Focusing on J. Robert Oppenheimer's duality as a brilliant scientist and a conflicted figure, this biography explores his early achievements and pivotal role in the Manhattan Project. It highlights his fascination with atomic science juxtaposed against his horror at the bomb's destructive power, particularly in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The narrative also examines his political struggles, which ultimately led to a rift with the US government and the decline of his career in nuclear physics. Part of the Sirius Biographies series, it offers insights into his lasting legacy.
Charting the journey from Stanford PhD students to tech giants, this biography explores Sergey Brin and Larry Page's creation of Google and its evolution into a global powerhouse. It delves into their innovative search engine technology, business model, and the impact of their work on artificial intelligence and data collection. Accompanied by photographs, the book serves as an inspiring resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and those interested in successful business ventures. Part of the Sirius Biographies series, it highlights the lives and legacies of influential figures in various fields.
Explore the extraordinary journey of Bill Gates, from a curious young programmer to the co-founder of Microsoft and a leading philanthropist. This biography highlights key moments in his career, showcasing his innovation and business strategies that revolutionized the personal computer industry. It also delves into his philanthropic efforts through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. With thorough research and engaging storytelling, the book offers insights and lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in impactful success.
From Pripyat in Ukraine to Bodie in California to English villages
requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence during World War II, from Greek leper
colonies to deserted Italian mountain villages, Abandoned Towns is a
fascinating visual history of the mysteries of lost worlds illustrated in 150
striking colour photographs.
An illustrated study of how coalition armor in Iraq in 2003–06 handled a unique multi-threat environment, from enemy armor to IEDs. On 20 March 2003, Coalition forces launched the invasion of Iraq on a massive scale. Their armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) faced an uncertain level of resistance, and soon had to overcome a wide range of enemy threats. These included tank vs tank clashes during the first days of the invasion (most famously at Basra and Mahmoudiyah), and subsequently the dangers posed by enemy rocket-propelled grenades, cannon fire, antitank guided missiles, and improvised explosive devices. This vital new study covers both the opening clashes between opposing AVFs and the tactics developed by Iraqi insurgents seeking to neutralize Coalition superiority. Featuring full color photos, battle scenes, weaponry, and tactical illustrations, it draws upon first-hand accounts and official post-battle analyses to examine how Coalition forces responded to the change in the nature of the threats. Among the topics addressed are the coordination between Coalition infantry and air power; how dealing with roadside bombs in Iraq resulted in changes to equipment, tactics, and force structure; and the lessons learned for future warfare.
Featuring over 200 photos of the greatest, most spectacular, most infamous and
legendary peaks from every part of the world, Mountains is a photographic
guide arranged by geographical region, with each entry explaining the
significance and history of the mountain.
Featuring specially commissioned artwork and carefully chosen photographs, this study charts the SVD Dragunov rifle's development, combat use and lasting legacy, from Vietnam to Syria. Developed as a medium-range sniping rifle in the Soviet Union during the 1960s, the Dragunov stood out against most Western sniping rifle types by being semi-automatic, a configuration that marginally lowers accuracy compared to bolt-action sniping rifles, but which allows for faster follow-up shots. Even so, the SVD is still capable of taking precision killing shots out to 800m and beyond, making it a thoroughly practical combat weapon for marksmen and snipers. In this fully illustrated study, Chris McNab explores the Dragunov's development and performance in detail. But the story of this weapon really comes to life with its combat history. It is the world's most widespread sniping rifle, still in use in the former Soviet armies and sold to more than 40 countries worldwide. Its rugged design, dependable capabilities and relatively low cost mean that it has been used in every conceivable type of conflict, from Vietnam and Afghanistan to Iraq and Syria. Illustrated with cutaway artwork and battlescenes, plus technical and historical photographs, this study tells the story of this remarkable weapon, from design and development to tactical use in action.
As the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union unfolded, two places that experienced particularly intense suffering were Kharkov (now Kharkiv) in Ukraine and Rostov-on-Don in Russia. Both cities would change hands violently four times during 1941-43 as the conflict raged back and forth on the Eastern Front. In this book, Chris McNab assesses the fighting men of the Red Army and the Waffen-SS who clashed in three battles - one for Rostov (July 1942) and two for Kharkov (February-March and August 1943). Featuring specially commissioned artwork and mapping plus carefully chosen archive photographs, this study examines the key differences between the two opponents in terms of training, tactics, weaponry, ideology and motivation. It investigates how these differences played out in the three featured battles, which ranged from open-terrain combined-arms combat to brutal close-quarters street fighting in major urban zones.
Arranged geographically, Farming explores the many types of farm and farming
that exist today. Presented in a landscape format and with more than 180
outstanding photographs of farming from every part of the planet, the book
offers a pictorial celebration of mankind's deep connection with the land that
sustains us.
