Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work has doubtless its place among the books dealing with The Great War, being built up from narratives, letters, diaries, and personal interviews, often with the help of the principal actors in the events narrated. It is dedicated to the general reader, who wishes a coherent account of the Great War, an account which shall not make large demands on his previous knowledge and which is written in easy, readable style. The emphasis is definitely and intentionally on English action and English achievement. And Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has the true heart of the military historian. This is volume three out of six, covering the events of the year 1917 with a focus on the Battle of the Somme.

“A superb read . . . destined to become the go-to book for anyone interested in this long-neglected period of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.” —The Napoleon Series To crush the French Revolution, the armies of the First Coalition gathered round France’s borders, the largest of which was assembled in Flanders. Composed of Anglo-Hanoverian, Dutch, Hessian, Prussian and Imperial Austrian troops, its aim was to invade France and restore the nobility to what was considered their rightful place. Opposing them was the French Armée du Nord. In command of the Anglo-Hanoverian contingent was the son of George III, the Duke of York. The campaign was a disaster for the Coalition forces, particularly during the severe winter of 1794/5 when the troops were forced into a terrible and humiliating retreat. Britain’s reputation and that of its military leaders was severely diminished, with the forces of the Revolution sweeping all before them on a tide of popularism. Yet, from this defeat grew an army that under the Duke of Wellington would eventually crush the Revolution’s greatest general, Napoleon Bonaparte. Of the Flanders Campaign, Wellington, who fought as a junior officer under the Duke of York, remarked that the experience had at least taught him what not to do. Napoleon Series research editor Steve Brown has produced one of the most insightful, and much-needed studies of this disastrous but intriguing campaign, with particular focus on the British Army’s contribution. With copious maps and nineteen appendices including detailed orders of battle, he concludes this important work with an analysis that draws striking, and significant comparisons with the Flanders campaigns of 1914 and 1940. How history repeats itself . . .

This great series addition of Sherlock Holmes includes a full-length novels and short stories. Sherlock Holmes: Volume 3 continues the exciting adventures of the world's most famous pipe-smoking detective, Sherlock Holmes, collecting works written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Included are the short story collection The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905) and the novel The Valley of Fear (1915). From his home, 221B Baker Street in London, the legendary Sherlock Holmes (accompanied by his loyal companion and chronicler, Dr. Watson) employs his mastery of deductive reasoning and expert sleuthing to solve an arraying of complex and harrowing cases, baffling the police and becoming internationally renowned for his remarkable observations and even more eccentric habits. Complete and unabridged, this elegantly designed clothbound edition features an elastic closure and a new introduction by Daniel Stashower.

On 10 May 1940 the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), under the command of Lord Gort, moved forward from the Franco-Belgian border and took up positions along a 20-mile sector off the River Dyle, to await the arrival of the German Army Group B. Their expected stay was considerably shorter than planned as the German Army Group A pushed its way through the Ardennes and crossed the Meuse at Sedan, scattering the French before them. Little did the men of the BEF realize that the orders to retire would result in their evacuation from Dunkirk and other channel ports. The line of the River Escaut was seen as the last real opportunity for the Allied armies to halt the advancing German Army, but the jigsaw of defense was tenuous and the allied hold on the river was undone by the weight of opposing German forces and the speed of the armored ÔBlitzkriegÕ thrust further south. As far as the BEF were concerned, the Battle for the Escaut took place on a 30-mile sector from Oudenaarde to BlŽharies and involved units in a sometimes desperate defense, during which two Victoria Crosses were awarded. This book takes the battlefield tourist from Oudenaarde to Hollain in a series of tours that retrace the footsteps of the BEF. With the help of local historians, the author has pinpointed crucial actions and answered some of the myriad questions associated with this important phase of the France and Flanders campaign of 1940.