{"title":"Max Hastings","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax Hastings\u003c\/strong\u003e offers compelling narratives that delve deep into the complexities of history and warfare. His works provide vivid accounts of key military campaigns and pivotal moments, blending rigorous research with storytelling that captures the human experience beneath the conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can explore both sweeping strategic perspectives and intimate personal recollections, as Hastings skillfully navigates the vast landscapes of \u003cem\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Military\u003c\/em\u003e alongside sharp insights found in \u003cem\u003eBiography \u0026amp; Memoir\u003c\/em\u003e. His writing shines a light on the resilience, tragedy, and courage that define the wartime experience.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"chastise","title":"Chastise","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eChastise\u003c\/em\u003e, penned by the bestselling and critically acclaimed author Max Hastings, is an enthralling chronicle of one of the most extraordinary episodes of the Second World War—Operation Chastise, famously known as the Dambusters raid. With a masterly touch, Hastings delves deep into the gripping story, from the innovative conception of the bouncing bomb to the nerve-racking, moonlit missions of young pilots soaring at treetop height through perilous enemy fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMore than just a recounting of daring exploits, \u003cem\u003eChastise\u003c\/em\u003e offers a fresh perspective on a mission often cloaked in myth. Hastings meticulously separates fact from fiction, drawing upon a vast array of sources to challenge the conventional narratives that have surrounded the Dambusters for decades. The author brings to light the difficult truths that have been overshadowed by the legend, offering a profound analysis of both the triumphs and the tragedies that defined the mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs a veteran military historian, Hastings provides a compelling, white-knuckle narrative that not only celebrates the bravery of the heroes but also confronts the haunting consequences of their achievements. The book vividly portrays the ingenuity and determination of the scientists and pilots involved, while also exploring the broader impact of the raid on the war effort and its place in history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePraise for \u003cem\u003eChastise\u003c\/em\u003e highlights the book's remarkable contribution to historical literature:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDaily Mail\u003c\/em\u003e praises it as, \"Brings it to life as never before … Hour by nerve-jangling hour.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTimes\u003c\/em\u003e lauds it as, \"Superb … The heroes shine, but their achievement haunts.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/em\u003e commends it as, \"A virtuoso performance from a veteran military historian. It is a white-knuckle narrative that brings clarity and insight to a much-loved tale, as well as offering a vital corrective to the drum-thumping conclusions of earlier books.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eChastise\u003c\/em\u003e is not just for history buffs but for anyone intrigued by the complexities of wartime innovation, the courage of young aviators, and the enduring quest for truth in the annals of history. Discover the full, untold story of Operation Chastise in this riveting and meticulously researched work by Max Hastings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45685855224044,"sku":"9780008280567","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008280567.jpg?v=1725457328"},{"product_id":"vietnam","title":"Vietnam","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eVietnam\u003c\/i\u003e by Max Hastings is an unparalleled exploration of the Vietnam War, providing a gripping and comprehensive account of this turbulent period. Drawing on three years of meticulous research and interviews with individuals from all sides of the conflict, Hastings offers an epic narrative that vividly brings to life the ground-breaking events and personal experiences of those who lived through the war. From the devastating siege of Dienbienphu to the unrelenting air assaults on North Vietnam, and from well-known battles like the Tet Offensive to the harrowing lesser-known engagements such as the bloodbath at Daido, Hastings captures the brutal realities of combat that claimed the lives of 2 million people. \n\nSpanning over two decades of conflict, Hastings paints a poignant picture of the wars that marked the Western world, first humbling France in 1954, and subsequently dealing a much heavier blow to the United States by 1975. He highlights the experiences of Ho Chi Minh’s warriors, providing extraordinary recounts of their struggles and triumphs. Hastings' portrayal extends beyond just the military confrontations, delving into the profound human cost and the immense suffering inflicted on both combatants and civilians. \n\nMax Hastings goes beyond the traditional perspective that views the Vietnam War primarily as a U.S. tragedy. He adeptly underscores the colossal impact on the Vietnamese people, who bore the brunt of the violence with forty Vietnamese deaths for every American casualty. His narrative doesn't shy away from the brutalities on both sides – while U.S. blunders and atrocities have been widely publicised, Hastings also brings to light the countless eviscerations, beheadings, and murders perpetrated by communist forces. \n\nThe victory of the Northern forces came at a grave cost for both North and South Vietnam, resulting in significant privation and oppression. Through firsthand testimonies from a diverse array of individuals, including Vietcong guerrillas, Southern paratroopers, Saigon bargirls, Hanoi students, and American infantrymen, Marines, and pilots, Hastings crafts an extraordinarily human account of the war.