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INFERNO By Dan Hill In this fresh approach, four historians have combined to bring their analysis of twelve key battles from the two world wars. Written in  individual chapters, each one includes maps and provides a highly readable account that both the history and more general reader will enjoy. This hardback book is published by Harper Collins and will be published on September 10th.

TRENT PARK HOUSE: A CENTURY OF SECRETS  By Sue Elliott  Written by a former student who had previously lived there in the 1960's, you could say this listed mansion has had many lives of its own. At one time owned by Sir Philip Sassoon, those in high society, including royalty, would cherish their visits and it's beautiful grounds. Royalty even lived out on the lake, in the form of two king penguins! During the second world war, Trent Park and it's residents could not have been more different. Now requisitioned and surrounded by barbed wire, it would house German POW's and more crucially, selected high-ranking officers. Unbeknownst to them, the house had been rigged with secret microphones with a team of German speaking listeners working around the clock, listening to every word and gathering intelligence. As peace returned to the world the house and grounds became a site for education, but gradually fell into a sorry state of repair.  Thankfully, it has most...

SKYWATCH: A HISTORY OF THE ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS VOLUME II In this second of three volumes, Kevin Wright now focuses on the period of the second world war and begins with the 1939 ROC national exercise involving the aircraft of the RAF playing both the roles of defender and attacker. As it turned out this took place only a fortnight before war was declared. Across thirteen chapters, the books focus covers a host of subjects from the apparatus the observers used to both identify aircraft and calculate their height, to how restrictions were eventually and sensibly lifted to allow women to join the Corps. It was also interesting to learn that an observation post was erected on the roof of Windsor Castle! Part of Helion's 'Europe@War' series with specially commissioned colour artwork and a range of great photographs and separate articles, this fascinating volume also includes first-hand accounts and research published for the first time.  Another highly recommended r...

THE AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM IN SCOTLAND 1938-46 BY IAN BROWN Released in paperback, this is the first book to focus on Scotland's wartime air defence and w hat is quickly apparent is Ian's attention to detail and the immense amount of research he has put into this book. From first establishing the network of radar stations, the filter rooms and airfields to their role in the war, the book takes a wide ranging look at the whole system and how it all came together. Accompanying the narrative throughout are many wartime photographs and first-hand accounts from the people who worked in various roles.  Ian has also included information regarding many of the buildings, including their floorplans, which again proves how comprehensive this book is. Probably best described as an academic book, as a humble reader myself with an interest in the subject, I not only found it most readable, but also learnt a great deal new. I'm sure it will prove a most useful reference to any his...

THE ITALIAN ARMY IN THE BATTLE OF THE ALPS 1940 By Massimiliano Afiero  In the days before the French Armistice in 1940, a short battle between Italian and French forces took place on both country's border.  Rarely covered in previous books, the fighting took place in different locations from near the Mediterranean Coast in the South, to the slopes of Mount Blanc. As readers will learn, despite it  being June the weather was often described as 'atrocious'. The Italian airforce could only offer limited assistance to the attacking ground forces, who not only faced an enemy inside defensive fortifications, but also had to fight the effects of frostbite. As the book provides a lead-up to the fighting and the battles themselves, it does so mostly from the Italian point of view. Whilst it is described as an Italian victory which lead to a second French Armistice, incredibly the Italian's casualty figures were much higher. Packed throughout with useful maps, and ma...

SKYWATCH: A HISTORY OF THE ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS. VOL I: 1925-1939 By Kevin Wright Having previously read a rather dry official history, just the first flick through this book led my eye to be immediately caught by the many fabulous graphics, photographs, maps and illustrations positioned throughout.  Plaudits are also deserved for dividing the story of the ROC into three volumes, which allows author, Kevin Wright, the space to provide a fascinating and wide-ranging narrative.  In 2025, the ROC celebrated its 100th Anniversary. Kevin reveals how Britain's inadequate defences during the first world war failed to spot, warn and be in any great position to stop the German raids over London and the East Coast.  The post-war years were ones of incredible financial constraints and political decisions that slowed both the improving and strengthening of Britain's defences in time for the rising tensions that led to a second world war.  For that next period we will...

BEAUFIGHTER VS GERMAN FLAK SHIPS By Matthew Willis.  So often referred to as the 'Cinderella Service', Coastal Command's wartime role has always been the least mentioned when compared to both Bomber and Fighter Commands.  Thankfully, more books have being published in recent years and we now have another by the always excellent, Matthew Willis. This is book number 151 of Osprey's 'DUEL' series. As always, readers will quickly appreciate the many excellent photographs, artwork and maps. Matthew looks at the development of both the Beaufighter and its various armaments, as well as looking at its prey, the German flak ship or boat. Both would duel in a variety of theatres from Norway, and both the North Sea and the Mediterranean. I was also fascinated to learn more about the combat in the Balkans too. Something which has rarely been touched on in other books. Just as with their previous collaboration on the Swordfish, this book by Matthew and Osprey is ...

