New Releases by Paul Dowswell

An accessible and thought-provoking introduction to the First World War and the Second World War, stunningly illustrated with dramatic contemporary photographs, paintings, posters and maps. This beautifully presented hardback book tells the story of both conflicts, from the trenches of the First World War to the battles and Blitz of World War Two. Please note this title is a combined volume containing Introduction to the First World War and Introduction to the Second World War.

Thrilling historical adventure set during the English peasants'' revolt of 1381, by Paul Dowswell, the author of Ausländer, and Wolf Children. It''s 1381 and the king, Richard II, has imposed a new tax on the people. In the village of Aylesford, Tilda and her ploughman father were already struggling to make ends meet. As serfs they have no rights to move freely or earn wages for their work. Tilda is desperate for a better life than the village can offer, so when the villagers begin to rebel she is swept up in the excitement. Tilda and her father travel to London with the others to petition the king, but the peaceful rebellion they hoped for soon ignites into violence, mayhem and treachery. Tilda''s fight for a better life is only just beginning... This page-turning adventure sheds new light on a period of history which is covered in the KS3 curriculum, and will have readers gripped from start to finish.

From a troubled spirit in Georgian England to vengeful spirit in 19th century Jamaica, to a haunted World War II U-Boat, this spine-chilling book tells the stories of documented hauntings, describing the events as they were reported at the time. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme, Young Reading Series Four, perfect for readers growing in confidence and independence. A dramatic new cover design revitalises this timeless book. Great for readers who prefer real-life stories to fiction.

It is July 1945, Hitler''s Third Reich has fallen, and Berlin is in ruins. Living on the edge of survival in the cellar of an abandoned hospital, Otto and his ragtag gang of kids have banded together in the desperate, bombed-out city. The war may be over, but danger lurks in the shadows of the wreckage as Otto and his friends find themselves caught between invading armies, ruthless rival gangs and a strange Nazi war criminal who stalks them ... A climactic story of truth, friendship and survival against the odds, Wolf Children will thrill readers of Michael Morpurgo and John Boyne.

Le ultime ore della Grande Guerra raccontate magistralmente da Paul Dowswell. Nella notte dell’11 novembre 1918 la Germania firma l’armistizio con le Forze alleate, ma devono trascorrere sei ore prima che sia reso ufficiale. Sul fronte occidentale s’incontrano tre soldati: Axel, un giovane fante tedesco, Will, suo coetaneo inglese, e Eddie, un rampollo americano entrato in aviazione per far colpo sulle ragazze. Nel giro di poche ore, i loro destini s’incroceranno e le loro vite cambieranno per sempre.

A new edition of Usborne''s fantastic reference book on the two most important conflicts of the 20th Century; World Wars 1 and 2. Provides detailed accounts of the causes and effects of each war, as well as describing their main battles, innovations and leaders.

ONE IN FIVE NEVER RETURNED. Every boy dreams of flying, but in war that dream can turn into a nightmare. Harry Friedman is the gunner of the Macey May, an American Flying Fortress stationed in East Anglia. The Second World War is raging and the Nazis have swept over Europe. The crews of every Flying Fortress face terrible odds on their bombing missions. To make it through alive, Harry will need luck on his side and courage ... Courage to keep going when he has watched close friends die. Courage to confront a terrible evil. And the courage to make it home from deep behind enemy lines. Nail-biting tension and compelling storytelling combine with Dowswell''s meticulous research to deliver a page-turner for fans of John Boyne, Morris Gleitzman and Marcus Zusak.

Sanna historier om andra världskriget berättar om några av de mest hjältemodiga, mest katastrofala och mest avgörande händelserna under andra världskriget. Paul Dowswell förmedlar en stark känsla av det lidande människor drabbades av, men också av det hjältemod som många visade under kriget. Berättelserna berör olika sidor av kriget, som de spektakulära sjöslagen mellan jättelika krigsfartyg och de stora sammandrabbningarna mellan arméer med hundratusentals man. Här beskrivs också dueller man mot man mellan fientliga prickskyttar, och det berättas om enskilda personers kamp när de ställdes inför en nästan säker död.

