This book documents the development and production of the M4A1 through its many variations, as well as its combat use around the globe. Produced by Lima Locomotive Works, Pressed Steel Car Company, and Pacific Car and Foundry, the M4A1 was the first of the famed Sherman tanks and preceded the welded-hull M4 into production. Powered by a nine-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine, the M4A1 fought in North Africa with both US and British forces, across northwestern Europe, and on ...
A detailed, illustrated history of the Israeli tank force, from the early wars for independence to the streets of Gaza in 2024. This is the complete history of Israeli tanks and tankers, stretching from the First World War to the present. Included are hundreds of excellent photographs, maps, tables, and charts. Beyond all of that visual and technical information, the authors have also included a detailed narrative history of the Israeli Armored Corps and its precursor organiz...
The destroyers of the Akizuki "Autumn Moon" class were very different from the standard fleet type of Imperial Japanese Navy destroyers inaugurated with the Fubuki class. They were designed for the protection of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s carrier task forces, and in order to achieve this they carried a particularly powerful antiaircraft armament and had an extremely long radius of action. However, only 12 out of a planned number of 39 entered service, and they arrived too l...
A comprehensive look at World War II-era Fubuki class destroyers, giving readers an understanding of why and how the Imperial Japanese Navy took the lead in destroyer designThe World War II–era destroyers of the Japanese Fubuki class were the first of a type sometimes referred to as "super destroyers." These destroyers were extremely large and heavily armed with guns and torpedoes. Ironically, the IJN was pushed to create heavier destroyers by the terms of the Washington Nava...
Discover how NASA, the Smithsonian, and the aerospace community helped craft, legitimize, and popularize the beloved television show Star Trek. Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry sought to create a work of science fiction that would immerse viewers not only through clever storylines and modern visual effects, but also by presenting the story in a scientific and technological context that felt believable. To this end, Roddenberry, a former WWII combat pilot, used his connec...
A detailed, highly illustrated history of the Kaman H-2, including more than 300 images. Kaman developed the Seasprite for the US Navy, specifically for shipborne operations. The type was adopted in 1962 and remained in service for more than 30 years, seeing combat both in Vietnam and during Operation Desert Storm. The Seasprite performed admirably in a wide variety of roles, including antisubmarine warfare and search and rescue. This a detailed, highly illustrated his...
Medium-sized aircraft carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. This book covers the design and construction of the two well-known Soryu and Hiryu carriers, and the lesser-known ships of the Unryu class, and relies on original Japanese source material, including numerous photos, drawings, and specifications. How and why the Japanese designed and constructed the WWII-era, medium-sized Soryu, Hiryu, and Unryu-class aircraft carriers, and how they were operated...
USS Saratoga and her sister ship USS Lexington were the two largest aircraft carriers in the world until 1944. The keel of the battle cruiser USS Saratoga (CC-3) was laid by New York Shipbuilding in Camden, New Jersey, on September 25, 1920. Work on the fast, formidably armed battle cruiser was suspended in February 1922, when the Washington Naval Conference negotiated limits on warship sizes and numbers. Once the accord was signed, the decision was made to covert the 28 per...
By producing the A300—the first twin-jet, wide-body airliner in the world—the European Airbus consortium succeeded in joining the league of leading aircraft makers. The path was both rocky and exciting. Filled with detailed text, including historical, technological, and flight information, as well as colorful photos, this volume provides a fascinating insight into the history of commercial aviation. The first aircraft designed, built, and sold by Airbus, the A300 airliner deb...
In Dio: The Unholy Scriptures, embark on an electrifying journey through the tumultuous yet triumphant saga of one of heavy metal’s most legendary bands: Dio. Told through gripping anecdotes and candid interviews conducted with the author over the decades, Dio: The Unholy Scriptures unveils the untold stories behind the Dio band’s timeless anthems, revealing the passion, perseverance, and sheer audacity that defined the band’s unparalleled sound and style. Formed in 198...
Germany's Tiger tank, whether in the form of the Tiger I or later Tiger II (King Tiger), was the most feared tank of WWII. Despite production totaling fewer than 2,000 units, its heavy armor, its power, and perhaps the even more powerful Nazi propaganda machine ensured that the Tiger remains well known over seven decades after last being on the battlefield. Through more than 175 photos, this volume chronicles the design, development, and deployment of this famed German tank....
Photographic chronicle of the history and evolution of New York subway signage, covering porcelain, wood, tin, and mosaic signs from the 1920s to the 1980s. Foreword by renowned transit photographer and historian Douglas Grotjahn Vintage New York City Subway Signs: 1920s–1980s features over 350 historic photographs, chronicling the evolution of subway signs from the 1920s to the 1980s. Each image showcases the craftsmanship and cultural significance of these transit artifac...
