was perhaps the ultimate human achievement: a sentient artificial life-form—self-aware, self-determining, possessing a mind and body far surpassing that of his makers, and imbued with the potential to evolve beyond the scope of his programming. And then Data was destroyed. Four years later, Data’s creator, Noonien Soong, sacrificed his life and resurrected his android son, who in turn revived the positronic brain of his own artificial daughter, Lal. Having resigned his commission, the former Starfleet officer now works to make his way on an alien world, while also coming to grips with the very human notion of wanting versus having a child. But complicating Data’s new life is an unexpected nemesis from years ago on the U.S.S. Enterprise—the holographic master criminal Professor James Moriarty. Long believed to be imprisoned in a memory solid, Moriarty has created a siphon into the "real" world as a being of light and thought. Moriarity wants the solid form that he was once told he could never have, and seeks to manipulate Data into finding another android body for him to permanently inhabit...even if it means evicting the current owner, and even if that is Data himself. ™, ®, & © 2013 CBS Studios, Inc. STAR TREK and related marks are trademarks of CBS Studios, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Light Over London
by Julia Kelly<p>Reminiscent of Martha Hall Kelly's Lilac Girls and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale, this sweeping, entrancing story is a must-read for fans of remarkable women rising to challenges they could never have predicted. <p>It’s always been easier for Cara Hargraves to bury herself in the past than confront the present, which is why working with a gruff but brilliant antiques dealer is perfect. While clearing out an estate, she pries open an old tin that holds the relics of a lost relationship: among the treasures, a World War II-era diary and a photograph of a young woman in uniform. Eager to find the author of the hauntingly beautiful, unfinished diary, Cara digs into this soldier’s life, but soon realizes she may not have been ready for the stark reality of wartime London she finds within the pages. <p>In 1941, nineteen-year-old Louise Keene’s life had been decided for her—she’ll wait at home in her Cornish village until her wealthy suitor returns from war to ask for her hand. But when Louise unexpectedly meets Flight Lieutenant Paul Bolton, a dashing RAF pilot stationed at a local base, everything changes. And changes again when Paul’s unit is deployed without warning. <p>Desperate for a larger life, Louise joins the women’s branch of the British Army in the anti-aircraft gun unit as a Gunner Girl. As bombs fall on London, she and the other Gunner Girls relish in their duties to be exact in their calculations, and quick in their identification of enemy planes during air raids. The only thing that gets Louise through those dark, bullet-filled nights is knowing she and Paul will be together when the war is over. But when a bundle of her letters to him are returned unanswered, she learns that wartime romance can have a much darker side. <p>Illuminating the story of these two women separated by generations and experience, Julia Kelly transports us to World War II London in this heartbreakingly beautiful novel through forgotten antique treasures, remembered triumphs, and fierce family ties.</p>
The Light Over London: The most gripping and heartbreaking WW2 page-turner you need to read this year
by Julia KellyA forgotten diary, a forbidden love affair, a desperate fight to save her country2017 When Cara Hargreaves discovers a diary from the 1940s, its contents will change her life forever...1941 When Louise Keene meets dashing RAF pilot, Paul Bolton, she is swept off her feet. Then Paul is sent to war and Louise, defying her mother's wishes, ends up a gunner girl in London.Watching the pitch-black skies for bombers, Louise finds comfort recording her dreams in her diary. And as Cara reads her words, decades later, she learns that hope can be found even in the darkest of times, she just needs to take a chance...Discover the story of the remarkable World War Two gunner girls in this entrancing and heartbreaking novel, perfect for fans of Martha Hall Kelly's The Lilac Girls and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale.
The Light Through the Storm: A Heroic WW2 Historical Novel Based on a True Story
by Margalit GanorA perilous journey through the unthinkable. A riveting story of hope and survival. Can their faith shield them against unbridled hatred?August, 1942. When they realize the danger of remaining under the rule of the Nazi occupation, Dr. Leon Schmelzer, his wife Donya, and their baby daughter attempt to flee Romania under the cover of darkness. Joining a dozen other brave souls, they hastily board a small ship, leaving behind family, friends, and the only life they ever knew—for a slim chance at survival.But their path to freedom does not sail over smooth waters. As endless waves threaten to drown what little hope they have, the desperate refugees find that the hatred in the hearts of men is more terrifying than any force of nature. And when they are shipwrecked and taken captive in a foreign land, Leon&’s own faith and resolve are put to the ultimate test. Can he find the courage and resourcefulness to protect his wife and only daughter?
