{"title":"Gretchen Heefner","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the captivating world of \u003cstrong\u003eGretchen Heefner\u003c\/strong\u003e, an esteemed author renowned for her engaging insights into history and military themes. Specialising in narratives that explore power, geopolitics, and the human experiences intertwined with them, Heefner offers readers an enlightening journey through pivotal moments and intricate stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of her celebrated works, \u003cem\u003eSand, Snow, and Stardust\u003c\/em\u003e, exemplifies her ability to weave together diverse elements of history into compelling reads. In this book, Heefner delves into the unique and often overlooked narratives that have shaped global dynamics, capturing the essence of historical events with a fresh perspective.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHeefner's books are ideal for those with a passion for history and military affairs, providing well-researched and thought-provoking content that challenges and enhances understanding. Whether you're a seasoned history buff or a newcomer to military narratives, Gretchen Heefner's works promise to captivate and educate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore this collection to deepen your knowledge and appreciation of history's complex tapestry through the expert lens of Gretchen Heefner.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"sand-snow-and-stardust-by-gretchen-heefner-9780226831596","title":"Sand, Snow, and Stardust","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA vivid tour of US military efforts to understand, survive, and command harsh environments worldwide—and beyond.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDeserts, the Arctic, outer space—these extreme environments are often seen as inhospitable places at the edges of our maps. But from the 1940s through the 1960s, spurred by the diverse and unfamiliar regions the US military had navigated during World War II, the United States defence establishment took a keen interest in these places, dispatching troops to the Aleutian Islands, North Africa, the South Pacific, and beyond. To preserve the country's status as a superpower after the war, to pave runways and build bridges, engineers had to understand and then conquer dunes, permafrost, and even the surface of the moon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSand, Snow, and Stardust\u003c\/em\u003e explores how the US military generated a new understanding of these environments and attempted to master them, intending to cement America's planetary power. Operating in these regions depended as much on scientific and cultural knowledge as on military expertise and technology. From General George S. Patton learning the hard way that the desert is not always hot, to the challenges of constructing a scientific research base under the Arctic ice, to the sheer implausibility of modelling Martian environments on Earth, Gretchen Heefner takes us on a wry expedition into the extremes and introduces us to the people who have shaped our insight into these extraordinary environments. Even decades after the first manned space flight, plans for human space exploration and extraplanetary colonisation are still based on what we know about stark habitats on Earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn entertaining survey of the relationship between environmental history and military might, \u003cem\u003eSand, Snow, and Stardust\u003c\/em\u003e also serves as a warning about the further transformation of the planet—whether through desertification, melting ice caps, or attempts to escape it entirely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47072655442156,"sku":"9780226831596","price":71.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/20544243482268.jpg?v=1765123972"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/gretchen-heefner.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}