It is interesting that in an age of increasingly realistic video war games, the interest in toy soldiers has not reduced and the interest in war gaming with model soldiers is increasing. The main concentration has been on the smaller figures and included plastic models intended for hand painting by the owner for display in sets, or for use in diorama displays where the owner builds a central kit or scratch model to become the centrepiece of a display with landscape, buildings and figures Perhaps the beauty of collecting toy soldiers is that it is a hobby that can start in childhood and then burst back into life at later stages, changing from simple play fun to a deeply absorbing hobby that is followed seriously and turned into a financial interest, building a valuable collection and making some very real profit. The book has been beautifully produced and is of a high quality
Monthly Archives: November 2011
North American F-86 Sabre, 1947 onwards (all day-fighter variants), Owners’ Workshop Manual
As with all Haynes warbird manuals, there is lavish full-colour illustration throughout and drawings, together with an amazing amount of detailed information. This is a book, which should appeal to a wide readership and is highly recommended.
Routemaster Bus, 1954 onwards (all markets) Enthusiast’s Manual
For a humble transport workhorse, the Routemaster has inspired a wealth of books and become a sought after museum exhibit. This enthusiasts’ manual is in a class of its own, being lavishly illustrated, mainly in full colour, and containing a considerable amount of information on the vehicle, its preservation and restoration in museums and its unique contribution to public passenger transport. Out of service Routemasters have been available for more than thirty years and been purchased for many reasons by second users.
Titanic, Destination Disaster, The legends and the reality
A recommendation for any book is the number of times it has been reprinted and new editions have been produced. After several reprints and new editions, this is the third edition and it has been revised and expanded.
Lifeboat Heroes, outstanding RNLI Rescues from three centuries
It is impossible to praise this book too highly. The author was for many years the voice of the RNLI as PR Director with a wealth of direct knowledge. Since retiring from the RNLI after 28 years service, he has been writing books with an RNLI flavour and making a great success of presenting the heroism of the men and women who serve as employees or volunteers of the first organized marine rescue service.
German Tank Wars
This is another DVD in the series where the title is less meaningful when translated to English. It suggests battles, but the primary content is technical and tactics. There is some colour footage and the stills gallery provides images of early German tank types and self-propelled guns.
German Main Battle Lines
In this DVD there is interesting colour footage of pre-1939 Germany and a selection of footage showing how women took over an increasing number of jobs to free men to fight in battle. The film and the stills gallery provides a view of civilian life in Germany under continuous aerial bombardment. In addition to showing the civilian population working to support the military the air defence system is covered.
German Battle Units
This DVD includes galleries of images showing infantry, anti-tank and heavy artillery units, supporting the video chapters. The video chapters are based on well-selected original film which is occasionally grainy and scratched as must be expected.
Last Boat To Normandy, D-Day Landings – The Veteran’s Accounts
In every respect, D-Day was a catalogue of superlatives and an event that is hopefully never to be repeated. Most of those taking part in the landings were very young, but even in their numbers were veterans of earlier campaigns. It was to be a battle of three parts. The first ashore had to fight their way through determined German resistance. Casualties were very heavy and the Americans were almost thrown back into the sea.
The Ulster Tales, A Tribute to Those Who Served 1969-2000
This is a book that had to be written because it covers a subject that extends far beyond Ireland and dispels many of the inaccurate assumptions that have been made by others. Ireland has had a long and bloody history of internecine conflict.