Reviews | War History

THE WORLD’S FIRST SWAT TEAM

Mark Barnes

Like Joseph, this book has a coat of many colours. It is by turn a history book, a travel guide and a social circular. It…

SO FEW GOT THROUGH WITH THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS FROM NORMANDY TO THE BALTIC

Mark Barnes

First published in 1946, this book is very much of its time but can genuinely lay claim to be a classic. Martin Lindsay was a…

OPERATION BARBAROSSA AND THE EASTERN FRONT 1941

Mark Barnes

We import a great deal from North America and a big chunk of it is language to mix up our lovely Old World vernacular. Some…

IMAGES OF WAR PANZER IV AT WAR 1939-1945

Mark Barnes

I remember well when Airfix brought out their Panzer IV kit, I suppose I was about thirteen years old. I loved going to football and…

Airway to the East 1918-1920

Mark Barnes

Like Pen & Sword’s autobiography of Hitler’s snapper, this is the sort of book that inspires articles in the nether regions of the Daily Mail.…

IMAGES OF WAR B-17 MEMPHIS BELLE

Mark Barnes

The press release with this book leaves us in no doubt the Memphis Belle is an all-American icon and that some claim she is in…

MOSQUITO Menacing the Reich

Mark Barnes

An admission: After I read this book I started another which I had been so looking forward to. A Great War history with fantastic photos…

IT HAD TO BE TOUGH The Origins and Training of the Commandos in World War II.

Mark Barnes

The cover illustration for this book shows the wonderful Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge in the Highlands of Scotland. My sole visit back in 1990…

STALINGRAD DAY BY DAY

Mark Barnes

It would be easy to write this one of as the sort of book you often find in one of those bargain book shops in…

SOMME SUCCESS THE ROYAL FLYING CORPS AND THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME 1916

Mark Barnes

The latest edition of the Western Front Association’s Bulletin included a discourse on Great War books by our president Professor Peter Simkins. In it he…

DEEDS OF HEROES The Story of the Distinguished Conduct Medal 1854-1993

Mark Barnes

I occasionally travel to work with a colleague, who, by coincidence, reviews albums for a rock music website. While I might often find common ground…

THE COMPLETE GEORGE CROSS

Mark Barnes

In the sticky heat of an October day, I found myself in the Commonwealth cemetery in Stanley on Hong Kong Island.  There is much to…