Gevärspipor, murar, taggtråd, fängelsevakter och låsta dörrar borde vara tillräckliga hinder för att förhindra flykt. Men människors jakt på frihet till varje pris har ständigt lett till många rymningar och rymningsförsök. I Sanna historier om rymningar får vi ta del av hisnande flykthistorier, samtidigt som vi får en översikt över skilda tiders fängelser, politik och krig. Här får vi bland annat läsa om fången Frank Morris som beslutat sig för att visa omvärlden att Alcatraz inte var så rymningssäkert som det påstods. Eller historien om mönsterfången George Blake som på ett snillrikt sätt lyckas ta sig ut ur Wormwood Scrubs-fängelset i London. Den franska fångkolonin Djävulsön är en annan kuslig berättelse. Det är lätt att fly från ön, men att överleva i djungeln eller ute på det öppna havet är inte fullt så enkelt. Sanna historier om rymningar är den tredje boken i serien Sanna historier.

Spökhistorier har berättats av människor över hela världen i alla tider. Den första utförliga beskrivningen av ett spöke som drar rasslande kedjor efter sig skrevs av en romersk författare för nästan 2000 år sedan. I Sanna historier om spöken berättar Paul Dowswell och Tony Allan i spännande och lättlästa kapitel om andar och övernaturliga händelser genom historien. Men är det verkligen sanna historier? Kom lord Tyrone tillbaka från de döda för att infria ett löfte till sin syster? Var det ett spöke som förgiftade Jack Bell i delstaten Tennesse i 1800-talets USA? Och den giftmördade Fanny Lynes, återvände hon från de dödas rike för att peka ut sin mördare? Sanna historier om spöken är den nionde boken i serien Sanna historiersom med sitt nätta format och läsvänliga innehåll passar både ungdomar och vuxna.

A collection of moving stories from the First and Second World War published in association with the Imperial War Museum. These twenty-two stories recount some of the most heroic, devastating and pivotal moments of the World Wars providing young readers with an insight into the human stories behind the conflicts. "A truly moving collection of tales. From spies and secret plots to snipers and zeppelin raids, it brings history alive with real heroes." - tbk Magazine

Eleven true-life stories of adventure and exploration on the world''s tallest mountain, including tales of tragedy, misfortune and reckless ambition. Gripping and engaging for readers who prefer real life to fiction.

A gripping collection of true stories of exploration and danger over the icy wastelands of Antarctica. Contains true life stories from the fated expedition of Captain Scott to Ernest Shackleton''s epic trek across the snow to save his stranded crew.

Paul Dowswell wordt internationaal geprezen om de manier waarop hij in staat is voor jongeren te schrijven over bekende historische gebeurtenissen vanuit een ongebruikelijk gezichtspunt. In Eleven, eleven kruipen we onder de huid van drie jongens die de laatste 24 uur van de Eerste Wereldoorlog meemaken: een Duitse en Engelse soldaat op het slagveld, een Amerikaanse vliegenier in de lucht. Het lot brengt hen samen; slechts twee van hen zullen overleven.

A nail-biting thriller about a boy who escapes East Berlin, but not the reach of the Stasi - chilling, page-turning junior le Carré

In March 1801, a mere six weeks after Sam Witchall''s ship wrecked off the Cornish coast, his hopes for getting home are dashed when he is framed for theft and sent to Australia for punishment. The fifteen-thousand mile, eight-month journey is a hard and horrible one, and when he and his good friend Richard finally arrive, they find themselves fighting for their lives in the Australian bush. This epic sequel to Powder Monkey is every bit as exciting and action packed as its predecessor. "Adventure fans will not be disappointed with the daring rescues, shark attacks, espionage, and heated battles that fill the pages of this historically accurate and vastly entertaining sequel." -School Library Journal

Ten thrilling true stories of spies and espionage. Contains tales of stealth and deception, each every bit as daring and glamorous as the fictional escapades of James Bond, but far more deadly as the real life spies risk capture, torture and execution for their trade. Gripping and engaging for readers who prefer real life to fiction.

