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The World History Shelf

A Historical Guide to Roman York
Paul Chrystal
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781526781284, $42.95, HC, 328pp

https://www.amazon.com/Historical-Guide-Roman-York/dp/152678128X

Synopsis: Considering that York was always an important Roman city
there are few books available that are devoted specifically to the
Roman occupation, even though it lasted for over 300 years and played
a significant role in the politics and military activity of Roman
Britain and the Roman Empire throughout that period. The few books
that there are tend to describe the Roman era and its events in date
by date order with little attention paid either to why things happened
as they did or to the consequences of these actions and developments.

"A Historical Guide to Roman York" by historian and author Paul
Chrystal is different from the others in that it provides an
informative context to what happened here in the light of developments
in Roman Britain generally and in the wider Roman Empire. "A
Historical Guide to Roman York" digs below the surface and gets behind
the scenes to shed light on the political, social, and military
history of Roman York (Eboracum), explaining, for example, why Julius
Caesar invaded, what indeed was really behind the Claudian invasion,
why was York developed as a military fortress, why as one of Roman
Britain's capitals? Why did the emperors Hadrian and Severus visit the fortress?

Readers will also discover how and why Constantine accepted and
projected Christianity from here, York's role in the endless coups and
revolts besetting the province, the headless gladiators and wonderful
mosaics discovered here, and why the Romans finally left York and
Roman Britain to its own defense. These intriguing historical events
are brought to life by reference to the latest local archaeological
and epigraphical evidence, to current research and to evolving
theories relating to the city's Roman treasures, of which can be seen
in the Yorkshire Museum in York, or in situ.

Critique: Exceptionally well written and impressively informative, "A Historical Guide to Roman York" is still another truly extraordinary
history from Paul Chrystal, and one that is enhanced with the
inclusion of Maps; fourteen Appendices; a fourteen page section of
captioned black-and-photographs; a twenty-three page Further Reading bibliography; a ten page General Index; and a two page Index of Places
in York and Nearby. Fully and enthusiastically recommended masterpiece
of original scholarship that is an essential and unique contribution
to community, college, and university library Roman History and
British History collections, it should be noted for the personal
reading lists of students, academia, and non- specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject that "A Historical Guide to
Roman York" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$12.99).

Editorial Note: Paul Chrystal is the author of some seventy books
published over the last decade, including recent publications such as
Wars and Battles of the Roman Republic, Roman Military Disasters and
Women and War in Ancient Greece and Rome. He is a regular contributor
to history magazines, local and national newspapers and has appeared
on BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service and on BBC local radio throughout
Yorkshire and in Teesside and Manchester. He writes extensively for
several Pen & Sword military history series including 'Cold War 1945 -
1991', 'A History of Terror' and 'Military Legacy' (of British
cities).

Bar Kokhba
Lindsay Powell
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781783831852, $34.95, HC, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Bar-Kokhba-Defied-Hadrian-Challenged/dp/1783831855

Synopsis: In AD 132 began the bloody struggle between two
strong-willed leaders over who would rule a nation.

One was Hadrian, the cosmopolitan ruler of the vast Roman Empire, then
at its zenith, who some regarded as divine; the other was Shim'on, a
Jewish military leader in a district of a minor province, who some
believed to be the 'King Messiah'. Their's is also the tale of the
clash of two ancient cultures. One was the conqueror, seeking to
maintain control of its hard-won dominion; the other was the
conquered, seeking to break free and establish a new nation: Israel.

During the ensuing conflict known in history as the 'Second Jewish
War', the highly motivated Jewish militia sorely tested the highly
trained professional Roman army. The rebels withstood the Roman
onslaught for three-and-a-half years (AD 132 - 136). They established
an independent nation with its own administration, headed by Shim'on
as its president. The outcome of that David and Goliath contest was of
great consequence, both for the people of Judaea and for Judaism
itself.

So, who was this insurgent Shim'on that is known today as 'Bar
Kokhba'? How did Hadrian, the Roman emperor who built the famous Wall
in northern Britain, respond to the challenger? And how, in later
ages, did this rebel with a cause become a hero for the Jews in the
Diaspora longing for the foundation of a new Israel in modern times?
"Bar Kokhba: The Jew Who Defied Hadrian and Challenged the Might of
Rome" describes the author Lindsay Powell's personal journey across
three continents to establish the facts.

Critique: "Bar Kokhba: The Jew Who Defied Hadrian and Challenged the
Might of Rome" deftly draws upon on archaeology, art, coins,
inscriptions, militaria, as well as secular and religious documents as historian Lindsay Powell impressively and knowledgeably presents a
truly fascinating and exceptionally informative account of the people
and events at a crucial time in Roman and Jewish history. Of special
note is a Foreword specially written by Eric H. Cline. Enhanced for
academia and non-specialist general readers with the inclusion of Illustrations, Plates, Maps, a Chronology, a listing of Roman and
Jewish Names, a five page listing of Places to Visit, a seven page
Glossary, a three page listing of Place Names, thirty-seven pages of
Notes, a two page Bibliography, and a fourteen page Index, "Bar
Kokhba: The Jew Who Defied Hadrian and Challenged the Might of Rome",
which is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99) will
prove to be a welcome and enduringly appreciated addition to personal, community, college, and university library Roman History and Jewish
History collections.