A new addition to expert collector Geoffrey T. Carlton's Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book series of merchandise guides, volume 3 takes Star Wars enthusiasts into the vast galaxy of items that celebrate the beloved film franchise and pop culture juggernaut. Volume 3 unifies toys and nontoy products into a single book, covering 70,000 items released from 2011 to 2022. Also included are some of the more common and popular items, along with older pieces not previously fe...
The Panzerjäger Tiger (P) was a powerful tank destroyer fielded in small numbers by the Wehrmacht. As indicated by the Panzerjäger Tiger (P) name, this series of 90 vehicles was based on an early design of the Panzer VI Tiger tank, specifically the unsuccessful tank design prototype by Ferdinand Porsche. In fact, as initially fielded, the series of giant tank killers was given the name Ferdinand. After disappointing performance at Kursk, the 48 surviving Ferdinands were retur...
The definitive illustrated chronicle on the graphic art of punk style, from period concert posters and flyers to fanzines and record sleeves, and much more, with over 900 images Celebrating a wide range of punk design in vinyl cover art, posters, flyers, fanzines, and other ephemera, The Art of Punk highlights the movement primarily within graphic design and print, while also considering its impact on wider popular culture. Punk was based on immediacy—an often-inspired...
The Panzerkampfwagen IV, or Panzer IV as it is more popularly known, formed the backbone of Germany’s tank formations during WWII. With production totaling more than 8,500, the Panzer IV was the most plentiful German tank of the war, and the only German tank that remained in production for the duration of the conflict. Through more than 180 photos, this volume chronicles the design, development, and operational deployment of this ubiquitous German tank. This material is arran...
An important addition to collector extraordinaire Geoffrey T. Carlton's collection of Star Wars merchandise guides, this completely revised and redeveloped second edition of Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book, Vol. 2 focuses exclusively on toys. Guiding readers through the world of merchandise produced to capture the spirit of the wildly popular Star Wars film franchise, this volume showcases games and electronics, plushies and puppets, bobbleheads and rubber ducks, toy ve...
The Sturmgeschütz, or StuG, as it is more popularly known, while conceived as self-propelled, infantry support artillery, in time, formed the backbone of Germany’s anti-tank operations during WWII. With more than 135 war-era photos, this volume chronicles the design, development, and deployment of the first six (of nine variants) of this famed and feared weapon. The material is arranged in seven chapters, each focusing on a specific production model, or Ausführung, of the Stu...
For the first time, the Band's legendary Richard Manuel’s compositions and performances are analyzed with expert commentary while shining a light on his contributions to all of his bands—and on the undeniable impact he had on rock music.Richard Manuel was a fearless original. Sweetly soulful as a vocalist and endearingly creative as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, he was a vital part of some of rock ’n’ roll’s pivotal moments, including Bob Dylan’s controversial move ...
A concise history of the design, development, and deployment of USS Enterprise (CV-6).Though it barely missed being caught and destroyed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the US Navy's USS Enterprise (CV-6) aircraft carrier took part in every major action of the Pacific War, from the Doolittle Raid to the battles of Midway, Santa Cruz, and Guadalcanal to the Philippine Sea and Leyte. Affectionately known as the "Big E," as well as the "fightingest ship in the Navy," the En...
The history of the carrier that launched Jimmy Doolittle's daring raid on Tokyo and saw combat at Midway and Santa CruzThe USS Hornet (CV-8), made famous through its launching of the 16 US Army B-25 Mitchell bombers flown by Jimmy Doolittle's raiders in the first US strike on Japan in May 1942, was the third and last Yorktown-class aircraft carrier completed. Serving the US Navy for just over one year, the warship had a brief yet heroic life. This book explores Hornet's const...
Does street art exist in spotless Tokyo? Yes! But strict vandalism laws and conservative Japanese culture have suppressed the graffiti scene in Tokyo. This stunning survey by photographer and graffiti artist Lord K2 takes you into the Tokyo neighborhoods exhibiting a colorful array of urban art created on the fly and as low-key as possible. Here is a look at vibrant stickers, tags, highly elaborate murals by both local and international artists, and a gallery of work by the a...
Book Three of the Law of One builds on the information presented in Books One and Two, continuing the exploration of the nature and balancing of the energy centers or chakras, sexual energy transfers, healing, reincarnation, meditation, and Wanderers. The nature of psychic prophecy is explored in Book Three, as are the nature and ramifications of what are usually called psychic attacks. A good deal of information is given on the principles of ritual magic in general and white...
An illustrated look at the most-stunning and most-important Omega watches, from Omegas that served in WWI trenches, to those that reached the moon, limited editions, Omegas named "Anakin Skywalker" and "Darth Vader", and more. A range of over 100 marvelous photographs, informative text, and technical details come together in this book to document more than 60 years of fascinating wristwatch design of one of the world’s best known and most popular Swiss wristwatch manufacturer...