\n\n\u003ci\u003eVietnam\u003c\/i\u003e not only blends an intricate political and military narrative but also interweaves heart-stopping personal experiences, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the conflict. Max Hastings employs testimonies from a wide spectrum of people, ranging from warlords and peasants to statesmen and soldiers, to construct a profound and dynamic record.\n\nMax Hastings posits that neither side was deserving of victory in this protracted and devastating war, offering crucial insights pertinent to the 21st century about the misuse of military power in addressing complex political and cultural issues. With a narrative that is both compassionate and unflinching, \u003ci\u003eVietnam\u003c\/i\u003e stands out as a masterful and imperative volume for understanding one of the most divisive and catastrophic wars of modern history.\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45687225417964,"sku":"9780008133016","price":27.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008133016.jpg?v=1725475437"},{"product_id":"overlord","title":"Overlord","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA compelling and masterly account of the D-Day landings from the No. 1 bestselling historian Max Hastings, author of \u003ci\u003eVietnam\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eOperation Pedestal\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Max Hastings stands in the first rank of writers on modern war'\u003c\/em\u003e - Financial Times\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 6 June 1944 - D-Day - British, Canadian and American troops staged the greatest amphibious landing in history. It was the start of Operation Overlord, the battle to take Normandy from the Third Reich. Over ten gruelling weeks, the Allies fought the entrenched German army, some infantry units suffering an almost 100 per cent casualty rate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eOverlord\u003c\/i\u003e, acclaimed historian Max Hastings has drawn on eyewitness accounts of survivors from both sides, plus a wealth of previously untapped World War 2 sources and documents, to write a gripping and authoritative account of the devastating fighting that paved the way for the liberation of north-west Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'A book which combines serious historical and critical comment with brilliant reportage. He brings both the arguments between higher commanders and the fighting on the battlefield itself to life'\u003c\/em\u003e - Times Literary Supplement\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Macmillan Publishers New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45719372857580,"sku":"9781035022854","price":44.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781035022854.jpg?v=1726124467"},{"product_id":"the-battle-for-the-falklands","title":"The Battle for the Falklands","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Battle for the Falklands\u003c\/em\u003e is a thoughtful and informed analysis of an astonishing chapter in modern British history from journalist and military historian Sir Max Hastings and political editor Simon Jenkins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTen weeks. 28,000 soldiers. 8,000 miles from home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Falklands War in 1982 was one of the strangest in British history. At the time, many Britons saw it as a tragic absurdity—thousands of men sent overseas for a tiny relic of empire—but the British victory over the Argentinians not only confirmed the quality of British arms but also boosted the political fortunes of Thatcher's Conservative government. However, it left a chequered aftermath and was later overshadowed by the two Gulf wars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMax Hastings' and Simon Jenkins' account of the conflict is a modern classic of war reportage and the definitive book on the conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Macmillan Publishers New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45719465230572,"sku":"9781529047806","price":24.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781529047806.jpg?v=1726127052"},{"product_id":"all-hell-let-loose","title":"All Hell Let Loose","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAll Hell Let Loose\u003c\/i\u003e is a magisterial account of the most significant and harrowing event of the 20th century—World War II. Renowned historian Max Hastings delivers a comprehensive narrative that not only chronicles the timeline of the war but delves deep into the varied human experiences that defined this global conflict. Hastings presents a vivid portrayal of the struggles and triumphs of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and civilian populations, capturing the profound impact of war on hundreds of millions of individuals across continents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book spans a vast and intricate canvas, starting with the cataclysmic Nazi invasion of Poland in September 1939. Hastings thoughtfully covers the evolution of the war, from the grueling battles on the Russian front where the majority of German soldiers met their demise, to the horrific Bengal famine of 1943 under British rule, which claimed the lives of over a million people. The author meticulously examines these events through the lens of personal testimonies and scholarly research gathered over thirty-five years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn his compelling narrative, Hastings argues that while Hitler’s army displayed tactical brilliance on numerous occasions, the Nazi regime's overall war strategy was marred by stunning incompetence. Conversely, he highlights the exceptional performance of the Royal Navy and the US Navy as the most effective branches of their respective militaries. The industrial prowess of the United States, Hastings asserts, was a crucial element in the Allied victory, surpassing the contributions made by the US Army.