Search Results: Authors starting with L from Capricorn Books

Bramley, (Stroud, 1997). 170 pp, large 8vo (9 3/4" H), hard cover in dust jacket. ISBN 1858337321 B&w photos, reproductions, maps. "...explores the war as it appeared to the professional and amateur war correspondents who covered it in extraordinary depth in both the Bri tish and colonial press, describing not only the pitched battles but much of the human drama of everyday campaigning from a variety of perspectives. These reports are linked together in a narrative which places them in the military, polit i c a l a n d s ocial context of the war." Fine/Fine.

New Haven: Yale University Press, 2014. 345 pp, 9 1/2" H. B&w maps, photographs, reproductions. "The Anglo-Zulu War, the most famous of Britain's late nineteenth-century campaigns of colonial conquest, was not fought in isolation. Along with the two Anglo-Pedi Wars, the Ninth Cape Frontier War and the Northern Border War, it was one in a brutal series of interconnected and overlapping wars which the British waged between 1877-1879 to crush and disarm the remaining independent black states of South Africa. For the first time, this book weaves the story of this cluster of conflicts into a single, connected whole. Deftly fusing the widely differing African and European perspectives on events, John Laband probes the fateful decisions taken by statesmen and military commanders, analyses military operations and their destructive impact on combatants and civilians alike, and explores why so many Africans chose to fight as auxiliaries and levies alongside the British instead of against… Read More

New York: Bantam, 2011. 233 pp, 9 1/2" H. B&w maps. "(R)eveals why the battle happened, how it was fought, and whether, in fact, it saved Western civilization. Lacy brilliantly reconstructs the world of the fifth century B.C. leading up to the astonishing military defeat of the Persian Empire by the vastly outnumbered but determined Greek defenders. He shows how the heavily armed Persian Army was shocked, demoralized, and ultimately defeated by the relentless assault of the Athenian phalanx, which battered the Persian line in a series of brutal attacks. He reveals the fascinating aftermath of Marathon, how its fighters became the equivalent of our 'Greatest Generation', and challenges the view of many historians that Marathon ultimately proved the Greek 'Western way of war' to be the superior strategy for fighting - and winning - battles to the present day." Very slight bowing to book. Dust jacket has minor rubbing.. Second Printing. Hard Cover. Very Good+/Very Good+.

Zurich: Nord-Sud, 1997. Unpaginated, 11 1/2" H - glazed pictorial boards. A picture book of strange, magical creatures who live in a forest. **French text**. "Aubepin ne retrouve plus la magnifique couronne de plumes qu'il s'est fait et accuse tour a tour chacun de ses amis de la foret de la lui avoir derobee. Aussi est-il tre confus lorsqu'il la decouvre chez lui. Mais ses amis, indignes, n'entendent pas se laisser ainsi accuser a tort - ." Very light wear and tiny bumps at corners, faint impression of hand writing (two words) on front cover.. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. Illus. by Maja Dusikova..

Riverdale, NY: Baen Six volumes of The Bard's Tale - volumes 1-5 & 8. 6 3/4" H. **Please Note: Escape from Roksamur & Wrath of the Princes are not included in this grouping.** 1. Castle of Deception, by Mercedes Lackey & Josepha Sherman, 266 pp + preview, 1992 1st printing, ISBN 0671721259. "When young Kevin became a bard's apprentice, he thought that his new life would be filled with excitement and adventure; so when his first task is a perfectly ordinary manuscript copying errand to the castle of Count Volmar his disappointment knew no bounds. Why the Count was not even involved in Court politics! But when the Count's niece is kidnapped by elves and the Count asks for his help in recovering her, Kevin is convinced that the adventure he craves is at hand." 2. Fortress of Frost and Fire, by Mercedes Lackey & Ru Emerson, 297 pp, 1993 1st printing, ISBN 0671721623. "Once a necromancer always a necromancer. At least that's what all the other elves… Read More