The Light and the Dark (The Strangers and Brothers Novels)
by C.P. SnowA gifted young academic in 1930s England falls prey to a dangerous mindset in this novel by &“a master craftsman&” (The New York Times). Roy Calvert is young, well-liked, and financially secure. He is also a brilliant scholar at Cambridge, engaged in translating ancient documents related to the Manichaean heresy. Yet despite these advantages and successes, he is prone to an unpredictable, inexplicable melancholy that neither love nor work can seem to overcome. It will pull Roy into the orbit of a rising historical darkness—and leave his friend, Lewis Eliot, to witness the frightening struggle between Calvert and his demons . . .Praise for the Strangers and Brothers Novels &“Mr. Snow has established himself . . . in an eminent and conspicuous position among contemporary English novelists.&” —New Statesman
The Light in Hidden Places
by Sharon CameronOne knock at the door, and Stefania has a choice to make...It is 1943, and for four years, sixteen-year-old Stefania has been working for the Diamant family in their grocery store in Przemsyl, Poland, singing her way into their lives and hearts. She has even made a promise to one of their sons, Izio -- a betrothal they must keep secret since she is Catholic and the Diamants are Jewish. <p><p> But everything changes when the German army invades Przemsyl. The Diamants are forced into the ghetto, and Stefania is alone in an occupied city, the only one left to care for Helena, her six-year-old sister. And then comes the knock at the door. Izio's brother Max has jumped from the train headed to a death camp. Stefania and Helena make the extraordinary decision to hide Max, and eventually twelve more Jews. Then they must wait, every day, for the next knock at the door, the one that will mean death. When the knock finally comes, it is two Nazi officers, requisitioning Stefania's house for the German army. <p> With two Nazis below, thirteen hidden Jews above, and a little sister by her side, Stefania has one more excruciating choice to make.
The Light in the Cellar: A Molly Mystery
by Sarah Masters BuckeyMolly and Emily are disapointed with their volunteer asignment at first. But then, they see a strange light and begin the investigation that will turn their volunteer experience from drab to dangerous!
The Light in the Cellar: A Molly Mystery (American Girl Mysteries)
by Sarah Masters BuckeyMolly wishes that she and her English friend, Emily, had exciting volunteer jobs that would help win World War II. Instead, they're magazine delivery girls at Oak Knoll Hospital, and soon discover that something very unpatriotic is going on at Oak Knoll -- and their snooping leads them into deep trouble!
The Light of Days: Women Fighters of the Jewish Resistance – A New York Times Bestseller
by Judy BatalionA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'Original and compelling, an untold story of rare and captivating power' Philippe Sands'A fascinating history about a little-known group who took on the Nazis . . . The individual tales of these courageous young women are remarkable' Independent'Rescues a long-neglected aspect of history from oblivion, and puts paid to the idea of Jewish, and especially female, passivity during the Holocaust. It is uncompromising, written with passion - and it preserves truly significant knowledge. ... Judy Batalion has uncovered a trove of unknown or forgotten information about the Holocaust of genuine import and impact.' Eva Hoffman, TLSOne of the most important untold stories of World War II, The Light of Days is a soaring landmark history that brings to light the extraordinary accomplishments of brave Jewish women who inspired Poland's Jewish youth groups to resist the Nazis.Witnesses to the brutal murder of their families and the violent destruction of their communities, a cadre of Jewish women in Poland - some still in their teens - became the heart of a wide-ranging resistance network that fought the Nazis.With courage, guile and nerves of steel, these 'ghetto girls' smuggled guns in loaves of bread and coded intelligence messages in their plaited hair. They helped build life-saving systems of underground bunkers and sustained thousands of Jews in safe hiding places. They bribed Gestapo guards with liquor, assassinated Nazis and sabotaged German supply lines.The Light of Days at last reveals the real history of these incredible women whose courageous yet little-known feats have been eclipsed by time.