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book features numerous poignant vignettes, such as the legendary RAF raid on the Ruhr dams, the perilous Arctic convoys, brutal desert tank battles, and fierce jungle clashes. These stories offer vivid descriptions of the tragedies and triumphs of ordinary individuals, painting a relatable and humanising picture of the conflict. Hastings’s insights often challenge conventional historical perspectives, providing fresh interpretations and thought-provoking analyses of World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReflecting on the broad spectrum of human behaviour during the war, Hastings captures the extremes of human nature — from the depths of depravity to the pinnacles of bravery and nobility. Through his technique of merging top-down analytical perspectives with bottom-up personal accounts, Hastings strives to answer the profound question: “What was the Second World War like?” He successfully combines an overview of the significant events with personal stories to create a holistic portrayal of the war that resonates with both history enthusiasts and general readers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAll Hell Let Loose\u003c\/i\u003e is not just a historical recounting; it is a powerful testament to the myriad human experiences of World War II, making it an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the true nature and impact of this colossal conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45744857514220,"sku":"9780007450725","price":20.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780007450725.jpg?v=1726660366"},{"product_id":"finest-years","title":"Finest Years","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eFinest Years\u003c\/i\u003e by #1 bestselling historian Max Hastings is an extraordinary and compelling biography that brings to life the unparalleled challenges and triumphs of Winston Churchill’s leadership during World War II. Set against the backdrop of war-torn Europe, this engrossing narrative explores how an indomitable leader steered a nation besieged by conflict, facing down the shadow of defeat with steely determination and unwavering resolve.\n\nChurchill assumed the mantle of Prime Minister in 1940, a time when Britain stood precariously on the brink of disaster. With unflinching support from the public, he became the figurehead for a country united under the banner of courage and resilience. However, as Hastings deftly illustrates, this unity was not without its fractures. Churchill's fervent drive and towering expectations often outstripped the capacity of the British populace, revealing a complex interplay of heroism and hardship.\n\nIn this vividly written account, Hastings delves into the multitude of crises and moments of fortitude that defined Churchill's wartime premiership. Through an intimate portrayal that is both stirring and meticulously researched, readers are offered a glimpse into the towering strengths and human vulnerabilities of a leader immortalised by history.\n\nJames Holland from the Literary Review praises the book, stating, \"I would choose this account over and above the rest. It is a fabulous book: full of perceptive insight that conveys all the tragedy, triumph, humour, and intense drama of Churchill's time as wartime leader; and it is incredibly moving as a result.\" \n\nWith unparalleled access to original sources and expert consultations, Hastings offers incisive and fresh perspectives on well-known historical episodes, transforming familiar accounts into richly detailed narratives. In the process, he paints a scrupulously fair and often deeply moving portrait of Churchill. The masterful depiction of key figures such as Roosevelt and Stalin further elevates the book’s standing, showcasing Hastings' prowess in capturing the strategic brilliance and high command of wartime leadership.\n\nThe Sunday Times lauds it as \"One of the best books ever written about Churchill ... A magnificent performance,\" while Antony Beevor in the Mail on Sunday notes that \"Hastings excels with all his character portraits, especially with Roosevelt and Stalin. Hastings is truly a master of strategy and high command.\"\n\n\u003ci\u003eFinest Years\u003c\/i\u003e is more than a biography; it is a sweeping saga of fortitude, a profound exploration of leadership in the most turbulent of times, and an homage to a nation and its iconic leader facing their finest—and darkest—hours.\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45745235558636,"sku":"9780007263684","price":26.