Casemate Publishing

Intifada; the long day of rage.

"[T]he State of Israel has a case to answer for in its appalling treatment of the Palestinian people." This is the conclusion Pratt (foreign editor, Sunday Herald, UK) has drawn from 20 years of covering the Israel-Palestine conflict from both sides of the "Green Line," the border between Israel and Palestine delineated by the United Nations. He distills those years in this book, which describes Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation from the outbreak of the first Intifada in 1987 through mid-2006. The conflict is largely described from the perspective of his on-the-ground reportorial eye, but necessary political background is included. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Swords for hire; the Scottish mercenary.

The role of Scots fighters in the British Empire is celebrated far and wide, notes Scottish historian Miller, but their exploits in Europe for the two centuries before that find little mention in history or popular literature. He surveys exploits and experiences of Scots who earned a living as soldiers in Europe, pivoting on the Thirty Years War (1618-48). (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Victory in the Falklands.

General Leopoldo Galtieri brings to mind G.W.Bush: start a "splendid little war", to use a Teddy Roosevelt phrase, to assert authority and provide a circus for the masses. Van der Bijl (5th Infantry Brigade in the Faklklands) delivers a solid account of the motivation, 1982 invasion, the surprising reaction of the Brits, actions, and surrender of the Argentine forces. 36 photos. Selected terms: Malvinas, Margaret Thatcher, South Atlantic, Belgrano, Sheffield, South Georgia, Stanley. A major book on a (fascinating) minor skirmish. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)