The Light of Days: Women Fighters of the Jewish Resistance – A New York Times Bestseller (Language Acts and Worldmaking #28)
by Judy BatalionA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'Original and compelling, an untold story of rare and captivating power' Philippe Sands'A fascinating history about a little-known group who took on the Nazis . . . The individual tales of these courageous young women are remarkable' Independent'Rescues a long-neglected aspect of history from oblivion, and puts paid to the idea of Jewish, and especially female, passivity during the Holocaust. It is uncompromising, written with passion - and it preserves truly significant knowledge. ... Judy Batalion has uncovered a trove of unknown or forgotten information about the Holocaust of genuine import and impact.' Eva Hoffman, TLSOne of the most important untold stories of World War II, The Light of Days is a soaring landmark history that brings to light the extraordinary accomplishments of brave Jewish women who inspired Poland's Jewish youth groups to resist the Nazis.Witnesses to the brutal murder of their families and the violent destruction of their communities, a cadre of Jewish women in Poland - some still in their teens - became the heart of a wide-ranging resistance network that fought the Nazis.With courage, guile and nerves of steel, these 'ghetto girls' smuggled guns in loaves of bread and coded intelligence messages in their plaited hair. They helped build life-saving systems of underground bunkers and sustained thousands of Jews in safe hiding places. They bribed Gestapo guards with liquor, assassinated Nazis and sabotaged German supply lines.The Light of Days at last reveals the real history of these incredible women whose courageous yet little-known feats have been eclipsed by time.
The Light-Years Beneath My Feet
by Alan Dean FosterAbducted by aliens to be sold as pets in a more civilized part of the galaxy, earthlings Marcus Walker and a scruffy dog named George (speech-enhanced to increase his market value) have managed to escape their captors. Walker loves being humankind's first galactic traveller - until he remembers he hasn't a clue where his home is or how to get there. So the erstwhile commodities broker becomes a chef, whipping up delicacies for demanding alien palates. Of course he never imagined that the way back to Chicago would involve swapping his easy-living adopted planet for an all-out, age-old war many parsecs away. But hey, it's all for a good cause, h has George and their two fellow escapees for company, and what else is there to do, besides avoid nasty aliens? Plenty, it turns out.
The Lighthouse Sisters: Gripping and heartwrenching World War Two historical fiction, inspired by true events
by Gill ThompsonSEPARATED BY WAR, LOVE WILL GUIDE THEM BACK TO EACH OTHER...Inspired by real events and by the courage of real people, a gripping, heartwrenching story of two sisters in occupied Jersey during WWII - one a nurse, who is transported to Nazi Germany, the other, who volunteers for the island's resistance movement. 'I was gripped. 'I couldn't put it down. Heartwrenching at times and so full of hope and resillience at others. I really enjoyed it ****' Real reader review for The Lighthouse SistersPerfect for readers of The Nightingale Kristin Hannah, A Woman of War Mandy Robotham and My Name is Eva Suzanne Goldring.____Two sisters, separated by war but joined by their love, courage and sacrifice. 1996: An elegant woman in a nursing home looks back at her life, remembering her experiences during the war on Jersey, the sacrifices she made, the sister she loved. Who is she, and what is the one tragic loss she can never forget? 1940: Sisters Alice and Jenny are in their early twenties when the Germans occupy their home of Jersey. Alice, a nurse, is called to work in the German hospital, unaware that she will find a great love but that she will make an even greater sacrifice and be sent on a long journey of hardship. Meanwhile Alice's sister Jenny is drawn into a circle of islanders rising up to resist their German occupiers. For both sisters, the war will cause them to make extraordinary choices, experience unimaginable heartbreak, and emerge forever changed..._______Your favourite authors absolutely love Gill Thompson's bestselling novels:'Heartrending. Riveting. Definitely on my list of Ten Best Books of the year' Sharon Maas'The characters and their moving stories will haunt you long after you finish the last page' Shirley Dickson'A warm-hearted tale of love, loss and indefatigable human spirit' Kathryn Hughes'A heartrending story' Jane Corry'A mother's loss and a son's courage . . . A heartrending story that spans the world' Diney Costeloe(P) 2022 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
The Lighthouse Sisters: Heartwrenching and gripping WW2 historical fiction for 2022 inspired by true events