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780007263684.jpg?v=1726673203"},{"product_id":"nemesis-2","title":"Nemesis","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNemesis\u003c\/i\u003e by Max Hastings is a masterful narrative that delves into the climactic battles of the Second World War, focusing specifically on the monumental and harrowing campaign in the Far East. This critically acclaimed volume serves as a poignant companion to Hastings' bestselling work, \u003cem\u003eArmageddon\u003c\/em\u003e. With his unparalleled expertise and gripping storytelling, Hastings brings clarity and depth to the complex military, naval, and air operations that unfolded from the borders of India to the remotest regions of China, culminating in Japan's eventual surrender.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe battle for Japan was an all-encompassing conflict that required immense logistical coordination and featured significant strategic objectives pursued by the USA, Japan, and Britain. Hastings vividly portrays the vast scale of human involvement, shedding light on both the grand strategies and the raw, first-hand experiences of the airmen, sailors, and soldiers who endured fierce combat and unimaginable hardships. Through his meticulously researched narrative, we gain a profound understanding of the diverse national contributions and the global nature of this relentless struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book's emphasis on pivotal moments in the war provides readers with a richly textured account of numerous crucial battles and events. Hastings explores the significant naval confrontation at Leyte Gulf, exposing its dramatic turns and strategic importance. He delves into the often-overlooked war in China, offering fresh insights and perspectives. The re-conquest of Burma by the British Army under General Slim is presented with a focus on tactical ingenuity and tenacity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn an unflinching examination, Hastings recounts General MacArthur’s controversial campaigns in the Philippines, juxtaposing them against the ferocity of the Marine landings on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The devastating air assaults orchestrated by General Curtis LeMay, involving B-29 Superfortress bombers effectively reducing Japanese cities to ruins, are explored in detail. Furthermore, Hastings provides a measured and thought-provoking analysis of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, their ethical implications, and their role in hastening the war’s end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExpanding the narrative further, Hastings addresses the desperate, fanatical tactics of the Japanese kamikaze pilots, whose attacks epitomised the nation’s wartime resolve and sacrifice. The nearly forgotten Soviet blitzkrieg in Manchuria, conducted with ruthless efficiency in the war’s final days, reveals Stalin’s opportunistic drive to annex territories before the conflict's close. The harrowing final acts of violence across Japanese-occupied Asia are presented with respect and solemnity, underscoring the war's extensive human cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMax Hastings has crafted an epic history with \u003cem\u003eNemesis\u003c\/em\u003e, blending comprehensive military analysis with poignant human stories. This book is not merely a chronicle of battles and strategy; it is a testament to the resilience, disaster, and heroism displayed during one of history's darkest chapters. It stands as a definitive account for anyone seeking to understand the full scope of the Second World War in the Far East.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45746351243500,"sku":"9780007219810","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780007219810.jpg?v=1726686050"},{"product_id":"the-secret-war","title":"The Secret War","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Secret War\u003c\/i\u003e by Max Hastings immerses readers in the shadowy realm of espionage and intelligence operations during the Second World War. Amidst the backdrop of global conflict, Hastings offers an enthralling account of the pivotal role that covert activities played in shaping the outcome of the war. This book delves into the intricate maze of espionage, codebreaking, and counterintelligence efforts that defined the hidden battlegrounds of the era, weaving together narratives from the Allied and Axis powers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs gripping as any spy thriller, Max Hastings’s chronicle of the critical role of intelligence during the Second World War has been hailed as the best account yet by the \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e. With an abundance of insight and a plethora of captivating spy stories, this masterful book examines the secret war on a global scale, intertwining the histories of the British, American, German, Russian, and Japanese forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Secret War\u003c\/i\u003e, Hastings presents a worldwide cast of characters and extraordinary sagas of intelligence and resistance, crafting a new perspective on the greatest conflict in history. Readers will find tales of high courage ashore, at sea, and in the air, alongside the brilliant endeavours of ‘boffins’ who fought to outwit the enemy's technological advances. Detailed accounts include the unheralded codebreaking geniuses of Bletchley Park and their German counterparts, who achieved notable feats of their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book also illuminates the espionage networks engineered—and often dismissed—by the Soviet Union. Through stories of high policy and raw human drama, Hastings reveals the intricate dance of deception and discovery that defined the secret war. With its rich, narrative-driven approach and thorough research, \u003ci\u003eThe Secret War\u003c\/i\u003e has been celebrated as the ultimate history of this clandestine battle, providing a vivid window into the behind-the-scenes strategies that helped shape the modern world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45747797426412,"sku":"9780007503902","price":24.