Editorial Note: Historian and writer Lindsay Powell tells the stories
of the important but under-reported personalities and events of
history to complete our knowledge and understanding of the past.
Lindsay has a particular passion for the military history of the Roman
Empire. He scours ancient documents, inscriptions, coins and museums
for stories, as well as archaeological, engineering, medical and
scientific reports to reveal deeper truths.

He regularly contributes to Ancient Warfare and Ancient History
magazines. His articles have also appeared in Military Heritage,
Desperta Ferro and Strategy & Tactics, as well as on UNRV.com. His
books have been published by Pen and Sword and Osprey Publishing. He
is a member of the Classical Association and the Historical Writers' Association, as well as a Friend of The Vindolanda Trust. Lindsay's
appearances include BBC Radio, British Forces Broadcasting Service, HistoryHit.TV and History Channel.

The Battle of Sekigahara
Chris Glenn
Frontline Books
c/o Pen & Sword Books
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781399014137, $42.95, HC, 216pp

https://www.amazon.com/Battle-Sekigahara-Greatest-Bloodiest-Decisive/dp/1399014137

Synopsis: Sekigahara was the greatest samurai battle in Japanese
military history. Japan had long been at civil war until brought under
the rule of Oda Nobunaga, and then, following his death at the hands
of a traitorous general, that of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It was Hideyoshi
who completed the unification of Japan and ushered in a period of
peace.

After Hideyoshi's death in 1598, a new power struggle emerged between
those loyal to the Toyotomi, and those who supported the second most
powerful warlord, Tokugawa Ieyasu. With Hideyoshi gone, Ieyasu made
moves that brought the ire of a number of his contemporaries, and soon
the entire country was divided into two great armies, East and West.
Leading the loyalist cause was Ishida Mitsunari, who gathered a force
of around 130,000 samurai, while the Tokugawa commanded just 80,000.

Both sides hurried to seize strategically vital highways and castles.
These attacks and sieges culminated in the decisive Battle of
Sekigahara. Fought on 21 October 1600, the battle lasted just six
hours, but saw the deaths of an estimated 30,000 samurai, the
destruction of a number of noble families and the creation of the
Tokugawa Shogunate that was to rule Japan for 260 years of relative
peace. The loyalist forces, despite their superior numbers and
excellent battle formations, were defeated.

In his exploration of the battle and with the publication of "The
Battle of Sekigahara: The Greatest, Bloodiest, Most Decisive Samurai
Battle Ever", author and historian Chris Glenn reveals the
developments that led up to the outbreak of war, the characters
involved, how the battle itself unfolded, and the aftermath. The
weapons and armor of the time are also fully explained, along with
little known customs of the samurai and their warfare.

Critique: Informationally enriched for the reader with the inclusion
of Illustrations, Maps, a thirteen page Sekigahara Timeline, a sixteen
page Sekigahara: Who's Who, a six page Glossary, a one page Select Bibliography, and a five page Index, "The Battle of Sekigahara: The
Greatest, Bloodiest, Most Decisive Samurai Battle Ever" is as
inherently fascinating read as it is a superb work of definitive and comprehensive work of original scholarship. While also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $18.99), "The Battle of Sekigahara: The
Greatest, Bloodiest, Most Decisive Samurai Battle Ever" is an
extraordinary, unique, and highly recommended addition to the personal
reading list of students and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject of the Samurai in the context of Japanese
history, as well as community, college, and university library
Japanese Military History collections and supplemental studies
curriculums.

Editorial Note: Chris Glenn is an Australian born Japan based
bilingual radio DJ, TV presenter, narrator, MC, copywriter, author,
columnist, lecturer, helicopter pilot and Japanese historian,
specialising in samurai castles, battles, armor and weapons. His books
include the English language "The Battle of Sekigahara" (Booklocker),
Samurai Castle Bilingual Guide (Shogakukan), Ninja Bilingual Guide (Shogakukan), Naganuma Ryu Troop Movement Training Manual (Kindle)
amongst others. Chris is dedicated to promoting and preserving Japans'
long history, deep culture, traditions, arts and crafts.

Scanderbeg
A. K. Brackob
Histria Books
www.histriabooks.com
9781592110032, $39.99, HC, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Scanderbeg-Castriota-Resistance-Expansion-Fifteenth/dp/1592110037

Synopsis: Scanderbeg: A History of George Castriota and the Albanian Resistanceto Islamic Expansion in Fifteenth Century Europe" by A. K.
Brackob is a history of the struggle of the Albanian people led by
George Castriota Scanderbeg to defend Europe against the assault of
the Ottoman Turks. For a quarter of a century, from 1443 until his
death in 1468, he used his military prowess to thwart the efforts of
the most powerful Empire in the world at the time to subdue his tiny
country.