by Gill ThompsonCAN TWO SISTERS SEPARATED BY WAR FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO EACH OTHER?Inspired by real events and by the courage of real people, a gripping, heartwrenching story of two sisters in occupied Jersey during WWII - one a nurse, who is transported to Nazi Germany, the other, who volunteers for the island's resistance movement. 'What an emotional read, I felt like I was actually living along the characters, I absolutely loved this book. One to settle down with a nice warm drink on a cold winter day *****' Real reader review for The Lighthouse Sisters'I was gripped. 'I couldn't put it down. Heartwrenching at times and so full of hope and resillience at others. I really enjoyed it ****' Real reader review for The Lighthouse SistersPerfect for readers of The Nightingale Kristin Hannah, A Woman of War Mandy Robotham and My Name is Eva Suzanne Goldring.____'They were there for each other during the war just like the lighthouse, a source of hope and protection over the years.'1996: The war may have ended decades earlier, but for the elegant woman sitting alone now, the images live on in her memory: her sister's carefree laughter, the inky black of a German soldier's boots, the little boats that never came back. And the one constant through it all: the lighthouse that always guided them back to the island.1940: For sisters Alice and Jenny life is just beginning when the Nazis seize control of the island of Jersey, driving the girls down separate paths. While Alice is forced by the enemy to work in the German hospital, Jenny is attracted to the circle of islanders rising up to resist the occupiers. And as the war tightens its grip, it will cause each of the sisters to make an extraordinary choice, experience unimaginable heartbreak and emerge forever changed..._______Your favourite authors absolutely love Gill Thompson's bestselling novels:'Heartrending. Riveting. Definitely on my list of Ten Best Books of the year' Sharon Maas'The characters and their moving stories will haunt you long after you finish the last page' Shirley Dickson'A warm-hearted tale of love, loss and indefatigable human spirit' Kathryn Hughes'A heartrending story' Jane Corry'A mother's loss and a son's courage . . . A heartrending story that spans the world' Diney Costeloe
The Lighthouse Sisters: Heartwrenching and gripping WW2 historical fiction for 2022 inspired by true events
by Gill ThompsonCAN TWO SISTERS SEPARATED BY WAR FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO EACH OTHER?Inspired by real events and by the courage of real people, a gripping, heartwrenching story of two sisters in occupied Jersey during WWII - one a nurse, who is transported to Nazi Germany, the other, who volunteers for the island's resistance movement. 'What an emotional read, I felt like I was actually living along the characters, I absolutely loved this book. One to settle down with a nice warm drink on a cold winter day *****' Real reader review for The Lighthouse Sisters'I was gripped. 'I couldn't put it down. Heartwrenching at times and so full of hope and resillience at others. I really enjoyed it ****' Real reader review for The Lighthouse SistersPerfect for readers of The Nightingale Kristin Hannah, A Woman of War Mandy Robotham and My Name is Eva Suzanne Goldring.____'They were there for each other during the war just like the lighthouse, a source of hope and protection over the years.'1996: The war may have ended decades earlier, but for the elegant woman sitting alone now, the images live on in her memory: her sister's carefree laughter, the inky black of a German soldier's boots, the little boats that never came back. And the one constant through it all: the lighthouse that always guided them back to the island.1940: For sisters Alice and Jenny life is just beginning when the Nazis seize control of the island of Jersey, driving the girls down separate paths. While Alice is forced by the enemy to work in the German hospital, Jenny is attracted to the circle of islanders rising up to resist the occupiers. And as the war tightens its grip, it will cause each of the sisters to make an extraordinary choice, experience unimaginable heartbreak and emerge forever changed..._______Your favourite authors absolutely love Gill Thompson's bestselling novels:'Heartrending. Riveting. Definitely on my list of Ten Best Books of the year' Sharon Maas'The characters and their moving stories will haunt you long after you finish the last page' Shirley Dickson'A warm-hearted tale of love, loss and indefatigable human spirit' Kathryn Hughes'A heartrending story' Jane Corry'A mother's loss and a son's courage . . . A heartrending story that spans the world' Diney Costeloe
The Lighthouse War (The Lighthouse Trilogy #2)
by Adrian MckintyWhen Jamie and Ramsay answer a summons to return to Altair, accompanied by Ramsay's half brother Brian, they learn that the Witch Queen wants to capture the Salmon from them and use it to transport her people from that dying planet to Earth--and that Jamie's beloved Wishaway has agreed to marry someone else.