FRENCH NAVY 1939-42 By Hugues Canuel As naval books written in English tend to focus on the Royal Navy, the role and strength of its French equivalent is often overlooked.  This new book from Osprey and written by naval historian, Captain Hugues Canuel, throws a greater spotlight on the Marine nationale especially during the second world war.  With the ending of the Great War and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, the majority of countries had neither the interest, nor the finances, to continue to build and modernise their armed forces. As the second world war began the book describes the strengths and types of ships that were then serving in the Marine nationale.  This would include the French having the world's largest fleet of submarines.  Following the Phoney War, the fleet's lesser known role in the Norway campaign is revealed. Between the evacuation at Dunkirk and Operation Torch, the story of the many dramatic battles, alongside the country's...

TURNING THE TIDE  By Thomas McKelvey Cleaver. Tom Cleaver takes readers back to  1942, where the inexperienced American pilots of the  USAAF would face their first moments of combat against far more experienced German and Italian adversaries.  As readers will learn, even before these battles commenced, the US pilots had to firstly fly over hundreds of miles of sea and desert, just to reach their bases on the African continent. This in itself proved to be no mean feat.  Amongst the narrative of events that start in North Africa and then later in Sicily, we meet and follow a variety of American pilots.  Just as the US soldiers did on the ground, their lack of inexperience would prove to be a costly exercise early on, with a huge number of both pilots and aircraft being lost. However, through gaining combat experience and adapting their tactics, our author reveals how these important early months would create a far better equipped air force that la...

THE WAR OF THE ROSES: VOL I By David Grummitt. In this first of three volumes, David Grummitt reveals the military campaigns of the War of the Roses, backed with incredible knowledge from forty years of research.  At the beginning, David states that many previous books have followed the mistakes written in many earlier books. So here he takes a fresh approach to not only the many battles, but the locations where they supposedly took place. After a brief introduction to what started the civil war, he begins in 1455 with the first of two battles that took place at St Albans. This civil war would actually spread from England's shores and ahead across to both Ireland and France, before both Northampton and Yorkshire would also see blood split. For a relative beginner like me who has only read a few books on this period, I have found David's narrative much easier to follow and appreciated both the maps and many photographs.  The illustrated artwork is also an excellent ...

EXPLODING RATS & OTHER DEVIOUS DEVICES OF SOE By Craig Moore. Not for the first time has a historian stumbled on a most interesting file whilst actually researching for another subject in the National Archives at Kew.  This happened to Craig Moore who, with just some light editing, has now brought us the said file in full. Written in 1946, this fascinating report includes many useful diagrams and photographs which reveal  the work of the Camouflage Section at SOE.  Much like 'Q' Branch in the James Bond films, their  work included the disguising and concealing  of microfilm, as well as explosive devices, inside everyday items. Often now for comic effect, the agents were also taught how to use make-up, toupees, glasses and false teeth to totally change their appearance. There is so much here that I have never seen before. One such example is some footwear with adapted soles that were shaped as a footprint. These was used in the Far East, to confus...

HARRIER By Philip Birtles  Aviation historian and writer,  Philip Birtles, turns his attention to a very popular and extraordinary aircraft.  Beginning by explaining the concept and design of VTOL (Vertical Take-Off & Landing) aircraft, Philip keeps the focus of the book on the Harrier through its initial design and testing, to the development of  the later models like the Sea Harrier and those used by both the United States and other European countries.  It is a well known fact that the RAF retired the Harrier far too early, whilst it continued in service for other countries until only recently. Included in the book are over 400 photographs, many previously unpublished and covers the aircrafts service including the Falklands War. A highly readable account that surely must deserve a space on any aviation fans bookshelf.  The hardback book is available now, published by Fonthill Media, an imprint of Pen and Sword Books.  I thank Script B...

KILLING SHORE By K.A. Nelson The author is a veteran of the US Marine Corps and a wreck diver who has been in the unique position of seeing for himself the victims of and also the wrecks of some of the German U-boats he now writes about. On reading a few books on the Battle of the Atlantic, the story of the U-boat attacks close to the American coast probably hasn't had the coverage it deserves.  I say this because the book begins with a map of the US Eastern Coast revealing all of the wrecks of both U-boats and their victims, a surprising number to me. The book is split into two parts. Firstly the author provides an overview of the battle in the Atlantic dating back to the first world war. The second part of the book is divided into chapters that cover a particular ship or event, with the basis very much on capturing the stories of the men involved. Whilst the author wrote this as a local history book, his research and attention to detail deserves a greater readership. ...

