Pt Boat Odyssey

“Nicely illustrated with black-and-white historical photos…extraordinary…impressively informative…. Expertly organized and presented…recommended”—Midwest Book Review During the Pacific War between the United States and Imperial Japanese navies, the author's father, Francis Gelzheiser, deployed with Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 16A, from New Orleans to Panama to Seattle and to Attu Island in the Aleutians. After their return voyage, the PT boats journeyed to New Guinea, then battled Japanese kamikazes for the Philippine Island of Mindoro. Like many World War II veterans, Gelzheiser only shared his recollections of combat later in life. The author chronicles his father's experience, details the roles PT boats played in the war and examines why, despite America's overwhelming wartime manufacturing capacity, the Japanese believed they could still win the war.

"Global Warming is a complex thriller with Garry Willmott's trademark mix of fact, fiction and projection. From the death of one man, pilot Ericson, the story builds to a tsunami of blackmail, terrorism, compromise and revenge... and that's before the Russian mafia gets in on the act! If you've enjoyed Garry's other novels, you'll love Global Warming. Just hold on to your hats and watch out for AK47s." - Sally Odgers, author. "Garry Willmott's latest book Global Warming is a ripping yarn of espionage and high adventure that stretches from one side of the globe to another. It is a David and Goliath story in every sense and highlights the vulnerability of the world's smaller more independent countries to the impacts of environmental change. It is Mr Willmott's obsession with detail which provides so much interest and authenticity in his writings. Not unlike the Da Vinci Code, underpinning the sometimes-frenetic pace, there are twists and turns, shocks, surprises and mishaps." - Cenred Harmsworth, recording artist. "Based on a plausible premise Garry has interspersed the drama with well-researched and poignant facts making the story quite thought provoking. The story continues to build well with many twists and turns and a few surprises along the way. I found the book highly entertaining the plot easy to follow and an all-round good read. This story is a must-read for any fan of the thriller/drama genre. Although a work of fiction, this should be read by the world's major polluters (listed within the book); there is a warning here that is not entirely implausible given the current political upheavals and voter shifts seen throughout the globe." - Martin Humphries "Global Warming, a book of intrigue, thought provoking facts and ideas, with many twists and turns. For the author, Garry Willmott, this is a totally new subject matter, one which encourages much debate and thought about human tragedy. It is exciting, thought-provoking and imaginative, with a killer ending. I totally recommend." - Ian Jones

Admiral Topp's memoirs reflect the faith, hopes, errors, and transformations in a man's life, indeed those of a whole generation whose understanding of history and ideology were held captive by the myth of power. The terrible annihilation in World War II and, even more so, the unimaginable destructive potential of nuclear weapons, have resulted in a change in the use of power. The author's diaries and journals, along with their contemporary interpretation, illustrate the political dimension of this change. Topp wrote this book to illuminate a segment of twentieth century history which can only be portrayed truthfully by those who themselves have lived and suffered through it. Topp also describes freely the era of the Third Reich. Even today, after long years of occupying positions of leadership, the author feels the burden of historical responsibility. In this sense his book is a statement about the ambivalence of human existence. It provides answers to the question of why a whole generation of Germans followed the mesmerizing siren song of a totalitarian regime, an experience which still looms like a shadow over the living.

A doctor's diary. A soldier's saga. Colonel J.P. Franklin, MC US Army, a man of honor, courage and commitment, has already passed through the crucible of two wars. Beginning as a teenaged Marine private in the Second World War, he goes on to command a platoon of self-propelled automatic weapons as a lieutenant in the Korean War. His greatest challenge, however, comes in a third war, Vietnam. World recognised for his expertise as a head and neck surgeon, he leaves the safe academic environment of Walter Reed Army Medical Centre to become a paratrooper, then takes his military and surgical skills to Vietnam. This is a detailed and often traumatic perspective of a controversial period in US history. It is a period that strains those ideals and loyalties considered sacred to the young men who matured into warriors during WW2 and the Korean War.

A photo-filled tour of wrecked warships around the world, with their stories recounted in “a wonderfully clear [and] lively style” (Seattle Post Intelligencer). Sunk by enemy fire, scuttled, or run aground, the number of World War II-era battleships, cruisers, submarines, and other warships that ended their service on the bottom of the world’s oceans and seas is enormous. In the decades since the conflict, wreck hunters have pored over historical records and combed the world’s oceans to find their remains. Now you too can see them up close—without getting your feet wet. In Hidden Warships, naval historian Nicholas A. Veronico details the history, recovery, and preservation of these sunken combat ships—including accounts from the divers and restorers who have worked with them. Beginning with the Japanese midget submarines that attacked Pearl Harbor and continuing into the modern era, including the 2006 sinking of the postwar aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, Veronico provides rich detail on each noteworthy vessel, including over 150 photographs, ship specifications, geographic coordinates, and more. For the enthusiast who wants an even more complete experience, the book concludes with a list of preserved ships, an Internet resource guide, and a suggested reading list to continue the exploration. Whether you plan on visiting these historic sites yourself or simply enjoy their compelling stories, Hidden Warships will guide you, above the surface and underwater, through some of the most famous relics of World War II naval warfare. “A tantalizing selection of sunken vessels, including many recent discoveries.” —Naval History Magazine