One of the true heroes of the Middle Ages in Europe, the remarkable
story of Scanderbeg remains little known outside of Albania. George
Castriota defended Europe for a quarter of a century and, it can
rightly be said, helped to save Western civilization from being
overrun by Islam and suffering the same fate as the once mighty
Byzantine Empire. "Scanderbeg: A History of George Castriota and the
Albanian Resistanceto Islamic Expansion in Fifteenth Century Europe"
examines the genius and remarkable achievements of Scanderbeg who
helped shape the identity of the Albanian people and reveals the
important contribution this small but proud nation has made to
European civilization.

Although the challenges have changed over the centuries, the clash of civilizations, which the history of the Albanian struggle to fend off
the Islamic onslaught illustrates, continues today. As a result, it is
all the more worth noting the contribution that this tiny land, led by Scanderbeg, made in the fight to preserve Western culture and
civilization. Equally important is the example set by the Albanian
people in ultimately harmonizing these two great civilizations.

Critique: With the publication of "Scanderbeg: A History of George
Castriota and the Albanian Resistanceto Islamic Expansion in Fifteenth
Century Europe", A. K. Brackob rescues a significant figure of 15th
Century European history from an undeserved obscurity. A masterpiece
of original scholarship, "Scanderbeg: A History of George Castriota
and the Albanian Resistanceto Islamic Expansion in Fifteenth Century
Europe" is enhanced with an informative Prologue and Epilogue, and a
twenty-two page bibliography of Suggested Reading.

Exceptionally well organized, presented, and inherently fascinating
study, "Scanderbeg: A History of George Castriota and the Albanian
Resistance to Islamic Expansion in Fifteenth Century Europe" is a
unique and highly recommended addition to community, college, and
university library Medieval European & Albanian History collections.

It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students,
academia, historians, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject that "Scanderbeg: A History of George
Castriota and the Albanian Resistance to Islamic Expansion in
Fifteenth Century Europe" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $14.99).

Editorial Note: A.K. Brackob has a Ph.D. in history from the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a specialist on the
history of southeastern Europe during the Middle Ages and author of
'Mircea the Old: Father of Wallachia, Grandfather of Dracula'.

Target Rommel
Stephen Wynn
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781399007122, $34.95, HC, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Target-Rommel-Attempts-Assassinate-Hitlers/dp/1399007122

Synopsis: Written from a German perspective, "Target Rommel: The
Allied Attempts to Assassinate Hitler's General" is the story of the
highly decorated and well respected General Erwin Rommel who was one
of their biggest and brightest military assets. Rommel was a military strategist who thought 'outside of the box', a tactic which more than
once either brought him an unexpected victory, or saved him from
almost certain defeat. His reputation had been gained early in the
Second World War, while commander of the 7th Panzer Division during
the invasion of France, and as the commander of German forces during
the North African campaign between 1941 and 1943.

Such was his influence not only as a military strategist but on the
morale of the men who served under him, as well as that of the German
public, that the British government decided it needed to make
concerted efforts to try to capture or eliminate him, making Rommel
the only German officer of the Second World War that the allied
authorities were prepared to put such time, manpower and commitment
into eliminating.

Two operations were put in to place to try to achieve this: Operation
Flipper in November 1941, and Operation Gaff in July 1944. Both
operations failed for different reasons, but just three months after
the latter of the two operations, Rommel was dead, forced to commit
suicide by Adolf Hitler for his part in the attempt to assassinate him
on 20 July 1944. Such was the level of Rommel's popularity and
importance that the Nazi authorities reported the cause of his death
to be injuries sustained in an attack on his staff car by enemy
aircraft. Indeed, it was only after the war that the truth behind his
death was revealed.

Critique: A compelling and revelatory account of one of the lesser
known events of World War II, and one with a particularly ironic
conclusion when Adolph Hitler accomplished what the Allied Forces
failed to achieve in two well planed attempts, "Target Rommel: The
Allied Attempts to Assassinate Hitler's General" is an inherently
fascinating read. Enhanced with the inclusion of historical
photographs, and available for personal reading lists in a digital
book format (Kindle, $16.99), "Target Rommel: The Allied Attempts to Assassinate Hitler's General" is recommended as a core addition to
community, college, and university library World War II Military
Histories & Biographies collections and supplemental curriculum
studies lists.

Editorial Note: Stephen Wynn is a retired police officer having served
with Essex Police as a constable for thirty years between 1983 and
2013. His sons served five tours of Afghanistan between 2008 and 2013
and both were injured. This led to the publication of his first book,
"Two Sons in a Warzone - Afghanistan: The True Story of a Father's
Conflict", published in October 2010. Both of Stephen's grandfathers
served in and survived the First World War, one with the Royal Irish
Rifles, the other in the Mercantile Marine, whilst his father was a
member of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during the Second World War.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www
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Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief

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