Riverdale, NY: Baen First four books of the 'Bardic Voices' series, 6 3/4" H. 1. The Lark and the Wren - 488 pp, 1992, ISBN 0671720996. "With the proper schooling young Rune would be one of the greatest bards her world has ever seen. Even if only she knows it. Unfortunately, the daughter of a tavern wench at the Hungry Bear, no matter how talented, doesn't get much in the way of formal training. One night, to back up a brag she probably wouldn't have made if she weren't so mad, she went up to play her fiddle for the Ghost of Skull Hill. Everyone knows that no one who has ever gone up Skull Hill at night has come down again. Not alive, anway. But when the ghost appears Rune strikes a bargain: if the ghost tires of her playing before morning her life is his; if he is still listening when the sun glints over yonder hill she will have earned both life and a sack of silver. Let the music begin - ." 2. The Robin and the Kestrel - 373 pp, 1994, ISBN 0671876287.… Read More

London: Arcturus, 2011. 554 pp, 10 1/4" H. "(D)escribes in meticulous yet vivid detail manners, customs and dress during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Wide ranging in its coverage, it provides a complete picture of what it must have been like to be alive in this momentous point in history. Profusely illustrated, it is a veritable treasure-trove of information about virtually every aspect of existence - commerce and finance, domestic lives and pastimes, justice and punishments, food and hunting, cultural customs and dress, and much more. Written by respected 19th-century writer and antiquarian Paul Lacroix, (it) is a piece of history preserved in print. In this beautiful facsimile edition the classic chronicle is presented complete, and includes over 400 (b&w illustrations plus a small section of colour plates), which bring to life the many facets of this compelling era." Very minor twist to the spine. Dust jacket has light wrinkling at the top of the spine.. Not Signed.… Read More

London: Arms and Armour, 1983. 283 pp, large 8vo (9 1/4" H). B&w photographs, maps. "Together with the SAS, LRDG and other such specialist units, the Special Boats Squadron traces its origins back to the Mediterranean theatre of operations during the Second World War. Originally part of Laycock's 8 Commando, the SBS rapidly developed its own skills, expertise and identity, despite technically serving as part of the SAS for much of the war. After the war, these 'pirates' became a unit within the Royal Marines and served throughout the world during the 'post-imperial peace'. Their activities have, until now, rarely been revealed. While the SAS has become world-famous for anti-terrorist exploits in the full glare of publicity, the SBS role was little known until it came to prominence in the Falklands conflict. There, SBS teams operated in parallel with their SAS counterparts, probing the Argentine-held islands and feeding back essential intelligence information.… Read More

London: Cassell, 1966. 235 pp, 8vo (8 1/2" H). B&w photographs, reproductions. A look at the history of the English soldier, from Cromwell's New Model Army up to the end of the Second World War. Includes a chapter on "Punishment: 'Europe's Most Barbarous Martial Laws'. Previous owner's bookplate on front pastedown, slight crease at top of spine, bottom of spine lightly bumped, tiny bump at bottom rear corner. Dust jacket is price clipped, has light edgewear/wrinkling, light rubbing/soiling, light browning.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Good.

Abelard-Schuman, London/New York, (1967). 192 pp, 8vo, hard cover in dust jacket. B&w illustrations. "Throughout history, boys of many nations have found themselves involved in battles of the armed forces, and it is to their credit that they have come through these ordeals with courage and endurance. The author of this book was himself a soldier as a boy - and as a man - and knows too much about war to find in it anything glorious. He feels however that the boys who fought so bravely in combat deserve to have their names and exploits recorded. He has delved deeply into history and into records to uncover some astonishing stories of gallantry, skill and audacity on the part of boys up to and including the age of 18. Here are the stories of teenage winners o f the highest decorations for bravery - the Victoria Cross, the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Legion d'honneur, the Iron Cross. On sea, land and in the air, youthful heroes accomplished deeds that verge on the… Read More