The Lighthouse of Stalingrad: The Hidden Truth at the Centre of WWII's Greatest Battle
by Iain MacGregor'Stunning. History at its very best: a blend of impeccably researched scholarship, genuinely revelatory primary sources, and a beautifully written narrative.' - James Holland'The sheer brutal intimacy of his descriptions of the fighting are extraordinary.' - Frederick Taylor'A wonderful and important and timely book.' - Alexander Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Bedford Boys and First Wave'An authoritative and unforgettable insight into the decisive days of that most terrible struggle on the banks of the Volga.' - Jonathan Dimbleby'An utterly gripping read.' - James Holland The sacrifices that enabled the Soviet Union to defeat Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941-45 are sacrosanct. The foundation of their eventual victory was laid during the battle for the city of Stalingrad, resting on the banks of the river Volga. For Germany, the catastrophic defeat was the beginning of their eventual demise that would see the Red Army two years later flying their flag of victory above the Reichstag. Stalingrad is seen as the pivotal battle of the Second World War, with over two million civilians and combatants either killed, wounded or captured during the bitter winter of September 1942. Both sides endured terrible conditions in brutal house-to-house fighting reminiscent of the Great War. Within this life-and-death struggle for the heart of the city and situated on the frontline was a key strategic building, codenamed: 'The Lighthouse'. Here, a small garrison of Red Army guardsmen withstood German aerial bombardments and fought off daily assaults of infantry and armour. Red Army newspaper reports at the time would be seized upon by the Moscow media needing to place a positive spin on the fighting that had at one point looked beyond salvation. By the end of the war, the story of this building would gather further momentum to inspire Russians to rebuild their destroyed towns and cities until it became the legend it is today, renamed after the simple sergeant who had supposedly led the defence - 'Pavlov's House'. In time for the eightieth anniversary, The Lighthouse of Stalingrad will shed fresh insight on this iconic battle through the prism of the men who fought one another over five months and the officers who commanded them. A riveting narrative, informed by both German and Russian archives to unearth unpublished memoirs and eyewitness testimonies from veterans and civilians alike, this book will celebrate the real heroes and provide a truer picture of how this mighty battle finally ended.
The Lighthouse of Stalingrad: The Hidden Truth at the Centre of WWII's Greatest Battle (Karen Pirie #2)
by Iain MacGregor'Stunning. History at its very best: a blend of impeccably researched scholarship, genuinely revelatory primary sources, and a beautifully written narrative.' - James Holland'The sheer brutal intimacy of his descriptions of the fighting are extraordinary.' - Frederick Taylor'A wonderful and important and timely book.' - Alexander Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Bedford Boys and First Wave'An authoritative and unforgettable insight into the decisive days of that most terrible struggle on the banks of the Volga.' - Jonathan Dimbleby'An utterly gripping read.' - James Holland'MacGregor writes with great fluency and narrative drive . . . compellingly terse.' - William Boyd'Magisterial.' - Dan SnowThe sacrifices that enabled the Soviet Union to defeat Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941-45 are sacrosanct. The foundation of their eventual victory was laid during the battle for the city of Stalingrad, resting on the banks of the river Volga. For Germany, the catastrophic defeat was the beginning of their eventual demise that would see the Red Army two years later flying their flag of victory above the Reichstag. Stalingrad is seen as the pivotal battle of the Second World War, with over two million civilians and combatants either killed, wounded or captured during the bitter winter of September 1942. Both sides endured terrible conditions in brutal house-to-house fighting reminiscent of the Great War. Within this life-and-death struggle for the heart of the city and situated on the frontline was a key strategic building, codenamed: 'The Lighthouse'. Here, a small garrison of Red Army guardsmen withstood German aerial bombardments and fought off daily assaults of infantry and armour. Red Army newspaper reports at the time would be seized upon by the Moscow media needing to place a positive spin on the fighting that had at one point looked beyond salvation. By the end of the war, the story of this building would gather further momentum to inspire Russians to rebuild their destroyed towns and cities until it became the legend it is today, renamed after the simple sergeant who had supposedly led the defence - 'Pavlov's House'. In time for the eightieth anniversary, The Lighthouse of Stalingrad will shed fresh insight on this iconic battle through the prism of the men who fought one another over five months and the officers who commanded them. A riveting narrative, informed by both German and Russian archives to unearth unpublished memoirs and eyewitness testimonies from veterans and civilians alike, this book will celebrate the real heroes and provide a truer picture of how this mighty battle finally ended.
