Alun Jones, Baron Chalfont Books

The advantages of a standardized uniform are perhaps very obvious to us in the twentieth century - easy identification of friend or foe and better discipline, to name but two - but the idea of 'uniform' only appeared with the standing army of the late seventeenth century, and the word 'uniform' did not reach Germany from France until the eighteenth century. This book traces the development of the uniforms of the great armies of the world from the Wars of European Succession to the Atomic Age; from the irregular and sometimes not very practical garb of the armies of the eighteenth century to the highly sophisticated and well-camouflaged uniforms and machinery with which we are familiar today. Not only are the essential types of uniforms methodically described but the history as well as the psychology of uniform is discussed by leading experts in the field. This book is also a remarkable artistic achievement; its 96 pages of full color include over 700 original drawings of individual soldiers by Wilhelm von Halem - a German painter with a lifelong interest in historical uniforms and customs - as well as splendid battle scenes by some of the world's most authoritative painters. There are also 60 black and white paintings and engravings.

Rommel stands out as a unique figure in German military history, known for his audacity and imaginative approach to warfare, akin to the greatest commanders. Emerging from a military middle-class background in provincial Germany, he experienced the collapse of Bismarck’s Second Reich in 1918, the struggles of the 1920s, and the rise of Hitler's regime, culminating in the chaos of World War II. Despite the turbulent politics of his time, Rommel appeared insulated from its influences, only revealing his extraordinary military prowess in the heat of battle, securing his legacy in military history. This book offers a fresh perspective on Rommel's tactical genius and the myth surrounding the leader of the Afrika Korps. It delves into significant events such as the advance of his ‘ghost’ division through France in May and June 1940, his unsuccessful attempt to capture Tobruk in November 1941, the Gazala Boxes in May and June 1942, and the pivotal battles of El Alamein and Kasserine in February 1943. The author examines Rommel’s character, leadership qualities, and the reasons behind his captivating presence for both the Allies and Axis powers. The book includes 16 pages of color plates and 100 black-and-white illustrations.

Peter Green discusses the personality and achievements of Alexander the Great, and continues with the military and political violence of the successor-kingdoms that fought over his inheritance.

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