London: Brassey's, 1990. 194 pp, small 4to (10" H). B&w maps. Contents: Introduction; Afghanistan War; Guerrilla-Civil War in Angola; Bangladesh Guerrilla War; Burma Guerrilla War; Cambodia's New Phase; The Central American Arena; El Salvador Civil War; Guerrilla War in Guatemala; Nicaragua - The Contra War; Chad and Libya; Colombia Civil War; East Timor Resistance War; Ethiopia - Eritrea - Tigre - Somalia; India-Pakistan War; India's Other Wars. Faint cigarette odour, very light rubbing to glossy boards.. Hard Cover. Very Good+/No Jacket - (as issued).

London: J.M. Dent, 1973. 213 pp, 8vo (8 3/4" H). B&w plates. "This study of the American fighting man, of all ranks and in all services ranges from the War of Independence to Vietnam to Pinkville. Part One provides graphic accounts of all the major and many of the minor conflicts in American history, with close-ups of the man in the line of battle - from the victory over the British at New Orleans in 1814, the American Civil War, the gruelling battles with the Indians, to World War I and World War II. Part Two studies the psychology of the American fighting man and points out the strange contrasts and contradictions in his mental and emotional make-up. Finally, the system that produces the American soldier today is closely examined - his role as the instrument of the 'Great Defender' all over the world, the scientific revolution and the attitudes of the commanding generals." Minor soiling to edges of textblock. Dust jacket has moderate edge wear, a few tiny tears, one… Read More

Alan Sutton, (Gloucester), 1985, Ist edition. 277 pp, 8vo (8 3/4" H), hard cover in dust jacket. ISBN 0862992427 B&w photos, maps, cartoons. "...at its lowest level the history of the 'Great War' is made up of millions of trivial incidents, for something happened each day to each man - somet hing that made him laugh or cry or sigh...And he told stories - about the things that happened to him. Those stories reveal, collectively, much about the 'real' war. Most were for consumption within the army so they were heard only by th e m e n i n t he trenches, behind the lines, at base hospitals and at the estaminets and billets during rest periods. The anecdotes which make up this collection (some taken from letters, diaries, published and unpublished books) are, John Laffi n b el ie ve s , th e f irst serious attempt to show the humanity of the soldier on the Western Front. They reflect the conditions, attitudes and practices of 1914-18, revealing the soldiers'… Read More

Stroud, Gloucestershire: Budding / Sutton, 2000. 258 pp, large 8vo (9 1/2" H). B&w photographs. "(L)ooks at each gallant deed that led to the award of a VC in the context of the war and the land, sea or air campaign in which it was won. In what way did any particular exploit affect the outcome of a larger action? Was it more difficult to win a VC in a jungle campaign than in a desert? What made the award of a VC for a submarine or aerial action different from those earned on the ground or at sea - for assuredly they were different. The author answers all of these questions and many other besides. (F)ully illustrated and includes complete transcripts from the original citations which led to the award of the world's most revered gallantry decoration." Dust jacket has minor rubbing.. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Near Fine.

New York: Barnes & Noble, 1995. 238 pp, 8vo (8 1/4" H). B&w illustrations. "(T)races the background and influences that shaped the character of the German soldier from the time of Frederick the Great to the end of the Second World War. Laffin provides an illuminating account of the attitude of the individual soldier to the increasing militarism of the years before the First World War. Included here are extracts from letters written by young German soldiers who, in spite of the mud and carnage, regarded the war as a sacred mission that would bring honor and glory to their country. After Germany's defeat the Treaty of Versailles came as a blow to German pride and helped pave the way to the Second World War. Psychology now played a role in the German soldier's training, and emphasis was given to individual initiative - a concept wholly contrary to the old training that required strict obedience. But such preparation was no match for the Russian winter of 1942, and Laffin's… Read More

