New Releases by Chris Mcnab

Three Soviet submachine guns – the PPD-40, PPSh-41 and PPS – embodied the fighting spirit of the Red Army in World War II, seeing combat from the opening battles of Barbarossa to the final struggle for Berlin. Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork and vivid first-hand accounts, this is the story of the rugged and lethal close-combat weapons that helped to turn the tide of war in the East.

The story of the 100 most influential weapons in history. Our history has been shaped and changed by weapons: the smallest advances in weapons development have helped to build and overthrow empires, changed the course of civilization, driven modern technology, and won wars. For thousands of years, individual pieces of weaponry have come to symbolize struggles and nations, from the Roman gladius to the English longbow, and from the flintlock musket through to the AK47. This book reveals the weapons that had the greatest impact on our history, explaining how and why they came to prominence, and uncovers the lasting effect they had on the world.

The definitive illustrated history of German World War II fortifications, covering the Atlantikwall, Westwall, and myriad other defensive works. Hitler''s ''West Wall'' was one of the greatest engineering projects of the 1930s. Stretching more than 390 miles and containing some 14,000 pillboxes it was a significant statement of intent. But it was only as World War II progressed that Germany''s defensive requirements expanded beyond all previous expectations. Along the Atlantic coastline Germany poured millions of tonnes of concrete into chain batteries, bunkers and minefields, whilst defensive works were sunk into the mountainous terrain of Italy in an attempt to halt the advancing Allies. As well as these large-scale defensive works, Hitler''s Fortresses delves into the principles and engineering of basic frontline defences, showing how the average German soldiers prepared their fox-holes and field fortifications, as well as exploring special purpose fortifications like the huge U-boat pens, V-weapon sites and Hitler''s own personal constructions, from his sprawling headquarters to his mountain-top lair. This exhaustive study of German wartime fortifications reveals much about the strategic and tactical thinking of the German High Command, and combat accounts explore how effective the defences were in practice. Illustrated throughout with contemporary photographs, cutaway diagrams, artworks and maps, this edition shows exactly how key types of defensive positions looked and functioned, and provides an authoritative record of the Third Reich''s defensive mindset.

Covers everything you need to know about administering urgent medical attention in situations where there is no prospect of immediate professional help. With tips on avoiding injury and being rescued, Survival First Aid ensures that you will be prepared for almost any medical emergency.

A companion volume to Hitler''s Armies and Hitler''s Eagles, Hitler''s Elite: The SS 1939–45 tells the complete story of the SS at individual, unit and organizational levels. Following an explanation of the SS'' complex political and social origins, and its growth within the Nazi empire, it goes on to look at both its war record and its wider role in Heinrich Himmler''s implementation of Hitler''s vision for the Third Reich. As well as providing a combat history of the Waffen-SS from 1939 to 1945, it also explores themes such as ideology, recruitment, foreign SS personnel, training and equipment. The book''s textual history is brought to life with more than 200 photographs and colour artworks from Osprey''s series titles. This is a detailed and highly visual insight into one of Hitler''s most powerful instruments of policy.

The Battle of Verdun was one of the bloodiest engagements of the First World War, resulting in 698,000 deaths, 70,000 for each of the 10 months of battle. The French Army in the area were decimated and it is often most tragically remembered as the battle in which the French were ''bled white''. A potent symbol of French resistance, the fortress town of Verdun was one that the French Army was loath to relinquish easily. It was partly for this reason that the German commander chose to launch a major offensive here, where he could dent French national pride and military morale. His attack commenced on 21 February, using shock troops and flamethrowers to clear the French trenches. Starting with the capture of Fort Douamont, by June 1916 the Germans were pressing on the city itself, exhausting their reserves. The French continued to fight valiantly, despite heavy losses and eventually rolled back German forces from the city. In the end it was a battle that saw much loss of life for little gain on either side.

A detailed, authoritative guide to the landmark airborne attack on Eben Emael.

Discover the truth about the world''s most terrifying mythical creatures that have been scaring people for generations, from Beowulf''s Dragon to Frankenstein. Featuring ancient legends and folklore, movie and modern monsters, this collection of more than 40 creatures will scare and entertain with stunning illustrations, maps and fascinating facts.

Cambrai 1917 was the battle that sowed the seeds of future combined-arms tank and infantry warfare, while remaining a battle of singular drama in its own right. If you truly want to understand what happened and why – read Battle Story. Detailed profiles explore the background of the generals of the two opposing forces, as well as what made up the average German and British soldier. First-person, contemporary sources bring the reader into the world of the Battle of Cambrai and show what it was like to be in the thick of battle. Detailed maps highlight key points in the battle and the surrounding area. Photographs place you on the front line of the unfolding action. Orders of battle reveal the composition of the two opposing forces'' army in detail. Packed with fact boxes, this short introduction is the perfect way to explore this important battle.