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780007503902_219c62a1-7b84-49e5-bba9-596d353579eb.jpg?v=1750307435"},{"product_id":"operation-biting","title":"Operation Biting","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOperation Biting\u003c\/em\u003e, crafted by the esteemed author Max Hastings, is a riveting historical account that delves into one of World War II's most audacious and successful commando raids. Set in the cold winter of February 1942, this gripping narrative presents an intricate tapestry of daring military strategy and human bravery. The Allies were faced with a perplexing conundrum: a powerful radar network, the Würzburg, had been detected on Europe’s Nazi-occupied coast. Understanding its workings was vital, not only for the success of future air raids but for the tide of the war itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnder the veil of night on 27\/28 February, 120 handpicked airborne troops embarked on this perilous mission. Facing blinding snow and the peril of being dropped miles away from their intended target, these fearless individuals pressed on. Their goal was a radar installation perched high atop the cliffs of Bruneval, Normandy. The narrative peels back the layers of this high-stakes operation, revealing the tense three-hour battle against German forces, and the nail-biting escape across stormy waters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMax Hastings draws readers into this suspenseful tale with a deft hand. He brings to life a cast of remarkable personalities whose roles were pivotal to the raid's success. Among them is Dr. RV Jones, a brilliant scientist whose insights sparked the operation; Lord Louis Mountbatten, whose flamboyant personality belies his military acumen; and Major John Frost, the determined leader of the paratroopers. Intriguing figures such as 'Colonel Remy', the intrepid French agent, and Charlie Cox, the RAF technician who rose as an unexpected hero, add layers to this rich tapestry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe narrative is further invigorated by the portrayal of Wing-Commander Charles Pickard, a legendary figure commanding the bomber pilots, whose guiding hand was essential during the mission’s airborne phase. Hastings’ adept storytelling merges both ground-level and strategic viewpoints, painting a vivid picture of the operation's drama and complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOperation Biting\u003c\/em\u003e is more than a simple recounting of historical facts; it's a masterclass in storytelling by Hastings, a seasoned chronicler of wartime sagas. With his signature blend of meticulous research and engrossing prose, Hastings ensures that this nearly forgotten episode of WWII is vividly remembered as an epic of valour and ingenuity. This book stands as not only a testament to those who braved the mission but also as a thrilling read that captures the tension and triumph of wartime commando raids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45839089598700,"sku":"9780008642174","price":28.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008642174.jpg?v=1729463500"},{"product_id":"abyss-by-max-hastings-9780008365035","title":"Abyss","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Times History Book of the Year 2022\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the #1 bestselling historian Max Hastings, \u003cem\u003ethe heart-stopping story of the missile crisis\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eDaily Telegraph\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis was the most perilous event in history, when mankind faced a looming nuclear collision between the United States and the Soviet Union. During those weeks, the world gazed into the abyss of potential annihilation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45979472068844,"sku":"9780008365035","price":22.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008365035.jpg?v=1733873539"},{"product_id":"operation-pedestal-by-max-hastings-9780008364984","title":"Operation Pedestal","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sunday Times bestseller\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘One of the most dramatic forgotten chapters of the war, as told in a new book by the incomparable Max Hastings’\u003c\/em\u003e DAILY MAIL\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn August 1942, beleaguered Malta was within weeks of surrender to the Axis, because its 300,000 people could no longer be fed. Churchill made a personal decision that at all costs, the ‘island fortress’ must be saved. This was not merely a matter of strategy, but of national prestige, when Britain’s fortunes and morale had fallen to their lowest ebb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe largest fleet the Royal Navy committed to any operation of the western war was assembled to escort fourteen fast merchantmen across a thousand miles of sea defended by six hundred German and Italian aircraft, together with packs of U-boats and torpedo craft. The Mediterranean battles that ensued between 11 and 15 August were the most brutal of Britain’s war at sea, embracing four aircraft carriers, two battleships, seven cruisers, scores of destroyers, and smaller craft. The losses were appalling: defeat seemed to beckon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the saga Max Hastings unfolds in