London: Chancellor, 2000. 194 pp, large 8vo (9 1/2" H). B&w photographs, reproductions. "During the Second World War a number of daring military actions were carried out by Allied and Axis land, sea and air forces against targets carefully selected for their strategic or propaganda values. These raids were as individual in character as the men who carried them out and equally unique in their objectives. (The author) relates more than twenty such operations mounted by British, German, American, Australian, Italian and Canadian forces. Raiding appealed to British military men's psyche - and on the whole, they were good at it. Therefore, 'Raiders' emphasizes attacks mounted by the British because they were involved in more theatres of war than any other combatant. (Laffin) examines the qualities of successful raiders, as well as their selection and training, before looking in detail at individual missions. The exploits recorded here range from a British commando strike against… Read More

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania: John S. Laidacker, Susquehanna House, 1994. 597 pp, 11 1/4" H, maroon cloth with gilt lettering/banding on spine and front board. Number 412 of a Limited Edition of Five Hundred, signed by the author on the limitation/copyright page. Profusely illustrated with b&w photographs. "The object of this text is to provide a quick reference for identification of .22 calibre handguns produced from the mid 1850s to approximately 1880. This covers the 'developmental' period. For ease of use, comments on text format first appear, then listings of individual pieces withn each category, then a few introductory notes. Brief remarks concerning the men and companies who produced the pistols follow. Finally, the body of the text, wherein the individual pieces are described." from the Preface. A 2" light liquid stain on the front endpapers, a light liquid stain on the fore-edge of the text block, a very small chip and a small liquid stain at the fore-edge of… Read More

Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1984. 224 pp, 11 3/4" H. Profusely illustrated with colour reproductions. "James Wilson Morrice is one of the twentieth century's most talented and lyrical painters. Whether depicting a Quebec village in winter, a Paris cafe, or a North African market place, Morrice's vibrant colours and perfectly balanced compositions capture his subjects in a suspended timelessness. The story of (his) life is no less colourful than his paintings. The young James's passion for art took him in 1890, at the age of twenty-five, from his wealthy Montreal background to Paris. It was here, among other artists such as Matisse, and writers such as Somerset Maugham and Arnold Bennett, that he felt a true kinship. And it was not long before Morrice's paintings were seen in the great Salons of Paris, and sent to the Montreal Art Association and the Canadian Art Club in Toronto for exhibition. Laing's fascinating account reveals the complexity of Morrice's… Read More

London: Frederick Warne, 1995. 128 pp, 10" H. Profusely illustrated in colour and b&w, with many reproductions of the flower fairies. "Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies books, published in the first half of the century, are known and loved around the world. They were created by a quiet, unassuming and dedicated artist, who was nevertheless remarkably successful, spending her life illustrating many children's books and selling hundreds of watercolours and pastels." Contents: Introduction; Flower Fairy Paintings; Paintings of Children; Religious Works; List of Cicely Mary Barker's Books and Other Works; Acknowlegements; Index. Minor wear and minor wrinkling at top/bottom of spine, minor corner wear. Dust jacket has very light wrinkling at top/bottom of spine and flap-folds.. 3rd Printing. Hard Cover. Very Good+/Very Good+. Illus. by Cicely Mary Barker..

London: Leo Cooper, 1994. 227 pp, large 8vo (9 1/2" H). "Carney Lake served for six years in a Royal Marines Commando Unit and has set out to produce a literary portrait of his unit. The result is arguably as vivid and accurate a depiction of Britain's fighting men as has appeared in print for many a year. Only the real names of personnel have been spared for obvious reasons. For the rest, the author describes things exactly as they happened. The nail-biting descriptions of patrols on the streets of Belfast, of deploying to face an opposing army during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and of border duty in South Armagh strain the reader's nerves to breaking point. (U)nquestionably gives expression to a generation of Britain's professional soldiers. It paints an unforgettable picture of life at the sharp end by one who was there." Faint pencil erasure mark on front free endpaper. Dust jacket has light rubbing, minor wrinkle at top of rear flap-fold. . Reprint.. Hard Cover.… Read More