A complete look at the design, development, and operational use of the Uzi submachine gun.

Almost every movie of a police shootout includes the following depiction of violence: good guy shoots bad guy; bad guy instantly drops dead. But the reality is that when someone is hit by a bullet, or even several bullets, this rarely happens. What does happen when someone is shot? How effective is the use of hand guns? Why are so many shots fired at a shootout? Why don''t officers shoot a gun out of an assailant''s hands, or shoot him in the leg instead of killing him? What is it really like for an officer to pull his gun and fire? In this book, Chris McNab, author of Tools of Violence and The Special Forces Survival Guide, analyzes the use of lethal force in the control of crime in the United States from the Civil War to the present day. Covering incidents from the shooting of Bonnie and Clyde to the Waco Seige, and the actions of gunmen from “Wild Bill” Hickok to modern SWAT teams, he answers these questions and examines the history of armed response and those who in enforcing law face making life and death choices in a few, traumatic seconds.

"The Napoleonic Wars saw almost two decades of brutal fighting, from the frozen wastelands of Russia to the wilderness of the Peninsula, and from Egypt to the bloody battlefield of Waterloo. In the almost two decades of battle, Napoleon led his Grande Armee and his allies against a varying coalition of nations. This book provides a comprehensive guide to all the major armies of the Napoleonic Wars - France, Britain, Austria, Prussia, Russia, Spain, and Portugal - as well as many of the minor powers. The changes in the armies over the period, the organization, the infantry, cavalry, and artillery are all covered, along with illustrations of the often glorious uniforms worn into battle." --Book Jacket.

Most people would associate the SS with Heinrich Himmler, but the latter was not the first (or the last) leader of this infamous body. The SS Databook: 1923-1945 examines the history and development of the Schutzstaffel from its origin as Hitler''s personal bodyguard to its growth into a millions-strong organization by the war''s end in 1945. Broken down by the key consitituent parts of the SS such as the police, concentration camps, security services, Waffen-SS, slave labour, Einsatzgruppen and so forth, the book includes exhaustive reference tables, diagrams, maps and charts, presenting all the core subject information in easy-to-follow formats. 170 b/w photographs

The tools of lethal force have always attracted controversy and fascination. In the modern media age, however, they are also surrounded by confusion and misunderstanding. McNab and Keeter cut through mythology and misinformation and comprehensively lay out the facts, often revealing startling gaps in our everyday knowledge. Tools of Violence unravels the myths of modern weaponry. Not only explaining how a weapon system works, the authors explore how it is applied by soldiers, police or civilians under pressure, what happens when innocents get in the way, its effect on the human body or physical structures, its political controversies, and its place in international law. Judgments are backed up by interviews with those directly engaged with weapons technology, including frontline soldiers, police officers, academics, weapons specialists and defense analysts. Accessible and absorbing, Tools of Violence is essential reading for those wanting to understand the weapons technology of today and how and why it is used. CONTENTS Introduction; Hand-Held War - Small Arms; Perfect Destruction - Explosives; Mechanized Muscle - Battlefield Armor; Death from a Distance - Artillery: Power from Above - Military Aviation; Firepower at Sea - Naval Weapon Systems; Shadow Threat - Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Weapons / WMD

"In addition to a detailed historical overview of firearms from the medieval period to the present day, the book also contains 350 entries on individual guns. Each entry explains the history of the firearm, plus a full specification."--Front flap of dustjacket

Examines the features of the Madagascar hissing cockroach, the giant orb spider and the Goliath beetle and explains how they thrive in their envrionment.

Discusses frogs, toads, and salamanders from around the world.

An encyclopedic look at firearms.

300 uniforms from around the world.

Originally conceived as a replacement for the Red Army''s submachine guns, the AK-47''s simplicity, reliability and cheapness made it one of the most widely distributed and most-manufactured rifles ever. This illustrated history examines the design and development of the AK-47, its internal mechanisms, its use in combat and all variants produced since its introduction in 1947. An authoritative text is complemented by detailed full-color cutaway drawings and appendices, providing detailed specifications and comparisons to contemporary guns. In addition, both color and black-and-white photographs depict the AK-47 in use on battlefields from Eastern Europe to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Almost 300 small arms featured from the twentieth century, each one illustrated by a full-color artwork ...