his first full-length narrative of the Royal Navy, which he believes was the most successful of Britain’s wartime services. As always, he blends the ‘big picture’ of statesmen and admirals with human stories of German U-boat men, Italian torpedo-plane crews, Hurricane pilots, destroyer and merchant-ship captains, ordinary but extraordinary seamen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOperation Pedestal\u003c\/em\u003e describes catastrophic ship sinkings, including that of the aircraft-carrier Eagle, together with struggles to rescue survivors and salvage stricken ships. Most moving of all is the story of the tanker Ohio, indispensable to Malta’s survival, victim of countless Axis attacks. In the last days of the battle, the ravaged hulk was kept underway only by two destroyers, lashed to her sides. Max Hastings describes this as one of the most extraordinary tales he has ever recounted. Until the very last hours, no participant on either side could tell what would be the outcome of an epic of wartime suspense and courage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45979574698220,"sku":"9780008364984","price":24.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008364984.jpg?v=1733876526"},{"product_id":"soldiers-by-max-hastings-9780008454265","title":"Soldiers","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA gripping new collection from Max Hastings that puts you at the heart of the battle … Compelling\u003c\/em\u003e — Daily Mail\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAn unmissable read\u003c\/em\u003e — Sunday Times\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSoldiers\u003c\/em\u003e is a very personal gathering of sparkling, gripping tales by many writers, about men and women who have borne arms, reflecting bestselling historian Max Hastings’s lifetime of studying war. It rings the changes through the centuries, between the heroic, tragic and comic; the famous and the humble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe nearly 350 stories illustrate vividly what it is like to fight in wars, to live and die as a warrior, from Greek and Roman times through to recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHere you will meet Jewish heroes of the Bible, Rome’s captain of the gate, Queen Boudicca, Joan of Arc, Cromwell, Wellington, Napoleon’s marshals, Ulysses S. Grant, George S. Patton and the modern SAS. There are tales of great writers who served in uniform including Cobbett and Tolstoy, Edward Gibbon and Siegfried Sassoon, Marcel Proust and Evelyn Waugh, George Orwell and George MacDonald Fraser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHere are also stories of the female ‘abosi’ fighters of Dahomey and heroic ambulance drivers of World War I, together with the new-age women soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe stories reflect a change of mood towards warfare through the ages: though nations and movements continue to inflict terrible violence upon each other, most of humankind has retreated from the old notion of war as a sport or pastime, to acknowledge it as the supreme tragedy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book to inspire in turn fascination, excitement, horror, amazement, occasionally laughter. Max Hastings mingles respect for the courage of those who fight with compassion for those who become their victims, above all civilians, and especially in the twenty-first century, which some are already calling ‘the Post-Heroic Age’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45979593801964,"sku":"9780008454265","price":28.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008454265.jpg?v=1733877543"},{"product_id":"sword-by-max-hastings-9780008699765","title":"Sword","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOn 6 June 1944 when the allied armies landed on D-Day, the Second World War had already lasted almost five years.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYet many of the British and American troops who invaded Normandy were virgin soldiers, never before committed to battle. They quit summer England to face within hours a storm of machine-gun and mortar fire. They witnessed scenes, above all of sudden death, such as no exercise had prepared them for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eSword\u003c\/em\u003e, veteran chronicler of war Max Hastings explores with extraordinary vividness the actions of the Commando brigade, Montgomery’s 3rd Infantry and 6th Airborne divisions on and around a single British beach. He describes their frustrations, hopes, loves and fears through the apparently interminable years training and preparing in England, then their triumphs and tragedies on the beach and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHere are the airborne assaults on the Caen Canal bridge and Merville Battery, the battles on the shoreline and against the German strongpoints inland, narrated and explained with all the insights that Hastings’ decades of study, veterans’ interviews and new archive research enable him to deploy. The book offers a searching analysis of why British troops did not reach Caen on 6 June, as Montgomery had promised Churchill that they would – and the story of the brigadier who was sacked for that failure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is also a host of personal portraits of key figures from commando leader Lord Lovat, famously brave but supremely arrogant, to tank colonel Jim Eadie, whose tanks of the Staffordshire Yeomanry repulsed a panzer division in the last hours of 6 June, and some of the humbler participants to whom extraordinary things happened.