BELFAST DIARIES – A Gunner in Northern Ireland 1971-74. Review by Mark Barnes
It was only a few books back I was describing the life of a man who was present in a series of pretty much forgotten counter…
AM GENERAL HUMVEE – Review by Mark Barnes
There is a slight shift with this title in as much as it sidesteps the traditional owners’ manual subheading found on one of their well…
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR – Review by Phil Hodges
When being asked the question “What do you want to be when you leave school?” I was always a little timid in my reply. Answers…
DOGFIGHT – The Battle of Britain – Review by Mark Barnes
Straight from the off the author does himself credit by asking the obvious question whether we actually need another Battle of Britain book. I would…
SAILOR IN THE DESERT – The Adventures of Phillip Gunn, DSM, RN in the Mesopotamia Campaign 1915 – Review by Mark Barnes
Phil Gunn followed his father into the Royal Navy in 1911 as a boy seaman and retired holding the rank of captain at the end…
WORLD WAR I – The Definitive Visual Guide from Sarajevo to Versailles – Review by Mark Barnes
The Great War coffee table book contest takes another turn with this whopper from Dorling Kindersley. When my son was a youngster he had a huge…
HIGH FLIGHT – The Life and Poetry of Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee – Review by Mark Barnes
My interest in all things military began with aviation. I loved aeroplanes when I was a lad. I progressed to building model kits – the…
FOKKER FODDER – The Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c – Review by Mark Barnes
Last week it was Spitfires and this time out we have the humble BE2c. You couldn’t get two more different aeroplanes if you tried and…
THREE SIPS OF GIN – Dominating the Battlespace With Rhodesia’s Elite Selous Scouts – Review by Mark Barnes
The Selous Scouts were a special forces unit from Rhodesia fighting against the insurgency which led ultimately to the creation of the state of Zimbabwe…
SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE RESTORATION MANUAL – Review by Mark Barnes
Trying to write any general piece about the Spitfire without using terms like “iconic” is not easy. So there, I’ve done it and now we…
M4 SHERMAN – Images of War SPECIAL. Review by Mark Barnes
Pat Ware gave me a start in this business and it does seem a trifle odd reviewing his books. The sleeve notes don’t admit to…
ON ASSIGNMENT: THE GREAT WAR – Review by Mark Barnes
I have worked in photo archives for donkey’s years, a genuine labour of love. I had to do research on Edward N Jackson because his…