The Lighthouse of Stalingrad: The Hidden Truth at the Heart of the Greatest Battle of World War II
by Iain MacGregorA thrilling, vivid, and &“compelling&” (Wall Street Journal) account of the epic siege during one of World War II&’s most important battles, told by the brilliant British editor-turned-historian and author of Checkpoint Charlie.To the Soviet Union, the sacrifices that enabled the country to defeat Nazi Germany in World War II were sacrosanct. The foundation of the Soviets&’ hard-won victory was laid during the battle for the city of Stalingrad, resting on the banks of the Volga River. To Russians, it is a pivotal landmark of their nation&’s losses, with more than two million civilians and combatants either killed, wounded, or captured during the bitter fighting from September 1942 to February 1943. Both sides endured terrible conditions in brutal, relentless house-to-house fighting. Within this life-and-death struggle, Soviet war correspondents lauded the fight for a key strategic building in the heart of the city, &“Pavlov&’s House,&” which was situated on the frontline and codenamed &“The Lighthouse.&” The legend grew of a small garrison of Russian soldiers from the 13th Guards Rifle Division holding out against the Germans of the Sixth Army, which had battled its way to the very center of Stalingrad. A report about the battle in a local Red Army newspaper would soon grow and be repeated on Moscow radio and in countless national newspapers. By the end of the war, the legend would gather further momentum and inspire Russians to rebuild their destroyed towns and cities. This story has become a pillar of the Stalingrad legend and one that can now be told accurately. Written with &“impressive skill and relish&” (Sunday Times), The Lighthouse of Stalingrad sheds new light on this iconic battle through the prism of the two units who fought for the very heart of the city itself. Iain MacGregor traveled to both German and Russian archives to unearth previously unpublished testimonies by soldiers on both sides of the conflict. His &“utterly riveting&” (Alex Kershaw) narrative lays to rest the questions as to the identity of the real heroes of this epic battle for one of the city&’s most famous buildings and provides authoritative answers as to how the battle finally ended and influenced the conclusion of the siege of Stalingrad.
The Lighthouse: The Mystery of the Eilean Mor Lighthouse Keepers
by Keith McCloskeyOn 26 December 1900, the vessel Hesperus arrived at Eilean Mor in the remote Outer Hebrides with a relief lighthouseman and fresh provisions. The lighthouse had been in operation for a year, but it had been noted that no light had been seen from Eilean Mor for several days. The relief keeper, Joseph Moore, found the lighthouse to be completely deserted, and a subsequent search of the island failed to reveal any sign of what had happened to the three keepers. The last entry in the logbook had been made on 15 December and contained a number of strange and distressing clues as to the mental states of the men. One was reported to have been crying, while another had become ‘very quiet’. When it was revealed that the men’s oilskin coats were missing and the clock in the lighthouse had stopped, theories surrounding the keepers’ fates inevitably proliferated. These included a giant wave washing them away, murder or suicide. Others favoured more esoteric explanations – Eilean Mor was believed to have mystical properties. In The Lighthouse, Keith McCloskey explores this mysterious and chilling story in depth for the first time and reveals a shocking conclusion.