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is D-Day as you have never read the story told before, with the blend of narrative, analysis and human insight that made Max Hastings’ last book \u003cem\u003eOperation Biting\u003c\/em\u003e, like many of his earlier works, a Sunday Times No.1 bestseller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46263701143788,"sku":"9780008699765","price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008699765.jpg?v=1741917969"},{"product_id":"abyss-by-max-hastings-9780008364991","title":"Abyss","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAbyss\u003c\/em\u003e: A \u003cem\u003eTimes\u003c\/em\u003e History Book of the Year 2022\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the #1 bestselling historian Max Hastings: “the heart-stopping story of the missile crisis”, says the \u003cem\u003eDaily Telegraph\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis was the most perilous event in history, when mankind faced a looming nuclear collision between the United States and the Soviet Union. During those weeks, the world gazed into the abyss of potential annihilation.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMax Hastings’s graphic new history tells the story from the viewpoints of national leaders, Russian officers, Cuban peasants, American pilots, and British disarmers. Hastings deploys his accustomed blend of eye-witness interviews, archive documents and diaries, White House tape recordings, and top-down analysis. He first paints word-portraits of the Cold War experiences of Fidel Castro’s Cuba, Nikita Khrushchev’s Russia, and Kennedy’s America, and then describes the nail-biting Thirteen Days in which Armageddon beckoned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHastings began researching this book believing that he was exploring a past event from twentieth-century history. He is as shocked as millions of us around the world to discover that the rape of Ukraine gives this narrative a hitherto unimaginable twenty-first-century immediacy. We may be witnessing the onset of a new Cold War between nuclear-armed superpowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTo contend with today’s threat, which Hastings fears will prove enduring, it is critical to understand how, sixty years ago, the world survived its last glimpse into the abyss. 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On the eve of its centenary, Max Hastings seeks to explain both how the conflict came about and what befell millions of men and women during the first months of strife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe finds the evidence overwhelming that Austria and Germany must accept principal blame for the outbreak. While what followed was a vast tragedy, he argues passionately against the ‘poets’ view’, that the war was not worth winning. It was vital to the freedom of Europe, he says, that the Kaiser’s Germany should be defeated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis narrative of the early battles will astonish those whose images of the war are simply of mud, wire, trenches and steel helmets. Hastings describes how the French Army marched into action amid virgin rural landscapes, in uniforms of red and blue, led by mounted officers, with flags flying and bands playing. The bloodiest day of the entire Western war fell on 22 August 1914, when the French lost 27,000 dead. Four days later, at Le Cateau, the British fought an extraordinary action against the oncoming Germans, one of the last of its kind in history. In October, at terrible cost, they held the allied line against massive German assaults in the first battle of Ypres. The author also describes the brutal struggles in Serbia, East Prussia, and Galicia, where by Christmas the Germans, Austrians, Russians, and Serbs had inflicted on each other three million casualties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book offers answers to the huge and fascinating question, ‘what happened to Europe in 1914?’, through Max Hastings’s accustomed blend of top-down and bottom-up accounts from a multitude of statesmen and generals, peasants, housewives, and private soldiers of seven nations. His narrative pricks myths and offers some striking and controversial judgements. 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In February 1942, RAF intelligence was baffled by a newly-identified radar network on the coast of Nazi-occupied Europe, codenamed Würzburg. The brilliant scientist Dr RV Jones proposed an assault to capture key components. The nearest accessible enemy set stood upon a steep cliff at Bruneval in Normandy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWinston Churchill enthused, as did Lord Louis Mountbatten, chief of Combined Operations. A company of the newly-formed Airborne Forces was committed to the operation, which took place on the night of 27\/28 February. Amid heavy snow, 120 men landed, some of whom were misdropped almost two miles from their objective. 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The author describes the American coup in capturing Remagen bridge and the ‘battles of the breakout’ which followed. Thereafter, he recounts stories of Nazi Werewolves; of US General George Patton’s reckless and doomed dispatch of an armoured column fifty miles behind German lines to liberate his son-in-law from a prison camp; the heartbreaking liberation of Belsen concentration camp; the wonderful achievement of Ian Liddell of the Coldstream Guards, among the last VC winners of the war and surely one of the most deserving; the last big SAS operation of the war. 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