"In December Belisarius entered Rome from the south through the Porta Asinaria by the Basilica of Constantine. The Gothic garrison fled north out the Porta Flaminia towards Ravenna. Belisarius suffered from no illusions; he knew the Goths would soon be back in force to lay siege to the city. This would be the decisive battle for Italy, and he would be prepared for it." Fifty years ago, the Western Empire fell, and now the Eastern Roman Empire is threatened on all sides. If it is to survive, a strong emperor must come to the throne, and a hero must lead the emperor's armies. In 527 CE, Justinian I rose to the throne with a vision of restoring Rome to its former glory. He soon found a general--and a hero--named Belisarius. General Belisarius gave hope to the people and once more rekindled the flames of conquest in the Roman army. Belisarius showed faith in God, unquestionable loyalty to his emperor, and compassion for his warriors and the Roman people. He was, without a doubt, "The Hero of Byzantium,"

In this widely acclaimed work, now revised and expanded, Luttwak unveils the peculiar logic of strategy level by level, from grand strategy down to combat tactics. He explores examples from ancient Rome to present day to reveal the ultimate logic of military failure and success, of war and peace. 5 tables.

From the Ice Age to the Cold War and beyond, from Reykjavik to Riga, from Archimedes to Einstein, Alexander to Yeltsin, here between the covers of a single volume Norman Davies tells the story of Europe, East and West, from prehistory to the present day. The book's absorbing narrative lays down the chronological and geographical grid on which the dramas of European history have been played out. It zooms in from the distant focus of Chapter One, which explores the first five million years of the continent's evolution, to the close focus of the lasttwo chapters, which cover the twentieth century at roughly one page per year. In between, Norman Davies presents a huge and sweeping canvas packed with fascinating detail, analysis, and anecdote. Alongside Europe's better-known stories - human, national, and continental - he brings into focus areasoften ignored or misunderstood, remembering the stateless nation as well as the nation-state. Minority communities, from heretics and lepers to Jews, Romanies, and Muslims have not been forgotten. This masterly history reveals not only the rich variety of Europe's past but also the many and rewarding prisms through which it can be viewed. Each chapter contains a selection of telephoto 'capsules', illustrating narrower themes and topics that cut across the chronological flow. Davies thenconcludes with a wide-angle 'snapshot' of the whole continent as seen from one particular vantage point. The overall effect is stunning: a kind of historical picture album, with panoramic tableaux interspersed by detailed insets and close-ups. Never before has such an ambitious history of Europe been attempted. In range and ambition, the originality of its structure and glittering style, Norman Davies's Europe represents one of the most important and illuminating history books to be published by Oxford. Time Capsules 201 fascinating articles interspersed throughout the narrative focus on incidents or topics as various as The Iceman of the Alps, Erotic Graffiti at Pompeii, Stradivarius, and Psychoanalysing Hitler. Each capsule can be tasted as a separate self-contained morsel; or can be read in conjunction withthe narrative into which it is inserted. Snapshots 12 panoramic overviews across the changing map of Europe freeze the frames of the chronological narrative at moments of symbolic importance, such as Knossos 1628 BC, Constantinople AD 330, and Nuremberg 1945. A fully illustrated history Incorporates over 100 superbly detailed maps and diagrams, and 32 pages of black and white plates.

High-interest, nonfiction articles help students learn about science topics while developing skills in reading comprehension. Each story is followed by questions that cover main idea, detail, vocabulary, and critical reasoning. The format is similar to that of standardized tests, so as students progress through the book's units, they are preparing for success in testing. Each of the 44 units provides: Introductory key words, A high-interest story, 5 test questions. Book jacket.

Aleksander Maslov memorializes the Red Army generals of World War II at Germany's Eastern Front using formerly secret Soviet archival materials and interviews with families of the victims.

Second in the "Sunset on Sparta" series, in 464 BCE, Sparta tries to annihilate the Messenian rebels on Mount Ithome, a Messenian woman goes to extreme lengths in a bid to save her man, and a beautiful Spartan woman determines to achieve revenge at all costs. First in the series, "Heart of the Messenian" should be read before commencing this novel.

The Peninsular War and the Napoleonic Wars across Europe are subjects of such enduring interest that they have prompted extensive research and writing. Yet other campaigns, in what was a global war, have been largely ignored. Such is the case for the war in India which persisted for much of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods and peaked in the years 1798?1805 with the campaigns of Arthur Wellesley – later the Duke of Wellington – and General Lake in the Deccan and Hindustan. That is why this new study by Martin Howard is so timely and important. While it fully acknowledges Wellington’s vital role, it also addresses the nature of the warring armies, the significance of the campaigns of Lake in North India, and leaves the reader with an understanding of the human experience of war in the region. For this was a brutal conflict in which British armies clashed with the formidable forces of the Sultan of Mysore and the Maratha princes. There were dramatic pitched battles at Assaye, Argaum, Delhi and Laswari, and epic sieges at Seringapatam, Gawilghur and Bhurtpore. The British success was not universal.