RAF FAST JETS IN COLOUR By Philip Birtles A writer of many aviation books, as well as working in the industry, Philip has managed to grow quite a large collection of photographs.  Now his publisher has given him the opportunity to share literally hundreds of his own photographs along with many others that he admires. Aircraft showcased include the Harrier, Lightning, Tornado and Jaguar, each given their own dedicated chapters. With just a brief introduction for each aircraft, it is very much the photographs of the aircraft that do the talking. This is a book, if not a photo album, for any aviation fan to simply enjoy and reminisce. This one most certainly did.  The paperback edition is available now published by Fonthill Media, an imprint of Pen and Sword Books.  I thank Script Books, also a fellow imprint, for this review copy. 

MIDGET SUBMARINES 1939-45 By Ingo Bauernfeind. Military and naval historian, Ingoldmells Bauernfeind, is also a writer and director of TV documentaries and interactive guides for museums in both the US and Europe. Packed with photographs this book reveals the many classes of midget submarines and human torpedoes that both Allied and Axis countries deployed during the second world war. As we learn about them and whether they proved successful or not on operations, the quality and range of the photographs were equally of interest. Published here in both colour and black/white, we see the cramped conditions inside as well as some of the wrecks found by divers. It only strengthens my beliefs that being in a submarine then or now, would not be for me! Included throughout are many charts to compare the different crafts and profiles to provide readers with the different designs. I'm a huge fan of Casemate's Illustrated series and once again I am both impressed by the quali...

GERMAN LOGISTICS 1939-45 By Simon Forty &  Richard Charlton Taylor. Away from the actual frontline fighting, a country's military forces needs a constant supply of food & water, as well as ammunition, transport & fuel.  As this fascinating book reveals, from the very start of the second world war Germany lacked the necessary means for a long drawn out war, especially with its forces fighting on so many fronts.  As these forces invaded and subsequently took control of many countries, Germany gained valuable resources such as raw materials, oil, food and crops. On the military logistical side, the book also explains just how heavily reliant the German Army was on horses and how for all the mention of Blitzkrieg and the use of tanks, the majority of its soldiers would still have to arrive on foot. I could go on as this book covers so much more. This illustrated book includes many photographs throughout and is also accompanied by many useful  tabl...

ATLANTIC FURIES By Midge Gillies  It was only back in August that my partner and I visited Burry Port on the South Wales coast. Here a memorial remembers Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly the Atlantic, who came ashore at this point on June 18th 1928. I admitted then to a lack of knowledge of the event and was more recently delighted to hear of the approaching publication of this new book. Midge not only reveals the story of Earhart, but those of other women who showed great determination and resilience, often in the face of sexism and racism. In such a man's world even those women wealthy enough to financially back a project, had to show great tenacity and would set-up their own company. Flying lessons proved to be a difficult and costly venture and was often done secretly and against the wishes of the women's closest loved ones. To go on to then be a part of such a dangerous venture as a flight across the Atlantic, would lead to the break-up of many relationsh...

PEARL HARBOR  By Mark E. Stille Can Japan's surprise attack on the American Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor really be described as a success? In his comprehensive new book, Mark Stille begins by looking at the lead-up to and the planning of the attack.  Readers will learn about the disagreements amongst the commanders of the Japanese Imperial Navy and learn just how complacent the Americans were, despite the many warning signs. The attack itself is described from both sides positions, backed with some extremely helpful maps and diagrams.  Immediately afterwards President Roosevelt ordered an investigation to seek answers and find those accountable. Many decades later and with the number of investigations and reports in double figures, those answers were still being sought. Here also the  author provides his own thoughts and analysis.  Described on the cover jacket as the definitive history, it is hard to argue with that claim. Mark Stille is clearly in...

ROYAL NAVY FORCE H 1940-42 This is book 14 in Osprey's 'Fleet' series and is written by naval historian, Angus Konstam. If you have read any second world war books on the Mediterranean war and/or Malta, then it is highly likely that Force H and its well respected commander, V.Adm. Sir James Somerville, is mentioned. Based at Gibraltar, Force H patrolled both the Atlantic and the Western Mediterranean often escorting vital convoys to Malta. It was Somerville who led the fleet in the attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir and they would also be later involved in the hunt for the Bismarck.  As well as describing the fleet's ships, its commander and their wartime endeavors, the role and defences of Gibraltar is also covered. This is an added bonus as most books generally only give Gibraltar a passing mention. With a fascinating narrative, aided with many useful maps, charts and original artwork, it is a book I have certainly enjoyed and would definitely rec...

TUNISGRAD By Saul David  Despite its importance, there has been very few books written about 'Operation Torch', the Allied invasion of North Africa in November 1942 and the subsequent months of fighting that would lead to the defeat of Axis forces in North Africa.  It was the first Anglo-American campaign of the second world war, whose forces invaded Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Their main targets were often the ports and airfields, yet the invading forces had little knowledge of how the majority of the French defenders would react to their arrival. Some would welcome the Allies and lay down their arms, but there were many others who where supporters of the Axis and decided to fight. Best selling author, Saul David, has produced a magnificent narrative of all the key events. He includes many first-hand accounts from political leaders, commanding officers and the fighting from both sides and the different armed services. Also included throughout the book are many u...