A meticulously researched epic naval adventure set in the 1800s and following the life of thirteen-year-old Sam Witchall, press-ganged into a brutal and dangerous life as powder monkey on one of His Majesty''s Royal Naval ships

Twelve thrilling true stories of the Second World War. Includes real life tales of epic naval battles, monumental battles and duels between solitary snipers for control of Stalingrad amongst other tales of bravery and heroism. Stories are illustrated with maps and line drawings and there are notes on sources and ideas for further reading. Gripping and engaging for readers who prefer real life to fiction.

Ten thrilling stories of the First World War. Contains eye-witness accounts of some of World War One''s most important events, from the epic naval battle of Jutland to the strange Christmas truce of 1914. Stories are illustrated with maps and line drawings and there are notes on sources and ideas for further reading. Gripping and engaging for readers who prefer real life to fiction.

Germania, 1972. Alex Ostermann vive con la sua famiglia a Berlino Est. I genitori hanno credenziali irreprensibili per il regime, ma lui e sua sorella Geli non sposano interamente la propaganda sovietica e si “ostinano” a vedere del buono nella cultura occidentale. Alex è affascinato dalla musica rock, ascolta di nascosto i Rolling Stones e i Led Zeppelin e ha perfino formato una piccola band con i suoi amici. Geli, sempre vestita di nero e con le sue fotografie di edifici in rovina, mostra inclinazioni “decadenti”. A casa, i genitori fingono di disapprovare le passioni dei figli, mentre l’unica a parlare in modo critico del regime è la nonna. Alla fine, l’eccessivo “individualismo” dei ragazzi, pericoloso per la “causa socialista”, attira l’attenzione della Stasi, che comincia a tenerli d’occhio. Quando le pressioni diventano insopportabili, la famiglia Ostermann riesce a fuggire dalla Ddr, ma a un prezzo che Alex e Geli non sono disposti a pagare.

Thrilling adventures stories, based on actual life events. War stories will make you feel as if you were actually there. This book is ideal for reluctant readers, as well as adults.

A far-reaching account of the story of the Second World War, written from a genuinely international perspective, showing how the war affected nations and people all over the world.

A chilling and thought-provoking story of a Polish orphan who refuses to conform to the Hitler Youth

Published in association with the Imperial War Museum.

A gripping, fantastical adventure set against the enthralling backdrop of ancient Bohemia

Cuando sus padres mueren, Peter es enviado a un orfanato de Varsovia. Pero Peter es un Volksdeutscher: de sangre alemana. Gracias a sus cabellos rubios y sus ojos azules, es el perfecto prototipo de las Juventudes Hitlerianas. Su aspecto no pasa inadvertido, por lo que alguien importante querrá adoptarlo, y así es: lo adopta. El profesor Kaltenbach y su mujer están encantados de acoger a un ario tan estupendo en su hogar. Serán la envidia de los demás. Pero Peter no es exactamente el espécimen que creyeron. Empieza a formarse sus propias ideas: él no quiere ser un nazi, así que correrá un riesgo. El riesgo más peligroso que podía correr en el Berlín de 1943.

One of a series of titles aimed at Key Stage 3 readers and upwards that looks at different systems of government and discusses their origins, history and practical application in the modern world.

"Simple text, breathtaking photographs, detailed illustrations and exciting recommended websites introduce young readers to the wondres of the Universe."--Back cover.

The history of dictatorship seems to prove the accuracy of the well- known saying: ''Power tends to corrupt - and absolute power corrupts absolutely.'' Many questions are answered in this fascinating account of perhaps the most controversial type of government the world has known. Ages 13+.