Comic books in 'Essential History Special'

1st printing. Written by Gary Gallagher, Robert Krick, and Stephen Engle. Foreword by James M. McPherson. Undoubtedly the most cataclysmic military struggle of the late nineteenth century, the American Civil War spanned four bloody years of fighting in which over 620,000 American soldiers and sailors lost their lives. From its outbreak at Fort Sumter, South Carolina in April 1861 until its conclusion at the Appomattox Court House, more than 10,000 battles, engagements and skirmishes were recorded across the length and breadth of America. This book explores the political, historical and cultural significance of the American Civil War, examining its impact on the civilians and military personnel caught up in it. Softcover, 328 pages, Text (with B&W photos). Cover price $24.95.

1st printing. Written by Geoffrey Jukes, Peter Simkins, and Michael Hickey. Foreword by Hew Strachan. Raging for over four years across the tortured landscapes of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the First World War changed the face of warfare forever. Characterised by slow, costly advances and fierce attrition, the great battles of the Somme, Verdun and Ypres incurred human loss on a scale never previously imagined. This book, with a foreword by Professor Hew Strachan, covers the fighting on all fronts, from Flanders to Tannenberg and from Italy to Palestine. A series of moving extracts from personal letters, diaries and journals bring to life the experiences of soldiers and civilians caught up in the war. Softcover, 352 pages, Text (with B&W photos). Cover price $24.95.

1st printing. Written by Geoffrey Jukes, Russell Hart, and Max Hastings. Foreword by Sir Max Hastings. The period from 1939 to 1945 saw some of the most devastating events in living memory. Existing in the shadows of fear, sacrifice, deprivation and uncertainty, soldiers and civilians of all nationalities were driven to extremes of selfless loyalty, dogged determination or bitter cruelty by the demands of a world at war. Bringing the experience of war to life through a wealth of contemporary documentation, private writings and historical research, this book tells the stories of the men and women who lived and died during the Second World War. Also assessing the political, military and historical significance of the war this truly comprehensive volume covers every fighting front of this horrific war. Softcover, 480 pages, Text (with B&W Photos) Cover price $29.95.

1st printing. Written by Todd Fisher, and Gregory Fremont-Barnes. Foreword by Bernard Cornwell. The Napoleonic Wars saw fighting on an unprecedented scale in Europe and the Americas. It took the wealth of the British Empire, combined with the might of the continental armies, almost two decades to bring down one of the worlds greatest military leaders and the empire that he had created. Napoleon's ultimate defeat was to determine the history of Europe for almost 100 years. From the frozen wastelands of Russia, through the brutal fighting in the Peninsula to the blood-soaked battlefield of Waterloo, this book tells the story of the dramatic rise and fall of the Napoleonic Empire. Softcover, 352 pages, Text (with B&W photos) Cover price $24.95.

1st printing. Written by Philip de Souza, Waldemar Heckel, and Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones. Foreword by Victor Davis Hanson. Inspiring generations of poets, novelists, scriptwriters and scholars, the rise and fall of the great Empires of the Classical world is an enthralling story of passion and conquest. The leaders, battles and military technologies that dominated the wars between Greece and Persia, and Alexander's conquests are all examined in detail in this book, and their historical significance is discussed. The appendix focuses on the modern treatment of Ancient Greece in film, including behind-the-scenes insights into the filming of battle scenes for Oliver Stone's epic movie, Alexander. Softcover, 288 pages, Text (with B&W photos) Cover price $24.95.

1st printing. Written by Kate Gilliver, Michael Whitby, and Adrian Goldsworthy. Foreword by Steven Saylor. The story of a small town that rose to become the most powerful empire of the ancient world has been an inspiration to generations of people. Even after the collapse of the Roman Empire, many nations and their leaders have styled themselves 'heirs of Rome', emulating its society, technology and warfare. This book details the wars that shaped the Roman Empire, from the Gallic Wars of Julius Caesar and the subsequent civil war between Caesar and Pompey which tore apart the ageing Republic, through the expansion of the early Empire to its 'decline and fall'. Softcover, 288 pages, Text (with B&W photos) Cover price $24.95.

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1st printing. Written by Carl Benn and Daniel Marston. Foreword by Fred Anderson. At the beginning of the 18th century, America was a colonized land with European countries squabbling over its many natural resources. In 1754, the French-Indian War broke out as a decisive battle between the French and British for control of North America. Britain's victory led to greater governmental involvement in the American colonies that developed into rebellion in 1775. Following the American Revolution, the USA and Britain shared an uneasy peace that erupted in war again in 1812; the ensuing conflict tore through the American frontier. This book examines the wars in North America from the French-Indian War until the end of the War of 1812, which brought lasting peace between Britain and the United States. Softcover, 288 pages, Text (with B&W Photos). Cover price $24.95.