The Lightning Boys 2: More True Tales from Pilots and Crew of the English Electric Lightning (The\jet Age Ser. #3)
by Richard PikeExciting, first-hand accounts from Lightning aircrews—the sequel to the bestselling book from the author of the Hunter Boys and Phantom Boys volumes.Lightning Boys 2 is a must-have companion to the first collection and continues the theme of tales from pilots and other crew connected with this iconic aircraft, giving a rare insight into postwar fighter operations. In 20 separate stories to intrigue, amaze, and amuse, the book has also been compiled and written by Richard Pike. The reader is taken to situations as diverse as intercepting 60-plus enemy aircraft, a desperate struggle in a cockpit flooded by tropical downpours, the difficulties of being affected by sudden and painful toothache at high altitude, and the curious encounter with an unidentified flying object. Yet another chapter paints a dramatic reconstruction of a scene in Germany when a Lightning, having entered an inadvertent, out-of-control spin, began an earthwards plunge towards a town center.
The Lightning Boys: True Tales from Pilots of the English Electric Lightning (The\jet Age Ser. #3)
by Richard Pike&“A good read both to aviators in general and to the Lightning fraternity in particular&” (Royal Air Force Historical Society). According to a recent international study, the Lightning is the fifth most popular military aircraft of all time. With over twenty individual stories from former Lightning pilots, this book relates the highs and lows, the dramas and the demands of those who operated this iconic aircraft until its sharp end. Tales include the recollections of an aerobatic display pilot, an implausible yet true account of telepathic communication, and an extraordinary episode in which a Lightning pilot on an exchange program with the French Air Force became embroiled in a mid-air collision. An unverified, but likely genuine, world record is also revealed in one of the chapters. In addition to the original photographs that accompany the text, the renowned aviation artist Chris Stone, a former Lightning pilot himself, has provided a unique sketch as well as copies of some of his paintings, offering a look at this amazing aircraft that will appeal to the general reader as well as the enthusiast.
The Lightning Keepers: The AIF's Alphabet Company in the Great War
by Damien FinlaysonFew soldiers on the Western Front had heard of the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company, even after it had been renamed the ‘Alphabet Company’ by an AIF wag. Yet many knew the work of this tiny unit which numbered fewer than 300 at full strength. Despite its small size, the Alphabet Company’s influence was enormous and spanned the entire British sector of the Western Front, from the North Sea to the Somme. The Lightning Keepers: the AIF’s Alphabet Company in the Great War is the story of the ‘Alphabeticals’ who, led by Major Victor Morse, DSO, operated and maintained pumps, generators, ventilation fans, drilling equipment and other ingenious devices in extreme circumstances. Given the horrendous conditions in which the troops lived and fought, this equipment was desperately needed, as were the men who operated it in the same, often nightmarish setting. This is the first account of the dynamic little unit that was the Alphabet Company, a unit that has been neglected by history for a century. It is the story of the men, their machinery and the extraordinary grit they displayed in performing some of the most difficult tasks in a war noted for the horrific conditions in which it was waged. They do not deserve to be forgotten.
The Lilac People: A Novel
by Milo ToddYOUR NEXT BOOK CLUB PICK: "Reminiscent of Anthony Doerr&’s All the Light We Cannot See . . . Its propulsive narrative, at times heart-stopping in its suspense and dramatic reveals, is interwoven with rich descriptions and historical passages that give context to a society held in the brutal grip of fascism." —The Boston Globe A moving and deeply humane story about a trans man who must relinquish the freedoms of prewar Berlin to survive first the Nazis then the Allies while protecting the ones he loves "reclaims a powerful piece of trans history" (Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Orphan Train)In 1932 Berlin, a trans man named Bertie and his friends spend carefree nights at the Eldorado Club, the epicenter of Berlin&’s thriving queer community. An employee of the renowned Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld at the Institute of Sexual Science, Bertie works to improve queer rights in Germany and beyond. But everything changes when Hitler rises to power. The Institute is raided, the Eldorado is shuttered, and queer people are rounded up. Bertie barely escapes with his girlfriend, Sofie, to a nearby farm. There they take on the identities of an elderly couple and live for more than a decade in isolation.In the final days of the war, with their freedom in sight, Bertie and Sofie find a young trans man collapsed on their property, still dressed in Holocaust prison clothes. They vow to protect him—not from the Nazis, but from the Allied forces who are arresting queer prisoners while liberating the rest of the country. Ironically, as the Allies&’ vise grip closes on Bertie and his family, their only salvation is to flee to the United States.Brimming with hope, resilience, and the enduring power of community, The Lilac People tells an extraordinary story inspired by real events and recovers an unknown moment of World War II and trans history.